Chapter 424 Da Wang and Barley
The spicy and sour lotus root shoots are ready.
The snow-white lotus root shoots, dotted with red and green chilies, exude a tangy and spicy aroma that whets the appetite.
Cheng Wanwan took out a plate and filled it halfway: "Sidan, take this to your grandpa and grandma to have a taste."
After everyone's lives improved, she hadn't had her children bring food to the old house for a long time. Now that meat was no longer a rare delicacy, she could finally eat something new to change things up.
Zhao Sidan ran very fast and returned in an instant.
The lotus root shoots on the table were very popular; they were sour and spicy, crisp and sweet, and very appetizing.
"Mom, this dish is so delicious!" Zhao Sidan poured even the hot and sour broth into his own bowl, saying with lingering relish, "Shouldn't our restaurant also offer this dish? It would definitely be very popular."
Cheng Wanwan shook her head: "The restaurant has too many guests, I'm afraid we won't have enough lotus root shoots."
Excessive removal of lotus shoots will affect the yield of lotus roots, which is counterproductive. However, even if it is just for our own family to eat, the lotus shoots produced by 200 acres of lotus ponds are far from being consumed. If the lotus shoots are not removed in time, the density will be too high, which will also affect the growth of the lotus roots.
Perhaps we can limit the supply; we need to discuss this with Er Gou.
The family had just finished eating when Aunt Wang's cheerful voice rang out in the yard: "Grandma Dashan, we fried some dried anchovies today and brought some over for the kids to try. Sidan, come on, take this!"
Because these dried fish were intended for Cheng Wanwan's family, they were coated in egg wash and deep-fried until golden brown and smelled especially delicious.
"Thank you, Aunt Wang!" Zhao Sidan took the food. "Mom, you have one first! Sanmao, Xiaohai, come and eat some dried fish!"
Several children ran to the stone table in the yard to share dried fish.
Aunt Wang pulled Cheng Wanwan to the grapevines and lowered her voice, saying, "Grandma Dashan, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."
While chewing on dried fish, Cheng Wanwan said, "Just tell me what's wrong, as long as I can do it."
“Da Mai is already sixteen this year, and I’m getting anxious about it,” Aunt Wang sighed. “I’ve arranged several marriages for her, but she’s not satisfied with any of them. I’m just wondering what kind of person she’s looking for… Last night I went to her room and saw her staring blankly at a doll, looking like she was in the throes of first love… I quickly asked Xiao Mai, and it turns out that the doll was a gift from Da Wang.”
Cheng Wanwan's eyes gleamed with gossip: "Does this mean that Dawang and Damai, hmm... there's something going on between them?"
"Dawang gave Damai gifts, so he must like our Damai," Aunt Wang continued with a sigh. "I probed Damai a bit, and the girl doesn't seem opposed to marrying Dawang. I'm too embarrassed to talk to Grandma Zhao about this, since we're the bride's family, and it wouldn't be good to be too forward. So, could you ask Aunt Dashan to help me ask around? If Dawang isn't interested, or if Dawang's mother isn't interested in marriage, I'll immediately nip Damai's hopes in the bud to avoid making a fool of myself!"
“This little thing is no problem for me!” Cheng Wanwan said in a flurry of activity. “I’ll go to the old house right now.”
As dusk fell and moonlight shone on the earth, the villagers were still busy at work, greeting each other warmly when they met.
The Zhao family's courtyard was quite lively. The men had gone to check on the rice seedlings, while the women were sweeping the yard, washing clothes, and preparing ingredients for tomorrow's business. The children were all helping out.
"Sister-in-law, what brings you here?" Madam Sun, heavily pregnant, stood up and brought a low stool for Cheng Wanwan. "Donghua, pour your aunt a cup of tea."
Donghua ran inside, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Cheng Wanwan.
Cheng Wanwan asked, "Third Aunt, your belly is so big, are you about to give birth?"
"It's still early, another month." Mrs. Sun touched her belly and said mysteriously with a smile, "I went to the city to see a doctor a few days ago, and the doctor said it's definitely a boy!"
Cheng Wanwan: "..."
She's obsessed with having a son.
She actually hoped it would be a son, otherwise she didn't know what kind of trouble this Sun woman would cause.
She immediately changed the subject, saying to Madam Wen, "Second Aunt, Da Wang is sixteen years old this year, isn't he? I wonder if he's found a suitable match?"
"Where would I find the time?" Wen said while washing vegetables. "We're too busy at home every day. Da Wang works at the restaurant all day and falls asleep as soon as he gets home at night. There's really no time to go on blind dates. Sister-in-law, are you asking because you've heard of a good girl in some family?"
Cheng Wanwan casually asked, "How's the Wang family's barley?"
"Da Mai?" Old Mrs. Zhao was taken aback at first, then laughed. "This girl is very good. I heard from Xia Hua that she learns embroidery very quickly. She is now Kong Xiuniang's favorite disciple. Kong Xiuniang is teaching Da Mai some special skills. She will definitely be able to establish herself in the embroidery industry in the future."
Wen was also satisfied: "If it's barley, I have no objection, but it mainly depends on Da Wang's opinion."
Cheng Wanwan nodded. Although marriages are arranged by parents in this era, if the children are unwilling, wouldn't they become a resentful couple?
Just then, the voices of Da Wang and Chun Hua came from the doorway. Every day at this time, after the Dahe Banquet closed, the two of them would ride back in a carriage with Zhao Er Gou. Both of them had grown up very quickly, and they were still talking about the work they had done during the day when they entered the door.
"Come, come, Dawang, Grandma has something to ask you," Grandma Zhao said with a smile. "You're sixteen this year, have you thought about getting married?"
Zhao Dawang's face suddenly turned red, and he didn't know what to say.
"Why are you blushing, child?" Old Mrs. Zhao shook her head. "Your aunt has arranged a good marriage for you, and your mother and I have both agreed. We'll be formally visiting to propose in a few days..."
Zhao Dawang immediately became anxious: "Whose daughter is she? Why didn't you ask me if I was willing?"
Cheng Wanwan couldn't help but laugh. It was obvious from her expression that she had someone in mind. She suppressed a laugh and said, "It's Wang's Da Mai. I think this girl is quite nice, and I figured it's good to keep the good stuff in the family, so I quickly told you about her... But Da Wang, you don't seem too willing. Well then, I'll find Da Mai another good family. My San Niu would be fine too..."
"I didn't say I didn't want to!" Zhao Dawang exclaimed, his face turning as red as a boiled shrimp, his voice instantly dropping to a low hue, "The barley is just fine..."
After he finished speaking, he turned and ran away.
Grandma Zhao burst into laughter: "This boy, he can't hide his thoughts at all! Second son's wife, when you have some free time, go to the city and buy some betrothal gifts. When you have some free time, we'll formally go to your door to propose marriage and settle the matter of the two children. It would be best to do so before the autumn harvest. Maybe you can even get pregnant with a big, healthy boy by the end of the year!"
Madam Wen nodded happily: "I'll do whatever Mother says!"
Madam Sun leaned closer and said, "You've all seen my nephew from my maternal family these past few days, haven't you? He's tall and strong, honest and hardworking. Doesn't he look good with Chunhua?"
Chunhua was helping to chop vegetables when she heard this, and her expression immediately changed.
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