The steps involved in firing earthenware cups may seem simple, but each step is crucial.
Jiang Qinyu didn't understand this, so she just helped Lu Yanzheng with some tasks and spent the rest of the time watching him do them.
The abandoned kiln wasn't broken; it's just that all the families in the village who used to know the craft had moved away from Dingshui Village. Only Lu Yanzheng, who had once helped with the kiln work, learned the craft, but he later joined the army, leaving the kiln abandoned.
Half a day passed quickly. After sealing the kiln, Lu Yanzheng took Jiang Qinyu home for lunch.
"Go back first, and come back tomorrow morning," Lu Yanzheng said.
The earthen kiln needs to be fired for a whole day, so they don't need to stay there the whole time. They just need to come over from time to time to add some firewood.
"You have something to do this afternoon, should we have A-Ping add the firewood?" Jiang Qinyu asked.
Lu Yanzheng said in the morning that he needed to go into the city to meet with Wei Chengzong to discuss some things.
Lu Yanzheng nodded. "Yes, let him come."
They walked back to Old Lu's house side by side.
When Chen and Old Man Lu saw Lu Yanzheng return, they were both very happy. However, since Lu Yancai had been behaving quite well recently, Chen also invited Lu Yancai's family back for dinner this time.
"Big brother, sister-in-law, please have a seat." Lu Yancai said to the two of them in a fawning and obsequious manner.
Jiang Qinyu glanced at him in surprise. How did this person change his personality?
Ma also put on a smile, trying her best to hide the fierce look on her face, and said to Shufan and Pan'er, "Look at our Shufan and Pan'er's little faces, they've gotten fatter these past few days, haven't they?"
She was insanely jealous, especially of the two little brats, Shufan and Pan'er. It was because they lived alone with Jiang Qinyu that they were able to grow up so plump and fair-skinned, almost like dolls in a New Year's painting!
However, during this period, she not only had to be bullied by Lu Yancai, but also had to take care of all kinds of chores for the family. If any part of the house was not tidied up, Lu Yancai would beat her.
Her life now is like living in hell!
Shufan and Pan'er hid as soon as they saw Madam Ma. The two timidly hid behind Jiang Qinyu and clung tightly to her clothes.
“Sister-in-law, you’ve gotten…thinner these days.” Jiang Qinyu was surprised again when she saw Madam Ma.
In just over a month, Ma's fat had disappeared. She now looked sallow, listless, and covered in age spots, making her a rather unpleasant sight.
Seeing that Jiang Qinyu was even more beautiful and peerless than before, Ma's eyes flashed with hatred. "Look at what you're saying, sister-in-law. We farmers don't really grow fat. I was thin before because I was sick. Now that I'm better, I've lost weight."
"What's wrong with you? I think it's laziness, isn't it?" Chen was immediately displeased when she heard Ma's attempt to whitewash her, and rolled her eyes.
Madam Ma choked, her hatred for Chen growing even stronger, but she forced a smile and said, "Mother, please give me some face..."
She had finally come up with an excuse, but Chen exposed it, which infuriated her!
"Alright, alright, everyone hurry up and sit down to eat," Old Man Lu shouted to everyone.
He knew that his two daughters-in-law didn't get along, and that the eldest son's family and the second son's family were sworn enemies, so he didn't expect them to reconcile. He just wanted them to have a peaceful meal together with the old couple.
The family members took their seats one after another. Lu Yanzheng, with Jiang Qinyu and Shufan Pan'er, sat to the left of Chen Shi, while Lu Yancai's family sat to the left of Old Man Lu.
Jiang Qinyu was separated from Ma Shi only by Chen Xiuer. She quietly moved her stool to the spot next to Shu Fan.
It was unclear how long it had been since Ma had taken a bath; a sour, foul odor emanated from her.
"Aunt, she..." Shu Fan covered his nose with his hand and whispered to Jiang Qinyu.
Jiang Qinyu pretended to straighten his clothes, turned her back to Madam Ma, and blocked Shu Fan from covering his nose, then shook her head at Shu Fan.
Although she was also very upset, seeing how happy Chen and Old Man Lu were, she could only endure it for the time being.
Shufan was more sensible than the other children. Seeing Jiang Qinyu's expression, he knew he couldn't reveal that he couldn't stand the smell on Madam Ma.
So, after Old Man Lu announced that dinner was served, Shufan and Pan'er ate very quickly.
The twins were of one mind. Even though Pan'er was far away and might not be able to smell Ma's scent, she could still sense Shu Fan's eagerness to leave the table.
"Grandpa, Grandma, we're full!" Shufan said crisply as he put down his chopsticks.
Pan'er quickly followed, her big, bright eyes darting around, and she said in a soft voice, "Grandpa, Grandma, my brother and I are going to go play with Fatty Tiger!"
"Alright, alright, then you two be careful and don't get bullied," Chen said with a smile.
The two nodded immediately, took hands, and turned to leave.
But at this moment, Lu Tianbao quickly put down his chopsticks and shouted, "Grandpa and Grandma, I want to go play with Fatty Tiger too!"
Shufan and Pan'er stopped in their tracks, exchanged a glance, pretended not to hear, and quickly ran away.
Lu Tianbao chased after them without waiting for Chen and the others' consent, shouting, "Wait for me!"
"Hehe, Father, Mother, Tianbao has been playing very well with Pan'er and the others lately. Don't worry, he will definitely take good care of them," Madam Ma said quickly.
Old Lu glanced at the couple and then continued eating.
Madam Chen frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping over Madam Ma from head to toe. "You two aren't plotting something again, are you?"
"How could that be? Mother, please don't frame us!" She immediately cried out in protest, her heart filled with anger.
This time, their family really didn't do anything!
Chen Xiuer suddenly stepped in with a smile to smooth things over, "Auntie, I don't think my second cousin's wife is a bad person. Besides, with Grandpa Jiang watching over Pang Hu's family, Shu Fan and the others will definitely be fine. Let's eat first, shall we?"
Hearing this, Chen felt relieved and stopped having any further doubts.
Chen Xiuer smiled and glanced at Madam Ma, then quickly turned back to continue eating her meal.
Ma was so miserable! She was treated worse than an outsider in this family!
Sure enough, only those who aren't biologically related are treated with such disdain.
Tragically, their family still has to live at the mercy of the eldest son's wife, and she can't tell this secret!
...
The following morning, Jiang Qinyu excitedly followed Lu Yanzheng to open the kiln.
The details of what happened are unnecessary to go into. After she got the brand-new ceramic cup home, she immediately went back to her bedroom and locked the door.
I've put another earthenware cup up for sale, this time priced at 6666.
Jiang Qinyu thought it would take at least several months to sell, but less than five minutes after it was listed, she received another notification from the system.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have successfully sold one earthenware cup personally crafted by the general in the farming world! You have gained 6666 system points!]
Jiang Qinyu was completely numb. Was the system a little too intelligent?
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