As Sun Guiying spoke these words, all the daughters-in-law turned their gaze toward her, especially Yang Aihua, who had only recently married into the family. Deep down, she also hoped the old lady would agree, so that when she became pregnant in the future, she could enjoy the same treatment.
Liu Aijun, who had just put down her chopsticks and was about to leave for work, instinctively swallowed hard upon hearing the words from the second branch’s daughter-in-law. Life had been particularly stifling for her and Wang Weidong lately, and she never wanted to experience that feeling again.
The couple exchanged a glance, subconsciously tightening their legs, though their calves still trembled uncontrollably.
“Guiying, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you upset because Mother didn’t share the two yuan she took out yesterday? Wait a moment, I’ll give you fifty cents, alright?”
Zhang Xiulan’s face turned pale with fright as she grabbed Sun Guiying’s hand. This foolish girl had only been in the Wang family for just over a year and didn’t understand the old lady’s temperament at all.
“Ah, why are you grabbing me? Was what I said wrong? Grandma, what do you think?”
“Wrong my foot! If you keep yapping, I’ll slap your face until it’s swollen!”
Wang Yongqiang sprang to his feet, pointing a finger at Sun Guiying so aggressively it nearly poked her in the eye. But Sun Guiying showed no fear, even thrusting her belly forward defiantly.
“Go ahead and try! I’ve never seen an uncle scold his niece-in-law before.”
Just as the other sons and daughters-in-law were about to speak up, Su Qing slammed her hand on the table.
“All of you, shut up!” She then turned to Sun Guiying, squinting with a smile that, for some reason, sent a chill down Sun Guiying’s spine.
“You want money? How much do you want?”
Sun Guiying swallowed, thinking of her pregnant belly, and mustered her courage to say, “At… at least five yuan as a reward when I give birth, right?”
Su Qing chuckled and said, “Oh my,” before continuing, “Sun Guiying, if you want money, go ask your husband for it. Don’t come to me or your mother-in-law. No matter how precious the child in your belly is, it’s still a Wang family descendant. Neither your mother-in-law nor I are surnamed Wang. And another thing—stop using your unborn son as leverage. I’m not short of one great-grandson. Dabao, Erbao, and Sanbao are all my darlings.”
“Grandma, don’t be so absolute. You’re getting old and will have to rely on my parents, uncles, aunts, and the others in the future. The reason you’ve been so good to the family lately is because you’re afraid no one will take care of you in your old age, isn’t it? As long as you give us what we deserve, we’ll take good care of you later.”
“Get out! Taking care of Mother is our responsibility as her sons. What does it have to do with you, a granddaughter-in-law? How dare you say such things—have you no fear of divine retribution? You ill-bred creature! What was Xiang Dong thinking, marrying a troublemaker like you? Let me tell you, either stay and behave, or get out and go back to your parents’ home!”
Sun Guiying shuddered at her father-in-law’s roar, her belly tightening as her whole body trembled. Zhang Xiulan quickly reached out to steady her.
“Mother, I’m sorry. I had no idea Xiang Dong’s wife would be so unreasonable. You’ve been wronged.”
Wang Jianjun was deeply uneasy, inwardly cursing Sun Guiying to death. He had just experienced the warmth of his mother’s concern last night, and now, the very next day, his daughter-in-law was causing trouble for her.
Would Mother hold this against him and Xiulan?!
Su Qing waved her hand dismissively. “Considering your pregnancy, I’ll let it slide today. Sun Guiying, you’re neither my daughter nor my son, so don’t trouble yourself with my retirement plans. Your mother-in-law is kind-hearted, and Zhiying has a good nature. If I ever hear such baseless talk from you again, you and Xiang Dong will move out separately. Don’t clutter an old woman’s sight.”
Sun Guiying’s face turned pale, nearly fainting on the spot. Having married into the family just a year ago with her in-laws possessing not a single coin, separation with Wang Xiangdong would mean certain starvation.
The other granddaughters-in-law took deep breaths. Yang Aihua hung her head low—Grandma was someone who meant what she said. Thank goodness it wasn’t her who had spoken out.
After everyone left for work, Su Qing strolled through the village alone with a fan, sighing as she walked. These days, someone was always challenging the old matriarch’s authority.
Had she handled the morning matter too gently? According to the original host’s temperament, Sun Guiying’s face would have been swollen from slaps, and she’d probably have been driven out by now.
Best to hold back for now—everything would have to wait until after the child was born!!!
Time flew to late November. As the weather turned cooler, Su Qing began planning when to build a new house for the family, otherwise this winter would be unbearable.
She had bought three sand vats of paopao bamboo shoots from Qingxiang General Store. Recently, she’d already taken one vat out during a trip to town. This season, winter bamboo shoots could be dug up from the mountains. Today, she sent Juxiang, Zhiying, and Fengzhi to gather them, intending to pickle them after preparation.
In a few days, they’d take them to the town procurement station. If they could fetch a good price, it might just cover the construction costs.
“Grandma, we’ve brought back all the winter bamboo shoots. Just tell us how to process them—we’ll follow your instructions.”
Su Qing sat on a wooden stool at the main hall entrance, her hands busy. Beside her was a cradle commissioned from the carpenter for Taotao. The little girl had become quite clingy after gaining weight, especially toward her. At first, holding her felt terrifying, but now Su Qing had to soothe her daily before feeling at ease.
“First, fetch a vat of water. After washing the bamboo shoots, shred and soak them. Clean the pot too—I’ll teach you how to make paopao bamboo shoots later. If we succeed, we’ll see if we can sell them at the town procurement station. Juxiang, you’ll come with me then. If they fetch a good price…”
“Alright, Grandma. I’ve heard from my dad that your skills are excellent. Anything you make will surely sell.”
Su Qing sighed. “In the past, times were hard. Every family hoarded food, and skills were useless without ingredients. Ah, but famine can’t starve a craftsman. If you’re willing, I’ll teach you a few dishes to rely on. How about it? Want to learn?”
Juxiang, Zhiying, and Fengzhi brightened, exchanging glances before nodding in unison. With solid skills, they’d earn respect in their future husbands’ households.
“Then the first dish I’ll teach you is this paopao bamboo shoots. Don’t underestimate its simplicity—if made well, it could lead to great things.”
The grandmother and granddaughters worked all afternoon, filling three sand vats with shredded bamboo shoots. When they sealed the lids, the spicy-sour aroma already made mouths water.
That evening, Juxiang held Qian Maizi’s hand and shared Su Qing’s offer to teach them cooking skills. Qian Maizi was overjoyed.
“Heavens, Juxiang, you must learn this well. Your father used to say, back when your grandmother cooked for the communal pot in the big canteen, Commune Members would practically break down the doors to get her food. No one else’s cooking could compare to hers. If you can master her skills, you might become the village cook someday – helping with wedding feasts and funeral meals, supporting yourself with your craft. Then when you marry into another family, you’ll always hold your head high.”
Not only did she think this way, but Zhang Xiulan and Liu Aijun shared the same view. Hadn’t their recent meals been so much more flavorful and nourishing, all thanks to the old lady’s guidance?