Transmigration: A Farm Girl's Brocade-Chapter 50 - Qians Main Courtyard_1
Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Qian’s Main Courtyard_1
Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Qian’s Main Courtyard_1
Qian Sangui found these few patterns quite novel, and his granddaughter even elaborated on the details with great seriousness, amusing him into a smile and alleviating much of the sorrow on his face.
Cheng Yue sat on a small stool in the corner at the back of the hall, dazed. That was where Qian Yixiu, as a ghost, used to like squatting. She felt it was the safest place with her father-in-law sitting outside the hall.
At noon, Lady Wu returned home laden with goods. She had bought five pounds of white flour, five pounds of brown rice, twenty eggs, one pound of pork with fat and lean, a large piece of lard, a bone, as well as a can of kerosene, several meters of coarse cloth, and a lot of cotton. Her basket was filled to the brim and her hands were not empty either. Apart from making mattresses, she and Old woman Qian each had a set of clothes made; the fabric given by the Zhang family was of good quality, so it was kept to make a few more sets for Qian Yeejin. Also, each member of the family was to have a cotton-padded jacket made.
The thrifty grandma turned into a shopping fanatic, indeed stimulated greatly by Lady Tang.
This pleased Qian Yixiu’s heart; she touched this and that, chuckling with simple happiness.
Qian Yeejin came back from the fields and, seeing all the delicious food purchased, also couldn’t help but grin, lips pursed in delight.
Lady Wu first rendered the lard, scooping out a bowl of cracklings. Looking at the younger siblings lined up in front of the stove, she fed each of them a piece of crackling with a smile. Seizing the moment Lady Wu turned away, Qian Manxia, who was tending the fire, stealthily gave them each another bite.
Qian Yixiu’s face reddened a bit; her brother insisted on pulling her to join the queue for delicious food, so she complied. Ever since she transmigrated into this body, she sometimes felt that some of her reactions were indeed childlike. However, she truly enjoyed this feeling of being pampered and cherished.
After stir-frying the garlic sprouts with twice-cooked pork, Lady Wu fed a piece to Qian Yeejin and Qian Yixiu each, so fragrant that the two little ones could hardly bear to swallow it. Lady Wu, smiling, pinched their little cheeks and served two bowls of the twice-cooked pork.
She put one bowl into the basket, saying it was for Qian’s Main Courtyard, and took out a small package of snacks, saying it was especially for Old woman Qian. She sent the two little ones to Qian’s Main Courtyard first and specifically instructed Qian Yeejin not to go eating at other people’s houses now that they had meat at home.
Qian Yixiu knew that she was sent along to prevent Qian Yeejin from sneaking a taste on the way.
Hand in hand, the two little ones left the courtyard. It was now noon, and the azure sky held a sun that gleamed like a fireball, almost too bright to look at directly. From afar, they could see wisps of cooking smoke drifting from the rooftops in the village; the smoke, growing thinner as it rose, faded into the blue of the sky.
Walking on the path that led to the village, the smell of the twice-cooked pork overpowered the fragrance of flowers, making Qian Yeejin drool. He negotiated with Qian Yixiu, suggesting, “Sister, let’s each eat a piece of pork, just one piece.”
“No way!” Qian Yixiu refused, “Grandma specifically said we couldn’t sneak any when we left. Brother, you’re a man, and in a few days you will be going to school. You must keep your promises.”
Qian Yeejin knew his sister was right and made a very, very strong effort to resist the urge to take another bite.
Qian’s Main Courtyard was situated in the middle of Huaxi Village, not far from Wang Lizheng’s house. The path in front of the door was the widest and flattest in the village, located in what could be considered Huaxi Village’s prime location. It was Qian Yixiu’s first visit since she had crossed over to this place.
Last year, the second branch, with the money compensated by the main branch, moved out and bought land elsewhere to rebuild a home. Now, Qian’s Main Courtyard housed only the first branch, and although the belongings of the fourth branch were still there in the back rooms, the people were far away in the provincial city.
Qian Mandie answered the door, and with a smile, remarked, “Jinwa often comes over to visit around this time, but it is Yixiu’s first visit. Truly a rare guest.”
