Chapter 36: Catching Fish

Having learned a lesson from the Huang family, Zhao Shi was smarter this time.  The next day, she sent Song Jinsheng to Dongming Village to investigate the Wu family and Wu Bi.

Dongming Village was far from Rongshu Village, in the opposite direction of Shili Village. A one-way trip took more than two hours.  With the investigation, he wouldn’t be home until tomorrow afternoon.

Before dawn, Zhao Shi went to Da Zhu’s house, paying half a liter of brown rice to have five liters of brown rice flour ground.

Returning home, she made ten brown rice cakes.

The cakes were dry and hard, not as smooth as brown rice porridge. The family ate four with porridge for breakfast.  The other six were wrapped in oil paper for Song Jinsheng’s journey, along with ten copper coins for a ride if needed.

Song Yuntang watched Zhao Shi, feeling touched.

Her parents had died young in her past life, leaving her alone for many years.

Now, she had a family who cared for her, giving her a sense of warmth.

“My marriage doesn’t need to be so rushed. Second Brother is two years older than me.”

Zhao Shi waved her hand without thinking. “No, it’s been decided.  I can only rest easy once your marriage is settled.”

She washed her hands and returned to her embroidery.

These handkerchiefs were their biggest source of income this year.

Song Yuntang, having nothing to do, went to the mountains with her brothers.

Zhuzi and Zhuangzi were somewhat restrained on their first outing with Song Yuntang.

“Sister, do you really know wild vegetables?”

Zhuzi asked, carrying an empty basket.

Song Yuntang walked ahead, calmly saying, “At least more than you.”

Walking, she looked down and saw a fish near the river at the foot of the mountain.

Song Yuntang’s eyes lit up.

“Wait here.”

After instructing her brothers, she found a stick and went to the river.

The water level was low.  Even with the stick, she couldn’t reach the fish.

The riverbank was steep, the water deep and unclear. Song Yuntang, who couldn’t swim, didn’t dare go in.

Zhuzi and Zhuangzi came to the riverbank.

“Sister, hold me. I’ll catch it.” Zhuzi put down his basket and reached for Song Yuntang.

Song Yuntang, without hesitation, held Zhuzi’s wrist and, holding onto a nearby bush, slowly lowered him.

Zhuangzi held onto Song Yuntang’s arm.

Zhuzi brought the fish up; it was still alive. Song Yuntang weighed it; about four or five pounds, enough for a meal.

“Second Brother left at the wrong time. He’ll miss out.”

They had to eat it today; it would spoil tomorrow.

On the other side of the river, Song Jinyuan, carrying a water bucket, saw them.  He anxiously shouted, “Tang’er, don’t let Zhuzi and Zhuangzi get close to the Jing Shui River. It’s deep and dangerous.”

“I know, we’re leaving.” Song Yuntang put the fish in the basket and urged her brothers. “Take the fish home. I’ll wander around and be back.”

“Okay.”

After they left, Song Yuntang wandered, passing a forest near the Jing Shui River. She found a large patch of Chinese chives on a hillside.

Below was farmland and the Jing Shui River. The hillside had few plants, mostly weeds. Few people came here, so Song Yuntang was lucky.

She used a small hoe, working under the sun.

Half an hour later, Song Yuntang stood up, her vision blackening, almost falling.  Her hoe fell, almost hitting her foot.

After recovering, she carried the chives and returned home.

Zhao Shi, seeing Song Yuntang, put down her embroidery. “Tang’er, where did you dig so many chives?”

“On the northeast hillside.”

She put the chives on the table outside the kitchen, took a winnowing basket, peeled the chives, removed the withered leaves, and neatly arranged them.

Zhao Qiao’e helped.

“Tang’er, Zhuzi and Zhuangzi brought back a fish, caught near the Jing Shui River?”

Song Yuntang nodded. “Lucky. I saw the fish, caught it, and sent them home.” She looked at Zhao Shi. “Mother, do we have small jars?”

“Yes.” Zhao Qiao’e wiped her hands. “I’ll wash some jars and pickle the chives. They’ll last longer.”

Song Yuntang smiled. “That’s what I thought.”

But she didn’t know how to do it.

In her past life, she focused on medicine.  Her cooking was good, but she had never pickled chives.

After cleaning the chives, Zhao Qiao’e brought a large wooden basin.  They washed the chives. The leaves were used for cooking; the white parts were pickled in jars.

Zhao Qiao’e knew what to do. Song Yuntang only helped.  She couldn’t do it alone.

Song Yuntang cooked lunch; Zhao Qiao’e tended the stove. She stewed fish soup, added wild goji berries and wild vegetables. It smelled delicious.

Zhao Qiao’er put a bowl of soup on the table. “Try Tang’er’s soup. It smells good.”

“Tang’er made it?”

After the surprise, everyone tasted it.

“It’s delicious. Tang’er has skills.”

After eating, everyone rested. Liu Xiangyun brought Song Yuntang the finished shoes.

“Tang’er, your shoes are ready. Try them on.”

Song Yuntang nodded, put on the shoes, and walked around.

“They fit perfectly.”

Liu Shi smiled. “Okay, wear them.” She yawned. “I’m sleepy at this time. I’ll rest.”

Song Yuntang nodded. “Okay.”

After Liu Shi left, she took off the new shoes and put them on the rack, putting on her old shoes.