13:Trial Sale
Meanwhile, Tao Qinghe was, of course, unaware of what had transpired in the Tao household’s main residence; she and Zhao Liniang had returned home after delivering the items.
The porridge in the earthenware pot was ready, and just as Tao Qingmiao had ladled it out to set aside, the two of them entered the room.
“Oh! There are vegetables in the porridge too?” Tao Qinghe said as she walked over.
“I picked some wild vegetable leaves behind the village this morning, and I’ve got some wild vegetable fruits drying outside too,” Tao Qingmiao said, getting up and running out to fetch two of them.
Tao Qinghe knew these were wild vegetables. She pulled Tao Qingmiao down to sit beside her and gave her a big hug. “Once I’ve earned some money, I’ll definitely buy some meat for our Qingmiao to eat!” She knew the little girl was quick at work, but surely she was being far too sensible!
Tao Qingmiao was taken aback by this sudden display of affection; her face flushed, yet her eyes sparkled. Somewhat shyly, she hugged her elder sister back. “Big Sister, you eat. You must eat plenty of meat to get well again.”
Zhao Liniang watched the two sisters clinging to one another, her heart both aching and warmed. She held back her tears and said, “Qingmiao is right; you must eat well to get your strength back.” With that, she handed over the boiled egg.
Tao Qinghe took the egg, peeled it, and held it to her younger sister’s lips, gesturing for her to eat.
Tao Qingmiao wouldn’t hear of it—this was meant to help her elder sister recover! She quickly pushed it back, saying, “Elder sister, you eat it. Once you’ve eaten it, your head won’t hurt anymore.”
Tao Qinghe said nothing. She lowered her head, broke off a small piece of the egg in her hand, and, whilst Tao Qingmiao wasn’t looking, popped it straight into her mouth.
With her mouth stuffed full of egg, Tao Qinghe could neither swallow nor spit it out. She could only stare at her in a daze.
Tao Qinghe then broke off the remainder, offering a portion to Zhao Liniang, before speaking: “From now on, we’ll share everything in the household. We won’t have any of that business of one person getting everything to themselves.”
Tao Qingmiao chewed and swallowed the egg, then looked at Zhao Liniang, who also appeared to be holding back tears. “Eat up, everyone. Eat up.”
Only then did Tao Qinghe’s eyes light up with a smile, and she lifted her bowl to drink the porridge. However, the taste of the wild vegetables was truly nothing to write home about; she choked on it badly and began to cough.
Seeing her like this, Zhao Liniang quickly put down her bowl and patted her on the back. “I’ll dig up that patch of empty ground behind the house in the next couple of days and plant some vegetables for us to eat.” She paused to think. “I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble Huiniang. It’s only July; she must still have some vegetable seeds left.”
How could Tao Qinghe refuse? The sooner they planted some vegetables, the sooner they could stop eating these throat-irritating wild greens!
……
Early the next morning, barely a few crows of the rooster had sounded when the three of them, full of vigour, were already up. While Tao Qingmiao was cooking breakfast, the mother and daughter were busy picking flowers to make crispy pastries. For a moment, the aromas of rice porridge and pastries mingled, drifting into the hearts of the hard-working farming folk.
After a hasty meal, Tao Qinghe packed the pastries into a basket, carefully covered them with a clean cloth, laid bamboo leaves on top, and prepared to set off.
“Why don’t I come with you?” ” Zhao Liniang looked at her daughter, a touch of worry in her heart.
“Don’t worry, Mother, I know the way to the county town.” Tao Qinghe gave her a gentle hug. “You must get the vegetables planted today; if we have to eat wild vegetable soup for much longer, my throat will be ruined.”
“Qingmiao, if the sun gets too strong, make sure Mother goes inside to rest. ” Tao Qinghe turned to her younger sister with another reminder, “And you too—you mustn’t overexert yourself.”
“I know, big sister!” Tao Qingmiao walked over and hugged them both.
Having made all the necessary arrangements, Tao Qinghe checked everything once more. Satisfied that nothing had been left behind, she hurried out the door.