Qian Yeejin’s expression remained unchanged as he cheerfully called out, “Auntie Die.”
Qian’s Main Courtyard was large, with the main house and the east and west wings each having four rooms. The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and two lush large trees provided shade. Under one tree, there was a square stone table surrounded by several stone stools. Despite the age of the bluebrick houses with large tiles, they still appeared impressive and beautiful.
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From the outside, Qian’s Main Courtyard looked more like the home of a landlord. Thinking that every brick and tile here was earned by Qian Sangui risking his neck, yet he lived in an old house about to collapse, one wondered if he had any thoughts about it.
Upon entering the main hall, other than Qian Yishan attending school, the entire family was having lunch. The Qian family was not large, and they all sat at one table.
Old woman Qian saw Qian Yijin arrive, waved her hand, and smiled, “Jinwa arrives just in time, today we have your favorite dried long beans with pork.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than four-year-old Qian Yiduo pouted and complained, “Brother Jinwa is here to eat our meat again. Our family barely gets to eat meat, and he comes just in time. When he eats all our meat, what will I eat?”
Ever since the main branch had repaid the second branch eight strings of coins, they had been living frugally, and it was rare for them to have meat. Therefore, little friend Duo Duo greatly disliked Qian Yijin, who came to steal their meat.
Old woman Qian glared at Qian Yiduo and scolded, “Why is this little girl so greedy? What’s wrong with your brother eating a piece of meat?”
Already upset, Qian Yiduo burst into tears upon being scolded.
Lady Wang, with a stern face, took two pieces of meat from the bowl for Qian Yiduo and cooed, “Duo Duo, don’t cry. Even if you’re a girl, grandma still loves you. It’s our own family’s meat, eat as much as you want.” After speaking, she put two more pieces into her bowl.
Old woman Qian’s face darkened, and Qian Dagui hurriedly tried to smooth things over, “There’s still plenty of meat in the bowl, enough for everyone.” He then said to Qian Mandie, “Go get two more bowls. It’s not every day that Yixiu comes to our house for a meal.”
Qian Yixiu’s face reddened on behalf of Qian Yijin. She decided to keep silent and see how he would handle it.
But the man himself showed no sign of embarrassment. Holding up an impressively lovely smile, he said, “Thank you, Great-grandma. Thank you, great-grandfather. No need for bowls, we are not eating here.” Turning to the still tearful Qian Yiduo, he smiled and said, “Sister Duo Duo, don’t cry. I’ll always remember that I ate your family’s meat. When Sister Duo Duo gets married, I will definitely bring a fat pig as your dowry.”
Qian Manchuan laughed, “Duo Duo, Brother Jinwa is going to give you a fat pig as your dowry; how can you begrudge him a few pieces of meat?”
Qian Yijin unveiled the cloth over the basket, took out a bowl of twice-cooked pork, and said, “Our family cooked some twice-cooked pork. Grandma asked me to bring some for you to taste.” He placed the bowl on the table, grabbed a piece with his hand, and stuffed it into Old woman Qian’s mouth, asking, “Great-grandma, try it. Isn’t it fragrant?”
Old woman Qian smacked her lips and said, “Indeed, it’s quite tasty.” She then reached into her bosom, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Qian Yijin’s hands, and while doing so, she said, “Indeed, my Jinwa is the most filial. Great-grandma’s affection is well placed.”
Qian Yixiu quickly handed a small package of pastries to Old woman Qian and said, “These are pastries from the town, for grandma to try.”
Lady Wang laughed and said, “When you go back, thank your grandfather and grandmother for us. They are thoughtful to send us a bowl of twice-cooked pork. It seems that your family’s debts are all repaid, and there is even spare money to buy pork and pastries.”
She really disliked those who, after borrowing money from others, still indulged in lavish foods. Once they finished eating, they would go and borrow more.
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Thank you to Sister Lu, book friend 151104144321502, Whiling Away the Time?, Hera@Qianlin for your generous contributions, and thank you to all dear readers for your recommendations and support.
