Peasant Woman's Decreed Life as a Wife

Over here, in the central room…

After Du Heng and Chu Heng’s family had rested.

Xiang Zhifu called the rest of the family into the hall.

“Laoer, close the door. Let’s talk softly. Don’t disturb Ah Heng and the others ‘rest.” Chu Xingjun instructed.

Xiang Laoer nodded and walked over. He closed the door and sat down on a stool.

The children were all asleep, leaving only the adults.

Xiang Zhifu and the others were all present. “Since you’re all here, I’ll be straightforward. At night, Ah Heng came to me and said that not only are there wild wood ears, but they can also be planted by ourselves.”

“It’ll be planted in July and August. We can start harvesting in two months. We can harvest them three times a year. I’ve already discussed it with Ah Heng. I’ll let Ling’er learn first. When she comes back, our family will allocate some people to plant it next year. In the future, our family will have an additional harvest. What do you think?” After Xiang Zhifu finished speaking, he looked at his other two sons.

The third son, Laosan, had a job in the county and could earn 500-600 copper coins a month. It was a decent income. After all, the family sold grain all year round. One hundred catties would only be 200-300 copper coins. They could not sell that much grain. After all, the current harvest was only enough for their own family. The money Laosan earned was already the highest source of income for the Xiang family.

“Father, you are right. Cousin Heng is willing to help us. Since we can do it, we naturally have to do it well. In the future, we can plant more wood ears. Cousin Heng can also use the wood ears to do business and earn money. We can also be considered to be repaying him. Naturally, we have to do it well.” Xiang Laoda’s attitude was clear.

“Yes, Father. It’s not easy for our family to have something that can make money. We must seize it.” Xiang Laoer also nodded.

“Then do you all agree to let Ling’er learn to plant wood ears?” Seeing that his sons knew what was important, Xiang Zhifu nodded and felt relieved.

“I agree.” Xiang Laoer was the first to nod.

Xiang Zhifu looked at Xiang Laoda.

“Father, what Ah Yu said…”Xiang Laoda hesitated for a moment.

“That’s still early. Ling’er will only be fifteen next year. There’s no hurry.” Xiang Zhifu was also worried. He did not dare to think about a marriage with Du Heng. It was too good, so good that he felt that they were no match for him.

As he thought about it, he decided not to mention this matter for now. After a long time, Young Master Du might have a good match and would not like his Ling’er anymore. At that time, he would deal with it however he wanted and would not be as frightened as he was now.

When Xiang Laoda heard this, he stopped talking about this matter. “Father, then let Ling’er go. Cousin-in-law and Ling’er are on good terms. If anyone else goes, we’re afraid of offending her. Why don’t we choose someone who Cousin-in-law likes to go? After all, she’s helping us. We can’t cause trouble for her.”

“Besides, it’s not suitable for anyone else in the family to go. The children are still young, and my wife definitely can’t go. Only Ling’er is suitable.” After analyzing the situation, Xiang Laoda came to this conclusion. Thinking about it carefully, his father had probably thought about it long ago.

Xiang Zhifu was even more satisfied. “You’re right. It’s not that Father is biased. It’s just that Ling’er is the most suitable.”

“Eldest Daughter-in-law, Second Daughter-in-law, Third Daughter-in-law, you have to learn how to bake wood ears these few days. You have to get those on the mountain back as soon as possible and bake them well.”

“Tomorrow, Laoda and Laoer, you guys go to the mountain to collect more firewood.”

“Other than this, there are also a few pieces of fabric that Landlord Wang sent today. I’ve seen them. The material is all silk. It’s very good. There are a total of four pieces of cloth. Each of your three families will take one piece of cloth back. The remaining one will be left for me, your mother, and Ling’er.”