In Yang jia's main room, He-shi was speaking with Matchmaker Ma.

Unlike the last time, He-shi's attitude this time was a lot better; even a hint of flattery could be detected within her actions.

It couldn't be helped, for Yang Xuezhang couldn't qualify for the county exam again. And her old man had made the decision to stop supporting his studies. Nevertheless, He-shi believed that her son could still qualify for the county exam without having to go to the academy. However, this was just a thought in her heart. Furthermore, Yang Xuezhang can't be delayed any longer at this age. Thus, He-shi's immediate plan of action was to have her son get married, pushing all the other matters until later.

This time, He-shi's requirements were very low and didn't demand wealthy or reputable families either.

Perhaps, this time around, her way of thinking has changed. Though unwilling, Matchmaker Ma too restrained her temper and patiently listed down a few young maiden's profiles she thought weren't bad. After deliberating for half a day, He-shi felt Feng Xiucai's daughter was alright.

秀才 (xiùcai): a person who has passed the county-level imperial exam (historical) / scholar

This young girl surnamed Feng's family lived in a nearby village. Her father was a xiucai. She had two elder brothers, a younger brother, and a married elder sister at home.

Reasonably speaking, Yang Xuezhang wouldn't have been eligible for a young girl from a xiucal family. However, this Feng jia's situation was a bit different. By the time Feng xiucai qualified for the county examination, he was already in his late twenties, and most of the family's silver was also emptied out. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that this matter of him becoming xiucai was to everyone's delight and satisfaction.

But who would have imagined this happiness was only short-lived? Not long after, Feng Xiucai was afflicted with a serious illness, from having worked too hard for his studies that almost all of his body was hollowed out?

Beset by such a serious illness, he was bedridden and on the point of death. Not to mention him continuing to take advanced examinations and ascend in the scholarly ranks, he wasn't even fit to become a teacher in any academy. Which academy would even hire a teacher who would get bedridden every few days? He was forced to return home and do farming with no other alternative. Fortunately, their family still had a few mu of land. Life back at home wasn't too bad, but there were quite many children in the family, making them too tight on money.

mu: Chinese unit of land measurement that varies with location but is commonly 806.65 square yards (0.165 acres, or 666.5 square meters

Thus, for Feng Xiucai, apart from being exempted from paying farming taxes, the hard-earned xucai title didn't bring any other benefits to his family. But Feng Xiucai didn't think so. However, this Feng Xiucai didn't believe as such. In the entire village, he was the only xiucai. Thus he thought highly of himself and was very much unwilling to marry his daughter into a peasant household. Not only does the groom has to be a scholar, but he also has to provide them a lot of betrothal gift. In an aspect, the betrothal gifts shouldn't be lacking, with a monetary gift being at the least 6.6 silver taels.

This one monetary gift was enough to scare away all the peasant families in the village. Not to mention, these days which peasant families would be able to raise scholars in their families. As a result, this Young Lady Feng remained unmarried all this time.

Feng Xiucai had entrusted his daughter's marriage to Matchmaker Ma. And ever since then, Matchmaker Ma didn't have any fewer headaches in finding a suitable match for this Feng girl.

If someone was ready to give the said betrothal gift, Feng Xiucai was dissatisfied with him not being a scholar. And if the other was a scholar, they weren't okay with such a large betrothal gift.

Actually, last time He-shi invited Matchmaker Ma, she wanted to about this Feng girl then itself. But at that time, He-shi was had placed herself on a high pedestal. Thus Matchmaker Ma didn't say anything about her, fearing that she might invite trouble for herself.

This time around, Yang Xuezhang's inability to qualify xuicai exam wasn't any secret in the village. And coupled with He-shi's soft attitude, Matchmaker Ma chose to introduce Feng girl's profile as well.

As soon as Matchmaker Ma heard He-shi saying that the girl from Feng Xucai's jia was pretty good, joy-filled her heart. However, she was able to keep a foothold in this business till this day and make a good name for herself in this field because of her upright moral character and her attitude of not concealing any matters between. Thus, she straightforwardly mentioned Feng Xuaci's family's circumstances and their demands. A frown appeared between He-shi's brows when she heard that betrothal price of 6.6 taels.

But this time, she was the one who had requested to look for a match for her son and was running short of time as well. Thus, she didn't make any harsh remarks and let Matchmaker Ma wait for a while, saying that she would like to go in and discuss with her old man.

Yang laoyezi had been sent out by He-shi a long time back. Thus, at the moment, the one He-shi went to discuss with wasn't Yang laoyezi but Yang Xuezhang.

He-shi didn't hide about her search for marriage matches from her darling son and had already informed in advance. Yang Xuezhang had nothing to say about it. But his only requirement was that he has to be listening to her conversion with Matchmaker Ma from the side, to be well aware of the situation.

He-shi didn't feel it was a hard request. Thus He-shi had Yang Xuezhang sit in Yang Ermei's room and listen to their conversation.

(Remember, Yang Ermei is living in the side room of the main room. There are only separated by a door.)

After entering the room, He-shi closed the door and asked Yang Xuezhang's opinion.

Worthy of being a mother and son, both had the same thought – Yang Xuezhang also felt that Feng Xuicai's daughter was pretty good.

Perhaps others didn't hold the value in this poor and bedridden Xuicai. But after having failed in the qualifying examination year after year, Yang Xuezhang felt all the people who have become xuicai are simply not mortals and are highly knowledgeable erudite scholars. Moreover, he had already made up his mind to seek guidance from his future xuicai father-in-law. Who knows, maybe under his tutelage, he would be able to turn the situation around?

As He-shi's most favored son, Yang Xuezhang understood He-shi better than anyone. After stating his opinion, he also shared his future plans with her.

He-shi found this idea to be pretty good. But recalling the number of betrothal gifts, 6.6 taels of monetary gift, the money required to set up a wedding banquet, and what not to marry in Feng xuicai's daughter, waves and waves of distress beset He-shi's heart.

Currently, He-shi didn't have much savings left with her. Summing up, she only has ten taels. And there wasn't much food left at home either. In the days to come, they would need silver to buy food. Calculating all this, the silver in her hand simply won't be enough.

But glancing at her precious old son, whom she had treasured for several years, He-shi's heart became soft at once. She patted Yang Xuezhang's hand to reassure him before opening the door and walking out.

Seeing He-shi step out, Matchmaker Ma placed the bowl of sweet coup down before asking, "I wonder what your family's master's decision is? If you genuinely feel Feng Xuicai's girl is pretty good, then please decide quickly. There are still many others who are also thinking of this match. If you don't want it, I can proceed with others."

Matchmaker Ma wanted to bring about a sense of urgency within He-shi by saying this. Truthfully speaking, it isn't easy for Feng xuicai's girl to get married, and it could be dragged till half a year.

Upon hearing Matchmaker Ma say so, He-shi threw away all her initial hesitations. Gritting her teeth, she nodded in acquiescence, "This girl is fine."

Both the parties involved were satisfied. He-shi requested Matchmaker Ma to put good words for them to quickly set the marriage dates before seeing the Matchmaker Ma out.

Thinking of the dwindling silver in her hand, He-shi, who seldomly felt melancholy, was plagued with melancholia. Not only does she still have to buy food for the family, but she also has to marry her son. From where could she get all the silver for this….

After a day, Yang Tiegen delivered the things that Lin Qingwan wanted to Yang-shi's house. He then returned to the home to let Lin Qingwan know about it and hand over the rest of the money.

But this time, Yang Tiegen wasn't in a rush to go back to the town, as there wasn't any work in the town as of late. Many times, even a day's worth of wait would be futile. Thus, he planned to stay at home for a day before going back to the town.

The third branch's husband and wife took the two little girls back to their room. While Lin Qingwan felt too lazy to get up from the bed, she nevertheless decided to get up and go to Yang-shi's place.

She got up from the kang, tidied her clothes, and put on a big cotton-padded jacket. After informing Yang Tiezhu, she then set off to Yang-shi's place.

Outside, the weather was way too cold. Though it wasn't snowing, Lin Qingwan found it very chilling. However, Yao-shi doesn't seem to fear the cold one bit, perhaps because she was used to this place.

Once she entered Yang jia's courtyard, Dahei and Erhei rushed to her and circled around with wagging tails as soon as they saw her. Lin Qingwan rubbed their heads and entered the main room.

"Eldest gu, I have come." Lin Qingwan said as she opened the curtain.

姑(gū): father's oldest sister

Yang-shi was sitting on the kang while making the shoes. Seeing her come in, she said with a smile, "I heard a voice from outside. But since Dahei and Erhei didn't bark, I guessed it might be you."

