Previously, when Zhao Qingyan made mala tang, she used chili powder, so Zhao Qingshan didn't know what chili peppers actually looked like.

"Grandma, is this chili pepper?" Huang nodded.

"How do we extract the seeds?" Zhao Qingshan asked.

Zhao Qingyan briefly explained the method for removing chili seeds.

"Nighttime is too dark. During the day, I'll give you gloves, otherwise your hands will get very sore and you won't be able to touch anything."

She then recalled an embarrassing incident where she went to the bathroom after cutting chili peppers, only to find her bottom burning from the spiciness.

Indeed, experience is accumulated over time.

The next day, Zhao Minggeng took his two nephews into the mountains.

After all, it's better to have more people to protect the women, children, and infants in the mountains.

The men of the Zhao family were all quite skilled hunters, but unfortunately, the Zhao family had a strongman among them.

Therefore, some people who are very capable in the eyes of outsiders are considered weaklings at home.

There's nothing we can do; they're all just incompetent and unable to inherit the magical power from their mother (grandmother).

We had just seen the three of them off when someone came to our door.

The visitor was none other than Zhao Qinshi, the village chief's wife. She warmly took Huang's hand as soon as she entered.

"I haven't seen my sister-in-law for a while, and she looks even younger than before."

Huang had no concept of humility; she simply touched a strand of hair at her temple.

"My sister-in-law has a keen eye. I also feel that my complexion has improved a lot recently, and my wrinkles seem to have decreased as well."

Zhao Qinshi nearly choked on her own saliva, thinking to herself, "How can this woman be so shameless? She's an old hag."

"Yes, sister-in-law, what kind of magic pill did you take?" Zhao Qinshi said against her conscience.

"Hahaha, I didn't eat any magic pills, it's just that after the rain, wild vegetables and stuff have all sprouted up."

I ate a few extra bites at each meal and gained a little weight.

"Now that he's gained weight, his wrinkles have become more pronounced," Mrs. Huang said with a smile.

In those days, with low productivity and heavy taxes, it was a good life for any family to have enough to eat every day.

So saying you can gain a lot of weight is definitely a way of showing off your wealth.

Huang was a straightforward person who rarely beat around the bush and said whatever she wanted.

Who told her to be invincible in the whole village?

After chatting for a while, Mrs. Huang became a little irritated; she was quite busy.

"Sister-in-law, is there something you need today?" Huang asked directly.

Zhao Qinshi looked slightly awkward, but still spoke.

"Well, I noticed that your second sons are getting on in years and haven't gotten engaged yet."

What a coincidence! Yesterday, one of my nephews from my maternal family came to visit with his daughter.

She said she wanted me to help her find a family. This girl is 14 years old now.

She's pretty and delicate-looking, but most importantly, she's very capable. She manages everything, both inside and outside the home.

She raised all her younger brothers single-handedly.

If we weren't really relatives, I really wouldn't dare to think about marrying my grandniece off to your family.

Whether you have three or four sons, I think it's fine.

Upon hearing this, Madam Huang smiled.

"Oh, what a lovely girl. I remember you have a few boys in your family who are about the same age as her. They say you shouldn't let good things go to outsiders."

My sister-in-law has really misunderstood.

Zhao Qinshi nearly choked on her own words upon hearing this, thinking to herself, "Is that the kind of wife I can afford to marry?"

"Hey, sister-in-law just likes to joke around."

This is, after all, my grandniece. Although she's my cousin and closer to my mischievous boys,

But our rascals haven't grown up yet. The moment you mention arranging marriages for them, their heads start shaking faster than a rattle drum.

But it really infuriated his wife.

Besides, with my grandniece's talent, my sons are really not good enough for her.

Zhao Qinshi felt that her ability to talk nonsense had improved.

Mrs. Huang remained smiling.

"Sister-in-law, you're being modest. In our Zhao Family Village, the men of your family are all very good. If not the best, they are certainly among the best."

My sister-in-law spoke so highly of that girl, saying she raised my younger brothers; I imagine she must have asked for a hefty dowry, right?

Zhao Qinshi's face stiffened for a moment, then she smiled.

"Not much, this girl is very capable."

My nephew said that he has raised this girl for 14 years, and without going into details, her food, drink and other expenses must have cost at least one or two taels of silver each year.

As for the bride price, I'll take a small loss; 20 taels will suffice.

Huang almost burst out laughing, thinking to herself, "I knew it was going to be expensive, otherwise why would you, you wicked woman, have thought of my family?"

"Sister-in-law, to be honest, the two boys in my second son's family are still quite young. I don't plan to arrange marriages for them within the next three years."

Don't rush, listen to me.

It is said that parents hope their sons will become dragons and their daughters will become phoenixes; the hearts of parents are truly pitiful.

My husband was a scholar in his youth, but unfortunately he was unlucky in the exams and never passed.

Farmers depend on the weather for their livelihood. Besides rent, they only have enough to eat. They work hard all year round, but they still don't have a full meal.

My husband was thinking that he would first give the children in the family an early education, and when the conditions were better, he would send them to a private school.

Regardless of which child it was, as long as there was a chance of them passing the imperial examinations, the whole family would tighten their belts and support them as much as they could.

You said if he could pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, then our land would be tax-exempt, and the saved grain, along with some other supplies, would be enough to fill our bellies.

Zhao Qinshi understood every single word Huang said.

But when she put them together, she was a little confused. She opened her mouth and then realized what was going on.

"Sister-in-law, are you saying that your family is planning to send the two boys from your second son's family to school?"

That boy is so big, he's way past the age of going to school.

Tuition at a private school isn't cheap, sister-in-law. Listen to your sister-in-law, don't waste that money.

"With that money wasted, we could have married off several wives to the men in the family."

Zhao Qinshi's words made Huang Shi so angry that she almost slammed her fist on the table.

He thought to himself, "That woman has such a foul mouth. All the money you've spent on your child's education is going down the drain."

"That's enough to buy several wives. At the price of your grandniece, it's enough for one of my kids to attend a private school for two years."

He might be internally complaining, but he didn't show it on his face.

"Sister-in-law, I've lived to such an old age, and I just want to give it a try."

They say that those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune. Look at how many famines our Zhao family has survived!

Leaving aside distant examples, just in this famine alone, how many people in other villages starved to death, or were killed or maimed by refugees?

Over a thousand people suddenly arrived in our village, yet not a single one died, and we even managed to drive those refugees out.

This can be considered a hardship. Now that we've survived such a great calamity, maybe if we're lucky, a scholar will emerge from our family, and then we can change our fortunes.

Sister-in-law, think about it, isn't that the truth?