This was the first time Jiang Sheng had called him by his full name, her tone filled with anger and a slightly rude scolding.
To Zheng Ruqian, however, it sounded like celestial music descending to earth.
"Little Jiang Sheng!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing in the prefectural city?"
As more and more figures of varying heights appeared behind them, Zheng Ruqian's eyes welled up with tears. "Big brother, third brother, fourth brother, fifth brother, you've all come?"
Xu Mo chuckled softly, his voice icy, "How can I not come? Wouldn't it be breaking our promise if I didn't come?"
Fang Heng snapped the wooden stick in half with a "crack," explaining, "Or rather, I'm here to teach a lesson to those who broke the agreement."
Wen Zhiyun pursed her lips and didn't say anything, but she stood firmly behind Fang Heng—she would listen to her third brother.
Chang Yan coughed twice and hid behind Xu Mo—he would listen to his older brother.
Zheng Ruqian's expression changed, seemingly both happy and sad, as if he was about to cry but also trembling with fear.
After a long while, Liu Cui, who was behind him, spoke up, "I said, you guys aren't cold, but the two of us are about to freeze to death."
Zhang Qiquan quickly rushed out from the side, draped the blanket over Liu Cui, and helped her into the house to warm up.
Liu Cui did not leave immediately, but instead grabbed Zhang Xianglian and gave her half of the blanket.
The stalemate at the entrance of the courtyard with flowers in its hair was finally broken.
Zheng Ruqian clenched his fists and sincerely apologized, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have been greedy for that little bit of business. I didn't go back to celebrate the New Year with everyone and made everyone travel thousands of miles to the prefectural city."
"I know I was wrong, and I will never do it again."
"You want a next time?" Jiang Sheng's heart softened, and she rushed over to grab his clothes tightly. "You brat, you're punished to wash everyone's dishes today."
They've been together since they first met, relying on each other for support. They're the closest family members, and they've promised never to separate.
"Okay, I'll wash," Zheng Ruqian agreed, his eyes red-rimmed.
Fang Heng angrily threw away the two pieces of wooden stick, and Jiang San, who was behind him, shrewdly handed him another one.
Thicker and stronger.
Fang Heng was stunned.
Xu Mo was the first to break down, and he chuckled softly. Everyone laughed, including the eight servants, and the entire Zanhua Courtyard was filled with warmth and joy.
In the warm room, Liu Cui looked at the group of children through the window and smiled, "This year's Spring Festival is sure to be very lively."
Looking back at Zhang Xianglian, this woman whose first half of life was exceptionally bleak, she also smiled broadly.
Life has definitely gotten better and better since I left my terrible family.
That night, everyone got a good rest.
On New Year's Eve, the busy period officially began.
Zhang Qiquan washed the fresh pork he bought and chopped it into small pieces with scallions and ginger.
Zhang Xianglian kneaded the dough and divided it into portions, while Liu Cui rolled out the wrappers with a rolling pin.
Fang Heng, along with his younger siblings and servants, cleaned the courtyard, removing all the spiderwebs that had been hidden there for a year.
Zheng Ruqian held a pile of dried green beans, smoothed them out like gold, and finally took out a small handful and soaked them in warm water.
"Second brother, why are you still studying these green beans?" Jiang Sheng leaned closer. "If they can't be sold, they can't be sold. We'll figure out how to earn back the twenty-five taels of silver later."
That's what she said, but the little girl's eyes clearly showed her heartache.
Although the eldest, second, and fourth brothers all made money, the third brother and the servants also spent a lot. After careful calculation, they hadn't actually saved much money by the end of the year.
At least Jiang Sheng's purse has never been full again.
However, in order to comfort her second brother, she was willing to lie against her conscience.
Zheng Ruqian couldn't help but laugh, but as he laughed, his nose started to sting a little. He stroked his little sister's head and said softly, "No, Jiang Sheng, although we encountered difficulties in acquiring dried green beans this time, it is also an opportunity."
If this opportunity can be developed, he will no longer need to beg and plead for business opportunities in the prefectural city.
Moreover, they have now overcome the difficulties.
At first, Jiang Sheng didn't understand. But after Aunt Zhang finished making dumplings, got up and stewed dried green beans and pork belly together in a large pot until they were thoroughly cooked, she lifted the lid and a rich aroma wafted out, almost making her mouth water.
"The reason we couldn't make it taste good before was because we hadn't found the key," Zheng Ruqian said proudly. "Dried green beans are dried vegetables, and everyone thinks they should be soaked in warm water. Actually, after soaking them, it's best to blanch them in boiling water."
"Dried vegetables absorb oil, so the meat you choose should be rich in fat. Dried green beans are resistant to stewing, so it's best to stew them for twice the usual time."
Then, add spices and simmer to create a rich broth. Wrap it in a thin, chewy pancake, take a bite, and you'll be half-dead.
Lunar New Year's Eve.
In the warm room, everyone, dressed in all sorts of new clothes, sat down around a large round table.
Besides the fragrant braised pork belly with dried vegetables, there were countless dumplings on the round table, both vegetarian and meat-filled, covering every inch of the space.
Jiang Sheng knew about dumplings; they were a delicacy that the people of Shilipu Village could only eat during the Spring Festival. Each person could only have one bowl at most, and once it was finished, there were none left.
Naturally, it wouldn't be left to feed dogs, much less end up in the mouths of beggars.
Anyway, Jiang Sheng didn't reunite with her family on New Year's Eve. She just wandered around the village. Whenever the smell of dumplings wafted out from someone's house, she would lean against the door frame and take a deep breath.
Later, when they arrived at Aunt Zhang's house, Aunt Zhang felt sorry for her and secretly saved two dumplings for her, but they were only vegetarian dumplings.
The Zhou family's rule was that only men could eat meat filling, while women were only allowed to eat vegetarian food.
Wild vegetables with a little bit of pork lard are not delicate or fragrant enough, and they even irritate the throat.
But Jiang Sheng kept it in her mouth, savoring it again and again before finally swallowing it.
Last year, none of her brothers knew how to make dumplings, so Jiang Sheng hadn't thought about it.
Finally, this year, plate after plate of dumplings were placed in front of her.
Jiang Sheng didn't devour the food. Instead, she picked up a bowl of dumplings filled with pure meat, placed it in front of Zhang Xianglian, and grinned, "Auntie, we can have meat dumplings too."
Someone who has only ever eaten vegetarian food.
I've only ever eaten two vegetarian dishes.
Zhang Xianglian recalled the past, and grief welled up within her, causing tears to fall suddenly.
But she still forced herself to pick up a meat dumpling, stuffed it into her mouth, savored the rich meaty aroma, and choked out, "Delicious, especially delicious."
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