After saying so, she added, "Tiegen bought everything you wanted. Fearing the rats might eat them if I left them in the kitchen, I put them here."

Lin Qingwan smiled at Yang-shi in response. Placing the cover in her hand down, she bent down and flipped over the pig's small intestines in the basin.

The small intestines were intact, without any damages.

Lin Qingwan rolled up her sleeves, intending to take the basin outside and wash them.

But before she could hold them, Yang-shi picked up the basin.

"My great aunt, currently you are pregnant, do refrain from doing heavy works. What do you want to do? Tell me, I will help you."

Hearing Lin Qingwan say these need to be washed, Yang-shi carried the basin into the yard. Lin Qingwan too quickly followed her out, bringing two small stools along with her.

After Yang-shi fetched water, the two sat on the small stool and began washing the small intestines. Once they were scrubbed clean, they rinsed them with water a few times. Once rinsed thoroughly, they soaked the intestines in the water and carried them back into the house.

Unable to endure the frosty weather, Lin Qingwan decided to scrape the mucous lining of the small intestines in the room.

After watching Lin Qingwan scrape them for a while, Yang-shi got the gist of it. Lin Qingwan also intentionally gave her pointers from time to time, intending to teach her. Thus she got the hang of it rather quickly.

Not long after, Yao-shi also came. A while ago, when she went to speak with the second sao, she found that she had gone to eldest gu's place from second elder brother and thought they must be making that Lap cheong, so she rushed over here to lend a hand.

Seeing the two were busy, Yao-shi moved a small stool and sat beside them as well. Lin Qingwan once again showed Yao-shi how to do it. The three of them then began scrapping small intestines while engaging in trivial conversations.

This time Yang Tiegen had bought quite a lot of small intestines. Thus, it was already quite late by the time the three were done with the peeling. Thus, Yang-shi asked the two to stay back for dinner. But Lin Qingwan declined, saying that many people were waiting for them back home. Thus, Yang-shi had to let them go home with no other choice. They agreed to continue preparing Lap cheong the next day.

Back home, Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi together quickly cooked dinner, after which all the members from both the second branch and third branch sat together and had their dinner in the second branch's room.

The next day Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi went to Yang jia's place. While Yang Tiegen went back to the town to look for odd jobs and also attend Lin Qingwan's matter – to visit Man Fu House and inquire how Laweixian was selling.

Today, the three of them would be washing and cutting the meat. Thinking that knives at Yang-shi's place might not be enough for three of them, before leaving to Yang-shi's place, Lin Qingwan wrapped her kitchen knife along with Yang Tiezhu's hunting knife in a cloth and brought it along with her.

When she took them out at Yang-shi's place, Yang-shi was startled.

Glancing at Yang-shi's astonished and little dumfounded appearance, Lin Qingwan wittily brandished the knife in the air, saying that all this seemed as if they were working in a workshop. And added that in the future, if their business truly begins thriving, all of them would build a small workshop.

Yang-shi and Yao-shi smiled without any words, inwardly thinking it unlikely. However, they didn't spell their thoughts out, fearing Lin Qingwan might become sad.

Yang-shi and Yao-shi began chopping the meat into long strips with the kitchen knife. While Lin Qingwan began dicing them into small cubes. Once the meat was finely chopped, Lin Qingwan asked Yang-shi to fetch a large cleaned basin and took all the chopped meat into them before seasoning them with condiments and giving them a mix.

All the condiments, including salt, soy sauce, sugar, thirteen-spice, ginger ale, wine, and so on, were brought by Lin Qingwan earlier. The thirteen-spice she ground last time was still left out. Thinking that all of that might get used up this time, she went to the medical center the last time she visited the town and bought a few more herbs.

It took a few basins to season all the meat with condiments. With the filling ready, they could begin making Lap cheong.

Upon seeing the time, Yang-shi decided to start preparing lunch for them. The previous day, when the three of them decided to make Lap cheong today, Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi decided to have lunch at Yang-shi's place. For this reason, Lin Qingwan had prepared the lunch for Yang Tiezhu and the two girls in the morning itself, just like the other day when she went to the town.

After having lunch, the three gave themselves a short rest before they got busy again.

Since Lin Qingwan was the only one who knew how to make Lap cheong, she taught Yang-shi, and Yao-shi taught how to do it first.

As quick learners as they were, Yang-shi and Yao-shi understood how to do it in a short time. But, as there was only one funnel, only one person could do it.

One stuffed the meat from the top through the funnel while the other two squeezed the filling down into the casing. With the three people working together, the work was done quickly.

But no matter how fast they were, it was almost dark by the time they were done making lap cheong. After hanging them on the roof beams, Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi quickly washed their hands and took their leave.

Back at home, the two quickly made something simple for dinner. After a simple dinner, Yao-shi took the two girls back to her room.

Lin Qingwan knew Yao-shi was extremely tired, but she, too, was tried to death. Her lower back was utterly sore, while she couldn't even lift her arms anymore.

After a quick wash, Lin Qingwan threw herself on the kang. Only when she laid down and wrapped herself in the quilts, did she feel relaxed from head to foot.

Looking at his wife's-tired face, Yang Tiezhu felt extremely distressed and said, "Wife, are you tired? Don't tire yourself in your pregnancy. The silver we have would be enough to get by for the next few days. After a while, all of my injuries will be healed. Then I will earn even more silver and give them to you."

Lin Qingwan, huddled in quilts, appeasingly smiled at him, "I'm not that tired. Most of the work was done by eldest gu and third dimei. I simply helped them from the side."

dimiei: younger brother's wife

Yang Tiezhu caressed Lin Qingwan's small arms with his big hands without saying anything. And just as he expected, they were extremely stiff.

But he didn't say anything. He silently and slowly massaged Lin Qingwan's arm with his uninjured hand.

The beddings under her were thick and comfortable, and the quilt in which she wrapped in was cozy and soft. Coupled with his slow and relaxing massage, Lin Qingwan slowly drifted into a deep slumber.

In her slumber, she felt as if someone was massaging her arms and waist, but she was too sleepy to open her eyes.

At the first light of the dawn the next day, Lin Qingwan was still snuggled under blankets when Yao-shi knocked on the room's door, saying that Yang Tiegen had returned and had something to tell her.

Elated, Lin Qingwan quickly got down from the kang, dressed herself, and freshened up.

Only when she met Yang Tiegen and heard him brief the matter did Lin Qingwan's heart return to its place.

As it turned out, Yang Tiegen went back to the town the day before. After laboring to transport a few goods, he went to Man Fu House to see how it was going, his heart still anxious over the huge amount of meat second sao had bought.

Entering the restaurant, no sooner than he stated his purpose of visit, the restaurant manager surnamed Li quickly dragged him to the rear of the restaurant to have a word. There he told him that the Laweixian had been sold out and had him promptly notify the woman surnamed Lin that Manager Li needed another 30 jin of Laweixian, the more, the better, at the earliest.

After listening to this Yang, Tiegen took his leave from Manager Li and hurried back. Usually, Yang Tiegen was frugal and preferred to travel to the town on foot. Otherwise, he wouldn't be leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. But today, he was anxious to return. However, even when the sun was close to setting, he couldn't find any ox cart. Thus, he quickly walked back.

Nonetheless, by the time he reached home, night had already fallen. Yao-shi opened the door for him. At first, he wanted to quickly find the second sao at that time itself. But Yao-shi stopped him, saying the second sao might have gone to bed long ago, it would be better to meet her tomorrow. Anyway, this matter couldn't be rushed.

Yang Tiezhu, with no other choice, suppressed his eagerness and had his dinner before going to bed. Yao-shi had kept some food for him at the side to eat when he returned. The next day, as soon as dawn broke, he got up and had Yao-shi knock on the second branch's room door.

After hearing Yang Tiegen recount the matter, Lin Qingwan sat on the kang and fell into deep contemplation. Seeing her deeply absorbed in thoughts over the issue, everyone tactically remained silent to not disturb her. Both Yang Tiegen and Yang Tiezhu maintained silence while Yao-shi rolled her sleeves and began making breakfast.

30 jin?

That means, perhaps Yang Teigen was late to go there, and by that time, Man Fu House had long sold out all the Laweixian. Otherwise, Manager Li wouldn't have dragged Yang Tiegen to the rear of the restaurant as soon as he introduced himself. From Yang Tiegen's words, although Manager Li said nothing about how Laweixian was selling, Lin Qingwan could safely conclude that it was selling quite well.

Even if it wasn't a best-seller, it shouldn't be too bad. And perhaps, Manager Li had only asked for 30 jin because he wasn't sure of its characteristics and how long the food would remain fresh.

