"Okay, okay." Qin Xiaozhou was the most in agreement. In the afternoon, Lu Yunfeng was arranged to buy rice wine, while Qin Xiaozhou and Lu Yan went to pick peach blossoms. They absolutely did not want the ones on the ground, otherwise it would be too dirty.
They picked a basketful of peach blossoms, washed them clean in the yard, and laid them out on a winnowing basket to dry. When Lu Yunfeng returned, he lit a fire in the stove and brewed rice wine. Qin Xiaozhou then grabbed two handfuls of peach blossoms and put them in.
The rice wine swelled up, and Lu Yan couldn't resist scooping out a small half bowl to cool it down. She took sip after sip and exclaimed, "Wow, it has the aroma of rice wine, the sweetness of rice, and the taste of peaches!"
Qin Xiaozhou rubbed her head. This rice wine doesn't have much of an alcoholic flavor. The alcohol evaporates after boiling, so it's suitable for both adults and children and is good for the stomach.
The family sat by the stove, but no one ate a bowl; their faces were flushed from eating.
The remaining peach blossoms can be dried and kept for later use, such as boiling or steeping in water.
Lu Yunfeng wanted to go into the mountains to hunt, to catch wild rabbits and pheasants, and sell whatever he could. He couldn't really rely on Qin Xiaozhou to earn money to support the family. He was a man, and it was his responsibility to support his family.
Wang Lan forbade it, "Have you forgotten how your grandfather and father died? Now this family has so many mouths to feed, and you're the one supporting them. How can you still think about going to the mountains? Do you not want to support us anymore, and want to go see your father instead!"
"Mother!" Zhao Fen cried out, panting heavily. She usually spoke softly, but today she shouted, "What are you saying?"
Wang Lan spat a few times, then pulled Lu Yunfeng aside and pleaded, "Grandson, those mountains are man-eating places. Let's just live peacefully like this and stop thinking about those things in the mountains."
“I’ll just wander around the bamboo grove and dig two traps next to the wild boar pond. Last time, the wild boars even came into the bamboo grove. What if they come out along the Green Bamboo Gully in the future? Digging two traps will at least keep them safe.” Lu Yunfeng patiently reassured him, “With the traps, we’ll feel more at ease living here.”
The wild boar running into the bamboo forest really scared the whole family. Luckily, their granddaughter-in-law killed it, but who knows when it will come back or where it will run off to next time? Wang Lan sighed, "We'll feel more at ease if you two brothers go together."
The two brothers carried dry mixed flour buns and hoes into the mountains. Wang Lan followed them at a distance and stood at the entrance of Qingzhugou for more than an hour before returning. She took her clothes and went to sit under the peach tree over there to wait. She could also let the ducks roam freely. These days, eagles have been stalking the ducklings in the gully, so they have to be on guard.
Zhao Fen brought her youngest son to her side, saying, "Let him play with Grandma."
With her grandson causing trouble nearby, Wang Lan's attention was somewhat drawn back to reality.
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