Qin Xiaoniang looked behind her and indeed saw no one. "They were just picking up dry grass in the woods!"
Nianjie asked in her childish voice, "I hope nothing bad has happened."
"Don't talk nonsense, I'll go check!"
Song He'er followed the direction Nian Jie'er pointed. Although this area had mountains and water, it was desolate and isolated, with no villages or shops in sight.
The trees were tall and the forest was deep. Song He'er walked for a long time before she spotted two small, thin figures in the distance.
"Fourth Aunt!" Song He'er called out.
Hearing the sound, Chun Di turned around and waved at her, then ran over carrying several bundles of dry straw...
"He'er, look, this straw was found at the foot of that barren mountain ahead. Chunrao still has a lot more. If we spread it all out on the ground, we won't feel so cold when we sleep!"
Song He'er noticed the wound on her hand and immediately felt a little guilty. "Fourth Aunt, does your hand hurt?"
Chun Di looked at her rough hands and burst out laughing: "What's so painful? Back in the General's Mansion, although there were servants to wait on me, I also had to do needlework myself. This little bit of effort is nothing!"
This is indeed true. It is only because Chun Di and Chun Rao are daughters born out of wedlock that the eldest daughter-in-law always looks down on these two sisters-in-law, thinking that they are good-for-nothings who eat for free.
The two of them lived a miserable life, constantly beating and scolding each other and cutting off each other's food, clothing, and other necessities.
Song He'er breathed a sigh of relief, bent down to pick up a bundle of straw, and returned to the group with them.
After serving the spicy crayfish, Zhang Xiu'e made a simple chicken soup using the leftover ingredients from Song He'er and the damp salt.
Although the color wasn't great, the smell was acceptable. After all, on the road to exile, being able to drink a sip of nutritious chicken soup like this was quite a treat.
"He'er, quick, serve your mother a bowl."
Song He'er nodded, picked up a soup spoon and served Qin Xiaoniang a chicken leg, then served Nian Jie'er a bowl, and there was enough left for everyone.
After each person finished a bowl of chicken soup, their stomachs felt warm and cozy.
Zhang Xiu'e placed the crayfish in front of everyone and asked, "How should we eat these little guys?"
Song He'er smiled, picked up a brightly colored crayfish from the basin, put it in her mouth to suck out the juice, then pinched off the head and tail, and used her tongue to pick out the meat hidden in the crayfish tail.
"Look, this meat is very chewy and delicious!"
Zhang Xiu'e understood immediately. She quickly grabbed one and imitated Song He'er's actions, first sucking on it, then pinching off the head and tail, and eating the meat in the middle.
Zhang Xiu'e took a few bites and immediately showed an expression of ecstasy. "This... is so delicious! I've never seen anything like this before. Xiao He'er, how did you make it so delicious?"
"I learned it from a book. I read a cookbook left over from the previous dynasty. It mentioned that this kind of thing is edible and also explained how to cook it, so I memorized it!"
Zhang Xiue praised repeatedly, "Look! Nian'er, you should learn more from your fifth sister in the future."
Qin Xiaoniang smiled modestly: "My daughter, I don't know what's wrong with her lately, she's been full of clever ideas. You know, back when she was in the General's Mansion, she was like a mouse in front of a cat when she saw the two daughters of the First Madam, she didn't even dare to say a word. But look at her now, she dares to argue with them directly!"
Song He'er pouted: "Mom, she was just hiding her true abilities before! There's an old saying: 'Playing dumb to fool others'!"
This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Chunrao ate a few crayfish, which made her throat sore from the spiciness. She quickly put down her chopsticks and ran to the side to drink some cold water.
"No, no, it's too spicy, I can't eat it!"
Qin Xiaoniang stepped forward and patted her back: "I should have left you more chicken soup earlier..."
Chunrao's violent coughing drew the attention of the women nearby, who all turned to look in her direction.
After much deliberation, Li Qiang's wife finally stood up and walked towards them step by step.
"Mrs. Qin, we...we'd also like to try crayfish. Look, how about I trade you some bird eggs? They're all cooked, more than ten left. You can have them all...because the children have never had them before, so..."
Qin Xiaoniang asked in surprise, "Can the children eat spicy food? That's really spicy!"
"Sure! We're from Jingzhou, and we can handle the local chili peppers there!"
Upon hearing the words "Jingzhou" from a short distance away, Song He'er immediately thought of something...
Although Jingzhou was considered a southern barbarian land in ancient times, in modern society it is known as the hometown of spicy food in Hunan. Hunan cuisine is famous throughout the country, especially for northerners who are used to salty food. Occasionally eating spicy food can stimulate their appetite.
Since these people are from Jingzhou, they must know how to cook, right?
Compared to modern imitation, the most primitive cooking methods of our ancestors are still purer. If I were to open a restaurant in the future and use modern dishes combined with ancient techniques, I would definitely make a fortune!
Thinking of this, Song He'er didn't hesitate. She took a ceramic bowl of crayfish, walked over, and handed it to Li Qiang's wife. "Tian Niangzi, try it and see which one is spicier and more authentic compared to the taste of your Jingzhou cuisine!"
Li Qiang's wife was slightly taken aback: "All of these? For me?"
"Okay, here you go, but it's a deal, you have to exchange ten of your bird eggs for it."
"Can!"
Li Qiang's wife happily handed the bird eggs to Song He'er, then left with the ceramic basin in her arms.
Qin Xiaoniang gave some bird eggs to Chunrao, and the rest to Nianjie and Huange.
"Little mother, you're still breastfeeding, so you can't eat too many crayfish. Here, have a few bird eggs instead." Chunrao handed over three bird eggs.
"I just ate a chicken leg, I'm not hungry anymore. You guys always give me good stuff, don't starve yourself, eat up."
After several refusals, Chunrao finally ate the bird egg.
After dinner, everyone began to spread out straw mats to prepare for rest.
To prevent wild animals from attacking, Song He'er specially lit torches next to where people were resting. Wild animals dared not approach where there was firelight.
Qin Xiaoniang glanced at the people resting under the big tree not far away, then turned to Zhang Xiue and said, "It's so dark, and we don't know if there are any stray cats or dogs that might hurt people at night. We've spread out all the straw mats, and there's a spare spot. Let's call them over."
Zhang Xiu'e thought about it carefully and nodded: "That makes sense. After all, more people are more united. He'er doesn't have any objections, right?"
"If everyone has no objections, then I have no objections either."
"Okay, I'll go call them."
Zhang Xiue was a kind-hearted person, and Li Qiang's wife didn't refuse either, since sleeping together would ensure everyone's safety.
As night deepened, people drifted into sweet dreams.
By the dim light, Song He'er suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from the grass not far away...?
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