Tao Wanniang saw off her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren as they left with Ling Yunzhou. Why couldn't Ling Yunzhou understand? Using his children and grandchildren to blackmail her? No way.
With so few people around, the house became empty. Tao Wanniang turned around and saw Zhang Liang's inquisitive expression.
"What are you looking at? All the chores around the house have fallen to you."
Zhang Liang pointed to himself, "Big sister, tell me what kind of work there is, but I'm afraid I can't help with the cooking."
Tao Wanniang was taken aback. Of course, the remaining few people meant that she had to cook.
"You can handle the cleaning of the front yard and feeding the chickens and ducks," Tao Wan's mother said listlessly.
"Elder sister, seeing that you have nothing to do, I have a suggestion," Zhang Liang said softly, noticing Tao Wanniang's dejected look.
"What?" Tao Wanniang asked immediately.
"There are four people in the family now. I wonder if my eldest sister has ever heard of the Leaf brand?" Zhang Liang asked with a smile.
Tao Wanniang raised an eyebrow, highly suspicious of Zhang Liang's motives in saying this.
"Leaf Brand? What's that?"
“It’s just a game. If Sister Tao has nothing better to do, I can teach you how,” Zhang Liang said gently.
“Okay, then you can start making the arrangements,” Tao Wanniang said in a nonchalant tone.
A glint of light flashed in Zhang Liang's eyes. If only the hundred taels of silver he owed could be settled.
"Elder sister, will you feel uncomfortable with all this free time?" Bai Yumei asked tentatively after Tao Wanniang returned to her room. She thought about how Tao Wanniang had raised the child with such hardship and was now gone; how could she not be sad?
“There’s nothing I’m not used to. Zhang Liang just told me about a fun game called Leaf Cards. Yu Mei, invite your brother Asheng and let’s all play it together.”
"Leaf cards?" Bai Yumei knew what they were. "Big sister, do you know what leaf cards are? This isn't a game; it's a common trick used in gambling dens. Big sister, don't be fooled!"
Bai Yumei has a father who gambles and has suffered a lot. He hates gambling to the core!
“I see. It’s alright, let’s play with it. Yu Mei, tell me how to play this thing.” Tao Wan Niang said as if she suddenly realized something. “At my house, we just play it as a game. It doesn’t make money.”
"But elder sister, Zhang Liang probably has ulterior motives." Bai Yumei still wanted to persuade Tao Wanniang that it was best not to touch this thing at all.
"Yu Mei, do you think I don't know this? Don't worry, if he tries to trap me, I'll make him lose everything!" Tao Wan Niang chuckled.
Bai Yumei was still somewhat skeptical, but seeing Tao Wanniang's expression, she first patiently explained the rules of the leaf cards to her, and then advised, "Elder sister, I don't know who Zhang Liang is, but he's clearly plotting against you. That kind of person..."
“I know what I'm doing,” Tao Wanniang smiled. “Does your brother Asheng know how to play these leaf cards? If not, you can teach him.”
"Big sister!" Bai Yumei wanted to persuade her further.
"Yu Mei, with your help, this kind of thing will definitely leave a very deep impression on him, won't it?"
Bai Yumei paused for a moment, then suddenly realized what Tao Wanniang was thinking. She pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and said, "Okay, elder sister, I understand what you mean. I will definitely help you!"
"So, does your brother Asheng actually know how to play the card game?" Tao Wanniang asked with a smile.
"I'll go ask," Bai Yumei said solemnly.
"Mother, why does Aunt Mei dislike Leaf Brand so much? What is Leaf Brand?" Xiao Qiao'er asked curiously after Bai Yumei left.
"The leaf cards are just a little toy for leisure and entertainment. They're neither good nor bad in themselves; it all depends on the person using them. If they're used for gambling, then it's not good," Tao Wanniang explained. "Of course, children shouldn't touch them, because children have no way of distinguishing between good and bad."
"Then I'll just stay here and read the book and write the recipes," Xiao Qiao'er nodded. "Mom, don't worry, I won't touch it."
"Hmm, Qiao'er, is there anything you'd like to learn, like needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, or painting? We've been running this restaurant for a while now, so just tell your mother what you want to learn."
"Mother, can I really learn?" Xiao Qiao'er hesitated. She liked cooking, but when she saw some rich young ladies, she felt that she was not up to the task.
"Yes, you can learn whatever you want. Who says a person can only know one thing? You can learn whatever you want."
"Could you please hire a female tutor to teach me some things that other girls know?" Xiao Qiao thought for a moment, but couldn't come up with a specific answer.
"Alright, I'll get one for you later." Tao Wan's mother patted the little girl's head. It's good that she has something to ask for!
"It's almost noon. Come on, let's make lunch first." Tao Wanniang looked outside and patted her stomach. "Since your brothers and sisters-in-law aren't here, I'll take care of cooking."
"Mom, I can cook for you. I've been learning from you for so long."
Tao Wanniang smiled; she certainly didn't need an eleven-year-old girl to cook for the adults!
Zhang Liang bought the leaf-shaped token from outside in the afternoon. Seeing Tao Wanniang's curious look, he remained calm, but was secretly pleased.
He really just wanted to settle that 100 taels debt, really!
“I also know how to play this leaf card game. In my spare time, I used to play a few rounds with my neighbors.” Chen Liansheng, who had been given a hint by Bai Yumei, spoke first.
"I've been following my father to the gambling dens in Shanhai Prefecture since I was a child. I know how to play leaf cards. Big sister, is this your first time seeing them? Let me explain them to you." Bai Yumei touched the leaf cards and said with a not-so-good expression.
"Alright, let's go to the flower hall. We've got nothing to do, so let's play a few rounds." Tao Wanniang sent Xiao Qiao'er back to her room to rest, then asked Zhang Liang to put a brazier in the flower hall. She also prepared a pot of hot tea, a plate of candied fruit, and a fruit platter. Once the flower hall door was closed, the four of them sat down and started playing.
"Since this is a gambling game, how can there be no prize?" Tao Wanniang said happily after playing a few rounds.
"That's not right, sister, I don't have much money," Zhang Liang said, declining. "Sister, I still owe you a hundred taels!"
“That’s right, sister, this money doesn’t grow on trees. My dad was addicted to these things, and in the end he even sold me!” Bai Yumei said indignantly.
"Since I'm the owner, how about this, let's not play big, just a little betting for fun, I'll cover the stakes!" Tao Wanniang said cheerfully, taking out several ten-tael silver notes directly from her sleeve.
"Come, come, these were originally prepared as New Year's red envelopes for the children, but these extras are for everyone," Tao Wan's mother said generously, handing each person a silver note.
"Big sister, well... I'm too embarrassed to accept this. If I win, consider this money a loan." Zhang Liang smiled gently and humbly when he saw Tao Wanniang's enthusiastic expression.
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