Chapter 268: Chapter 264: Stable as an Old Dog _1

Translator: 549690339

Jiang Liu stared at her daughter in disagreement. “Yukan is also your blood son, how can you talk like this?”

“What can I do then?” Jiang Yunniang pretended not to care.

When she discovered that her son had conspired against her with his father, and against her own family, she completely lost her affection for this son.

Like father, like son, they even have the same thoughts.

She had devoted her life to raising their children, and had worked tirelessly for the family. Yet in the eyes of her son, her efforts were worthless.

Yukan even thought that everything he ate or wore was paid for by his father’s money, and had nothing to do with his mother. She shouldn’t concern herself with his father having a concubine, nor should she let her brothers know about it. It was not only embarrassing for his father, but also made him lose face in front of his uncles.

Jiang Liu suggested, “Why don’t we let him learn how to grow mushrooms? That should be better than running a stall.”

Jiang Yunniang replied indifferently, “Where can we grow them? Our courtyard is so tiny, it doesn’t have enough space to grow mushrooms, let alone accommodating a few more people.”

“Don’t you have land near the Zhang village? Just build a mushroom shed there,” the elder Jiang suggested.

Jiang Yunniang replied, “Zhang Jia sold his land to his elder brother long ago. The old house was dilapidated and not livable. Besides, Yukan, who grew up in the county town from childhood, doesn’t know anything about farming.”

Once, she had persuaded her elder son to go back to the village and learn to grow mushrooms from his uncles. But he was reluctant.

Yukan believed that he was a city-dweller, and if he returned to the countryside to farm, he would be laughed at.

The elder Jiang said impatiently, “If nothing works for you, then just run a stall.”

Having said that, he stood up and left.

It was like picking up a lame turtle, nothing she said could help!

Dacheng should never have allowed them to set up a stall next to the shop; who knows what kind of trouble it might cause in the future.

At night, Jiang Da-lang prepared several tables of banquets at home. It was not only to host Chui Zhaochen and others but also because his sister and her family had returned home, so he needed to prepare delicious food.

To accompany the guests at Chui Zhaochen’s table, Jiang Da-lang invited Clan Leader Chen, Chen Sanyou, and Chen Changsheng, as well as two masters from the school.

Together with his three brothers and his father, there were exactly ten people.

Yingbao sat at a table with a few children. As she indulged in the crunchy rice crackers made by her second aunt, she stealthily observed three-year-old Zhang Xiaolang.

The little boy clung tightly to Zhang Yuying, looking stiff and shy.

Fortunately, Zhang Yuying took care of him, feeding him regularly and using a handkerchief to wipe his hands and mouth.

On the other hand, Xiao Chengyu, was like a little tyrant, matching Wei Zhan in every regard.

The little guy not only fought with Xiao’er over food but also attempted to shove Wei Zhan from Yingbao’s side and occupy that spot exclusively.

However, Wei Zhan did not give in and continued to resist, sitting firmly by Yingbao’s side like an old dog.

Jiang Jie, Jiang Wu, and Huzi were restless during the meal, either slapping each other or knocking against each other, and even using chopsticks as a sword to mock fight against each other.

Amidst the fun and games, dinner finally came to an end, and the children scattered to their respective homes.

As usual, Wei Zhan followed Huzi to his house for the night. Seeing this, Xiao Chengyu followed suit, unabashedly disregarding Chui Zhaochen’s threats and pleas.

The men’s table continued until late into the night as they ate and drank.

Little Xiao’er was already asleep on the bamboo bed. Jiang Cheng lifted him up and delivered him back to Chen Zhu’s house along with the Clan Leader.

After taking a bath, Yingbao went back to her room to organize her six trunks.

She first put the one hundred and fifty gold ingots into the cave, then divided the silverware and silk fabrics into two parts, keeping some for herself and giving the rest to her mother for safekeeping.

The trunks also contained several sets of ready-made clothes, several pairs of shoes and socks with high-quality colors and materials, all of which were compensated by the Xiao family.

