Chapter 555 - 338: Peace of Mind
When Yang Zhangshi came back, it was almost noon, and Da Ni was tidying up the weeds next to the pigsty.
As the weather warms up, snakes, insects, mice, and ants will start to become active. Clearing the weeds and then cleaning the ditch under the eaves will make summer much safer and reduce the number of mosquitoes.
Just like Yang Zhangshi said, Da Ni is very capable; she’s not afraid of dirt and hardship, almost like an adult.
Seven Happiness returned a bit earlier than Yang Zhangshi. He not only handled all his own affairs but also bought a cart of grain.
This food is for the family’s long-term laborers. Although some grain was saved earlier, it wasn’t much, and this year’s harvest hasn’t been reaped yet, so they can only buy it for now.
The Jiang family mainly grows fine grains now, but they also plant quite a bit of coarse grains like sorghum, buckwheat, and corn. After the harvest, they’ll have enough for the laborers to eat.
After all, their family specializes in growing grain, so there’s no need to buy from outside, and Jiang Hu doesn’t worry about the small price difference.
This noon, there wasn’t time to build a small kitchen in the front yard, so when cooking in the duck pen, they made extra food for Yang Zhangshi and Da Ni.
Seven Happiness and Auntie Yang are now preparing their new home for mother and son. They will move out later, so the front yard will only have Yang Zhangshi and Da Ni.
As soon as Yang Zhangshi came back, Er Niang found her.
"I noticed you’re hesitant to leave Da Ni alone. Let her live with you for now. This afternoon we’ll make a small kitchen there, and the grain is already brought over for you. You can start cooking your own meals by tonight."
"As for meat dishes, you’ll receive them twice a month. You can pick vegetables from the field yourself. Just one rule: pick as much as you eat, don’t waste anything, understand?"
They didn’t have time yesterday, so today Er Niang finally had a moment to show Yang Zhangshi around the front yard.
There wasn’t a place for a kitchen in the front yard originally, but luckily there was an empty corner by the gatehouse that could be cleaned up for cooking.
And with screen walls and walls for covering in the front, people entering and exiting the house can’t see what’s going on over here.
However, while giving instructions, Er Niang pondered internally that with only two people it’s fine now, but if there were more, they couldn’t all live at home.
That would be too inconvenient, plus the front yard would feel very crowded, and if guests came over, it wouldn’t look good.
Yang Zhangshi nodded repeatedly: "I know, thank you, Mrs. Jiang."
Er Niang was taken aback, waving her hand: "Why call me ’Mrs.’? I heard you’re about the same age as Little Grass’s mother, just call me ’sister-in-law.’ We’re all farm folks, not much fuss."
Indeed, they couldn’t even be considered landlords now, just farmers with slightly more land.
It’s said, for small landlords, they usually own over a hundred acres. Their family is still far from that.
As they spoke, Auntie Yang came over with a bowl of vegetables, followed by Da Ni carrying a few steamed buns.
"The meal is ready over there, so I brought it over first."
Er Niang pointed out where Yang Zhangshi and Da Ni would stay. Today they cooked radishes with bacon and added a bit of garlic leaf, which smelled delicious.
Though there wasn’t much meat, there were plenty of radishes, and the steamed buns also contained some fine flour, making them much tastier than all coarse flour buns.
"It should be enough for the two of you to eat. No need to take the bowls and chopsticks over. Just wash them here, and from the afternoon, start cooking for yourselves here."
Yang Zhangshi and Da Ni, already drawn by the food, nodded repeatedly, indicating they understood.
After Er Niang and Auntie Yang left, Yang Zhangshi quickly fetched water to wash her and her daughter’s hands.
Da Ni’s eyes hardly left the food.
"Mom, Mrs. Jiang is so kind. This morning she even let me eat egg pancakes and drink soy milk. I’ve never had those before."
Even though she was already starting to swallow her saliva, Da Ni sat at the table without moving, waiting for her mother to pour out the dirty water and come over.
Their room wasn’t big, but it had everything they needed.
A bed where both mother and daughter, being very slim, could sleep comfortably.
The quilt was thick, even thicker than the one Yang Zhangshi had when she married into the Yang family.
The bed sheets and pillows were new.
Beside the bed, there was a cabinet for clothes, and by the doorway, there was a set of table and chairs, with a small cabinet next to it. Their tableware was on top, and miscellaneous items could be stored below.
The room was small and fully equipped, cozier than their previous home.