Chapter 62 Jade Dragon Ointment
"Come, come, everyone, have some tea." Jiang had boiled water sometime earlier and was steeping dried osmanthus flowers. The aroma wasn't very noticeable; you barely tasted it before swallowing, only realizing osmanthus had been added with the last lingering flavor. But this was already considered quite good for her household.
During the move, Lin found out all the members of the Zheng family. Zheng Ming and his wife had five daughters in total. The eldest and second daughters were already married, and the third daughter was fourteen years old. She was thin and small, but looked very capable.
Zheng Ming sold firewood, but not in a shop; he was a personal peddler, buying and selling goods. If the officials saw him, he would be driven away. Jiang and her daughters did laundry for others; that was their family's livelihood.
After leaving the Zheng family, Madam Lin and Chunsheng's mother walked ahead, whispering, "It seems the Zheng family is really struggling. Sanhua's trousers can't even cover her ankles, and the little girl's socks are showing."
“Who says otherwise? I saw it at a glance. If it were a boy, it would be one thing, but a girl can’t be treated like this. I happen to have a few scraps of cloth at home, I’ll take them to Sanhua and her sisters.” Chunsheng’s mother shook her head as she spoke, wondering what kind of life they must have to live to be so poor.
When Lin returned home, dinner was already prepared.
Qiao Mianmian brought the boiled fish to the table. "This is the only dish we have today. I put bean sprouts, potatoes, and cabbage in it."
Qiao Mianmian sometimes craves fresh fish when her grandfather catches them. She gets tired of eating braised fish and sweet and sour fish all the time and wants to change things up occasionally.
It's a pity there are no cucumbers this season; otherwise, cucumbers soaked in the broth of boiled fish would taste just as good as the fish.
After Qiao Mianmian sat down, the family picked up their chopsticks. Qiao Jiaxing sniffed the air, swallowing hard, "It smells so good."
Mrs. Lin laughed and said, "What doesn't your sister's cooking smell good? You don't even need to taste it to know it's delicious."
After they started eating, she talked about the Zheng family's situation. "They have a lot of family members. When the first two girls were at home, there were seven people in total. I don't know how they could all live there."
Qiao Youfu asked in surprise, "Five daughters, and not a single son?"
Lin said no, and that she saw Zheng Ming treat Jiang very well, speaking to her in a gentle and amicable manner.
Qiao Youfu shook his head after hearing this, while Zhang Shi, who was more thoughtful, said, "If you don't have a son, you can take him in as a son-in-law; it's the same thing."
“That’s different.” After Qiao Youfu finished speaking, he noticed that Zhang Shi glared at him, so he quickly shoveled rice into his mouth. “Eat, eat. Who cares how many children the Zheng family has? They have nothing to do with our family.”
In fact, Lin didn't have any sons either; neither Jiawang nor Jiaxing were her biological children.
Qiao Mianmian noticed her mother's expression. After she finished eating, she went to the kitchen and asked, "Mom, are you still unhappy?"
"Unhappy? What's there for me to be unhappy about?" Madam Lin smiled. "Business is good, I'm happy. Go wash up, you don't need to clean up here."
Every day, Qiao Mianmian is only responsible for cooking and setting up her stall. She doesn't have to do housework such as washing clothes and dishes, let alone physical labor such as carrying water and chopping wood.
The chores at home are all shared. Now she doesn't have to cook the braised food anymore. Her rest time is in the late afternoon and after dinner.
“You’re lying. I could tell right away. When Grandfather said it was different, your hand holding the chopsticks paused.”
Qiao Mianmian snorted, "So what if you don't have a son? Some people's sons grow up to be spendthrifts and end up squandering the family fortune. It's better not to have such a son at all. You gave birth to three wonderful sisters like us, a blessing that others can only dream of. If you're still not happy, I'll just find someone to marry into my family later. Anyway, I can't bear to leave you."
"Nonsense, what kind of good son-in-law can you find by having your wife marry into your family?" Madam Lin laughed in anger. "Don't talk nonsense. I don't need you to have someone marry into my family. The men who will become sons-in-law are either from poor families, have some kind of problem, or are ugly. I will be satisfied as long as you marry into a good family. I don't need you to have someone marry into my family."
As long as the social standing is similar, the person is of good character, and the family is harmonious, these are Lin's requirements.
Qiao Mianmian clung to her, "Then don't be upset. I'm right. It's not like having a son guarantees someone will take care of you in your old age."