Lin Qingwan had a clear estimation: a lap cheong link could be served in one or two plates, and sometimes, if plated skillfully, they could even be sold in three plates. Thus, 10 jin of lap cheong could be more or less sold in 20 plates. And if the restaurant's business was pretty good, even if they casually recommended the dish, all of it could be sold in just a day or two.

After pondering it for a while, Lin Qingwan briefed Yang Tiegen on her thoughts.

The general idea was to let him take all the Laweixian at home to Man Fuo House today and tell Manager Li that he would have to wait for a few days for the next batch. And also, observe Manager Li's facial expressions after listening to this: was he frowning, or was he particularly impatient. If the Manager insists on getting a precise due date, she asked him to tell that they could be delivered after 4-5 days.

While she was at it, Lin Qingwan also explained how Laweixian could be cooked before asking him to explain the same to Manager Li. And also requested Yang Tiegen to let Manager Li know that these could be simply steamed before serving and are safe to eat even the next day.

The last time she went to sell these, as she was skeptical if they would sell or not, she had steamed about 10 jin of Laoweixian at home itself. But from hereon, she will have the restaurant cook it by themselves.

Although Yang Tiegen didn't understand second sao's intention in asking him to do so, he still made sure to remember all of her words. After a quick breakfast, he set off to the town.

Yao-shi went to wash the cutleries, while Lin Qingwan remained sitting on the kang, lost in thoughts.

After thinking for a moment, Yang Tiezhu asked with a smile, "What is wifey thinking? Are you pondering making more?"

Lin Qingwan came back to herself and looked at Yang Tiezhu as her eyes narrowed into slits with a smile on her lips.

"Yes, ah!" Apparently, her man seemed to have caught on to her thoughts.

Yang Tiezhu muttered to himself for a moment before saying, "Wait till the third younger brother returns and listen to what he has to say. According to me, if they are selling well in the Man Fu House, they could be sold elsewhere as well." At first, he had thought his wife was just doing it for fun. But now, when he thought over it again, he had a feeling that she had a concrete plan and knew what she was doing.

Lin Qingwan was on cloud nine as she gave him a peck on his cheeks with a delighted smile.

"Aiya, you actually read my mind."

Yang Tiezhu dumbly chuckled as he touched his face, "My wife is so smart. After hearing your conversation with the third younger brother, I just presumed you wanted to determine if they could be sold elsewhere as well."

"You are also not bad, ah! Hehe," Lin Qingwan simpered; she indeed had such thoughts. There are only two big restaurants in town, among which, surely, there must be an intense rivalry brewing. As for the cost, surely all of their patrons must have enough money to spare, and of course, there shouldn't be a lack of long-term patrons in all such restaurants. However, as long as few people are patrons of both the restaurants, if Laweixian is sold in one restaurant, it would surely be sold in another one.

But it's too early to think about all of these now. All of these could wait till Yang Tiegen returns and grasp the overall situation.

Yang Tiegen came back before noon itself, sooner than she expected.

Without waiting to take a breath, he rushed over to Lin Qingwan and detailed his visit to Man Fu House.

Manager Li was very dissatisfied when he heard that he brought only 7-8 jin of Laweixian, feeling too few. He repeatedly urged him to deliver the rest in two days.

Even though Yang Tiegen wasn't very smart, he wasn't dumb either. At this moment, he clearly understood what his second sao meant. After leaving Man Fu House, he hastened home, even spending extravagantly by taking an ox cart.

Lin Qingwan poured a cup of water for Yang Tiegen to let him catch his breath. Only after walking in circles for a few minutes was she able to calm down the surging excitement in her heart.

Nevertheless, even after she calmed down, she couldn't cover up the gleaming smile on her face.

There was still something important that she had to do. After letting Yang Tiegen rest for a while, she asked him to invite Yang-shi to come here for lunch. She then requested Yao-shi to kill the remaining chicken for today's lunch.

Yao-shi simply thought that she wished to have a celebration and didn't think much. When Yao-shi went out to kill the chicken, Lin Qingwan shared her plans with Yang Tiezhu.

After listening to her, he found her idea to be pretty good. After all, at the moment, he can't move. This while, his third young brother, third dimei and his eldest gu helped them a lot. Furthermore, they were not just any other people.

At noon, Yang-shi joined them for lunch.

Ever since Lin Qingwan and they had separated from the Yang jia, Yang-shi didn't avoid coming to Yang jia like before. It's just that every time she visited the second branch, she didn't even bother glancing at the main room.

While He-shi didn't say anything whenever she saw Yang-shi coming, her complexion became unsightly every time without fail.

Wang-shi, seeing the second branch kill a chicken and then Yang-shi's arrival, became envious and greedy, itching to have a little bit too.

However, Lin Qingwan didn't give her a one bit face. After Yang-shi came in, she closed the door tightly. Exasperated, Wang-shi could only stroke her belly and turn around into the kitchen to prepare the meal.

The firewood in the kang was burning, warming the entire room. Five adults and two children huddled around the four sides of the kang table. Though a bit crowded, everyone had room to sit properly.

During the meal, Lin Qingwan put her plan in front of them.

Lin Qingwan came up with this plan when she was returning after selling Lameixian in the Man Fu House. It's just that she wasn't sure whether they would sell well then. Thus she didn't say anything at that time. But from the news that Yang Tiegen brought back today, there wouldn't be any less work to do from here on.

Firstly, she was currently pregnant, and as the days pass by, her stomach would only grow more and more. Yang Tiezhu was also injured and couldn't get up any time soon. Secondly, she could see Yang-shi's and the third branch's couple's genuine and sincere kindness towards them. Since the beginning, she wanted to repay them whenever possible. It just so happens that the making of Laweixian couldn't be done by their second branch alone. They might as well pull the third branch along into it.

Of course, Lin Qingwan also had given serious consideration to the other potential possibilities in the future. Although she hadn't concealed making Laweixian, the recipe of the primary condiment – Thirteen spice – was still in her hands. Even if any disputes arise on the third branch's couple's side or Yang-shi's side, she wouldn't have anything to worry about. Of course, Lin Qingwan was quite confident in her vision of people. The reason for holding this secret was just to guard against unexpected situations.

Yang-shi and the third branch's husband and wife were stunned when they heard that Lin Qingwan wished to give them a share in the earnings. Because the idea of getting a slice of the pie never crossed their minds, as lending a helping hand was the only thought they had since the beginning.

Yang-shi and Yang Tiegen both repeatedly shook their heads and declined to take the dividends. After that, fearing that Lin Qingwan might misassume that they didn't want to help her, they patted their chests, assuring that they would certainly help as long as they were not busy.

Lin Qingwan found it amusing yet was also touched. She then spoke about her future plans in detail and her plans to sell Laweixian in other restaurants as well.

After saying this, she intentionally put on a dejected face as she shared her woes with a lamentable sigh, "You see, currently I am pregnant, and Tiezhu won't be able to get out of the bed anytime soon. The work will only increase from here on. The pork needs to be regularly purchased, the goods should be delivered to the town from time to time – for all this, I would need the third younger brother's help very much."

Yang Tiegen hurriedly added, "Second sao, I have to go to the town every day to do odd jobs anyway. I can help you with these."

Lin Qingwan continued to grumble even more, "Lots and lots of lap cheong need to be made, that would be too much for just me alone, ah!"

Yao-shi and Yang-shi hurriedly replied, "We can help you with this. Anyways, we don't have anything to do these days."

"Furthermore, you also are aware of how our house is. Our house is too small to store and hang all the Lap cheong. Not only that, it would be too eye-catching to hang them here. You all must know how the people from the main house are…"

Yang-shi had a solution for this issue, "Then let's do it at my place, my place is very spacious."

"Also, I would have to go to town regularly to buy pork, return back and then go again to deliver Lap cheong. Third younger brother can help me, but he still has a family too. Thus, I can't ask much of him. You all helping for a day or two is fine, but for a long-term basis, it wouldn't be good for you would have to support your family too."

Yang Tiezhu also persuaded him, "What Wanwan said is right! Just because of our family's matter, I cannot trouble you all every single time. Besides, this isn't a matter of a day or two. Laosan is already busy supporting his family and is in difficult times. We can't always take your help for nothing. What will his wife and kids eat? Also, there is still annual monetary support that we have to provide to father and mother every year. That's why Wanwan wishes to build a small business together. In this way, we all can support one another and generate enough income for ourselves."

Laosan: appellation used for the third child in the family.

