Chapter 17
But upon reflection, everyone thought, this money saved Xue Daniu’s life, so it wasn’t too expensive for lifesaving funds.
The old Xue family members exchanged glances, each harboring some displeasure. None of them had much money on hand; the bulk was with the matriarch, but since it was for Xue Daniu, both Madam Zhou and Zhao Jiaxiu were somewhat unhappy.
There were many people in the courtyard, so neither of them said much. The matriarch went inside and returned with only eleven copper coins, offering those and thirty eggs in exchange.
Grandma Zhao had no objections and accepted the coins and eggs before leaving with Zhao Qingzhu.
After leaving the old Xue family courtyard, the mother and daughter did not return home directly but instead headed toward Jiang Li’s dilapidated thatched hut.
When Grandma Zhao and Zhao Qingzhu arrived, the door to the hut was closed, and the area in front was shrouded in darkness, though voices could be heard inside.
Zhao Qingzhu stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Late at night, with no familiar faces, Jiang Li was startled.
She called out, “Who is it?”
Grandma Zhao replied, “Madam Jiang, it’s me.”
Jiang Li recognized the voice. Xue Man quickly got up, looked at Jiang Li, and said, “It’s Grandma Zhao. I’ll go open the door.”
Jiang Li rose as well and went over.
When the door opened and they saw Grandma Zhao and Zhao Qingzhu, Jiang Li hurriedly invited them in. There was only one bamboo chair inside; she gave it to Grandma Zhao and fetched a stone for Zhao Qingzhu to sit on. The house had barely even two chairs for guests, which was admittedly a bit embarrassing.
Fortunately, Zhao Qingzhu didn’t mind and sat on the stone.
After sitting down, Grandma Zhao handed the eggs to Jiang Li and said, “Xue Daniu was poisoned by lacquer leaves. We were just called to see him. Qingzhu brewed the water according to the prescription you gave. Xue Daniu’s discomfort has eased, and the swelling should subside by tomorrow. I collected twenty-six copper coins for the consultation fee. They gave eleven coins and thirty eggs; I took the eggs for you and kept the coins myself out of shamelessness.”
Jiang Li hadn’t yet inquired how Xue Daniu was poisoned but, hearing about the consultation fee, repeatedly waved her hands to refuse.
“Grandma, you can’t do this. You went to treat him—I can’t accept these things.”
“But the prescription was given by you.”
Jiang Li smiled and politely declined, “But it wasn’t me who cured him, so I can’t accept these.”
Grandma Zhao, hearing her refusal, didn’t press the matter because she couldn’t quite gauge Jiang Li’s nature. Jiang Li was straightforward; if she could accept something and receive it happily, Grandma Zhao would be glad, knowing she wasn’t just putting up a front.
She only feared Jiang Li might not be direct enough.
Jiang Li certainly couldn’t accept the thirty eggs, but refusing all of them seemed unfriendly. So she said, “Grandma, I won’t accept the eggs. You can take them back. If I manage to fence a small yard soon, I want to raise a few chickens. I’m not familiar with this village, so if you have any at home, please sell me three or four hens. If not, could you ask around who does?”
Hearing this, Grandma Zhao smiled, “You want hens?”
“Yes.”
Before Grandma Zhao could answer, Zhao Qingzhu laughed.
“Isn’t that a coincidence? My mother recently had a hen hatch a brood—about a dozen. They’re three months old now. Those little hens will soon start laying eggs. My mother was just saying she might catch a few and take them to town to sell.”
Jiang Li thought this was perfect, but she had no yard or chicken coop yet. With such luck, she couldn’t wait to fence a yard. She decided to make a chicken coop first; if necessary, she would keep them inside the house.
“Then help me reserve three hens and one rooster.”
Zhao Qingzhu looked at them without hesitation and said frankly, “Four chicks will cost about eighty copper coins. Madam, you might want to start with fewer.”
Hearing about raising four chickens, Xue Man and Aning’s eyes lit up with hope and anticipation. But hearing the price—over eighty copper coins—their enthusiasm immediately deflated.
“Mother, maybe we shouldn’t raise chickens now.”
Xue Man thought of their poverty; they didn’t even have grain, let alone enough money to buy chicks.
Eighty copper coins was steep, but if they bought two mature hens ready to lay eggs, they wouldn’t even get two. Buying four chicks to raise gradually was a bargain.
Chickens had to be raised—she wanted to eat eggs. Once the hens laid eggs, there had to be one every day.
“No problem. In a few days, I’ll make a chicken coop first. Once it’s done, I’ll go pick the chickens at market price.”
Grandma Zhao nodded approvingly.
Jiang Li took Xue Man and Xue Ning to split the household. Everyone thought they would soon starve, but unexpectedly, Jiang Li knew wild vegetables no one else recognized and understood medicinal prescriptions. It was also said she could hunt.
When Zhao Qingzhu mentioned over eighty copper coins, Jiang Li showed no reaction, indicating she had a plan.
With things settled, Grandma Zhao and the others did not stay longer. However, on this trip, she didn’t take all thirty eggs but left ten for Jiang Li.
