Chapter 380 This belongs to the Zhao family.
Cheng Wanwan brought back a set of carpentry tools for Old Man Zhao.
The old man's set was over thirty years old, while the one she bought was the latest model, making woodworking much easier.
Old Zhao held it in his hand, absolutely enamored with it, and couldn't get enough of touching it.
Six months ago, his carpentry skills were mediocre, limited to making tables, chairs, and barrels. After six months of study and learning from Afu, his carpentry skills have improved a lot. He can now make doors, windows, beds, and cabinets without any problem. With this new set of tools, he expects to be able to do even better.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, all sorts of vines have grown in your yard. I'll go make you a flower stand right now," the old man said decisively. "We have plenty of wood at home; it can be done in half an hour. Just wait!"
He left in a hurry, carrying his new tools.
"This old man..." Old Mrs. Zhao chuckled helplessly, "It's getting late, I'll go in and help Hui Niang cook, so we can eat early and get some rest."
In the kitchen, Wu Huiniang was busy with several maids. She was in charge of deciding on the dishes, Chunhua was chopping and preparing the vegetables, Cheng Fang was washing the vegetables, Wei Hongying was in charge of the stove, and Wei Hongyan was washing the pig's stomach and intestines. The kitchen was bustling with activity.
As soon as Grandma Zhao entered, she picked up a cleaver and started chopping meat: "Dashan's wife, what other chores need to be done? Tell me quickly, and I'll call your second and third aunts to come in and help."
This meal was even more lavish than New Year's Eve dinner, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat filling the entire stove; it wouldn't be able to be cleaned up in a short time.
"Aunt Wang brought over a bucket of dried shrimp early this morning and asked Third Aunt to help peel the shrimp meat and mash it into a paste," Wu Huiniang said. "Mixing the shrimp paste with fish paste to make meatballs will make them taste even more delicious."
This dish was something she came up with herself, and it was quite popular at the Dahe Banquet. She wanted her mother-in-law to try her cooking.
Hearing this from outside, Madam Sun immediately replied, "Alright, Third Aunt will get it ready for you right away."
Sun's belly was already quite large, and it was inconvenient for her to bend over. She picked up the bucket and placed it on the stone table, then reached in to grab the shrimp.
"Oh dear, all these shrimp are dead." Mrs. Sun exclaimed, "Eating dead ones will give you an upset stomach, what should we do?"
The shrimp were left in the yard for a day without anyone changing the water or anything, and most of them died. All the dead ones were thrown away, leaving only seven or eight alive.
Donghua leaned over for a look: "I'll go to the river and scoop up some more. I'm good at catching fish and shrimp."
"How many times have I told you not to go to the river alone? Have you been ignoring me?!" Mrs. Sun grabbed her ear. "If you do it again, I'll break your legs..."
While they were cursing, Cheng came out to get water to wash the dishes.
Sun said impatiently, "Hey you, Xu Mei... cough, Cheng Fang, take the bucket and go to the river to catch some shrimp. Be quick."
Cheng Fang glanced at the kitchen; there was nothing she needed to do for the time being. She lowered her head and came over, picking up the bucket of water.
Unable to resist, Madam Sun added, "If you see any crucian carp or anything like that, catch one and bring it back. Crucian carp is good for the fetus, and I should drink some nourishing soups for the fetus too."
"yes."
Cheng Fang agreed and carried the bucket towards the river.
Sun sat at the stone table, her face full of envy. Her sister-in-law's family now had four servants, three maids and a servant boy. They were living a very comfortable life.
Unlike her, who is heavily pregnant and still has to do laundry, clean the house, and do chores every day. I wonder when she will ever have a day when she has to be waited on.
She knew she couldn't rely on her two daughters, so she could only... She touched the baby in her belly. Last time she secretly went to the temple, the monk said it was definitely a son, so she would devote herself to raising him. When her son became successful, she would have someone to take care of her. The thought was wonderful.
"What are you grinning about!" Old Mrs. Zhao came out and glared at her. "Hurry up and get back to work."
Sun immediately got up and went to the kitchen to help.
Cheng Fang carried a bucket to the riverbank. The river, which had dried up last year, had gradually risen over the past six months and reached the normal water level. The riverbank was lush with vegetation, and many aquatic plants had grown on the surface. There were also many snails and small fish and shrimp swimming around in the shallow water near the bank.
Many children in the village would come to the river to catch fish and shrimp; catching a lot would make a dish, a treat for them.
Cheng Fang took out a fishing net and placed it in a place where the river was swift. Before long, a lot of small fish and shrimp were caught in the net, and she quickly poured them into a bucket.
Just as they were about to do it again, a little hand reached out: "Auntie, I'll take these home first!"
Cheng Fang turned around and saw a five or six-year-old boy standing behind her. This was the son of her eldest brother and sister-in-law, and the only son of the Xu family. She had helped raise the child herself. The more she used to love this nephew, the colder her heart became now.
She simply picked up the bucket: "This isn't for you."
"I want it! I want it!" Xu Cheng reached out to grab it. He was a six-year-old boy, but he was quite strong and almost knocked the bucket over.
Cheng Fang pushed him away, saying, "These belong to the Zhao family; don't touch them."
She now bears the surname Cheng and is a servant of the Zhao family. She is a member of the Zhao family, so how could she possibly give Zhao family property to the Xu family?
"Waaah, Auntie, you're so mean!" Xu Cheng burst into tears. "Mom, come quick! Someone's bullying me!"
Sister-in-law Xu thought that some older child had bullied her son, so she rushed over, only to find Cheng Fang standing by the river.
After that falling out, Cheng Fang went to work at a restaurant in Ping'an County. This was his first time back in the village. More than half a month later, Cheng Fang was very different from before.
Previously, Cheng Fang was wearing the most tattered clothes in the Xu family, covered in patches. But now, Cheng Fang was wearing new clothes. Although they were made of coarse cloth, they were new. This outfit must have cost twenty or thirty copper coins. It was amazing that Madam Dashan was so generous to a lowly girl.
"You've really gone too far, bullying your own nephew!" Sister-in-law Xu said angrily. "Xiao Cheng has been bullied like this by you. If you don't do something in return, I won't let you go today."
Cheng Fang frowned, his voice cold: "I didn't bully him. I have something to do, I'm leaving now."
"Who gave you permission to leave!" Sister-in-law Xu grabbed her arm. "You worked at your mother's house in the mountains for half a month. You must have earned a lot of money. You are a member of the Xu family. You should give the money you earn to the Xu family. Don't spend it recklessly."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Fang revealed a half-smile: "Sister-in-law, have you forgotten that I was sold off cheaply long ago? I am now a lowly servant. How can a servant earn wages for working for the master?"
"I don't care, Xiao Cheng was bullied to tears by you, so you have to hand over something!" Sister-in-law Xu grabbed the wooden bucket. "These fish and shrimp are not bad, so I'll make a soup for your nephew. You can't even bear to part with this, can you?"
"Yes, I just can't bear to part with it!" Cheng Fang was suddenly enraged. "Back then, I served the Xu family like a slave, and you all thought it was my duty, and I thought it was my fate too! But now, I'm no longer a member of the Xu family, so don't even think about taking advantage of me in the slightest! Give me back the bucket, or I'll make you lose face!"
"You little brat, how dare you talk back!"
Sister-in-law Xu was also furious and raised her hand to slap him across the face.
However, her wrist was intercepted mid-air.
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