Yang-shi and the other looked at each other in dismay, as inwardly they too felt what the husband and wife said was reasonable. Even if Yang-shi readily provided a place for them, Yang Tiegen still has a family to feed. Especially the annual monetary support they have to give to the old couple is astronomical, and the pressure on him is huge. How would he be able to make money for all of that if he didn't go to work?

After another round of persuasion from Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiezhu, the three finally nodded in consent.

Seeing them nod, Lin Qingwan smiled in satisfaction. Now that these words have been said, all the taboos also must be spoken in advance.

She mentioned that making Laweixian was a secret family craft that has been handed down in their family for generations. She warned Yang-shi, Yao-shi, and Yang Tiegen to not divulge about it to anyone outside at any costs, including its recipe, preparation method, seasonings used, and the likes.

Nevertheless, even if Lin Qingwan hadn't explained it to them now, they were aware of it. After all, they had never seen this type of food in the past. Thus, it surely must be a rare dish, only handed down in a family. Now that Lin Qingwan had reaffirmed their guesses, they regarded it with utmost seriousness.

By the time the discussion over this entire matter was done, everyone was almost done with their dinner as well.

Lin Qingwan then mentioned her concern that Laweixian had been dried on the house's beams. But they take a lot of time to air-dry, and there weren't many beams to hang them in the house. Thus, it would be better to find a safe and spacious place to hang them.

After pondering it over for a moment, Yang-shi decided to build a simple row of shelves in her backyard. And fortunately for them, it just so happened that the courtyard wall at the back of Yang-shi's place was made up of mud. Thus, inside happenings couldn't be seen from outside. Moreover, there was also Dahei and Erhei who kept watch of the house at all times. Forget about any humans; even a rat couldn't sneak in under their watch.

After a moment of thought, Lin Qingwan also felt this proposal was pretty good. She requested Yang Tiegen to help Yang-shi in building a shelf.

Yang Tiegen went to Yang-shi's place to help her post-lunch without any objections.

It took a day and a half for Yang-shi, Yang Tiegen, and Yao-shi to prepare a simple row of shelves in the backyard of Yang-shi's house. After which, they hung the other batch of Laweixian they prepared onto the shelves.

After another two days, the due date the Manager Li had requested to deliver the goods arrived.

This time, Lin Qingwan also tagged along with Yang Tiegen.

When they stepped into the restaurant, it was still early in the morning. As soon as the waiter, cleaning the lobby, saw them step in, he rushed in and quickly invited Manager Li.

Manager Li politely ushered them into a side room and directly went to the subject and asked if they had brought the goods.

Lin Qingwan pointed at the large wicker basket on Yang Tiegen's back. A smile blossomed on Manger Li's face as he looked at it while caressing his beard.

After asking the waiter to take the basket and weigh it, he began conversing with Lin Qingwan to ask if the making of Laweixian was troublesome, how often the food could be supplied, and the likes.

Manager Li was an honest person and didn't conceal the situation. He truthfully shared how the demand for Laweixian was in the restaurant currently.

In the beginning, Manager Li only considered this as a dish that would go well with wine. Never had he expected that the dish would sell this well. He simply asked the waiter to recommend it to the patrons whenever they asked for the wine. But who would have expected that after a few patrons tasted it, they found this dish new and novel, even ordering one more plate.

Initially, the amount of the Laweixian would have amounted to no more than a dozen or so servings. But the Man Fu House's chef went a step ahead and plated it with a few other embellishments to make it look even more appealing. As such, what Lin Qingwan had expected to be only 10 or more servings became over twenty servings thanks to Man Fu Luo's chef.

These twenty-odd servings were finished by the evening of the same day. The patrons asked for it again the next day, but Man Fu House didn't have anything more of it. Thus, Manager Li could only cook up an excuse and notify them that they would be available in a few days. This was why he asked Yang Tiegen to bring the next batch in haste as soon as he came.

It wasn't that Manager Li was eager to earn this little bit of silver. After all, he was the owner of such a big restaurant, and the number of dishes he sells on a daily basis isn't few. This Manager Li was a fastidious person; as per him, all the requests and desires of patrons in terms of food must be readily met. That is even more so in their restaurant. If they are unable to meet any of their patrons' needs, it is tantamount to the dereliction of the duty from their side.

Have to say, for Manager Li to be able to develop their small ancestral wine shop into one of the best restaurants in the Luoyun town wasn't without any basis. At the least, Manager Li possessed an excellent sense of hospitality, far beyond that of the people of this era.

Once all of them were weighed, Manager Li handed Lin Qingwan money for this time and requested to deliver another 30 jin of Laweixian after three days.

Lin Qingwan, after exchanging a few more pleasantries with Manager Li, left with Yang Tiegen.

After discussing a bit, the two went to the pork seller in the market to order pork meat and small intestines.

Yang Tiezhu led Lin Qingwan to the pork vendor he went to last time.

As soon as the pork seller saw him coming, he beamed, for he was able to sell 50 jin of pork to him last time, and greeted him courteously. Hearing that they wanted a hundred jin of pork this time, he slapped his chest and said that he would surely arrange it for them by early in the morning the next day. When he heard that they also wanted hog's small intestines, he agreed to give it to them without any money and to collect all the small intestines of the day. He asked them to fetch them the following day.

Even after Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiegen turned around and began leaving, they could feel the pork vendor watching them with a bright smile on his chubby face.

The two then went to buy a bit of salt, sugar, soy sauce, and a few other condiments before returning back to the Luoxia village in an ox cart.

Just in time for lunch, they reached home.

Before leaving, Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiegen had already notified them that they wouldn't be in town for long and would return before noon. As such, Yao-shi had already prepared lunch for the two as well.

While having meals, Yang Tiezhu asked how the situation in the town was.

Lin Qingwan said that everything was going as she expected with a smile. If the situation in the Man Fu House was stabilized, she would plan to go to the other restaurants to look.

Although Yang Tiezhu felt distressed for his wife for having to go out, he was injured currently and couldn't go out. His third younger brother was also reticent; thus, he could only leave everything to Lin Qingwan.

Upon hearing that the business went smoothly, Yao-shi also became cheerful. Knowing that the business went smoothly, even the Yao family was delighted. There wasn't any need of mentioning Yang Tiegen, who had been running here and there for Lin Qingwan all the time, for he too was beyond happy.

After all, it was their first business. For it to go smoothly without any hitches was indeed a matter of joy.

Lin Qingwan asked Yang Tiegen to not do laborious odd jobs. But Yang Tiegen declined because firstly, he wanted to be able to deliver the news in the town faster, and secondly, he wanted to make more money.

When all was said and done, their family was still heavily dependent on their second elder brother and second sao for their livelihood. Although Yang Tiegen usually maintained silence and didn't say much, he still felt very apologetic in his heart. Though fearing that they would feel uneasy in their hearts, the second sao had said it was fine for them to return the food grains next year, Yang Tiegen was nevertheless uneasy in his heart.

However, Yang Tiegen decided not to take up any odd long-term jobs even if they were available. He thought of only taking temporary jobs of carrying goods from one place to another. In such jobs, wages are handed over the same day itself. And if he is diligent enough, he can travel back and forth daily.

During this period, after he bought the pork, he went to the town for work the next day. Meanwhile, the three of them, Yang-shi, Yao-shi, and Lin Qingwan, once again started making another batch of Laweixian. Because the quantity they were making this time was comparatively a lot, the three worked slowly and managed to finish it within two days.

As now Yang-shi's backyard had more area to hang Laweixian and could also be air-dried faster, they weren't worried about being unable to complete it before the delivery due date.

Once the delivery day arrived, Yang Tiegen rushed to Man Fu House with the prepared Laweixian.

After Yang Tiegen came back, he handed over the silver he got to Lin Qingwan. Lin Qingwan calculated the money and separated Yang Tiegen's and Yang-shi's portions.

The 30 jins from the last time and this time totaled to 60 jins. That day, Lin Qingwan had said that after subtracting the money for the meat, the rest of the earnings would be divided with Yang-shi and Yang Tiegen, each getting ten percent of the share. As for the seasonings and the other things, Lin Qingwan didn't calculate them. A jin of pork cost 12 wen. In other words, they would get a profit of 48 wen for every jin. And for 60 jin, they would make 2880 wen profit. 10% of 2880 would be 288 wen.

文 (wén): Wen was a currency denomination used in China in imperial times. It was the chief denomination until the introduction of the yuan in the late 19th century. A string of 1000 wén was supposed to be equal in value to one tael. These are made up of copper. So in some places, the author referred to them as copper coins.