Jiang Li didn’t refuse.
She saw Grandma Zhao and Zhao Qingzhu out the door.
“Oh, Grandma, have you heard why Xue Daniu and the others went to pick those spiny dragon sprouts? Isn’t it known in the village that it’s a poisonous plant?”
Hearing this, Grandma Zhao was surprised.
“You didn’t know? I heard from Liu Chunhua that Aning told them. Your mother-in-law was quite angry, thinking you had instructed Aning to deceive them, causing Daniu’s poisoning.”
Zhao Qingzhu took over, “There were many villagers watching then. I told everyone how you taught us to distinguish spiny dragon sprouts from lacquer trees and that the sprouts were edible. We all made pancakes from them tonight.”
“This is my fault. If I had said it earlier, none of this would have happened.”
Grandma Zhao comforted her, “You can’t blame yourself. Even if everything was clearly explained, accidents can still happen. Madam Jiang, don’t feel guilty.”
“Exactly, exactly. You didn’t tell them to pick it. I saw the three baskets were more than half full each—they clearly wanted to gather all the sprouts from that valley to the old Xue family. I’m thinking of going to pick some tomorrow myself. I wonder if there’s any left.”
Jiang Li smiled, “I still don’t know the younger sister’s name.”
“Zhao Qingzhu.”
“If Qingzhu goes tomorrow, she can call me. The valley is so big, they won’t finish picking it all.”
Zhao Qingzhu cheerfully replied, “Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“All right, take your time going home.”
“Sigh, you should go inside now.”
Once they were out of earshot, Grandma Zhao began scolding Zhao Qingzhu, “Your mouth! I want to sew it shut. Can’t you speak more tactfully? Madam Jiang said she wanted to raise chickens, and you said it would cost eighty coins. Were you implying she’s too poor to afford it?”
“I was just stating the facts. Besides, I’m thinking of Madam Jiang’s situation. If she really wants to raise four but can’t pay, we can let her buy on credit.”
Grandma Zhao sighed deeply, nearly rolling her eyes to the sky.
“Can you say things like that so bluntly?”
“Did you forget about the story of Qiu Laosan’s daughter-in-law’s dress? Do you know how long she cried and never wore that dress again? You forget that I compensated for that dress. I haven’t forgotten.”
“If your mouth causes more trouble, I’ll marry you off.”
Zhao Qingzhu fearlessly stuck out her tongue. With several brothers, a doting mother and father, and being the youngest daughter, she was well spoiled. If they were willing to marry her off casually, it would have happened long ago, not left her at home now.
Watching them walk away, Jiang Li stood in the yard for a long time.
She had never raised children and didn’t know how to educate them. She thought of how the matriarch once wanted to sell off Aning, then remembered Xue Man’s head injury during the two days she was away.
Aning had schemed a little, wanting Xue Daniu and the others to suffer. Jiang Li understood; she was never a saint.
But the child was still young. Jiang Li wasn’t sure if she should guide her toward goodness.
She felt conflicted.
Inside, Xue Man looked at the pile of eggs on the straw with a grin that wouldn’t quit, while Aning was somewhat guilty.
She watched Jiang Li see the visitors out, then noticed Zhao Qingzhu and Grandma Zhao had left but Jiang Li hadn’t returned yet. Suddenly, she felt afraid.
“Brother, I think I did something wrong.”
“What did you do?”
“I…”
Before she could finish, Jiang Li entered the room. Xue Man continued asking, “Hmm? What did you do wrong?”
Aning shook her little hands and said, “Nothing.”
Jiang Li glanced at Aning, who looked uneasy, but made no mention of the poisoning. Instead, she asked Xue Man, “Xue Man, on those days in the mountain, did Xue Daniu bring people to fight you?”
Jiang Li’s question caught Xue Man off guard. She looked at Aning, who shook her head slightly.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Jiang Li frowned slightly, her expression darkening.
“If you fought, it’s just a fight. What’s wrong? Can’t you tell me?”
Aning glared at Xue Man, then looked up at Jiang Li and said, “Xue Daniu and the others bullied us too much. After you left, my brother and I were weeding in the yard. Xue Daniu came with his brothers and immediately said you ran away with someone else, that you abandoned us. Then my brother fought them. He went too far, so I deliberately didn’t tell them which plants were poisonous. I wanted to poison them.”
The little girl lifted her thin, small face defiantly, tears brimming in her eyes, looking both wronged and stubborn.
Jiang Li reached out and patted her head.
Seeing Jiang Li wasn’t angry but comforting her, the tears rolled down like beads.
“Mother, I was wrong.”
Jiang Li was at a loss for words for a moment.
After a pause, she said, “Let this matter go. Just as you all advised me, it’s not worth losing your life over a fight. We should all remember that.”
“Think about the future. We still need to earn lots and lots of silver, build a good house, and eat delicious food. Losing your life is not worth it.”
Aning wiped her tears and nodded vigorously.
Jiang Li didn’t know that after that night, many villagers learned she recognized wild vegetables unknown to others and that she could hunt. Some who wanted to gather wild vegetables in the mountains had begun eyeing her.