Since Jiang Zhi and Wang Xiaoju met on the road, they naturally had to go home together.
As they walked, they naturally exchanged a few words about acquiring mosquito repellent herbs.
Following the government's requisition of medicinal herbs, Xujia Village also got a free ride, receiving raw materials such as elm bark from other villages.
These things not only filled the warehouse where Li Laoshi lived, but also took up more than half of the space under the drying shed.
Wang Xiaoju said with a happy face, "Auntie, we have enough grass powder for next year, so we don't need to buy any more. We can save a lot of money."
"Oh, it's so nice to have someone in power. Everything seems so easy, and it doesn't cost a penny, but in reality..."
"Hehe, if only it were like this every year, Auntie, your family would naturally get a bigger share."
Wang Xiaoju's words had a hidden meaning: she hadn't gotten enough of the advantage this time and was already thinking about the next one.
Jiang Zhi rolled her eyes at her: "You think this kind of good thing will happen every time? Next year we'll have to pay to buy it!"
This time, the government wanted to collect medicinal herbs, and those towns were so quick to agree because they wanted to learn how to farm them. They really think people are fools, knowing they can make money and giving them away for free, even at the cost of labor.
Wang Xiaoju disagreed, saying that if Aunt Jiang wanted to buy it with money, how could those village chiefs and village officials have the nerve to accept it?
All they saw were a few handfuls of grass; only I could exchange them for silver.
As the two were talking, they arrived at Sishuitang. Hexiang, along with Nini, Caixia, and other children, were playing house outside the gate.
The ground was covered with piles of grass and leaves, which looked quite abundant.
Lei Zi, who was with Wang Xiaoju, was also there, but his face was covered in tears, and he was still sobbing.
Wang Xiaoju immediately exploded upon seeing this, grabbing Lei Zi's arm and pulling him in front of her: "Little darling, you cry all day long, but look at everyone else who peees every day like you."
Leizi finally saw his mother and burst into heart-wrenching sobs, as if something terrible had happened.
Jiang Zhi looked at He Xiang: "What's going on? Why is Lei Zi crying?"
Since it's one of our own servants who's specifically taking care of the child, we should at least ask!
Seeing Lei Zi, who hadn't cried before, burst into tears again upon seeing his mother, He Xiang said with a hint of grievance, "Nothing happened, but Lei Zi just started crying, and I couldn't stop him no matter what I said."
At this moment, Caixia was still "cutting" vegetables with a bamboo knife. Nini put her hands on her hips and stared wide-eyed: "Leizi wanted my bamboo knife, but I wouldn't let him, so he cried. I didn't hit him."
All right!
It really is related to Nini; this is going to be difficult.
Although the usual way adults handle this is that older sisters should give way to younger brothers, and older sisters should give way to younger sisters.
As long as they don't argue, it's fine. As for how much the older sister has suffered... in the end, the parents and elders will always say, "You remember such a small thing? Your sister is petty!"
Jiang Zhi didn't want to say that.
She worried that if Nini was wronged in public, she would definitely retaliate against Leizi behind his back.
On the mountain, Nini slapped Peppa Pig swiftly, but if she were to hit Lei Zi, it would be a series of screams and bruises, which would be troublesome.
Moreover, Xiaoman's grandpa and grandma will not stand for it and will definitely go to Wang Xiaoju's door: everyone's child is precious, and Nini is Xu Dazhu's only son. She's not his biological brother, so why should he give her up?
Wang Xiaoju looked at Jiang Zhi, hoping she could mediate the children's quarrel.
Jiang Zhi spread her hands: "You can come to me for murder and arson, but I can't handle this. How about I have your Master Chang Geng apologize to Lei Zi?"
Wang Xiaoju would have the heart to make the ancestors of the clan apologize to their great-grandchildren, but she wouldn't have the face, let alone the courage.
Seeing that Aunt Jiang was teasing her and didn't want to deal with this trivial matter, Wang Xiaoju knew that she either had to cry for nothing or find a solution herself.
Wang Xiaoju was also having a headache about how to solve the problem.
My son is a boy, but he's like a cat; he meows if you touch him.
I certainly can't point at Nini and say that.
Just then, Qiaoyun saw her mother-in-law return to the courtyard but hesitate to come inside. She came out and said, "Mom, why are you standing at the door? Sister-in-law Tan is preparing to cook. She asked if you want something dry or soupy. Otherwise, she'll just make sweet potato porridge and stir-fry a side dish!"