"Yes, yes, I understand. You silly girl, go and rest. Aren't you tired enough during the day?" Madam Lin nudged her daughter with her elbow and chuckled as she pushed her out. "Having such a thoughtful daughter like you makes me so happy. Is that alright?"
"Mmm." Qiao Mianmian filled a basin with hot water, washed her face, and was about to go to rest when her grandmother pulled her into the room. "Grandma, what's wrong?"
Before closing the door, Zhang made sure to look around to make sure no one else had noticed before taking out a delicate little box from the cabinet. When she opened it, there was a faint, pleasant fragrance of oil.
Before Qiao Mianmian could react, Zhang Shi dabbed some on her face with her fingertip.
“This is Jade Dragon Cream, it’s all the rage these days. You’ll be of marriageable age in a few months, and then matchmakers will be lining up at our door. Although a girl’s character is the most important thing, men still notice her appearance first. You’re out selling things every day, so you need to take care of your face. Look, it’s much smoother after applying the Jade Dragon Cream.” Zhang held her granddaughter’s face, looking at her with increasing delight. “You’re just like your mother, both of you are beauties in the making.”
Qiao Mianmian then realized that the Jade Dragon Cream was equivalent to an ancient skincare product. "Grandmother, this must be expensive, right?"
She herself hadn't expected this. One reason was that she was young and her skin was naturally smooth and delicate. Another reason was that she was too busy with her life to think about skincare.
"Yes, so don't tell anyone. Just apply it secretly in your room, you hear me?" Zhang dotes on her youngest granddaughter the most, for no other reason than that she has no daughters and her granddaughter is the only granddaughter she has raised by her side.
Moreover, her granddaughter has a sweet tongue and knows how to make people happy, so she admits that she is biased.
"You're really biased." Qiao Mianmian leaned closer. Her grandmother had a special scent that made her feel very warm and familiar.
Mrs. Zhang pinched her granddaughter's smooth cheek. "Isn't it good that I'm biased towards you? You should be secretly happy. I wouldn't even buy this for your sister-in-law. You're a grown woman now, you should take better care of yourself. Your mother doesn't care about these things to save money, but I can't bear to let my darling be exposed to the wind and sun."
She patted her granddaughter's back, "Hurry up and put it away. I'll buy you another one next month. Hide it carefully and don't tell your mother, otherwise she'll give me money again, and I'll have to buy it for other people."
Her daughter-in-law is sometimes a bit too fair, but being a stepmother isn't easy, and she understands.
"Okay, I'll definitely apply it carefully." Qiao Mianmian put away the Jade Dragon Cream.
When she returned to the house, it was already late. Looking in the bronze mirror, she couldn't see any difference, but touching her face, it did feel smoother.
That's true. Besides eating well, there's also beauty to pursue. Before, she only cared about basic needs like food and clothing, but now that she's well-fed and watered, she can think about other things.
She slept soundly through the night, without a single dream, until dawn.
When Qiao Mianmian arrived at the kitchen, Hu Qianqian had already chopped the pickled cabbage she was going to stir-fry that morning. Qiao Mianmian washed her face and started stir-frying the pickled cabbage.
Stir-frying pickled cabbage is very simple. Don't put anything else in the pot. First, put the pickled cabbage in the pot and stir-fry until the moisture evaporates. Then add oil and chili peppers and stir-fry until fragrant.
Their family always keeps pickled vegetables and side dishes on hand, and they also make salted duck eggs every now and then. They used to eat them at home, as pickled vegetables went well with rice. Now that they run a food shop, they also supply the shop, so they make even more. Originally, the Wu family's kitchen, besides storing firewood, also contained several large vats used for brewing wine and making pickled vegetables.
"Sister-in-law, you don't look well. Didn't you sleep well?" Qiao Mianmian ladled out the pickled cabbage.
"I haven't been sleeping well lately." Hu Qianqian patted her chest, but she didn't have much of an appetite when she saw the steaming dishes.
"Then don't go to the stall today. Stay home and help your grandmother and the others with their chores," Qiao Mianmian said.
"It's okay, it's nothing serious." Hu Qianqian felt she shouldn't be too dramatic. She was a little tired, but it wouldn't affect her work.
Qiao Mianmian still insisted that Hu Qianqian stay at home, and specifically told her mother about it.
With Lin's instructions, Hu Qianqian stayed at home, while the others went to set up their stalls.
They hadn't noticed anything that day, but a few days later, Qiao Mianmian noticed that her sister-in-law had no appetite. Afterwards, she quietly asked her sister-in-law if her period hadn't started.
