Compared to zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), mooncakes are a much rarer delicacy, generally unavailable to ordinary families. The ingredients alone are very particular, requiring wheat flour, oil, sugar, and various fillings…

This costs money! Who would be willing to spend so much?

So, what did poor people eat? The mooncakes were made in a very simple way, just a very plain sugar cake, but even so, not every household could afford to make them.

The crust was crispy. After taking a careful bite, Da Wa and Lu Song couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "This is so delicious!" They were eating flaky mooncakes. They didn't know how the crust was made, but it had so many layers. The texture was crispy and slightly sweet, separate from the sweetness of the filling, and it also had the fragrance of lard. It seemed that there was some other aroma inside. In short, it was very delicious.

Gu Qingshan also exclaimed that his sister's cooking skills could only be described as "absolutely amazing." However, being a man, he didn't particularly like sweets, and after eating one flaky mooncake, he stopped eating. For him, wine was his true favorite!

However, he is quite busy these days and cannot drink during the day, but he can have a small drink in the evening. The wines left over from the cellar or those that have some impurities and cannot be sold, his sister knows that he likes to drink, so she sends them to her home.

In fact, in his opinion, those wines could also be sold, and their taste was far superior to Chen Ji Tavern's wines. But his sister said that Ruyi Tavern valued quality the most, and they would rather earn less than lose their reputation.

Well then, this way, it's a good thing for the alcohol bug in his stomach!

Gu Qingshan has an extremely high alcohol tolerance; Qin Sanniang has never seen him drunk! That's why she feels comfortable letting him drink a little. Otherwise, she's not only worried that drinking might cause him to make mistakes, but she's also afraid that something might happen on the way and he might get injured!

Over time, Qin San Niang also learned that her sworn brother was a very self-disciplined person. For example, recently, when the bandits came to light, he stopped drinking alcohol altogether, for fear of messing things up!

He's someone who can accomplish great things!

Lu Song ate one piece and then stopped. Qin San Niang had seen what was happening in the courtyard and naturally understood his thoughts. Now that the man had parents and grandparents, it wouldn't be right for him to continue eating and drinking here!

However, as Da Wa's right-hand man, Lu Song will be able to stay by his side and serve him in the future. Therefore, from now on, Qin San Niang will cultivate him well, investing in him not only in terms of ability but also in terms of affection.

For example, right now, seeing Lu Song get up to leave, she said, "Ah Song, wait a minute, your aunt has made a lot of mooncakes. Take these back and share them with your family!"

Without waiting for a reply, she shoved an oil paper package into his arms.

Lu Song didn't even have time to refuse. She said, "Don't talk about refusing, child. If you hadn't found your family, your aunt would have raised you like her own son. Even if your parents were here now, you'd still be my son-in-law! What's wrong? You won't let me give you some food? Or are you not going to take care of me in the future?"

Lu Song was taken aback, realizing she was saying it on purpose, and said helplessly, "Auntie, what are you saying? You saved my life and have done my family a great favor. No matter what, I will always take good care of you! It's just that these mooncakes..."

Liu couldn't stand their passing the buck, so she said, "You child, your aunt told you to take it, so take it! What are you dawdling about? Go home right now!"

Da Wa patted Lu Song on the shoulder, looking helpless. Mother is always so warm and caring towards her own people, like a gentle spring breeze. So, Lu Song, you understand? If you don't take it, not only Mother, but even Grandma will give you a good nagging.

Having spent so much time with Da Wa, Lu Song could understand what he meant with just a glance. He carefully put away the oil paper package and said cheerfully, "Grandma, I'll take this back for Grandma and Grandpa to try, so they can see just how good your cooking is!"

Inside the workshop, the Lu family had already prepared the meal and were just waiting for Lu Song to return for dinner.

"Mother, aren't we going to eat yet? Song'er isn't eating over there today, is he?" Third son's wife, Mo, was starving. She only ate two meals a day. She wondered what that old hag was thinking. Look at the neighbors, they make delicious food every day. The aroma alone makes her drool.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Zhang, paused, but ultimately said nothing. She only looked up at the door, thinking to herself, "Song'er should be back by now, right?"

Old Mrs. Chen, however, had no intention of indulging her. She glared at her and said, "Who in your family doesn't work harder than you? The kids have been helping us pull weeds all day! You're the first to run away when it's time to work, but you're the hungriest when it's time to eat? Eating three meals a day is their privilege! We haven't even built a house yet, so we have to be frugal! Even Little Five knows that! You're not even as good as a child! This family is a disgrace; if you don't want to stay, get out..."

All her grandchildren are good, and they are all very sensible at such a young age. Actually, Old Mrs. Chen is not stingy, but she doesn't have much money left these days.

A few days ago, Old Man Lu went to the village head to buy some wasteland, and unexpectedly found two acres of medium-sized land—the soil was incredibly fertile! And it just so happened to be located along the river. Any experienced farmer knows that such good land is a rare find. The key point is, each acre of such land only costs five taels of silver! That's an extremely favorable price!

Chen, the village head, also said that he happened to have some good land and thought he would talk to him about it.

There were people who had moved out of the village before. After three years, the land that had been unclaimed could be reclaimed by the village. That family definitely wouldn't be coming back, so the land would be disposed of by the village. As for the money, part of it would go to the public treasury, and the other part would go into the village's public accounts. He also said that the Lu family were acquaintances of Da Wa's mother, so he would naturally take care of them.

Old Man Lu made the purchase almost without hesitation. The allure of land for farmers was undeniable. His entire family scraped together twelve taels of silver to buy two mu of farmland and one mu of wasteland.

The wasteland wasn't as barren as he'd imagined; it was just a bit overgrown with weeds and had a lot of rocks, located near the foot of the mountain. Old Wang thought that if this land was properly tended for a year, it would yield a harvest next year!

The Lu family was overjoyed. They now had three mu of land, which meant the end of their life of fleeing famine and that they could finally live a peaceful life!

Of course, compared to their previous assets in Lujia Village, it was still a bit meager, when they had more than ten acres of land.

But now everything is looking up. The whole family is united, and the three brothers can save up enough money in two months to build a bare house!

Although we only eat two meals a day now, it's much better than when we were fleeing! Not only are there plenty of vegetables and wild greens, but the millet porridge and brown rice porridge are also much thicker! Nobody feels bitter; on the contrary, everyone is radiant and full of hope for the future.