In Bajun, you can eat porridge and congee from before the New Year to the end of the year.
There's a joke circulating in modern times: when you're flying over an airplane, you can hear people below eating porridge!
As expected of the quick-witted Wang Xiaoju, she suddenly had an idea.
She led the child and carried a basket, and without Jiang Zhiqiaoyun inviting her, she walked towards the gate of Sishuitang, smiling and saying, "Auntie, I'll have sweet potato porridge at your house today. I have some things here that you rarely get to eat!"
What's the meaning?
This means I'm going to have to eat a meal on my own.
Jiang Zhi quickly found out what it was.
The basket that Wang Xiaoju was protecting like a treasure contained a basket of dark, gooey things, and the basket was still moving.
Oh dear, it's a stink bug!
The whole insect is used in medicine to regulate qi and relieve pain, warm the kidneys and invigorate yang. It can be decocted in water for stomach cold and bloating, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, and frequent urination. It should not be taken with chili peppers, as it will affect the efficacy.
This thing might be scary to many people, but to the people of Southwest China, it's a delicacy.
Every summer, stink bugs live on tree branches, feeding on the sap of tender branches. They are greenish-brown in color and have patterns, but are inedible.
When the weather turns cool and the temperature drops to the teens in the late autumn mornings, insects collectively fly to the pebbles on the riverbank to seek shelter from the cold.
Once you break open the stone, you'll find hordes of insects huddled together underneath.
The fog dissipates and the weather warms up around noon, at which point the stink bugs will crawl out and fly back to the leaves to feed, returning to the rocks before nightfall.
At this point, the insects turn dark black and their bellies are full of oil, making them ready to eat.
However, this situation is short-lived. After a few days, the insects will hide in deeper places and will not reappear until the following spring.
Therefore, every late autumn, the best time to catch insects is on certain foggy mornings, when people will flock to the riverbank to look for stink bugs.
There is no large river beach here in Xujia Village, only a shallow beach near Lihua Town, which is where Wangjia Village is located.
Wang Xiaoju said smugly, "These were caught by my nephews this morning. I took half of them with me."
"Auntie, this is a real treat! We only get to eat it once or twice a year. I haven't had it for years!"
Jiang Zhi was speechless: "How dare you try to steal food from your nephew!"
Wang Xiaoju snorted: "My two older brothers asked me if anyone in the village needed furniture made, so I could take it to them! I'm still wondering whether I should help them!"
As she spoke, she glanced at Jiang Zhi, seemingly trying to gauge his reaction but also afraid of being scolded.
Jiang Zhi understood; this was perfectly normal. The Wang brothers had plenty of ways to reconcile with their sister.
Cook up lots of meat and fish, take the girl home for a meal, and if one meal isn't enough, have two. That'll eventually win her back, or you can just give her some money.
They were willing to deliver the cabinets to the village, and even after being criticized for so long, they must have gained something from it.
“Your brother’s cabinets are indeed very good. If you see any family in the village who needs them, just let him know!” Jiang Zhi said calmly.
"Okay! Auntie, I'm going to stir-fry stink bugs!" Wang Xiaoju happily went to the kitchen.
Tan had never seen a stink bug before, and she ran away in fright when Wang Xiaoju took out the basket. He Xiang also ran away in fright.
At this point, only Wang Xiaoju and Qiaoyun could make the stir-fried stink bugs.
Eating stink bugs is simple: first, put warm water in a large basin, then immerse the live bugs in the water.
When it comes into contact with water, stink bugs will release irritating gases from their bodies and then stop moving.
All that's left is to light the fire. You don't even need to add oil. Just take the deflated stink bugs out of the water, pour them into a hot pan, stir-fry until fragrant, add salt, and they're ready to eat.
Wang Xiaoju didn't keep this good stuff to herself; she invited Qin Shi, Li Laoshi, Xu Genbao, and Xiaoman's grandparents over as well.
Only Qiaoyun was pregnant and couldn't eat.
At the dinner table, Wang Xiaoju flattered, "Grandpa Chang Geng, my Lei Zi is timid and cries easily, unlike Nini who is brave. Could you ask Nini to play with him more often in the future?"
Xiaomanye spent all his time in the new house fixing up the corners and edges, unaware of Nini and Leizi's affair.
He patted Nini, who was calling him "fart bug" repeatedly, and said with a smile, "Nini is the older sister. She should play with Lei from now on, but don't fight."
Nini suddenly didn't find the stink bug in her mouth taste good anymore!
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