Font Size:
Even though Little Black disliked this name, it quickly let go of any grievances when a pig bone was tossed in its direction.
Wagging its little tail, with its tiny bottom sticking up, it happily gnawed on the bone in its paws.
Tan Yiliang, watching the little scene, smiled and said, “It’s a good thing Liu Shiye came; otherwise, you wouldn’t even have a chance at this nice bone.”
The little black dog seemed to understand, its tail wagging even more joyfully.
Tan Yiliang squatted down and patted its head before calling out to Wan Chunmei, who was sunning radishes. “Mother, this time, I’m going to the county with Second Brother.”
Wan Chunmei bent over to flip the radish slices in her hands and said, “That’s fine. With all these pickles and Lingzhi, it’s better to have more people to help along the way.”
Tan Yiliang slowly stood up and asked, “Mother, do you need us to bring anything back from the county?”
Wan Chunmei paused for a moment, thought for a while, and then said, “Bring some yellow millet, so I can make porridge for your younger siblings. Also, get some nice-looking fabrics; your sister is growing quickly, and I want to make her some clothes for next spring. And buy some cotton—I’ll make more quilts for when the house is finished, to give your little aunt.”
Tan Yiliang nodded. “Alright, Mother, do you need me to buy anything for you?”
Wan Chunmei didn’t hesitate. She picked up the empty wooden bucket and turned to go inside. “No need, I don’t lack anything.”
Looking at the simple-dressed woman with her hair undone, Tan Yiliang couldn’t help but feel that she was indeed lacking everything.
He quickly stepped forward, snatched the empty bucket from Wan Chunmei’s hands, and carried it inside for her.
In recent days, Old Tan had used the copper coins brought back by Tan Erqian to purchase tiles and wood, and he also gave some to the Yu family.
The Yu family took the copper coins and, while they were at it, brought a few more laborers from the village to speed up the house construction. Now, the small house was beginning to take shape.
Wan Chunmei had also been busy these days, making a lot of pickled vegetables and drying slices of white radish.
The dried white radish was perfect for making soups, offering a clear, sweet taste that all the children loved.
So, she had prepared a bit more to keep for later and even packed some for Tan Erqian to take back to his Master Bai, so he could try some.
This morning, the Tan family had been busy all morning, packing up everything Tan Erqian needed to take to the county. All of it was loaded onto the carriage.
This time, Tan Erqian had again come by his Master Bai’s carriage. Although there was a lot of stuff, it was still a relatively easy journey.
The two brothers rode in the carriage, and within half an hour, they arrived at Master Bai’s residence in the county.
Master Bai’s residence was in the most prosperous area of Pingyang County, with various peddlers lining the streets outside.
Tan Yiliang couldn’t help but remember the days when they were selling eggs.
Tan Erqian quickly tugged at him, pulling him inside. “Let’s go, Big Brother.”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Tan Yiliang followed Tan Erqian into the house.
Master Bai’s house was wealthier than most, but Tan Yiliang remained calm and composed once inside. Even Tan Erqian was taken aback. He hadn’t expected his usually clumsy and rash older brother to appear so composed and mature when out in public.
“Greetings, Master Bai,” Tan Yiliang walked into the front hall and respectfully performed a bow.
Seeing the Tan brothers, Master Bai greeted them warmly, “You must be Yiliang. Come, get up. I’ve heard from Erqian about you. He says you’re quite the expert at growing vegetables.”
Tan Yiliang slowly rose and, with a hearty laugh, responded, “Growing vegetables is just the work of a farmer. How can I be called an expert?”
Master Bai smiled. “The Tan family is always so modest.”
He then turned around and instructed his servants to prepare tea for both Tan Yiliang and Tan Erqian.