斤 (jīn): Like the catty, the jin was then equal to 1 1/3 pounds or 604.79 grams

(Note: In case I have confused you with my translation, Lin Qingwan got a jin of pork for 12 wen. Referring to the last chapter, Lin Qingwan sold a jin of Lap cheong for 60 wen. Thus if you subtract the former from the latter you would get a profit of 48 wen.)

Lin Qingwan handed Yang Tiegen's share to him and had him deliver Yang-shi's share as well.

Earning more than 200 copper coins made Yao-shi and Yang Tiegen very excited. When Yang Tiegen went to the town for labor work, he would earn 40 wen a day. Although the amount they got today wasn't anything astronomical, it was nevertheless equivalent to Yang Tiegen's 7-8 days of wages. Not to mention, he doesn't get such odd jobs every day.

Both the husband and wife from the third branch were very excited. Based on the quantities of Laweixian they had delivered, approximately 10 jin of Laweixian were sold in Man Fu House every day. That is to say, they could earn more than 30 wen a day, and a silver tael in a month.

The two suddenly felt that their future wasn't hopeless anymore. In the beginning, when Yang laoyezi demanded a dan of grains along with the monetary support of a few silver taels, even though Yang Tiegen gritted his teeth and agreed. However, inwardly he had been anxiously mulling how to make silver. After all, each family was only given two mu of land. After paying taxes and giving one dan to Yang Laoyezi, not many grains would be leftover.

老爷子 (lǎoyézi): polite appellation for an elderly male

石 (dàn): dry measure for grains

亩 (mǔ): classifier for fields/unit of area equal to one-fifteenth of a hectare

Unexpectedly, it didn't take long for them to find a means to earn money. Naturally, the third branch's husband and wife knew that their second brother and sao's intention was to lend them a hand. However, he also took Lin Qingwan's words to heart: You have to put effort into work to get rewards proportionally. Only then would you have a clear conscience.

Yes, now he truly had a clear conscience without having any qualms. He wasn't sure why, but the former uneasiness he used to have while sharing meals with the second branch now had completely disappeared. Was it because now he could make money from his own hard work?

Naturally, Lin Qingwan also perceived the married couple's feelings. If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. But, If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. It was always best to let people understand that you would always get rewarded proportionally for the amount of effort you have put in. Charity was never her thing. Because, for one, it would make people grow dependent on them. And second, they would habitually begin to expect things from you. If you suddenly stopped helping them one day, they would begin to hate you.

Similar was the case with Yang Tiezhu's help to his family. He always exhausted his energy to assist his family, but in fact, it was nothing more than raising a bunch of vermin.

Yang Tiezhu had always been in favor of his wife's manner of dealing with matters. But only at this moment when he saw excitement and joy in his third brother and his wife's face as they gleamed with radiance did he come to truly understand.

Glancing at his smiling wife, resembling a blooming flower, he suddenly felt – marrying such a wife, he couldn't ask for more.

After a few more batches of deliveries to Man Fu House, Lin Qingwan reckoned by now other restaurants must also have gotten wind of it. Thus she decided to make a trip to the town.

Although Yang Tiegen could perfectly handle this matter. However, Lin Qingwan feared Yang Tiezhu's taciturn personality might delay the business. Thus she personally wanted to visit Zui Xian Restaurant.

Stepping once again into Zui Xian Restaurant made Lin Qingwan feel complicated. Her nervousness when she first came here was still fresh in her memory. But this time, she was calm and cool as a cucumber.

After all, although she can't say Laweixian was on fire and a best-seller, it still caused a stir in Man Fu House and earned a little name for itself. Lin Qingwan reckoned their restaurants would closely follow the new dishes in the opposite party's menu regularly. Thus, this time she had a feeling that the matter was sure to succeed.

A waiter came to greet them.

Lin Qingwan directly got the point, "I am the supplier of Laweixian. I wonder if you are in need of such a dish in your noble restaurant. If you are in need of one, I will trouble you to invite your restaurant manager."

When that waiter heard her, he was left stunned for a moment. Why was he dumbfounded, you ask? Because he wasn't unfamiliar with the term Laweixian at all! For some reason, many patrons have been asking for this dish for the past few days. But he had never heard of this dish before. Later, when he reported it to the manager, he said that Ma Fu House had the same dish as a side dish with alcohol. Apparently, it has been selling quite well.

The waiter quickly escorted them to an empty table to have a seat before reporting it to the manager. As it was still early in the morning, the restaurant was very calm, with no patrons in sight.

Seeing that the waiter's attitude was completely opposite from the previous time, Lin Qingwan let out a sigh of relief.

Not long after, a chubby middle-aged man, seemingly the restaurant's manager, came out with the waiter in his tow.

Lin Qingwan greeted the manager without engaging in any superfluous words. And directly stated that she was the supplier of Laweixian. Further, she asked if their restaurant was in need of such a dish. She also took out a 'sample' she had brought and presented it to the manager. Few slices of Laweixian were arranged in a coarse porcelain bowl.

Muttering to himself, the manager had the waiter bring a pair of chopsticks. Picking a slice, he put it in his mouth and tasted it.

Because of customer's frequent requests for Laweixian, Zui Xian Restuarant's manager had a person bring this dish to him and had a taste. Thus as soon as he put it in his mouth, he was sure that this was a genuine Laweixian.

Zui Xian Restuarant's manager was also a frank and straightforward person. Without speaking any drivel, he directly asked for how much was she willing to sell it. Lin Qingwan repeated the same words she had said to Manager Li of Man Fu House. After a moment of thought, the manager asked for twenty jin to test how it goes.

As Lin Qingwan hadn't brought them today, she agreed to have them delivered the next morning. After introducing Yang Tiegen, she asked the manager to contact him in the future for any delivery-related matters, as it would be inconvenient for her to come out frequently.

The manager of Zui Xia Restaurant personally sent the two out.

Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiegen exited the restaurant's premises in jubilant moods.

With her morale reaching an all-time high, Lin Qingwan happily ran to another restaurant.

Though Fu Yuan Restaurant was comparatively smaller than Man Fu House and Zui Xian Restaurant, its traffic flow wasn't bad. After going in, the subsequent process, unexpectedly, went smoothly without any hitch. Though not as much as Zui Xian Restaurant, the manager of Fu Yuan Restaurant too ordered about 10 jin. After ensuring that the goods would be delivered by the next morning, Yang Tiegen and Lin Qingwan took their leave.

Lin Qingwan didn't intend to go to any other restaurants. Luoyun town was but a small town. Apart from two or three restaurants, the foot traffic in the rest of the restaurants wasn't much. It is unlikely for any patrons there to spend more than ten wen on side dishes alongside alcohol.

She went to the market again, bought some vegetables, meat, and the like before going back home with Yang Tiegen on an ox cart.

Matchmaker Ma made a trip to the Yang jia and notified He-shi that Feng Xuicai's side had consented to this marriage. If this side, too, didn't have any objection, she would proceed to the next steps.

秀才 (xiùcai): a person who has passed the county-level imperial exam

After the matchmaker Ma left, He-shi fell into deep thoughts. Day by day, the food at home was dwindling. And now there's still the fourth child's upcoming marriage. She wishes to have the two get married soon after the new year. And currently, there's only one month left before the new year. They were undoubtedly running short of time. If she gets too impatient, the bride's side would definitely not agree.

There were too many places where she had spent money, but He-shi was seriously strapped for cash. It was inevitable for her mind to drift towards laoer's laosan's branches in such circumstances. As for laoda's branch, it would be good if they didn't run to them to ask for silver in return.

老二 (lao er): second-eldest child in a family

老三 (lao san): third-eldest child in a family

老大 (lao da): eldest child in a family

However, Clan Elder Yang's words were still fresh in her memories. He-shi certainly didn't have the guts to stir up trouble again. Thus she could only come up with some excuse.

He-shi recalled the support the second and third branches have to provide to them, the old couple, every year. At that time, Clan Elder Yang had stated that the providence of the support would begin for the following year. But He-shi felt if she could lament her sufferings, she would be able to get hold of the support money in advance.

He-shi had already come up with the sort of words she should express to laoer and laosan. This time she would surely not ruthlessly create a fuss. If she made a big fuss, and Yang-shi disclosed the matter to Clan Elder Yang, it wouldn't be good for her. Instead, she would tearfully implore them. For Yang Xuezhang's face, He-shi planned to throw her face this time. She didn't believe that even when she beseeched them with tears, they would still be ruthless and cold to ignore her. Later, even if Clan Elder Yang gets wind of it, there wouldn't be anything for her to fear. For, the family was in too dire straits. Thus, she only asked her sons to give her the support in advance, nothing excessive. Even if others find it out, they would not be able to say she was being unreasonable.

