Chapter 94

This was the first time Jiang Sheng had directly called out his name in anger and discourtesy.

But to Zheng Ruqian's ears, it sounded like celestial music.

"Little Jiang Sheng," he exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing in the provincial capital?"

When the trail of people both tall and short appeared behind her, Zheng Ruqian's eyes grew wet. "Big brother, third brother, little fourth, little fifth, you all came?"

Xu Mo smiled faintly, his voice icy cold, "How could we not come? Not coming would go against our agreement."

Fang Heng snapped a wooden stick in half, "Or rather, we came to discipline those who went against the agreement."

Wen Zhiyun pursed his lips without speaking, but stood firmly behind Fang Heng - listen to third brother.

Chang Yan coughed twice, hiding behind Xu Mo - listen to big brother.

Zheng Ruqian's expression changed, seemingly happy yet sad, on the verge of tears yet also timid.

After a moment, Liu Cui behind him spoke up, "I'm telling you boys, stop freezing us girls to death."

Zhang Qiquan hurriedly rushed out and draped a blanket over Liu Cui, helping her inside to get warm.

Liu Cui didn't leave immediately, instead pulling Zhang Xianglian along and giving her half the blanket.

The standoff at the courtyard gate was thus broken.

Zheng Ruqian clasped his fists, sincerely apologizing, "It's my fault, I shouldn't have been greedy for business and not gone home for New Year's, making you all travel so far to the provincial capital."

"I know my wrongs now. I won't dare do it again next time." "You're thinking there will be a next time?" Jiang Sheng's heart softened as she rushed over to tightly clutch his clothes. "Stinky second brother, your punishment is to wash everyone's dishes today."

From when they first met until now, they had depended on each other. They were the closest of families, having promised to never separate. "Alright, I'll wash them." Zheng Ruqian agreed with reddened eyes.

Only then did Fang Heng angrily toss away the two broken sticks, while the tactful Jiang Sheng behind him handed over another.

Thicker and sturdier.

Even Fang Heng was astonished.

Xu Mo was the first to lose composure, lowering his head to chuckle softly, and soon everyone was laughing, along with the eight servants. The entire courtyard was filled with warmth and joy.

Inside the warm room, Liu Cui watched the children from the window with upturned lips. "This New Year will definitely be lively."

Turning to look at Zhang Xianglian, a woman who had lived such a bleak first half of life, she also smiled contentedly.

Leaving their terrible family behind, life was indeed getting better and better.

That night, everyone rested well.

On the 30th, they busily prepared in earnest.

Zhang Qiquan washed the freshly bought pork clean, dicing it finely along with green onions and ginger.

Zhang Xianglian kneaded dough and divided it into small pieces, while Liu Cui rolled out the skins with a rolling pin.

Fang Heng led his younger siblings and the servants to sweep the courtyard, clearing out spiderwebs that had gathered over the past year.

Zheng Ruqian hugged piles of dried broad beans, gently rubbing and flattening them like gold ingots, finally taking out a handful to soak in warm water.

"Second brother, why are you still researching these beans?" Jiang Sheng came over, "If they can't sell, just let it be. Just think of a way to earn back the 25 taels of silver."

Though she spoke this way, the heartache in the young girl's eyes was plainly visible.

Although big brother, second brother and fourth brother all earned money, third brother and the servants also spent a lot. Careful calculations showed they hadn't actually saved much by year's end.

At least Jiang Sheng's little purse hadn't become full again.

But to comfort her second brother, she forced herself to speak encouragingly.

Zheng Ruqian couldn't help but laugh. His nose turned slightly sour from laughing. He patted his sister's head and gently said, "It won't be like that Jiang Sheng. Although there were difficulties buying up these dried beans, it's also an opportunity." "As long as we can develop this opportunity, I won't have to rely on favors to do business in the provincial capital anymore."

Besides, they had already overcome the difficulties.

At first Jiang Sheng didn't understand, but after Auntie Zhang finished wrapping the dumplings and got up to stew the dried beans and minced meat together in a large pot, lifting the lid released an irresistible aroma.

"We couldn't make it tasty before because we didn't find the key." Zheng Ruqian proudly introduced, "Dried beans are dried vegetables. Everyone thought soaking them in warm water was best, but actually blanching them in boiling water after soaking is better."

"Dried beans absorb oil, so the choice of meat should be oil-rich. Dried beans take well to long stewing, best double the usual time. Add spices and stew to draw out the rich broth, wrap with thin yet chewy flatbread, and one bite takes half your soul away."

On New Year's Eve, the eve of the lunar new year.

Inside the warm room, everyone wore new clothes of all kinds, sitting around a large round table.

Besides the tantalizing braised dried beans and minced meat, the table was filled with countless dumplings, vegetarian and meat, occupying every available space.

Jiang Sheng knew dumplings were a delicacy that only villagers could enjoy during New Year's, with at most one bowl per person. Once finished, there would be no more.

Of course they couldn't be left over to feed dogs, and even less likely to appear in the mouths of beggars.

In any case, Jiang Sheng never reunited with anyone on New Year's Eve. She would wander the village, and whenever a house's aroma of dumplings drifted out, she would plaster herself against their doorway and hungrily inhale.

Later when she reached Auntie Zhang's door, Auntie Zhang took pity and secretly left two for her. But they were merely veggie dumplings.

Because the Zhou family rules dictated that only men could eat meat dumplings, while women only deserved veggie.

Vegetables with a bit of lard were not delicate or flavorful enough, even a little harsh on the throat.

But Jiang Sheng still carefully savored them in her mouth again and again before reluctantly swallowing.

Last year the brothers didn't know how to wrap dumplings, so Jiang Sheng didn't even think of them.

Not until this year were piles of dumplings finally set before her.

Jiang Sheng didn't immediately gorge herself. She picked up a bowl of pure meat dumplings and set it in front of Auntie Zhang, baring her teeth in a grin. "Auntie, we have meat dumplings too now."

One who had only ever eaten veggie.

One whose veggie dumplings numbered only two.

Zhang Xianglian thought of the past and sadness overcame her as tears suddenly fell.

But she still forced herself to pick up a meat dumpling and stuff it in her mouth, savoring the rich meat fragrance. Choking back sobs, she said, "Delicious, extremely delicious."