Chapter 8: Easing of Tensions
Seeing them daringly eat the red mushrooms, Yuying thought it unnecessary and said, "Never mind, don't force yourselves."
Luo and Fuyan remained vocal.
Knowing her grandson had eaten the mushrooms first, Luo started to feel increasingly uneasy.
Ultimately, Luo was still unsure.
It wasn't that she doubted Yu, but she feared Yu might have mistakenly picked a toxic variety.
Fuyan, while fearing the poison might kill him, couldn't stop reminiscing about the delicious taste.
He wanted to taste it again but didn’t dare, caught in a deep conflict.
Yuying, having eaten her fill, suddenly remembered the matter of treating Fuyan's leg. Concerned that some might not wish to see him recover, she cautioned Luo, "Don’t mention about me treating Erlang's leg. I fear someone might interfere with bad intentions."
Luo instantly understood the implication in Yuying's words, her face turning pale.
If the person who broke Erlang’s leg knew that it could be healed, they might break it again.
And if it were broken again, the chances of recovery would be slim.
Seeing Luo's grave expression, Yuying felt reassured that she understood the gravity of the situation. She glanced at Fuyan and added, "Also warn Fuyan not to speak of it outside."
Hearing his name, Fuyan looked up, his expression blank.
Luo, worried, nodded, "I’ll talk to him about it."
After giving her advice and seeing their relationship easing, Yuying asked, "How long does it take to get from Lingshui Village to the county town?"
"You want to go to the county town?" Luo asked, surprised.
"Yes, I need to go there," Yuying said, glancing at the shattered pottery jar. "We can manage without meat for now, but we need to get a proper pot for cooking as soon as possible."
Luo, recalling Yuying's escape six days earlier, now grew suspicious upon hearing her plans to visit the county town.
She had left once already, but since returning, Yuying’s behavior had changed significantly, particularly with her treatment of Erlang’s leg…
If she left, what would happen to Erlang?
Luo’s heart was burdened with worry again.
But Fuyan, unaware of his grandmother's thoughts, eagerly responded, hoping for Yuying to leave again, "There’s a bullock cart to Yuxian the day after tomorrow morning!"
Yuying looked at him, seeing his barely contained excitement and understanding his thoughts.
Yet, she was bound to disappoint him; she truly didn’t want to leave now.
Luo, noticing her grandson's rashness, sighed inwardly. If Yuying intended to leave, nobody could stop her.
With this in mind, she resignedly explained, "Be at the village entrance early the day after tomorrow. Chen from the neighboring village will be driving his bullock cart to Yuxian to deliver vegetables. He’ll take villagers along the way to the town and wait for them to return, but…"
"But what?"
Yuying listened attentively.
After a few moments, Luo, with an embarrassed expression, said, "It costs one coin for the ride there and another for the return."
Yuying, having a few copper coins, nodded and replied, "I understand. Tomorrow morning, I’ll pick some herbs to see if the medical halls in town will buy them. If not, I’ll bring them back."
Yuying planned to buy some items, but to avoid drawing attention, she intended to use a decoy, pretending to be unable to sell the herbs, thus concealing what she really bought in her basket.
Luo, not entirely convinced of Yuying’s return, didn’t pay much heed to her words.
As dusk fell, Yuying fetched water to prepare for washing.
Each time she washed, seeing the worn basin used by the entire family, Yuying, who valued cleanliness, reminded herself to be content with not being a beggar and not to be too fussy.
Although she accepted it physically, she still resisted it mentally.
She had only two small silver leaves, hardly worth a coin, yet there were many things she needed to buy.
After washing, she tossed and turned on the straw bed, unable to sleep, especially with the howling of wolves outside and the continuous coughing from next door.
How could she possibly sleep?
She remained sleepless for most of the night, only managing to doze off in the late hours.
Early in the morning, Yuying woke up early, only to find someone else had risen even earlier.
Luo stood in the courtyard, her sightless eyes staring blankly at the distant mountains, lost in thought.
After washing her face and drinking a sip of unboiled river water, Yuying strapped on her carrying basket and took her woodcutting knife, ready to leave. Before departing, she spoke to Luo to ease her worries.
