A Good Country Wife

"Really?" Dalang knew that Erlang was probably telling the truth, but he put on a doubtful expression on purpose, just to test Erlang and see if there was anything he didn’t know.

As soon as Erlang heard that Dalang still doubted him, he got somewhat flustered, "Of course, it’s true. I didn’t lie to you. While you and our eldest brother went into the mountains yesterday, I bought them from Granny Qian’s place. I bought ten in total. Normally, eggs cost four coins each at the market, but because I bought in bulk, and because it was from Granny Qian’s house, she only charged me thirty-five coins. I even saved five coins compared to market prices, and the eggs are larger. It’s a really good deal. If you don’t believe me, go and ask Granny Qian; see if I’m lying or not."

"So, mistress did use her own savings to buy them. Not bad, you’ve grown up," Dalang said as he patted Erlang on the shoulder, his smile meaningful.

Dalang and Erlang were very careful with the jar, cheerfully entering Jimin Hall. Dr. Zheng had said their mother would wake up last night. Now that it wasn’t early anymore, their mother must be awake. The jar they were holding was still warm. Worried about spilling the soup inside, the brothers had taken turns holding it close on their way here, and now, it was the perfect time to give it to their mother to drink.

When Dalang went inside, it was Zhao Erhu who opened the door. "Dad, has mom woken up? Erlang and I brought some soup for mom to drink. Mom said that pheasant soup is the most nourishing for the body. Erlang and I specially went into the mountains to catch the pheasants yesterday, and we prepared it using the method mom taught us."

"She hasn’t yet. Why did you two go into the mountains? It’s dangerous without someone accompanying you; don’t go again in the future," Zhao Erhu said, his mind entirely on Lin Yue. Only when his sons mentioned their trip did he frown and admonish them a few words.

"Dad, rest assured, we didn’t go deep into the mountains, just to the place where we set traps before, not far from there. My brother and I are cautious; we won’t put ourselves in danger," Erlang explained to reassure Zhao Erhu, noticing that Lin Yue was still lying in bed. He thought Lin Yue had woken up and then fallen asleep again. "Dad, when did mom fall asleep?"

"Your mom hasn’t woken up yet. The doctor said it might be due to her constitution, so she sleeps longer than other people," Zhao Erhu explained with a worried look on his face. He didn’t hide anything from Dalang and Erlang, as both his sons were sensible. It was time they should know about things that needn’t be kept from them. They should be worried about their mistress, who treated them as her own sons. If it hadn’t been for the excessive worry that drove her out of her senses, a clever woman like their mistress would have surely noticed something wrong. Letting them worry about the mistress was good for them.