Hu Qianqian was stunned when asked the question. She was embarrassed to talk about this with her unmarried sister-in-law, but it was really true.
"You really didn't come?" Seeing her sister-in-law's stunned expression, Qiao Mianmian looked at her with delight. "Am I going to be an aunt?"
"Huh?" Hu Qianqian was still in a daze; she hadn't reacted yet.
Qiao Mianmian couldn't wait to ask her older brother to fetch a doctor.
Qiao Jiawang was confused. "Who's sick?"
"Go ahead, hurry up before it gets completely dark!" Qiao Mianmian pushed her older brother out the door.
When Lin and the others in the courtyard saw Qiao Mianmian asking someone to fetch a doctor, they assumed she was ill and came over one by one to ask her where she felt unwell.
"I'm not feeling unwell, it's just that my sister-in-law hasn't been eating much. I've noticed her for the past few days." Qiao Mianmian didn't say it directly at first, in case the family was happy about it and it put pressure on her sister-in-law.
After the doctor arrived and took Hu Qianqian's pulse to confirm her pregnancy, Qiao Mianmian finally dared to excitedly hug her mother, "That's wonderful! I'm going to be an aunt!"
"Huh?" Madam Lin was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "This is a joyous occasion, a truly joyous occasion!"
Qiao Mancang patted his son's arm, "What are you standing there for? Remember what the doctor said?"
"Got it!" Qiao Jiawang's lips curled up. "I'm going to be a dad! I'm actually going to be a dad!"
The arrival of a new life filled the Qiao family with joy.
Qiao Jiawang went to see the doctor off. Qiao Mianmian and Lin Shi sat on either side of Hu Qianqian. Qiao Mianmian touched Hu Qianqian's still flat belly and said, "It's amazing. I can't imagine what the little one will look like in eight months."
"What else could she be like? She's just like your third sister's daughter, Tao'er." Madam Lin smiled as she looked at her daughter-in-law. "Qianqian, just tell me what you want to eat these days. Don't do any strenuous work. Your health is the most important thing. I'm really happy. This is wonderful news."
That's how life goes, generation after generation. With new life comes hope.
Qiao Mianmian chimed in, "Yes, as long as you can tell me, I'll learn what I can't do, and I'll definitely help you get better. Mother, shouldn't we have my older brother go and talk to the Hu family?"
Hu Qianqian also went to see the Lin family; she wanted to share this good news.
As someone who's been through this before, Lin said, "Wait three months before you talk to them. If you run into your parents during that time, you can tell them too. Otherwise, it's not so safe to rush off without a proper meeting."
From conception to birth, no one can guarantee anything; it's better to be safe than sorry.
"I'll do whatever Mother says," Hu Qianqian said.
The Qiao family was overjoyed with this great news, especially Zhang and Qiao Youfu, who went to the temple the next day to offer incense and pray for blessings.
Hu Qianqian was no longer allowed to do any other chores at home, but she still cooked the braised food herself. She didn't have to clean it; she only needed to season and stir-fry it, which wasn't tiring at all.
Everyone tacitly agreed not to talk about it, but as time went on, in late March, as Hu Qianqian began to experience morning sickness and other symptoms, the neighbors noticed and could guess what was going on.
The next day, Jin brought a pig's stomach, and Chunsheng's mother also brought a basket of peanuts.
"Oh dear, why did you bring things?" Madam Lin gestured for them to sit down. "It's only been two months, and I haven't dared to tell anyone."
“You don’t need to tell us, we’ve all been mothers, we can tell.” Jin smiled and looked at Hu Qianqian. “How are you? Have you lost your appetite lately? Do you prefer sour or spicy food?”
They remember the saying, "Sour for boys, spicy for girls."
Hu Qianqian has been eating a very bland diet lately, and she can't eat any fish at all. The smell of it makes her want to vomit. She keeps all the fishing nets at the door for repairs and doesn't bring them inside.
"Sometimes I crave spicy food, and sometimes I crave sour food," she said with a slight smile.
"It's still early in the pregnancy, you can't tell anything yet." Madam Lin poured them tea. "Besides, the idea that sour foods indicate a boy and spicy foods indicate a girl is completely unreliable. When I was pregnant with Mianmian, I craved sour foods, but I still gave birth to a daughter. Don't believe in that. As long as the baby is safe and healthy, it doesn't matter if it's a son or a daughter."