"I have no plans to leave. I just want to improve our lives, that’s why I’m heading to the county town. If I wanted to leave, I would have just left. Why would I need to deceive you?"
Hearing this, Luo's heart wavered. After a pause, she asked, "Do you really not intend to leave?"
Yuying, slightly frustrated, found an excuse: "I nearly fell to my death last time, how could I dare to leave again? Besides, it's too dangerous outside, I feel safer staying in Lingshui Village."
As she concluded, she added, "I plan to become the head of the Fuyan family in the future. Why would I leave?"
Luo's expression softened, and Yuying knew her doubts had been allayed, so she left.
Luo watched Yuying's blurred figure disappear from view and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Despite the dangers, people still ventured into the mountains in groups to pick wild fruits and vegetables.
Several middle-aged women from Lingshui Village, who had gone into the mountains together, were surprised to see Yuying and couldn't help but stare at the dark spots on her face.
The spots weren’t real, and Yuying felt no need to be concerned about them.
As she turned to leave, someone called out to her, "It's dangerous in the mountains, don't go alone. Stay with us for safety."
Yuying looked over and recognized the woman who had warned her the day before.
After pondering for a moment, she agreed that there was safety in numbers and decided to join them.
A woman in her forties approached her and asked, "Fuyan's new bride, what are you looking for in the mountains?"
Intending to continue living in Lingshui Village, Yuying didn't plan on being a loner, so she replied, "I’m planning to dig up some wild vegetables and herbs."
The woman suddenly remembered, "I recall your father was an imperial physician. Could it be that you also know medical practices?"
Hearing this, the other women perked up their ears, growing curious.
Yu Ying, aware she mustn't show off her skills, replied modestly, "I've only learned the basics and can identify a few common herbs."
Losing interest at her response, the others began picking wild fruits around them.
Seeing them disperse, Yu Ying asked the woman beside her, "May I know how to address you, elder sister?"
The woman, straightforward and cheerful, replied with a smile, "I'm nearly the same age as your mother-in-law, so don't call me elder sister. Just call me Aunt He."
Yu Ying courteously addressed her, "Aunt He."
Aunt He, about to go pick wild vegetables, advised her, "Stay nearby, don't wander off. If anything happens, shout and we'll hear you."
After giving her advice, Aunt He went on her way.
With many people around, there weren't enough wild fruits and vegetables for everyone. Even the red mushrooms, Yu Ying stopped picking to avoid gossip.
After gathering some herbs, Yu Ying also found a small patch of Night Fragrance.
Night Fragrance is a type of mint, different from the common mint known in later times. The common mint, scientifically called wrinkled leaf mint, is a foreign herb not present in this era.
Night-Scented Mint can be used for mouth rinsing to freshen breath and also for making tea in the summer.
Yuying plucked about ten plants, planning to grow them in her yard for use in mouth rinsing or tea brewing.
After squatting for too long, she stood up to stretch and saw wild fruits in the lower bushes ahead. She cut through the thorns along the path and used a bamboo pole to make her way there.
Only upon approaching did she realize they were Bletilla fruits.
Bletilla fruits are also known as grass jelly fruits.
In her childhood, every summer, her grandfather would pick these fruits to make grass jelly for her.
Yuying was pleasantly surprised and was about to pick some to make grass jelly when she heard Auntie He’s voice from behind, “Why are you picking those? They’re not tasty and quite flavorless.”
Hearing Auntie He’s comment, an idea to make some money suddenly sparked in Yuying's mind.
Perhaps in this era, no one had yet discovered that these fruits could be used to make other dishes. Maybe she could make some grass jelly to sell in Yuxian?!
Grass jelly combined with mint would be a perfect summer refreshment. If she sold it, she might even earn some silver!
With this thought, a small flame of enthusiasm ignited in Yuying's heart, but she maintained her composure outwardly. Smiling lightly, she said, “Dried, these fruits can also be a snack. I’ll pick some to store at home.”
