Zhao Erni nodded with a smile, "It's just the right time to use it. Yan Zi, leave this task for now. When your eldest brother comes back from work, have him help you tie it up. He's better at weaving than the second brother, so he can handle making big baskets and tying fences."
Zheng Xiaotian glanced at her, laughing, "Big sister-in-law, you're being modest. In terms of smooth talking, our family wins, but when it comes to hands-on work, he's quite far behind the eldest brother!"
The two sisters-in-law teased each other and returned to their work.
Ling Chengyan washed her hands, picked up the thermos, and brought out two bowls. Little Apricot followed, bringing over the only two low stools in the house. Ling Chengyan poured water and offered it to the two sister-in-laws, while Little Apricot placed the stools, "Big aunt, third aunt, please sit down and rest for a bit."
Zheng Xiaotian looked at Little Apricot fondly, "Ah, this little girl is so caring. The more I see Little Apricot, the more I love her. I wish I could take her home as my daughter."
Big sister-in-law Zhao Erni chuckled, "You're her aunt, who can stop you from liking Little Apricot?"
Zhao Erni has four children, two boys and two girls, without lacking anything. Zheng Xiaotian has only two sons left and hopes the third child will be a girl. But since the second child, Hong Liang, is already four years old, she hasn't gotten pregnant again, so she can only drool over other people's daughters.
Ling Chengyan picked up a shovel, learning from her big sister-in-law to turn the soil. Her body has recovered quite a bit these days, gaining more strength, and turning the soil was easy, leading to praises from both sister-in-laws.
Nearing evening, the two brothers-in-law returned from work. Wang Lianqi came without a word, rolled up his sleeves, and started tying the fence. The second brother-in-law Wang Lianfa came with a fishing net, inviting Ling Chengyan to go cast a few nets again.
The eldest brother and the two sister-in-laws waved with smiles, and Ling Chengyan followed along. In less than half an hour, they returned with half a bucket of fish.
The two sister-in-laws took the fish directly back home. To cook fish that tastes good, you need to use oil and seasonings. Ling Chengyan and her mother-in-law's threesome didn't have much on hand, so the sister-in-laws took it back, cooked it well, and then brought it over again.
However, the wild rabbit meat, Ling Chengyan cleaned it, chopped it into small pieces with an axe, and put it in the pot to stew.
During the Great Chu era, although involved in warfare and dying on the battlefield, she was once urged by her mother to learn cooking for a few days and can make simple dishes.
In this era, oil and meat are scarce, as long as salt isn't mistakenly used for sugar, even cooking with plain water can taste delicious.
The two sister-in-laws didn't come back. Instead, they sent their eldest son, Big Tiger, with half a pot of stewed fish and half a basket of sticky pancakes.
The two brothers-in-law didn't stay for dinner either. After all, helping with tasks is fine, but staying for dinner felt inappropriate for brother-in-law's wives.
Ling Chengyan didn't insist, seeing off the brothers, and invited Xiao Juan and Cui Cui over for dinner. The fragrant fish soup and stewed rabbit meat were enough to excite the two girls, who hadn't tasted meat for half a year.
Even the usually quiet Cui Cui had more to say, chatting and exchanging words with Ling Chengyan, and the two girls noticed how different she was from the common rural women. Her words revealed literacy; she could even recite ancient poetry fluently. When asked, it was learned that she had been taught by her father and brothers. Originally, she had some books at home, most of which she had read.
The two girls didn't dwell on why she hadn't gone to school since educational neglect and school closures were prevalent in the past decade, making it common not to have attended school.
Xiao Juan was even more enthusiastic, "Sister Yan, we have some books. You can check them out if there's anything you'd like to read."
Indeed, Ling Chengyan wanted to read some books, to understand this world better, so she gladly accepted Xiao Juan's kind invitation. She learned from the two girls that there were things in this world similar to Great Chu's 'Di Chao,' but they were more convenient and widespread, called 'newspapers,' containing not just national affairs but also the movements of neighboring barbarian countries. This made Ling Chengyan's eyes shine bright.
After treating two new neighbors to a welcome meal, Ling Chengyan felt she had gained a lot. After eating, she followed along with them, borrowed a few books, and got some old newspapers.
Even though they were outdated events and news, they broadened Ling Chengyan's horizons and let her understand more about this world.
She stayed up reading late into the night before gasping at how much the world had changed before falling asleep.
The next day, she sent Little Apricot and Shi Tou to her big aunt's place early, and with her two brothers-in-law, along with her big sister-in-law's Hongjun and Hongbing, and third brother's Hongming, they set off on a team mule cart towards the estuary twenty miles away.
Their residence was not far from the sea, the nearest spot being only fifty to sixty miles away. Moreover, along the coast, there are several river channels with brackish water mixing, the tide brings seawater back up, rendering the river water salty. When the tide recedes, the seawater retreats, making the river water become fresher... The mixing of brackish water gives rise to many unique fish and shrimp species.
Just as spring has arrived, the river ice has just melted, marking the season when fish and shrimp are at their freshest.
The group arrived at the nearby Tide River estuary. Ling Chengyan served as the main force, with Wang Lianfa assisting, taking turns casting nets. By mid-morning, they had caught a lot of fish. The majority were the most delicious spring soya fish, commonly known as 'Opening Ling Soya,' marking the most delectable period for soya fish within a year.
After simply eating some brought pancakes and drinking some water, the group headed back.
They hadn't made a fuss when heading out, and similarly kept a low profile when returning. The group first swung by the commune, sold the fish to the purchasing station, exchanged for money, and only then returned to the brigade.
They kept a bucket of fish, leaving it entirely to the big aunt and the two sister-in-laws to clean and cook, while Ling Chengyan carried half a pot of stewed fish and some pancakes, leading the two kids back home.
Ling Chengyan served a bowl of fish, taking it to the two female educated youth's room.
Xiao Juan saw more fish had been stewed, feeling both surprised and delighted, "Following you, I'm eating well, it's practically like New Year's."
Cui Cui didn't say much but took out a letter and handed it to Ling Chengyan, "It arrived during the day, but you weren't home, so I took it for you."
Ling Chengyan took a glance at the letter's signature: Coastal Farm. She guessed who wrote it. Indeed, looking up, she saw both Xiao Juan and Cui Cui showing evasive and embarrassed expressions. Ling Chengyan chuckled calmly, "Thank you. You're busy, I'll be going back first."
Returning to her room, she tore open the envelope, took out two pages of the letter. The letter's opening —
Chengyan, by the time you receive this letter, I've already settled down at the farm. Don't worry too much about me; I'm doing fine here. Besides the lack of freedom, life is pretty good. Much like the production team, working the land day in and day out, with three daily meals provided by the canteen, it's not overly lavish, but enough to eat and not starve… However, I miss you and the two children greatly, especially Little Shi Tou. During your confinement, I got into trouble, possibly causing you worry and anxiety. Did it impact your or the child's health?…
Ling Chengyan skimmed through the letter's content to check the final signature: Liansheng who feels sorry for you and the children.
Ling Chengyan chuckled briefly, then returned to the letter, only to find it was all about how he was good and didn't need his wife's worry, expressing his guilt and longing for his wife and children at home… not one serious matter mentioned.
That man, besides discussing family affairs and sentiments, had nothing else to say?!
Putting the letter down, Ling Chengyan contemplated another possibility: since he's not free, could the correspondence also be subject to inspection?