Have to say, He-shi was quite smart and had the mind to adapt to the situation and change accordingly. But he-shi didn't consider that her two sons were milked dry cleanly at the time of separation. They weren't even provided with food grains. Not even half a month had passed since separation. From where would the two branches get the silver and a dan of grains?

After thinking so, He-shi went to her old man and expressed her idea to him. After hearing He-shi's words, Yang laoyezi didn't say anything. Perhaps he had given up and stopped bothering, considering the situation hopeless. Perhaps he also dreaded the possibility of He-shi quarreling with him. Whatever the case might be, he maintained silence without making any remarks.

老爷子 (lǎoyézi): polite appellation for an elderly male

Glancing at her old man with a pleasing smile, He-shi intended to look for laoer and laosan. It had be better if laoer's wife didn't show up.

Only now did He-shi realise that laoer's wife wasn't easy to deal with. Even the honest and well-behaved laosan and his wife were imperceptibly influenced by her and demanded separation. She also hoped that laosan's wife would also not come. Ever since Yao-shi was stimulated and behaved frantically, He-shi had been scared out of wits. So much so that she even had nightmares in which Yao-shi hanged herself and kept calling for her to come to her.

But could He-shi's wish be fulfilled?

At least her wish of Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi not showing up is absolutely impossible. Yang Tiezhu was someone who followed Lin Qingwan word to word. Under Lin Qingwan's guidance, Yao-shi's and Yang Tiegen's relation become closer. The current scenario was where both the men hated being unable to have their wives in the cup of their hands.

Especially during this time after separation from the family, there was no one to suppress Yang Tiegen any longer. He even helped the second sao in her business and earned a lot of dividends from it. Furthermore, this while he also had dealings with the restaurant managers and waiters, increasing his breadth of mind, vision, and way of thinking drastically.

In the past, Yang Tiegen only secretly felt distressed for Yao-shi in his heart. But now there is no one to control him, and he doesn't have to fear anyone. Many times Lin Qingwan saw a honey-like sweet-filled exchange between the two. Yao-shi also no longer looks miserable, and the smile on her face has increased more and more.

He-shi notified laoer and laosan's two branches to come to the main room in the evening, for she had something to tell them. But she only notified laosan personally and had him let Yang Tiezhu and Lin Qingwan know. Perhaps Yang Tiezhu's furious act of kicking the stool away had terribly frightened her, not daring to personally go to the second branch's door.

Lin Qingwan's face sank as soon as she heard Yao-shi's words. When she heard Yao's words. Sitting there, she thought for a long while but couldn't identify any reasons for He-shi's notification for them.

Recalling the matchmaker she saw last time, she couldn't help but think: Could it be that she was short of money and wanted them to lend it to her? But, how could that be possible? This He-shi's thinking is too optimistic, isn't it?!

However, Lin Qingwan didn't mull over it for long. If she wanted to know why He-shi was looking for them, she would anyhow know it when they would meet at night.

After dinner, Lin Qingwan, Yang Tiezhu, and a couple from the third branch's couple went to the main room in the evening. When they stepped in, they realized that there was no one else in the room other than the old couple sitting on the kang.

He-shi was seated on the kang with a stiff face. Actually, she, too, wanted to have a smile. But it proved difficult for her to put a smile in front of these people. It seems her face wasn't that thick.

"Have a seat."

He-shi's rare instance of goodwill dumbfounded Lin Qingwan. All of them took a stool and sat a bit far away from the kang.

After they took their seats, the atmosphere in the room became extremely stifling.

The few people sitting below remained silent, waiting for He-shi to make trouble. While He-shi was in a dilemma about how to begin speaking.

After a while, He-shi opened her mouth, her attitude good and her tone exceptionally serene. Her attitude made everyone, who were used to He-shi's usual sharp tone and words, as she stamped with rage, cursing everyone, while eccentrically taunting them, feel extremely unaccustomed.

"I asked you all to come here tonight because there is something that I wanted to say to you. Your younger brother, laosi, got a marriage match. And the bride's side is….." He-shi prattled about the happenings in the next moments while they remained silent without interrupting her. They slowly listened to her as she described the bride's family's situation based on the matchmaker's words.

老四 (laosi): fourth child in the family.

But what does this have to do with them? Could it be that she had called them today to let them know that laosi was getting married?

In any case, Lin Qingwan had a feeling that this matter wasn't simple.

Sure enough, after finishing saying so, He-shi cut to the chase and straightforwardly said the main point.

"You two branches must also be aware of the situation at home. Now laosi is about to get married, but there is no silver at home, and the grains aren't also much. I had discussed this with your father. If you two branches could provide next year's support in advance, we could get past this crisis…."

So actually, it turns out that she had called them for this matter?

All this while, Yang laoyezi remained silent at the side while smoking his tobacco, with his face turned sidewards. The curls of tobacco smoke blurred his face, making it unable to distinguish if he was happy or furious. But since he didn't utter a word, it seems as if he wasn't against He-shi's approach.

He-shi's unusual calmness, Yang laoyezi's silence, coupled with the extreme stiffness in the room, begat a sense of absurdity within them. So much that a question popped up in their hearts – were they of the same family?

Unfortunately, no one could answer this question.

Lin Qingwan also didn't know what to say; He-shi's atypical good attitude without any bawling, noise, and unreasonably made Lin Qingwan didn't know what to say.

However, no matter how they tried to camouflage it, they couldn't conceal the fact that hidden under He-shi's calmness and Yang laoyezi's silence was nothing but pure selfishness.

Perchance, have these two forgotten that they have separated a few days ago and weren't even given any grains? It has been only less than a month since the separation. If they didn't have a bit of saving with them, wouldn't they have been hounded to death by the selfishness of the two?

If she didn't have the silver she got in exchange for the embroidery and income from selling Laweixian, at the moment, they wouldn't even have a single penny left on them, with no food left. In that scenario, she couldn't help but wonder if Yang laoyezi and He-shi would still be indifferent as they all faced such a perilous situation?

This, He-shi's words, doesn't seem to be pleading or that of questioning; rather their actions clearly seem to be affirmative.

The few people seated below also clearly understood this, silencing all of them. Fury or joy couldn't be detected from Yang Tiezhu's face, while Yang Tiegen seemed to be enshrouded with complicated emotions; it was hard to say if it was mockery or anguish.

Lin Qingwan felt it couldn't be a mockery. After all, Yang Tiegen had always been simple and honest; this sort of expression shouldn't appear on his face.

Yao-shi, who had always maintained silence, spoke up.

During this while, spanning less than a month, although short, Yao-shi had never felt more peaceful than this. There was no one to suppress or mock her, ridicule her as a hen who couldn't lay eggs. There was no one to point her nose every single day and criticize her for squandering food. Yao-shi felt as if she had returned to the time before she got married. Her mind, which had always been rigid, seemed to have eased a lot and became nimble. At the least, now Yao-shi could also perceive that hidden under He-shi's kind attitude were selfishness and callousness.

"Father, mother, has anyone said to you that you are very callous?" Yao-shi sarcastically ridiculed them with a bitter smile, "Daughter-in-law had erred. You are not callous. Your callousness is only toward my third branch and the second branch!"

Upon listening to Yao-shi's words, He-shi froze. Even Yang laoyezi couldn't remain tranquil any longer as his hands began to tremble. But he still didn't turn his face towards this side. Perhaps, in his heart, ever since his two sons began to betray him, he had given up on them.

Yes, that's precisely right!

Betrayal!

Deep in his heart, Yang laoyezi was beset by a sense of betrayal, anguishing him. Especially, Yang Tiegen and his wife's actions had been a massive blow to him, unable to recover from it for a very, very long time.

It's just that he had never considered that in a phrase, benevolent father and filial son, the son can only be filial when the father is benevolent likewise. But, when a person is forced without a route of retreat, he can only do his everything to struggle out of it.

Quite many people are like this— they only think about themselves and never care about others' feelings. Just like Yang laoyezi, he felt a bit of guilt and remorse for Yang Tiezhu. After all, they were the ones who forced him to separate from the family. But when the always obedient and honest Yang Tiegen and his wife did as such, Yang laoyezi felt extremely hurt.

But he had never taken note of others' feelings. After feeling hurt and betrayed, why did he not take a moment and ask himself how he had treated others?

