Ever since they saw Xu Changnian leave in the morning, many people in Qingshan Village had been waiting at the entrance of the village.
It was the dead of winter, and with nothing better to do, everyone wanted to see just how capable Xu Changnian really was.
Why was it that the Xu family got to eat meat every single day? It made everyone in the village envious.
Under the stares of the crowd, Xu Changnian walked back into the village like some kind of rare animal.
Xu Changnian thought, (￢_￢) anyone who doesn’t know better would think I’m being paraded around for punishment.
Fortunately, he was smart enough to hide the Wild Ginseng inside his clothes, with the rabbit also snug in his arms, wrapped tightly. If the villagers saw him bringing a Wild Ginseng home, someone would definitely become jealous.
Being stared at like that made his skin crawl. Goosebumps were rising. So, he simply pulled the rabbit out and held it openly while walking into the village with his hands behind his back.
Seeing Xu Changnian’s smug, roguish grin, those who originally wanted to come and take advantage of him quietly backed off.
Being known as a rascal… wasn’t entirely a bad thing after all.
“This is ridiculous. Another rabbit?”
“Could Xu Changnian have been possessed by the Mountain God? Even the rabbits jump into his arms.”
“That could be it!”
“Let’s go to the Mountain God Temple and burn some incense too!”
The men at the village entrance were so jealous their teeth itched, but there was nothing they could do. He had real skill and got to eat meat every day, while they could only smell it.
“Cuihua, didn’t you sneak into the woods with Xu Changnian before… why not marry into his family?”
“What nonsense are you spouting? Who went to the woods with him? He already has a wife!”
“Then just be his concubine. The Xu family is doing well now—they have meat to eat.”
“No way! He’s got a widowed sister-in-law and a sick old man at home. If I became the concubine, wouldn’t I be doing all the work?!”
…
When Xu Changnian got home and pushed open the door, he saw the whole family gathered in the courtyard.
They had a guest—dark-skinned, bearded, about 1.6 meters tall.
His real name Xu Changnian didn’t know, but everyone called him Old Xu Hei. Aside from the village chief’s family, he was the wealthiest man in Qingshan Village.
He used to be a soldier and, after retiring, worked out of town for several years. He only returned last year and bought dozens of acres of fertile land at low prices during the famine.
Back when Xu Changqing was still around, the two were sworn brothers. But ever since Xu Changqing went missing, they hadn’t been close.
Yun Niang was no fool. She could easily see through Old Xu Hei’s intentions, so she made a point to avoid him.
“Brother Nian, you’re back. You’re doing well—haven’t brought shame to your big brother.”
“Very good, you even caught a rabbit today.”
Old Xu Hei’s eyes flashed with a trace of menace when he saw Xu Changnian, but it quickly vanished. He smiled and greeted him.
“Hehe, I’ve got no real skill. I ran into Uncle Niu from the neighboring village, and he gave me the rabbit.”
“Brother Xu, aren’t you going to stay a little longer?”
Xu Changnian matched his fake politeness perfectly, grinning foolishly on the outside but staying fully alert inside.
“Brother Nian, come visit me when you have time. If you need anything, just say the word.”
“We’ve got a pot cooking at home, so I’ll take my leave now. I’ll come check on the old man another day.”
Old Xu Hei waved to Xu Tielin, then turned and left.
As soon as he stepped out the door, he was full of dark thoughts.
That little rascal Xu Changnian—how did he suddenly turn over a new leaf? How was he managing to hunt successfully every day?
Back when Xu Tielin’s legs still worked, he went hunting often, but even then, he only caught something every few days.
Was there something strange about this kid?
Old Xu Hei stood at the end of the street, looking suspiciously at the Xu household. After thinking for a moment, he turned toward Liu Ermazi’s home.
…
“Sister-in-law, what did Old Xu Hei come for?”
After handing the rabbit to Yun Niang, Xu Changnian leaned over and asked quietly.
“He brought 1 kilogram of millet to check on the old man… and also asked if I’d go do some sewing work at his house.”
Yun Niang looked a bit hesitant as she said it.
She naturally didn’t want to go. After all, a widow’s doorstep was full of gossip, and Old Xu Hei wasn’t a decent man.
