Chapter 22

Han Qiao smiled. “You’ll know when it’s done cooking.”

They didn’t waste a single second. As soon as the got home, the steamer arrived.

They washed the steamer, then peeled the pumpkin and put it into the steamer.

They brought Sun Xiu and Sun Yi to wash the pig intestines and pig belly. Since would taste best if stewed, it was a waste of effort.

The pig intestines especially. Han Qiao kept turning them over to wash them. Then, she used scissors to cut off the fat, afterwards kneading it with flour. She rinsed it in the water then placed it in the pot to boil.

As the pig intestines and pig stomach were boiling, she tossed some ginger, five spices, star anise, orange peel, and fragrant leaves into the pot with them. She also added a few peppers. She poured soy sauce and strong wine in, then covered the pot.

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“First, heat it up. After it’s been boiling for a while, simmer it down slowly.”

After Han Qiao finished speaking, she went to wash her hands with soap. Then began kneading more dough.

Since they were going to sell pumpkin buns, they might as well make some meat buns and mung bean cakes to sell along with the pumpkin buns. It was quite a bit more work, but if they could make more money, it would be worth it.

Without any financial backing, they could only earn money slowly and steadily.

The four of them were very busy. Sun Ke was tending the fire, while the other two little faces were red from the heat. However, she was happy to help with this and that. Smelling the fragrances coming out of the pot, she couldn’t help but salivate.

The meat was chopped up and rolled into buns. Han Qiao’s cooking skills were truly incredible. When the buns were done, they each tasted one, and none of them couldn’t find a single fault.

“Mother, they taste amazing.”

“Really, it’s too good.”

Sun Ke pursed her lips and smiled.

Bang, Bang, Bang.

Hearing knocking coming from the door, the three sisters gasped.

Han Qiao quickly comforted them, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll go and take a look.”

She went forward and opened the door.

It was Madam Sun. She pursed her lips and shouted, “What are you doing here?”

“Why? Am I not allowed to come over?” Madam Sun cocked her eyebrows.

“What did you say? Here, come in quick.” Han Qiao calmly invited Old Madam Sun into the house.

“What are you cooking? It smells so good.” Madam Sun raised her eyebrows and asked.

She had no conscience. If she had made something good, she would have never sent any over for Han Qiao to try.

“I cooked something and am planning to sell it. We really have fallen on hard times. We have to think of any possible way to make money,” Han Qiao said as she rubbed her eyes in grievance.

Madam Sun looked at her.

The three children came out and called out in unison, “Hi Grandma.”

They stood nervously at the side and did not speak.

“You guys go check the pot. Look through the hole in the stove. Don’t let the fire go out, and also make sure the pot doesn’t burn.” Han Qiao sent the three children away.

She didn’t want them to be scared of Madam Sun.

“Oh, alright.”

The three children dashed off.

As soon as they reached the kitchen, Sun Xiu prepared some sugar water. She was thinking of bringing a bowl of sugar water to Grandma in a while so that Grandma wouldn’t make things difficult for her mother.

Meanwhile in the center room, Madam Sun was busy scanning her eyes all over. The whole room was spotless. Although the furniture and other wares were very old, it was evident that a lot of effort and attention had gone into tidying up the place.

Sitting in the main seat, she stared at the submissive Han Qiao. She said, “Last night, Yiming came stumbling over to our place, blackout drunk. He told me that the four of you tied him up and beat him, and even forced him to write that…whatever that book is called.”

Han Qiao’s heard began to race when she heard that. “What? I would never do such a thing. Why would I beat my own husband? It was he who beat the four of us.”

“I did have him make copies of Thousand Character Classic the other day. We’re about to starve over here, and the autumn harvest is still quite a ways out there. We need food on our table. It’s not like he even studies anymore. In a fit of anger, I sold a few of his books in order to buy food.”

“And if I hadn’t, my daughters and I would have starved to death.”

As Han Qiao spoke, she sat on the chair and wiped her tears.