Hearing the new bride of the Fuyan family say this, Auntie He recalled how the Fuyans were the most impoverished family in Lingshui Village. The elderly were blind, the adults either worked in the quarry or were disabled, and the children were too young to bear heavy burdens. Apart from wild vegetables, they couldn’t even afford rice soup.
Thinking of this, she said nothing more, only cautioning, “Be careful of the thorns, don’t get scratched.”
Yuying picked almost half a basket before stopping.
By the time Yu Ying returned to the Fu residence, more than half an hour had passed.
Without any utensils, she didn't immediately make jelly but continued to roast red mushrooms and stir-fried wild vegetables using yesterday's pottery shards.
From the moment she started cooking, Fu An was salivating over the mushrooms. Yu Ying, noticing his eagerness, roasted a few more than the day before.
The vegetables and mushrooms were divided into five portions, with little Fu Ning getting a smaller share since she ate less.
After finishing, she instructed Fu An, "Take these to your grandmother and your uncle."
Fu An quickly came over, and seeing the mushrooms in the bowl, he didn't protest about them being poisonous and carried two bowls inside.
He had been fearful all night, but when nothing happened the next day, he believed the mushrooms were safe.
Yu Ying, seeing Fu Ning's wide eyes, smiled warmly and handed her the remaining bowl, "Take it inside to eat."
The little girl hesitated before cautiously extending her dirty hands, then quickly withdrew them to wipe on her clothes.
Yu Ying then brought a half scoop of water and suggested, "Just extend your hands to wash them."
The girl looked at her still-dirty hands and timidly stretched them out.
Yu Ying gently poured water over her small hands and softly rubbed them.
The girl seemed about four or five years old, but her hands were as small as a two-year-old's, and quite thin.
She looked at the large hands covering hers, soft and delicate, a stark contrast to her grandmother's rough hands, and found it very comforting.
Her gaze involuntarily clung to those fair and beautiful hands, and her sense of fear gradually diminished.
Yu Ying placed the bowl in her hands and then went to eat her own portion.
After eating half her meal, Yu Ying went inside and took out a copper coin for Luo Shi.
"Could you ask someone to lend us a pot? Just for one day. I'll borrow it tonight and return it by tomorrow evening. This coin can be the rent."
Hearing this, Luo Shi squinted at the copper coin in her hand, knowing Yu Ying would not leave without it, and without asking what she needed it for, nodded, "I'll go and ask around."
Luo Shi took the copper coin; after all, in a village where food and clothing were scarce, who would dare lend their household utensils without some benefit?
Not long after, Aunt He brought back Luo Shi with a pottery jar.
She returned the copper coin to Yu Ying, saying, "How could I take money from your family? If your eldest son hadn't helped my husband at the quarry, he might not have made it out alive."
Aunt He refused to accept anything, so Yu Ying took the coin back.
With the pottery jar in hand, Yu Ying began making jelly.
She first picked out the male fruits of the jelly plant that were inadvertently harvested, then cut open the female fruits, scooping out their seeds into a wooden bowl.
After processing all the fruits, yielding about two bowls' worth, she placed them under the sun to dry.
Meanwhile, she boiled a pot of hot water and had Fu An tend the fire.
Fu An, perhaps feeling obligated after receiving help, didn't complain and cooperated well.
While Fu An watched the fire, Yu Ying tore off the sleeves of her white shirt and thoroughly washed them along with a wooden tray by the river. She then scalded them with boiling hot water upon returning.
An hour later, she filled the sleeves with the seeds of the jelly plant, tying the ends securely, and repeatedly kneaded them in a basin of clear river water.
She continued kneading until the water turned thick and viscous, then poured the milky white liquid into the pottery jar.
The small amount of Bletilla fruits ultimately didn't fill a clay pot. If converted to bowls of grass jelly with added water, it would amount to only about a dozen bowls.
Sighing inwardly about the difficulty of making money, Yuying continued her work, placing the clay pot in the water tank to set overnight.
When ready to eat, she would just need to add boiled mint water.
Although lacking in flavor, it would be refreshing, like having an ice cube in the mouth. This was especially suitable for the hot weather of July and August.
Whether she could earn some silver to improve their current situation would depend on tomorrow.
