Chapter 9: Harvest in the Mountains

In ancient times, commoners were not allowed to discuss the royal family at will, so ordinary families would not say such things.

It seemed she would have to wait at least a few years to find out.

However, rice and corn could be cultivated in this place. The staple food should be these. They should be in the south. In modern places like the Yungui River and Chongqing, the staple food was rice and corn. In ancient times, these places were called Jinguan, Yizhou, and Furong City.

She would know all this when she grew up.

When she saw Madam Zhao eating so happily, Su Xiaolu also felt hungry.

Madam Zhao’s energy was much better than yesterday. Although she was still very thin, her complexion was better.

Su Sanlang came in to collect the bowls. He was also happy to see this. He smiled and said, “When the medicine is ready, Sanmei will bring it to you to drink. I’ll bring Chong and Hua to prepare a few traps at the foot of the mountain and chop some wood. In a few days, I’ll go to town to ask if those big families want to buy firewood. I’ll cut wood to sell.”

Su Sanlang was very detailed. He hoped that Madam Zhao would not worry about their livelihood. He was free., young and strong. He would think of a way to feed his family.

How could Madam Zhao not understand? She smiled and nodded. “Sanlang, bring some rice balls with you. Be careful.”

Su Xiaolu looked at Su Sanlang and smiled at him. “Ahhh…”

She greeted Su Sanlang with this.

Su Sanlang smiled and looked at Su Xiaolu gently. “Simei, you’re so obedient. I’ll come back to see you when I’m done.”

There was no time to waste. After instructing Su Sanmei, Su Sanlang brought Su Chong and Su Hua into the mountains.

As they were near the back of the mountain, it was convenient, though remote.

At this moment, the villagers were all busy with the autumn harvest. They struggled to harvest their own crops, so how could they have the time to enter the mountains?

Only Su Sanlang, who was chased out by his parents and did not have to do farm work, had the time to enter the mountains.

After Su Sanlang left, Su Sanmei obediently heated up the medicine for Madam Zhao.

She then helped Madam Zhao change Su Xiaolu’s diaper.

Su Xiaolu could only cry after peeing three times or pooping.

Peeing three times was the most she could tolerate. Babies didn’t pee much, and diapers that were too wet would be uncomfortable. Wearing them might give her a rash.

Three times was about right. If they changed it in time, Madam Zhao could rest in peace and did not have to worry about rashes.

After dinner, Su Xiaolu went to bed.

Eating more and sleeping more was her current goal of survival.

Su Sanmei did not stay idle either. She dug earthworms in the courtyard and fed them to the two chickens at home. At noon, she heated up Madam Zhao’s lunch.

With the nourishment of the spiritual spring water, Madam Zhao could get out of bed today.

She wanted to clean up the house, but as walk out, Su Xiaolu cried.

Madam Zhao’s body was so weak, so how could she work at this time? If she was tired, she would die early.

Su Xiaolu cried her heart out. Madam Zhao had no choice but to return to her bed to comfort her. After repeating this a few times, Madam Zhao saw the tears on Su Xiaolu’s face and her heart softened. She wiped her tears and sighed. “Simei, are you afraid that I won’t be by your side? Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Su Xiaolu pouted. “Wah…”

She was in poor health, how could she do work? Resting for a month would be better.

She didn’t need to think to know that her mean grandma wouldn’t let Madam Zhao go through confinement the previous few times.

Therefore, Madam Zhao’s body was very weak. Even if she had been nourished by the spiritual spring water for the past two days, it was only for a short period of time.

She did not even need to take Madam Zhao’s pulse to know that her health was extremely poor.

Therefore, as long as Madam Zhao wanted to work, she would cry.

Madam Zhao sighed and coaxed Su Xiaolu to sleep. She called Su Sanmei in and instructed her, “Sanmei, come and sleep with Simei. I’ll clean up the house.”

She couldn’t do the heavy work. At least she could try to clean up that old well. That way, Su Sanlang would have clean water to drink when he came back from a tiring day. He wouldn’t have to walk the long way to fetch more.

Su Sanmei obediently lay down in Madam Zhao’s place.

Madam Zhao stood up and prepared to leave.

Su Xiaolu pouted. “Ah-wah-…”

Su Sanmei hurriedly coaxed, “Simei, don’t cry. I’m here. Simei, be good…”

Su Xiaolu thought, don’t listen, don’t listen.

Anyway, she had to cry.

The loud and heart-wrenching cry made Madam Zhao’s heart clench. She had no choice but to give up on the idea of going out to clean up and quickly return to the bed.

“Boohoo…”

It’s not easy being a baby, Su Xiaolu thought.

Madam Zhao watched as Su Xiaolu stopped crying and sighed. After a few times, she gradually understood that her daughter had recognized her.

When Madam Zhao came back to accompany Su Xiaolu, Su Sanmei went out to catch worms again.

In the afternoon, Su Sanlang returned with Su Chong and Su Hua, carrying several pounds of wild chestnuts.

Su Chong and Su Hua immediately called for Su Sanmei.

“Sanmei, Sanmei, come quickly. I have something for you.”

Su Chong took out two chestnuts and gave them to Su Sanmei. Worried that Su Sanmei wouldn’t be able to bite through them, he cracked them open using his teeth and handed them over.

Su Sanmei did not mind at all. She took it and wiped it before peeling it open.

The three of them squatted in the courtyard and ate happily.

Su Sanlang entered the house and said to Madam Zhao with a smile, “Do you think I’m lucky? When Chong and I entered the mountain, we discovered this wild chestnut tree. In previous years, we definitely wouldn’t have been able to get anything from it. It just so happens that it’s autumn now and everyone else is busy. Our family can take everything on this tree for ourselves.

“I didn’t bring my basket with me today. I roughly brought back four or five catties. I think there’s still more than ten catties left on the tree.”

Su Sanlang was delighted. He was in luck. After entering the mountain to set a few traps, he encountered this wild chestnut tree. It happened to be ripe. In the past, when the autumn harvest was over and before it snowed, the villagers would enter the mountain to chop wood.

Anyone who came across this wild chestnut tree would harvest the chestnuts from it. This year, everyone was at the autumn harvest. He had come across it first, so it belonged to his family.

Madam Zhao was also happy, but she still reminded gently, “Sanlang, you must be careful. Forget it if the tree is too tall..”

Su Sanlang smiled and nodded. “I know. I’ll go tomorrow and bring them all back. I’ll keep some for us to eat and sell some.”

When they separated from the family, his parents did not give them a single cent. They had to prepare their winter clothes for this winter themselves.

Wild chestnuts were considered rare. He would pick them and keep the bad ones for himself and sell the good ones.

Madam Zhao nodded. “Okay.”

This good news made the family very happy. Madam Zhao was in a good mood. She felt that God was looking after her family.

Su Sanlang looked at the wide-eyed Su Xiaolu and asked, “Is Simei behaving well today?”

Su Xiaolu immediately pouted. She felt very aggrieved when she saw Su Sanlang. “Wahhh…”

After a few aggrieved grunts, she glanced at Madam Zhao again, then back at Su Sanlang.

She was making a silent complaint.