“That’s true, we can always have another one later.” Jin sat down next to Hu Qianqian. “You can share some of the good fortune with your sister-in-law. I really want a daughter right now, but I haven’t heard anything yet.”
She even bought tonics for the men in her family, but they all ended up in the latrine, and not a single fruit grew.
Hu Qianqian, the new bride, listened to what people were saying with a blush on her face.
Chun Sheng's mother wasn't afraid at all, since there was no one else around. She teased, "Give your Xu Zhongyi some nourishment. If you want a daughter, the man's body needs to be in good shape first. Don't use him like an old ox; he needs to rest too."
"How did you know I didn't give him a tonic, Auntie?" Jin wasn't shy, she shook her head, "It's like throwing money into the river, it won't even make a splash. Don't laugh at my Zhongyi, he uses all his energy on me, you should give the tonic to Uncle Dayong."
“What do you mean by supplementing him? Do you expect me to have another child at my age?” Chun Sheng’s mother laughed loudly.
They spoke so freely that Qiao Mianmian, who was inside the house, thought that not all people in ancient times were reserved. Listen to that, they've all made suggestive remarks.
However, the voices outside suddenly stopped. When someone spoke again, Qiao Mianmian heard her brothers talking and quickly put on her shoes and ran out.
"Big brother, second brother, how are things? Do grandma and the others miss me?" Qiao Mianmian asked expectantly.
With Qingming Festival approaching and the spring plowing season upon us, Yinshan and his sons were about to return home. Lin asked them to go with them and bring back some dried bamboo shoots and other items from the countryside.
The villagers dry vegetables for their own consumption. But in the city, these things cost money, so it's better to buy from family than from others.
The Qiao brothers put down their baskets, which were full of dried bamboo shoots.
Qiao Jiaxing opened the cloth on the bamboo basket, inside were dumpling-shaped green rice dumplings. He handed them to his sister, "Of course I want to. How could I not want to? Grandmother specially picked Qingming grass and made green rice dumplings for me to bring back for everyone to eat. She still remembers that you like taro filling the most, and told me not to steal any."
Qingtuan is made by mixing glutinous rice flour and Qingming grass together to form a dough. It can be filled with sweet red bean paste or savory filling.
Qiao Mianmian prefers savory food, so the Lin family made half savory and half sweet. This is a delicacy only available around the Qingming Festival; it can't be enjoyed at other times.
Qiao Mianmian took a taro shred pastry to eat. The skin was pressed very thin, the glutinous rice flour was just right, the pastry was chewy, and the taro shreds inside were smooth and spicy. With one bite, most of it was filling.
"It's delicious." Qiao Mianmian quickly finished one.
Qiao Jiawang handed Hu Qianqian a red bean paste one, saying, "This is sweet, you like it."
Hu Qianqian took a small bite of the qingtuan, the red bean paste was cooked until it was sandy, and she felt sweet inside.
Lin took the food and shared it with Jin and the others. Jin took two and said she would take them home for the children to try.
“That’s enough. There are so many people in your family. If I take so much, it won’t be enough for you.” Jin waved her hand and refused. “My family will make some in a couple of days, and I’ll send some over for you to try.”
Chun Sheng's mother only asked for one. Her family is large, and if each person had one, the Qiao family wouldn't be able to eat. Before leaving, she teased Qiao Jiawang, "Jiawang, now that you have a wife, you're already thinking about her."
"Huh?" Qiao Jiawang had just looked over when Chunsheng's mother had already walked away with Jin Shi, laughing heartily.
Qiao Jiaxing laughed and said, "They're saying that you only care about your sister-in-law eating, and you don't even need to eat; you're already full."
"I……"
Qiao Jiawang blushed instantly, as did Hu Qianqian. The young couple were still easily embarrassed and couldn't stand being teased.
The two people sat on the bench, their faces and even their arms were visibly red.
Qiao Mancang punched him, "Stop joking about your older brother. Hurry up and put the things in. Look at you, all sweaty. Go take a shower."
Qiao Jiaxing looked down at himself and couldn't smell any sweat on himself. "Dad, I'm not a little girl anymore, don't be so fussy. I'll wash up in the evening, otherwise I'll be covered in sweat again when I do chores later."
Qiao Mancang didn't care, but Lin was a clean person, so she asked the Qiao brothers to wipe it first.
Lin looked at the dried bamboo shoots and also found a bag of dried vegetables. The elderly in the family stuffed the basket full, not even leaving any gaps unfilled.
When Qiao Mianmian saw the dried vegetables, she immediately thought of a dish—braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens.
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