Chapter 8: Easing of Tensions
Seeing them daringly eat the red mushrooms, Yuying thought it unnecessary and said, "Never mind, don't force yourselves."
Luo and Fuyan remained vocal.
Knowing her grandson had eaten the mushrooms first, Luo started to feel increasingly uneasy.
Ultimately, Luo was still unsure.
It wasn't that she doubted Yu, but she feared Yu might have mistakenly picked a toxic variety.
Fuyan, while fearing the poison might kill him, couldn't stop reminiscing about the delicious taste.
He wanted to taste it again but didn’t dare, caught in a deep conflict.
Yuying, having eaten her fill, suddenly remembered the matter of treating Fuyan's leg. Concerned that some might not wish to see him recover, she cautioned Luo, "Don’t mention about me treating Erlang's leg. I fear someone might interfere with bad intentions."
Luo instantly understood the implication in Yuying's words, her face turning pale.
If the person who broke Erlang’s leg knew that it could be healed, they might break it again.
And if it were broken again, the chances of recovery would be slim.
Seeing Luo's grave expression, Yuying felt reassured that she understood the gravity of the situation. She glanced at Fuyan and added, "Also warn Fuyan not to speak of it outside."
Hearing his name, Fuyan looked up, his expression blank.
Luo, worried, nodded, "I’ll talk to him about it."
After giving her advice and seeing their relationship easing, Yuying asked, "How long does it take to get from Lingshui Village to the county town?"
"You want to go to the county town?" Luo asked, surprised.
"Yes, I need to go there," Yuying said, glancing at the shattered pottery jar. "We can manage without meat for now, but we need to get a proper pot for cooking as soon as possible."
Luo, recalling Yuying's escape six days earlier, now grew suspicious upon hearing her plans to visit the county town.
She had left once already, but since returning, Yuying’s behavior had changed significantly, particularly with her treatment of Erlang’s leg…
If she left, what would happen to Erlang?
Luo’s heart was burdened with worry again.
But Fuyan, unaware of his grandmother's thoughts, eagerly responded, hoping for Yuying to leave again, "There’s a bullock cart to Yuxian the day after tomorrow morning!"
Yuying looked at him, seeing his barely contained excitement and understanding his thoughts.
Yet, she was bound to disappoint him; she truly didn’t want to leave now.
Luo, noticing her grandson's rashness, sighed inwardly. If Yuying intended to leave, nobody could stop her.
With this in mind, she resignedly explained, "Be at the village entrance early the day after tomorrow. Chen from the neighboring village will be driving his bullock cart to Yuxian to deliver vegetables. He’ll take villagers along the way to the town and wait for them to return, but…"
"But what?"
Yuying listened attentively.
After a few moments, Luo, with an embarrassed expression, said, "It costs one coin for the ride there and another for the return."
Yuying, having a few copper coins, nodded and replied, "I understand. Tomorrow morning, I’ll pick some herbs to see if the medical halls in town will buy them. If not, I’ll bring them back."
Yuying planned to buy some items, but to avoid drawing attention, she intended to use a decoy, pretending to be unable to sell the herbs, thus concealing what she really bought in her basket.
Luo, not entirely convinced of Yuying’s return, didn’t pay much heed to her words.
As dusk fell, Yuying fetched water to prepare for washing.
Each time she washed, seeing the worn basin used by the entire family, Yuying, who valued cleanliness, reminded herself to be content with not being a beggar and not to be too fussy.
Although she accepted it physically, she still resisted it mentally.
She had only two small silver leaves, hardly worth a coin, yet there were many things she needed to buy.
After washing, she tossed and turned on the straw bed, unable to sleep, especially with the howling of wolves outside and the continuous coughing from next door.
How could she possibly sleep?
She remained sleepless for most of the night, only managing to doze off in the late hours.
Early in the morning, Yuying woke up early, only to find someone else had risen even earlier.
Luo stood in the courtyard, her sightless eyes staring blankly at the distant mountains, lost in thought.
After washing her face and drinking a sip of unboiled river water, Yuying strapped on her carrying basket and took her woodcutting knife, ready to leave. Before departing, she spoke to Luo to ease her worries.