Yao-shi, seeing neither Yang laoyezi nor He-shi reply, she continued, "We have separated. And during separation, we weren't given even a bit of food grains. Do you even know how we managed to get through these days? Now you are saying the fourth younger brother is getting married, there is no food and silver at home, so ask us to give next year's support in advance. Have you ever thought about us, from where we would get them? Do you wish for our entire family to die? "

In the beginning, Yao-shi's voice was very stable, but as she spoke, she became agitated, especially when she uttered the last part, 'family to die'. It ruthlessly ripped apart the calm faces of He-shi and Yang laoyezi.

Even though He-shi was unable to react to Yao-shi's words, she nevertheless continued to play out as she had initially prepared in her heart.

He-shi didn't bawl, nor did she fly into a rage. She merely tugged her sleeves and wiped her tears with them.

"I, too, don't want to be as such. But there really isn't any silver and food in the home. I don't want much. I am merely asking you to give your next year's support in advance. Anyway, new year is just around the corner, only a few days away. Moreover …." He-shi paused for a moment, before resuming again, "Aren't you two families leading considerably good days now? You even have meat every three to five days. As for us, do you know how long it has been since we had meat?…"

(T/N: Here, the new year is according to the Chinese calendar. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.)

What sort of life the second and third branches were leading, He-shi was also aware of them to an extent. After all, every kitchen had a chimney. The entire yard was filled with the aroma whenever the family cooked the meat. How could He-shi not know the two branches weren't leading difficult days? But He-shi never suspected the source where all the money came from. After all, she was acutely aware that standing behind them was wealthy Yang-shi.

Yang-shi had a rich son. Moreover, He-shi and everyone in the village were aware that Yang-shi loved and felt distressed for Yang Tiezhu. Thus it would be unlikely for her to simply sit back while they go hungry. He-shi was also aware of this when she was forcing lao'er. Even if they didn't have silver at the moment, isn't Yang-shi standing behind them?

A person like He-shi would never think about why someone would ask for money from another person, even if the other person was their gumu. And whether it would be appropriate or not.

姑母 (gūmǔ): one's father's sister

In any case, according to her, if she believes it to be, then it had to certainly be feasible.

He-shi's favorite expression had always been—I, this old woman, did so and so and what not. However, today she didn't say anything of that sort. Rather, she merely recounted the matters at home sorrowfully. Her attitude seemed to be unusually humble, but a trace of having-everything-in-her-grasp in her facial expression couldn't be concealed.

Why not show a bit more sorrow, struggling, or an expression that shows having a lot of difficulties? Why must she put on a humble attitude, possibly to the point of subservience, just to force them to do her bidding?

Actually, no one wishes to be unfilial. Truly, a lot of times they are forced by others to become unfilial …. Force you to become speechless, compel you to be bitterly disappointed, force you to become cold-hearted until gradually your heart dies….

No matter how humble He-shi tried to be, they had been living with her for this long. How wouldn't they be aware of her personality?

But what can they possibly say? He-shi didn't make a fuss, nor did she behave unreasonably. She just asked them, oh wait, not ask, just requested them to give in advance. Can they refute it?

Well, they surely can refuse. But then, no matter how they try to phrase it, they would be the unreasonable ones in the end. As their children, they can't not provide for the elderly and look unfeelingly as they endure poverty and starve. Furthermore, the other person didn't ask anything excessive. She simply asked to give in advance. If they refuse such a request, how would they be able to live in Luoxia village in the future? Wouldn't they be criticized to death?

Yang Tiegen couldn't sit any longer. The more he listened, the more his heart hurt.

Yang Tiezhu had come to understand his parents' attitude long ago. Thus he had already become used to it, or perhaps it was that his heart had already died. But, the same was not the case with Yang Tiegen. Yang Tiegen had been extremely filial to his parents for many, many years. Perhaps in this while, he had indeed had a share of unfair treatment all these years. However, every single time, he ignored it. Every time his wife and daughter had suffered grievances, he tried to have his wife understand elderlies as much as possible, for a man of principle and integrity ought to have filial piety.

But no matter how honest and filial the child was, he also can't withstand the repeated blows and injuries. Especially injury of this sort caused by such clear and pure selfishness, so evident that it was apparent to the naked eye.

Unable to bear it any longer, Yang Tiegen stood up.

"You are truly my good parents!" Grief and indignation were evident in his voice. Saying so, he turned around and left the room.

He-shi wanted to stop him, but Yao-shi's words halted her movements.

"You don't have to worry. Even if our entire family has to sell houses and land, we will surely gather the money and give it to you!" Ruthlessly saying such words, Yao-shi followed after him.

Shaking her head, Lin Qingwan also stood up while helping Yang Tiezhu up.

"Since you have such an intention, us juniors can only accept and can't say we won't give." A flower-like smile blossomed on Lin Qingwan's face, but the expression on her face seemed to be satirical. "After all, you didn't ask anything excessive; you simply asked us to give the next year's support in advance. Don't worry, even if it is by tearing apart our house or selling our land, we will surely get you the money."

Yang Tiezhu expressionlessly said, "Let's go."

Soon after, he and Lin Qingwan turned around and walked out the door. From the beginning to the end, Yang Tiezhu never said a word to He-shi or Yang laoyezi.

Lin Qingwan wasn't aware how Yang Tiegen thought it over or if he was persuaded by Yao-shi. She was only aware that his complexion was very normal when she saw him the next morning.

Yang Tiegen and Yang Tiezhu, the two brothers, sat together and discussed how to gather the funds for elderly support. But from where would they get two dans of grains?

石 (dàn): dry measure for grains

Families in the village usually store sufficient cereals and sell all the excess ones. Apart from any required foodstuff, it would be unlikely for them to have anything excess. But, if they go to the town to make a purchase, the price will be a lot higher.

At the moment, Yang Tiegen had also saved quite a lot of silver. At present, the three restaurants—Man Fu House, Zui Xian Restaurant, and Fu Yuan Restaurant—demanded steady supply. On an average, the three restaurants ordered at least ten jin of Laweixian. Although it has only been less than half a month, Yang Tiegen had already earned about two taels of silver as dividends.

斤 (jīn): the jin is a metric unit equal to exactly 500 grams

For Yang Tiegen, it used to take more than two months to earn two taels of silver in the past from various odd jobs. But now, he has earned that much within a month. Otherwise, Yao-shi wouldn't have been unyielding in the main room. Only when there is silver, one's back would be upright.

Mentioning the resolute words said by Yao-shi the previous day, the two women broke into a peal of laughter while chit-chatting as they sat at the corner of the kang.

"Third dimei, you were so cool and unyielding when you said such words. From what I saw, both father and mother were subdued by you."

弟妹 (dì mèi):younger brother's wife

Yao-shi sat up straight and coughed with a smile, "I was annoyed by them. These two people never cared about the life and death of others, always being selfish, eliciting hatred from others."

Lin Qingwan chuckled and happened to hear the two men over there discussing where to get the two dan grains. Thus she said, "Alright, don't fret over it too much. We will go to eldest gumu's place and request her to lend us a hand in finding a way. If there is no other way, we will just buy it with silver. "

Yao-shi also seconded, "I also share the same thought. Eldest gumu had quite friendly relations with the other villagers. For now, let's see if any family had excess grains with them and exchange them with silver from those families. In any case, they would be much cheaper than buying from the town."

Yang Tiezhu and Yang Tiegen exchanged a glance, finding this idea pretty good.

Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi got up from the kang, intending to go to Yang-shi's place. Since Lin Qingwan was sitting on the kang all this while, she was only wearing a thin-lined jacket. Seeing this, Yao-shi helped her get a thicker cotton-padded jacket and put it on.

"Third dimei, don't look after me as if I am a kid. I'll be fine." Seeing Yao-shi help her take out another jacket and help her put it on, Lin Qingwan couldn't help but say aggrievedly.

"It's a little colder outside today. I think it's going to snow. It would be better if you dress warmer, don't freeze yourself. You are pregnant now and should not drink excess medicine."

When the two walked out of the room, the chilly breeze swept against them. The weather outside was indeed colder than the previous day.

Reaching Yang-shi's courtyard, Lin Qingwan stated her purpose of coming to Yang-shi.

As soon as Yang-shi heard He-shi's conduct and antics the other day, Yang-shi couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.

"What the… sigh…" Yang shi wanted to curse them, but she couldn't say anything when she opened her mouth.

Yes, what these kids thought was not wrong. They didn't ask much, only asking to give in advance. As a junior, you can't refuse. Other than cursing that they were selfish, there was nothing else they could say against them.

But it's precisely this selfishness that chills one's heart!

After contemplating for a while, Yang-shi patted Lin Qingwan's hand, "Alright, your eldest gumu will go and help you ask around. Many households store excess grains in the village. Even if we could manage to get a little from each household, it will be more or less enough."