But the family had no grain. If she didn’t go, what else could she do?
“What kind of sewing work could he possibly have at home…”
Xu Changnian was deeply unhappy. That guy clearly just wanted more contact with Yun Niang under the excuse of food.
Yun Niang snorted coldly.
If it weren’t for the fact that Xu Changnian had finally improved lately—bringing in steady meat from hunting—what other choice would she have?
“That rabbit’s from Old Niu?”
“That guy… his son’s done well, became an official somewhere.”
Xu Tielin came out leaning on a cane and asked where the rabbit came from, his tone filled with emotion.
For parents, their children were always the softest spot in their hearts, no matter the era.
Fortunately, Xu Changnian had also made progress. It was the happiest thing for Xu Tielin in the past six months.
“Uncle, we just had rabbit a few days ago. Can you get something else this time? I want to eat… venison.” Xiao Yue pouted and asked.
Yun Niang’s temper flared immediately upon hearing this. Eating stewed meat already, and still not satisfied? This girl was completely spoiled!
She rolled up her sleeves, ready to give Xiao Yue a little ‘education.’ A proper childhood required some beatings!
Thankfully, Shen Wei protected her. Yun Niang ended up just saying a few harsh words.
“Tomorrow is the big market in town. When we come back, I’ll buy some preserved fruits or sweets to change things up.”
Thud, thud, thud—
“Xu, you’ve barely calmed down for two days, and now you’re acting up again? Buying preserved fruits… what, silver falling from the sky? That rabbit? Don’t even think about eating it. Take it to the market tomorrow and trade it all for grain.” Yun Niang slammed the table in frustration.
Xu Changnian really was the type to get cocky without a beating. Did he want to taste the stick again?
“Husband, you really… Sister-in-law works herself to death every day, and you’re still teasing her.”
Thinking of the preserved fruits made Shen Yourong nostalgic. The ones from Bajiao Alley in the capital were the best. They were near her family’s estate.
Now she could only reminisce. She’d never taste them again.
“Oh right! I forgot to take it out earlier. I dug this up on the mountain today!”
Xu Changnian pulled out the palm-sized Wild Ginseng from his chest and waved it in front of Yun Niang.
See this? Dug it up today!
Seeing Yun Niang’s dumbfounded expression, Xu Changnian couldn’t hold back his grin. His mouth curled like a victorious fox.
Hah—can’t I handle you, Yun Niang?
“Father, take a look!”
Yun Niang stared at the Wild Ginseng in disbelief, turning it over repeatedly before rushing it to Xu Tielin.
“This is definitely Wild Ginseng. Judging by the stem scar, it’s still tender, but the digging was clean. Should fetch a little over 1 tael of silver, no problem.”
Xu Tielin stared at it for a long time, then grinned wide. His son really was making something of himself—he actually dug up Wild Ginseng on Xiaoyue Mountain?
“Yay! Mother has money now! Can I get preserved fruits? Uncle, you’re amazing!”
Xiao Yue gave Xu Changnian a big thumbs up.
“Preserved fruits? There are six mouths to feed in this house, and we haven’t even secured enough food for winter!”
“Trade the rabbit, wild chicken, and rice wine for grain. Tighten our belts and we might make it through the season!”
Yun Niang snapped back immediately, then started calculating with her fingers.
If they converted everything to millet, they could barely make it through to early spring.
“Eat millet every day?”
“All winter?”
“Even during the New Year?”
Just thinking about eating only millet made Xu Changnian’s head hurt. That definitely wouldn’t work!
Without meat and wine, how could life be bearable?
And millet was awful to eat—he had to find a way to trade for fine flour or polished rice. Something tasty!
Still, at least the family now had enough food for the winter.
They wouldn’t go hungry.
The most urgent crisis had been resolved. Yun Niang wouldn’t have to work for Old Xu Hei, the old man didn’t need to beg in the county town, and the two new daughters-in-law could stay in the Xu home peacefully.
Thinking of all this, Xu Changnian felt a strong sense of accomplishment. He pulled Shen Wei into his arms for a proper reward.
Speaking of which… he hadn’t yet had a deep exchange with the second lady.