"I have no plans to leave. I just want to improve our lives, that’s why I’m heading to the county town. If I wanted to leave, I would have just left. Why would I need to deceive you?"
Hearing this, Luo's heart wavered. After a pause, she asked, "Do you really not intend to leave?"
Yuying, slightly frustrated, found an excuse: "I nearly fell to my death last time, how could I dare to leave again? Besides, it's too dangerous outside, I feel safer staying in Lingshui Village."
As she concluded, she added, "I plan to become the head of the Fuyan family in the future. Why would I leave?"
Luo's expression softened, and Yuying knew her doubts had been allayed, so she left.
Luo watched Yuying's blurred figure disappear from view and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Despite the dangers, people still ventured into the mountains in groups to pick wild fruits and vegetables.
Several middle-aged women from Lingshui Village, who had gone into the mountains together, were surprised to see Yuying and couldn't help but stare at the dark spots on her face.
The spots weren’t real, and Yuying felt no need to be concerned about them.
As she turned to leave, someone called out to her, "It's dangerous in the mountains, don't go alone. Stay with us for safety."
Yuying looked over and recognized the woman who had warned her the day before.
After pondering for a moment, she agreed that there was safety in numbers and decided to join them.
A woman in her forties approached her and asked, "Fuyan's new bride, what are you looking for in the mountains?"
Intending to continue living in Lingshui Village, Yuying didn't plan on being a loner, so she replied, "I’m planning to dig up some wild vegetables and herbs."
The woman suddenly remembered, "I recall your father was an imperial physician. Could it be that you also know medical practices?"
Hearing this, the other women perked up their ears, growing curious.
Yu Ying, aware she mustn't show off her skills, replied modestly, "I've only learned the basics and can identify a few common herbs."
Losing interest at her response, the others began picking wild fruits around them.
Seeing them disperse, Yu Ying asked the woman beside her, "May I know how to address you, elder sister?"
The woman, straightforward and cheerful, replied with a smile, "I'm nearly the same age as your mother-in-law, so don't call me elder sister. Just call me Aunt He."
Yu Ying courteously addressed her, "Aunt He."
Aunt He, about to go pick wild vegetables, advised her, "Stay nearby, don't wander off. If anything happens, shout and we'll hear you."
After giving her advice, Aunt He went on her way.
With many people around, there weren't enough wild fruits and vegetables for everyone. Even the red mushrooms, Yu Ying stopped picking to avoid gossip.
After gathering some herbs, Yu Ying also found a small patch of Night Fragrance.
Night Fragrance is a type of mint, different from the common mint known in later times. The common mint, scientifically called wrinkled leaf mint, is a foreign herb not present in this era.
Night-Scented Mint can be used for mouth rinsing to freshen breath and also for making tea in the summer.
Yuying plucked about ten plants, planning to grow them in her yard for use in mouth rinsing or tea brewing.
After squatting for too long, she stood up to stretch and saw wild fruits in the lower bushes ahead. She cut through the thorns along the path and used a bamboo pole to make her way there.
Only upon approaching did she realize they were Bletilla fruits.
Bletilla fruits are also known as grass jelly fruits.
In her childhood, every summer, her grandfather would pick these fruits to make grass jelly for her.
Yuying was pleasantly surprised and was about to pick some to make grass jelly when she heard Auntie He’s voice from behind, “Why are you picking those? They’re not tasty and quite flavorless.”
Hearing Auntie He’s comment, an idea to make some money suddenly sparked in Yuying's mind.
Perhaps in this era, no one had yet discovered that these fruits could be used to make other dishes. Maybe she could make some grass jelly to sell in Yuxian?!
Grass jelly combined with mint would be a perfect summer refreshment. If she sold it, she might even earn some silver!
With this thought, a small flame of enthusiasm ignited in Yuying's heart, but she maintained her composure outwardly. Smiling lightly, she said, “Dried, these fruits can also be a snack. I’ll pick some to store at home.”