Lin Qingwan added, "Eldest gumu, in case someone asks, tell them you are helping us pay silver. When the moment comes, we will give you the silver."

Yang-shi gave her a nod that said 'I understand'. How could she not understand what these two kids meant? He-shi clearly knew how much silver they had, yet she created such a fuss. If she got to know the children had quite a bit of silver with them, god knows how much of a din she would make!

However, it was also a fact that they had already separated. Even if she wants to make a fuss, she can't do anything.

Keeping what Lin Qingwan had said in her mind, Yang-shi got up, intending to go out.

Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi also stood up and took their leave.

Back at home, the thought of how to make more money occupied the greater past of Lin Qingwan's thoughts. Although selling Laweixian was not bad, she could earn a teal or two a day on an average, minus the Yang-shi's and third branch's share.

However, no one would dislike having more money in their hands, especially for Lin Qnigwan, who had attained good results merely after testing the water. Now it was inevitable for her to think of other means.

Thus, during the past few days, she couldn't help but ponder over this matter during her free time.

After mulling it over for a considerable amount of time, Lin Qingwan felt it would be better to make another side dish that goes well with alcoholic drinks apart from Laweixian. After all, now she had the right connections and knew the way around. Not to mention, the side-dishes with wine in the modern era are diverse. And all of these are something only she can think of, something which no one else could.

After deep contemplation, she concluded that salted peanuts would be a better option.

Salted peanuts was a simple snack found in the market in the modern era in her previous life. Almost every night market stall had this snack, and it was one of her favorite dishes. Occasionally she would buy raw peanuts and boil them by herself.

Moreover, peanuts are not something rare. Almost every household grows them. Not only that, the making of this dish is also quite easy, and doesn't have lots of steps. They wouldn't need a lot of time and effort.

Thinking this, during lunch, Lin Qingwan asked Yang Tiegen to buy a few peanuts for her tomorrow, not much, just around 5-6 jin.

Upon hearing this Yang Tiegen nodded, thinking his second sao probably wanted to eat peanuts. Anyway, now they have earned quite a bit of silver from selling Laweixian. Thus, he, who felt distressed to spend money on food in the past, no longer felt so.

The next day, after Yang Tiegen returned from the market, he handed the peanuts to his second sao, and then went to Yang-shi's place along with his wife.

Now every time they prepare Laweixian, Lin Qingwan usually doesn't go there. Both Yang-shi and Yao-shi were familiar with the procedure, and she had also taught them how to add condiments. And now, even Yang Tiegen had joined the two, every day helping them from the side.

Currently, Yang Tiegen wasn't doing odd jobs in the town anymore. Because, for one, there wasn't sufficient time, and second, there was a lot of work at home. As Lin Qingwa was currently pregnant, everyone in the family was reluctant to have her work every day. Thus Yang Tiegen helps Yang-shi and Yao-shi in doing heavy work and other miscellaneous things.

Five jin of peanuts wasn't much, just a small basin enough. Lin Qingwan cleanly washed the peanuts before transferring them into clean water and adding salt in it, letting them soak in it.

This while, Yang Tiezhu got up and allowed her to draw water. Now, Yang Tiezhu's injury has almost healed. Apart from the bandage on his left shoulder restricting his movements, there weren't any other issues. Thus, these days, whenever Lin Qingwan needed any help, he would help her as much as he could.

Yang Tiezhu's body was healthy and fit. Thus he recovered rather quickly. Lin Qingwan, seeing that he didn't grimace in pain whenever slight pressure was exerted on his shoulder like before, didn't try to stop him. Nonetheless, she didn't allow him to do heavy work and go out in this cold weather.

Anyways with the weather being so cold, Yang Tiezhu also doesn't have much to do outside. Thus these days, rather than going out, he remained indoors while stepping in to help his wife whenever she was busy, unwilling to be left out.

After she was done soaking, the two of them nestled in the kang. Have to say, their lifestyle truly resembled that of the pigs raised in the pig farms. In rural areas, there was usually nothing to do in pastimes. And especially on such wintry days, apart from cuddling in the kang, there was nothing substantial to do.

Not only has Yang Tiezhu put on weight, but even Lin Qingwan also had a feeling that she had become plumper. Caressing her tiny belly, she said with a dejected face, "I've put on weight; my tummy has become fatter."

When Yang Tiezhu heard her, he stretched his big palm and caressed her belly, his movements extremely gentle.

"You're not fat, ah. Now that you are pregnant, naturally, your belly would be a bit bigger."

Hearing this, Lin Qingwan glared at him for talking drivel with his eyes open.

It had been only 2 months, and her bump was already showing out?! She had never heard anyone having a bump just after two months into pregnancy. Obviously, it was but a flab on her belly, alright?

Seeing his wife pout, sadness welled up in Yang Tiegen's heart. He quickly caressed her while comforting her: "Wife, I think it is better for you to eat more." In order to prove the credibility of his thoughts, he nodded his head to strengthen his persuasion.

"Really?" It was an undeniable fact that a woman who thinks she had put on weight would be unusually sensitive.

"Of course, it's the truth! Look at how you were before, so thin as if you would be blown away just from a gust of wind." As he recalled the former appearance, a look of dislike surfaced on Yang Tiezhu's face. But that look lasted only for a fleeting moment before returning to look of fawning.

"Look how good you are now, ah. Fair, white, soft, and plump. I like how plump you are."

Hearing Yang Tiezhu say so, Lin Qingwan felt less disheartened. However, after a moment of thought, she felt something amiss. She narrowed her eyes, "You mean you disliked my former appearance?"

Yang Tiezhu froze for a moment before a smile appeared on his face, "How is that possible? I'm merely making an analogy. Wanwan is so good, looks very pretty, and has a good temperament. She is simply good in all aspects. I like Wanwan the most, I like every aspect of her."

The emergence of Lin Qingwan's childish temper every now and then had trained this fellow, Yang Tiezhu, during this while. Consequently, his ability to adapt based on the situation had increased over time and again—indeed though the color blue is extracted from an indigo plant, it is more vivid than the indigo plant itself.

青出于蓝而胜于蓝 (qīng chū yú lán'ér shèng yú lán): lit. The colour blue is made out of indigo but is more vivid than indigo (idiom) / fig. the student surpasses the master.

But, but, where did her formerly simple and honest husband go? What He-shi had felt in her heart was indeed true – Lin Qingwan, this person, has too much imperceptible influence, so much that she unconsciously changed this simple and honest coarse man into a silly person but an amusing person who could transform into bootlicker at any given moment.

On the one hand, Yang Tiezhu coaxed the abrupt mood swings of his wife that have arisen ever since the beginning of her pregnancy. While on the other hand, he couldn't help but yell in his heart, "Pregnant women are truly hard to coax!"

Lin Qingwan always said that ever since her gestation, there weren't any apparent changes in her body; neither morning sickness nor any other troubles arose. But, actually, it wasn't that she didn't make any trouble, but it was simply that this trouble had transformed into this childish temper. She didn't cause any trouble for others; rather she was merely fond of displaying her childish temper in front of her man. And later, when she was coaxed by her man, content and happiness filled her heart.

Just like the present situation, after listening to her man, she began to feel her mood improving. She once again caressed her small belly. It seemed as if it wasn't fleshy? Just a moment ago, she felt she had become chubby; it must have been her delusion!

Yep, precisely so!

After being coaxed by her man, Lin Qingwan contently got up to tend to her salted peanuts.

Actually, salted peanuts were quite easy to make. Wash them and soak them in saltwater for a while. And if you could make a small opening at the tip of the peanut's husk, soaking them for a mere half an hour would suffice. When Lin Qingwan was cleaning the peanuts earlier, she cleaned them meticulously, so much that she even cleaned the mud in the seams of the husk. And while doing so, she even made a small hole at the tip of each peanut.

Once the peanuts are soaked thoroughly, they have to be boiled. There wasn't any need to add salt this time around. After adding the appropriate amount of water, she threw a few star anise in along with a few aromatic leaves. These aromatic leaves were bought by Lin Qingwan from a medical center. Aromatic leaves i.e., bay leaves, could be used after sun-drying. In the medical center, dried bay leaves are sold. But here, they are used in medicines, unlike Lin Qingwan, who used these in cooking meat and salted peanuts as a seasoning.

Lin Qingwan once again expressed her gratitude to the heavens for giving her such a small gold finger to earn money. And at the same time, she couldn't help but slightly detest the people of the Daxi dynasty for wasting natural resources recklessly; such good products were only used in medicines by them.

But what the adorable Wanwan didn't consider was that if others weren't reckless in using natural resources, how would she be able to do business out of it!