Then she continued, “Shopkeeper Xie, who owns the bookstore, saw that we were in dire straights and so he let us know about the copying job. When I came home, I had no choice but to tell Sun Yiming in detail, and he promised to write every day It has only been two days, and he has already gotten bored of it and is refusing to write any more. Last night, he even quarreled with me and told me to take my three children and go back to Xishan Village.”

“I went back and forth with him for a while. He left with some silver. I thought that life would have to go on. This paper doll making gig was only going to last us so long. Xiu is getting older and older by the day. If we went on making paper dolls, she would have no chance of finding a husband from a respectable family.”

“…”

Madam Sun fell silent.

Her side of the story was completely different from Sun Yiming’s.

Of course, she didn’t think that Han Qiao would dare to lie to her.

Sun Xiu brought the sugar water into the hall and called out politely, “Grandma, please have some sugar water.”

For most people, either making a bowl of tea or a cup of sugar water was one of the most effective ways to show respect to elders.

Madam Sun nodded lightly.

She never liked her granddaughters. She didn’t hate them, but she didn’t exactly love them either.

She took the cup and had a sip, then placed it on the table.

She had a good reputation in Ninghe Town. She raised two sons and two daughters. She wasn’t rich, but she had more than enough to put food on the table.

The smell wafting in from the kitchen was very tempting. However, she didn’t outright ask Han Qiao for some. Instead, she would wait for her to take the initiative.

But Han Qiao just pretended to be oblivious.

Madam Sun thought for a moment, then said, “Then, do you know where Yiming is? He ran away from our place.”

“I don’t know. He hasn’t been here at all today. He never tells me where he’s going, and I’m not about to ask..”

The more Han Qiao spoke, the more pathetic she sounded.

But Madam Sun knew she was telling the truth.

“…”

There’s no easy way to talk about this.

“Yixi told me you came asking about the deeds for the house and land?”

“Yes, I sure did.” Han Qiao sat up straight.

“…”

Madam Sun was stunned for a moment.

Han Qiao had changed since the last time she saw her.

“The deeds are, sure enough, in my hands, but…”

Madam Sun glared at Han Qiao. “Are you aware that Yiming is constantly asking his brother for money?”

“I’m aware. Last night, we got into a fight over this. Though, I have no idea how much he borrowed. I’ve been planning on selling more food so we can return the money as soon as possible.”

Han Qiao looked straight at Madam Sun. “If I return it all, will you give me the deeds?”

“…”

Madam Sun was shocked by that question.

Logically speaking, the title deed should indeed be given to Han Qiao.

“He borrowed more than forty taels of silver. How long would it take you to repay all that, selling food?”

“…”

Han Qiao jumped to her feet and exclaimed, “What? He borrowed that much? Then, then what are we going to do?”

“Are we going to use the house and the land as collateral? How are we going to live then?”

She mumbled for a moment, “If Yixi really wants us to pay back the money immediately, I’m willing to use the land and the house as collateral.”

Using the house and land as collateral? This, actually, would be perfect.

She had been thinking for a long time about what would be the best way to move all the things out of the house.

The old lady had just the way.

As a wife, she wasn’t willing to default on her husband’s debts. She’d much rather just use the house and land to pay them off. Then she could take her kids and skip town. It was the perfect plan.

She was quite moved.

“…”

Madam Sun opened her mouth.

Han Qiao said again, “Mother, don’t worry. I will tidy up the house as soon as possible.”

“Why don’t you go on home. I will start tidying up immediately.”

Having said that, she told Sun Xiu and Sun Yi to tidy up.

“Kids, there’s nothing more I can do. Your father has borrowed more than 40 taels of silver from your uncle. Since I have no way of returning the money, the only option left is to use the house and land to cover the debts.”

As Han Qiao spoke, she turned to look at the dumbfounded Madam Sun. “Mother, actually, the house and land deeds are yours to keep. When we move out, would it be alright if we took Yiming’s IOUs with us?”