Hearing the new bride of the Fuyan family say this, Auntie He recalled how the Fuyans were the most impoverished family in Lingshui Village. The elderly were blind, the adults either worked in the quarry or were disabled, and the children were too young to bear heavy burdens. Apart from wild vegetables, they couldn’t even afford rice soup.
Thinking of this, she said nothing more, only cautioning, “Be careful of the thorns, don’t get scratched.”
Yuying picked almost half a basket before stopping.
By the time Yu Ying returned to the Fu residence, more than half an hour had passed.
Without any utensils, she didn't immediately make jelly but continued to roast red mushrooms and stir-fried wild vegetables using yesterday's pottery shards.
From the moment she started cooking, Fu An was salivating over the mushrooms. Yu Ying, noticing his eagerness, roasted a few more than the day before.
The vegetables and mushrooms were divided into five portions, with little Fu Ning getting a smaller share since she ate less.
After finishing, she instructed Fu An, "Take these to your grandmother and your uncle."
Fu An quickly came over, and seeing the mushrooms in the bowl, he didn't protest about them being poisonous and carried two bowls inside.
He had been fearful all night, but when nothing happened the next day, he believed the mushrooms were safe.
Yu Ying, seeing Fu Ning's wide eyes, smiled warmly and handed her the remaining bowl, "Take it inside to eat."
The little girl hesitated before cautiously extending her dirty hands, then quickly withdrew them to wipe on her clothes.
Yu Ying then brought a half scoop of water and suggested, "Just extend your hands to wash them."
The girl looked at her still-dirty hands and timidly stretched them out.
Yu Ying gently poured water over her small hands and softly rubbed them.
The girl seemed about four or five years old, but her hands were as small as a two-year-old's, and quite thin.
She looked at the large hands covering hers, soft and delicate, a stark contrast to her grandmother's rough hands, and found it very comforting.
Her gaze involuntarily clung to those fair and beautiful hands, and her sense of fear gradually diminished.
Yu Ying placed the bowl in her hands and then went to eat her own portion.
After eating half her meal, Yu Ying went inside and took out a copper coin for Luo Shi.
"Could you ask someone to lend us a pot? Just for one day. I'll borrow it tonight and return it by tomorrow evening. This coin can be the rent."
Hearing this, Luo Shi squinted at the copper coin in her hand, knowing Yu Ying would not leave without it, and without asking what she needed it for, nodded, "I'll go and ask around."
Luo Shi took the copper coin; after all, in a village where food and clothing were scarce, who would dare lend their household utensils without some benefit?
Not long after, Aunt He brought back Luo Shi with a pottery jar.
She returned the copper coin to Yu Ying, saying, "How could I take money from your family? If your eldest son hadn't helped my husband at the quarry, he might not have made it out alive."
Aunt He refused to accept anything, so Yu Ying took the coin back.
With the pottery jar in hand, Yu Ying began making jelly.
She first picked out the male fruits of the jelly plant that were inadvertently harvested, then cut open the female fruits, scooping out their seeds into a wooden bowl.
After processing all the fruits, yielding about two bowls' worth, she placed them under the sun to dry.
Meanwhile, she boiled a pot of hot water and had Fu An tend the fire.
Fu An, perhaps feeling obligated after receiving help, didn't complain and cooperated well.
While Fu An watched the fire, Yu Ying tore off the sleeves of her white shirt and thoroughly washed them along with a wooden tray by the river. She then scalded them with boiling hot water upon returning.
An hour later, she filled the sleeves with the seeds of the jelly plant, tying the ends securely, and repeatedly kneaded them in a basin of clear river water.
She continued kneading until the water turned thick and viscous, then poured the milky white liquid into the pottery jar.
The small amount of Bletilla fruits ultimately didn't fill a clay pot. If converted to bowls of grass jelly with added water, it would amount to only about a dozen bowls.
Sighing inwardly about the difficulty of making money, Yuying continued her work, placing the clay pot in the water tank to set overnight.
When ready to eat, she would just need to add boiled mint water.
Although lacking in flavor, it would be refreshing, like having an ice cube in the mouth. This was especially suitable for the hot weather of July and August.
Whether she could earn some silver to improve their current situation would depend on tomorrow.
