Chapter 33
Chapter 33: Hercules
“In the future, I’ll have to go into the mountains more often or go to town to sell things. I will have to trouble Mother to brew the medicine for Husband.”
Madam Liu quickly agreed.
“It’s no trouble at all! You can rest assured and leave these family matters to me! I’ve memorized all of these medicines, so I won’t make any mistakes!”
Qin Xiaoyao nodded with a smile.
She continued. “Today, these twelve doses of medicines cost one tael and two coins of silver, more than what I earn today. If we don’t want to spend the money in our pockets, we have to work harder.”
Madam Liu’s expression turned serious.
“Yes. If our whole family works hard together, we will definitely be able to earn enough money to pay for Que’er’s medical expenses,” she said with determination.
In the past, she wouldn’t have dared to say such words. She didn’t even dare to think about it.
However, now, her daughter-in-law had become diligent and had many ideas.
She and Yun’er had also learned how to weave straw sandals, so they could rely on this to support their family.
In this way, they would have the ability to support the family.
Song Yun nodded as well. Her heart was filled with a sense of responsibility and self-confidence.
She liked the feeling now. In the past, she could only help with some household chores like collecting firewood, doing the laundry, and lighting the fire.
However, now, she also possessed a skill. When she became more skilled in weaving straw sandals, she could also earn money for the family.
Qin Xiaoyao was very satisfied with the feedback from the two.
Then, she took out the salt, sugar, lamp oil, and vegetables she had bought from the bamboo backpack.
The last item was the huge chunk of lard.
When Madam Liu saw what her daughter-in-law had taken out, she couldn’t help swallowing a few times.
“You can add lamp oil to the lamps later. Add some to every room so that all of you don’t have to fumble around in the dark at night anymore.”
“There’s also salt and sugar. There’s no need to conserve them. The one-time consumption of seasoning is not much anyway. We can simply buy more after they are used up.”
“In addition, Mother, you and Yun’er can fry the lard together in the afternoon. In the future, we won’t have to worry about the oil for cooking and making pancakes.”
After some thought, Qin Xiaoyao added. “There’s also the oil dregs. Don’t keep all of them. Take some out and add some sugar for everyone to have a taste.”
At this point, Qin Xiaoyao’s face broke into a smile.
“Keep the rest in the container. Next time, when you fry vegetables, put some in and fry them together. The taste will be great!”
Madam Liu agreed with a smile.
“I will.”
“It’s getting late. Yun’ er and I will start cooking then,” she said.
“Okay! Then I’ll go to the back mountain again and see if Big Girl Li and Daniu are slacking off. I will also bring back another load of Chinese yam.”
Indeed, she had told Madam Liu about asking Big Girl Li and Liu Daniu to help dig up the Chinese yam.
“You go ahead. Be careful on the way.”
“I know, Mother.”
Only then did Qin Xiaoyao take up her shoulder pole and hemp rope, and leave the house.
She went all the way to the back of the mountain and walked for a long time before arriving at the place where she had dug up the Chinese yam.
Qin Xiaoyao was very pleased to see that the Li couple was still there and working hard.
“Thank you for your hard work!” With a shout, Qin Xiaoyao attracted the attention of the two.
Big Girl Li and Liu Daniu turned around at the same time, and then wiped off their sweat.
“It’s almost time for lunch. Why are you here, Sister Sanya?” Big Girl Li asked Qin Xiaoyao.
Didn’t she say that she would only be here in the afternoon?
Was she worried about them?
“I’m here to carry back the Chinese yam you two have dug up.”
“It’s getting late. Let’s stop here for the morning’s work. You guys can go back and eat,” Qin Xiaoyao said with a laugh.
With that, she went up to gather the Chinese yam.
The couple’s faces were filled with joy.
Liu Daniu looked at the Chinese yam strewn all over the ground and couldn’t help but ask.
“Mrs. Song, you won’t be able to carry all these Chinese yams back in one trip. Let us help you carry some of them back.”
Since he was getting paid, he had to keep his end of the bargain as well.
They were going back to the village anyway, so it was no big deal to help carry them.
Big Girl Li turned her head and looked at her man, feeling a little resistant.
However, when she saw Qin Xiaoyao looking in their direction, she quickly put on a smile and nodded at Qin Xiaoyao to please her.
Qin Xiaoyao was amused by Big Girl Li’s reaction.
“I think there’s no need for Big Girl Li to carry since she’s a woman after all. If Brother Daniu is willing to help, then help me carry this bundle,” she said.
Big Girl Li felt like she had been granted a lifeline, and she looked at Qin Xiaoyao with gratitude.
Liu Daniu glanced at his wife. He knew that she was tired, so he did not insist on her helping.
“Alright! I’ll go chop down a tree!” he said.
Following that, he went to the side to cut down trees to use as carrying poles.
Qin Xiaoyao didn’t pay Daniu much attention. She asked Big Girl Li to come with her to gather up all the Chinese yam that had been dug up.
After that, Qin Xiaoyao began to bundle up the Chinese yam she would carry.
When Liu Daniu returned, he saw Qin Xiaoyao tying up most of the Chinese yam with two thick hemp ropes.
Based on his visual estimation, the two bundles of Chinese yam added up to four hundred catties.
The remaining Chinese yam on the ground might not even add up to two hundred catties.
“Mrs. Song, don’t you… don’t you think you have bundled up too much?” Liu Daniu spoke up.
He was already shocked when Qin Sanya left with more than two hundred catties of Chinese yam earlier.
Now, she was going to take up the challenge of double the weight?
Surely this woman could not possibly be stronger than him, a man?
Liu Daniu suddenly felt a little guilty when he thought about how Qin Sanya worked so hard in the morning.
He did not seem to be as good at work as the other party.
Qin Xiaoyao laughed as she patted the bundled-up Chinese yam. “It’s fine. This is just right.”
“Bring the tree poles over and tie up the rest of the Chinese yam. We’ll set off together.” She said in a forthright manner.
“Oh, okay!” Liu Daniu subconsciously agreed.
By the time they reacted, it was too late for regret.
Next, Qin Sanya tied up the remaining Chinese yam with practiced ease.
“Let’s go! We should be able to make it back in time for lunch!” After saying that, Qin Xiaoyao walked over to the two bundles of Chinese yam.
Then, under the shocked gazes of the couple, she hauled up the two bundles of Chinese yam.
After that, she stood up and walked forward.
Liu Daniu quickly came back to his senses and quickly picked up the Chinese yam bundle and followed her.
As for Big Girl Li, she was in charge of carrying the two hoes and two sickles.
On the way back, Qin Xiaoyao was walking in front, with quick brisk steps all the way.
Liu Daniu, who was following behind her, could only grit his teeth and endure.
And there was also Big Girl Li. Even though she only carried two hoes and two sickles, it was still very tough for her to run after them.
At this moment, the couple’s hearts were filled with resentment.
Was that Qin Sanya crazy? Didn’t she know how to take a break along the way?
Of course, Qin Xiaoyao wasn’t crazy. She had deployed her special ability, so she didn’t really feel much pressure from the four hundred catties on her shoulders.
Moreover, it was indeed getting late. She wanted to quickly bring the Chinese yam back and eat her lunch.
Finally, the three of them entered the village.
Then, they went to the Song family’s house.
Along the way, people saw the three of them together and asked what was going on.
When they found out that Liu Daniu and his wife were actually working for Qin Xiaoyao, the villagers were a little surprised.
By now, the connection between Big Girl Li and Qin Xiaoyao was truly unbreakable.
When Big Girl Li realized that the situation was not right, she was already powerless to change it.