Chapter 105

Day by day, the Wang family’s fermented tofu business thrived. With increasing orders, even some peddlers noticed the opportunity and began buying in bulk to sell in nearby villages, as it was inconvenient for people in remote areas to travel to town for purchases. Whether buying a whole jar or just a small piece, many people showed interest.

As the business flourished, Wang Yuan’er and her sisters were busier than ever. In addition to making tea eggs and marinated dried tofu, they worked from dawn to dusk. Whenever they needed more help, even Wang Chun’er and little sister Lan’er pitched in, washing, stoking the fire, and more.

Although they were busy, seeing their savings grow brought them joy and motivation. No matter how hard they worked, it was worth it because their future looked promising. With this mindset, the sisters helped each other and managed to keep things organized.

Before they knew it, it was the Qingming Festival. Wang Yuan’er instructed Wang Chun’er to stay home and look after the house and Wang Qing’er to handle the business. She went to the general store to buy sacrificial paper and offerings to honor their parents.

Due to their business partnership, Wang Yuan’er had become familiar with Shopkeeper Zheng and his wife at the general store. Seeing her buy offerings, they gave her a friendly discount.

Wang Yuan’er informed Grandpa Wang and his wife, and took the sisters up the mountain to pay respects to their parents during Qingming Festival.

Wang Da and Madam Liang were buried on a gentle slope of Changle Mountain. The terrain was low, backing the river and facing the mountain, which was considered a good feng shui location. Most residents of Changle Town were buried there after passing.

During Qingming, the drizzling rain brought many people to pay respects to their ancestors. The intermittent sound of firecrackers, combined with mist and rain, created an ethereal atmosphere.

Wang Yuan’er and her sisters arrived at the graves of Wang Da and Madam Liang. The two graves were side by side. It was now April, not long after Madam Liang’s death. The paper offerings on the graves had not completely faded, starkly red and white, but weeds and branches had grown around the graves, starkly reminding the sisters of their parent’s absence.

Wiping away her tears, Wang Yuan’er placed the offerings aside and instructed her younger sisters, “Let’s pull out the weeds and branches first.”

The sisters agreed, having brought hoes and sickles for the task. Wang Chun’er, carrying little Baolai on her back, was responsible for cleaning the tombstones.

After half an hour, the graves were clean and tidy. Wang Yuan’er took out the offerings while Wang Qing’er and the others lit incense, burned paper money, and presented the offerings and wine.

The incense and paper money burned brightly, illuminating the sisters’ faces. Thanks to proper nutrition and care, the sisters had gained some weight, their faces glowing with health. The firelight made them look even more beautiful.

Looking at her younger sisters and then at the inscriptions on the tombstones, Wang Yuan’er felt a sense of comfort.

Since Madam Liang’s death, she had taken on the roles of father, mother, and sister, bearing a heavy burden. She had her moments of resentment and tears, but she always picked herself up afterward.

Fortunately, step by step, she had managed. The success of the fermented tofu business provided a good income, allowing them to eat meat occasionally. As long as they continued to work hard, their future looked bright.

Kneeling before the graves, Wang Yuan’er and her sisters, eyes red, bowed and said, “Mother and Father, we have come to honor you.”

The wind rustled the branches.

“The desire to care for one’s parents but finding them gone” perfectly captured the sisters’ current situation.

Wang Chun’er untied Xiao Baolai from her back, placing him on a mat on the ground. She made him bow with his little hands, paying respects to their parents.

Xiao Baolai, with wide eyes fixed on the tombstone inscriptions, drooled a bit and reached out, babbling as if greeting the people in the graves.

Seeing this, Wang Yuan’er smiled and silently vowed to raise and educate him well, as he was the only male in their family and would be the one to continue honoring their parents in the future.

Chapter 106

After Qingming, preparations for building the river office began, with a lot of bustling activity. Wang Er had been running around and finally managed to get fifty taels of silver from Grandpa Wang, which he used to secure a small supervisor position.

When the news arrived, the Wang family was as happy as if it were the New Year. Grandma Wang even had Madam Zhang buy a piece of meat and wine, inviting Wang Yuan’er and her sisters to have dinner at the second household.

That evening, the eastern house was lively, with everyone gathered around a table full of dishes and the rich aroma of wine filling the air.

Wang Er personally poured wine for Grandpa Wang, his face beaming with joy, even happier than on his wedding day. Although it was a small supervisor position, it was still a management role. As long as he performed well, there would be no shortage of opportunities in the future.

Grandpa Wang was also pleased, sipping his wine with a smile. “Now that you have this position, do your job well. Our family isn’t as wealthy as others, and you don’t have much education. Just work hard and don’t compete over petty matters.”

“Oh, Father, look at what you’re saying. Since he got this position, it means those above recognize his abilities,” Madam Zhang laughed, but inwardly, she was annoyed. Why dampen their spirits at such a happy moment?

Grandpa Wang’s words were a bit of a downer but true. Wang Er lacked education and could only read a few characters. He was good at small schemes, but compared to the wealthy, he wasn’t much. And there were questions about how he got the position.

Wang Yuan’er was surprised by her grandfather’s wisdom. No wonder the Wang family’s carpentry business had survived moderately well all these years. It was all due to her grandfather’s abilities.

“Men are talking; what’s it to you?” Grandma Wang scolded Madam Zhang. “Look at Fuquan eating. Who’s fighting him for food? You should teach him better manners.”

All eyes turned to Fuquan. At twelve, he was nearly sprawled over the table, shoveling meat into his mouth from a plate of braised meat that Grandma Wang had instructed Madam Zhang to buy. His mouth was stuffed and greasy, and the plate was more than half empty. Worse, he sneaked a sip from his father’s wine cup. Realizing something was wrong, he saw everyone staring at him, choked, and began coughing violently, his face turning red.

Embarrassed, Madam Zhang patted his back, laughing awkwardly. “We’re just happy. Mother, please indulge him this time!”

Wang Qing’er disdainfully snatched a few pieces of meat for her sisters, fearing it would be gone soon.

Trying to change the subject and avoid Grandma Wang’s wrath, Madam Zhang said to Wang Yuan’er, “Yuan’er, now that your Second Uncle has a small official position, you’ll have good days ahead. In the future, you must respect your Second Uncle!”

Wang Yuan’er smiled slightly, “Thank you, Second Uncle and Second Aunt. I will remember this kindness.”

Satisfied, Madam Zhang smiled while Wang Min’er looked smugly at Wang Yuan’er and her sisters, feeling superior now.