Other components included several types of liquor and seeds, along with various toys, stationery, as well as cakes and candies.

The list that Yingbao handed out was half true and half false, in order to make it look as realistic as possible.

Turns out, that Prince really is a nice guy, even made the Xiao Family compensate us with a generous gift.

Hehe, I’ve really hit the jackpot this time!

By now, Yingbao has accumulated three hundred taels of gold, over two thousand taels of silver, and a huge basket of copper coins in her cave dwelling.

In addition, there are forty to fifty rolls of fine silk and satin fabrics, several exquisite silver headdresses, and a pile of beaded flowers.

I bet you can’t find a wealthier young lady in all of Qinchuan County.

Feeling quite pleased with herself, Yingbao moves the golden and silver mushrooms out from the dwelling.

These mushrooms have been sun-dried, amounting to forty catties each of gold and silver mushrooms.

The mushrooms inside the dwelling ripen once a month, regardless of the season.

A good ten days or so are needed for them to dry out completely after being harvested, as they cannot be dried under the blazing sun and it would take much longer.

The only advantage is that the mushrooms harvested can be stored in the dwelling for a long time without being spoiled or getting moldy.

Not just mushrooms, other food and crops are the same, so Yingbao always stocks up on cooked food inside the dwelling for emergencies.

The next day is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Every house starts preparing hibiscus cakes.

Hibiscus cakes, filled with pine nut crisps and maltose, are a favorite amongst children.

The Jiang Family’s house is the most lively this year, because there are so many naughty children running around, often leading the village children on a wild goose chase.

Wei Zhan and Xiao Chengyu are simply over the moon, first going fishing with Jiang Jie, Jiang Wu, and Huzi at the pond, then scattering grain in the bamboo forest to catch birds.

Yingbao stays home, reading, writing, and taking breaks to practice the Yu step as a form of exercise.

“Yingbao! Yingbao!” Chen Zhao, leading her little brother Xubao, comes over to play with Yingbao.

Yingbao has no choice but to put down her book, step outside, and invite them to sit beside the stone table under the grapevine, serving them dates and chestnut cakes.

Chen Zhao lets her little brother eat the dates on his own while she talks to Yingbao: “My older sister came back.”

Yingbao blinks: “Hmm.”

Chen Changping passed his imperial examinations this year and of course, had to redeem Chen Wan back, otherwise it would tarnish his reputation

Oddly enough, wasn’t Chen Changping supposed to pass his imperial examinations a few years later? I wonder if his early success will adversely affect my family.

Chen Zhao continues: “Grandma wants to arrange a marriage for my older sister, but she’s not willing.”

Yingbao nods in understanding.

Without the abuse of the Han Family, their lives are pretty good, as long as they’re diligent and capable, Madame Chen and the Feng Family won’t punish or scold their granddaughters.

“But grandma said that if my older sister doesn’t get married soon, it would affect our futures,” Chen Zhao laments.

Chen Zhao really doesn’t want her sister to get married soon because ever since their mother passed, she has felt like an orphan with no one to talk to.

Her little brother is still young and doesn’t understand anything, all he knows is how to eat and mess around, leaving him filthy all the time – it’s simply infuriating.

Fortunately, her older sister is back. Although she has become more silent, she is kind to Chen Zhao and her brother, and even volunteers to do laundry and cooking for the family.

She doesn’t understand why her sister’s early marriage would affect her and her brother’s futures.

Yingbao quietly watches Xubao as he stuffs his mouth full with dates and chestnut cakes, gets his hands dirty playing with mud.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhao prattles on: “Recently, lots of matchmakers have been coming to our house, not just for my sister, but also for my dad. Yingbao, can you guess who the matchmaker suggested for my dad?”

“Who?” Yingbao asks nonchalantly.

Chen Zhao contemptuously reveals: “It’s Chu Man, the daughter of the village head from Chu Family’s village!”