Time passed, and it was already the wheat harvest season. Except for Zhao Jiaojiao, the entire Old Zhao family was busy in the fields.
The younger children picked up the stray wheat ears that had fallen. Jun Jiuli only needed to pile up the harvested wheat. Xiao Hong and Xiao Chun also helped.
"Brother, Grandma said that after we finish harvesting the wheat, we can go to town and sell the ginseng for money," Xiao Chun said, her face blooming like a sunflower.
"But the ginseng has been dried. I wonder if it's still valuable," Xiao Hong asked curiously.
"Hush, don't worry, it won't affect the price."
The sisters quickly covered their mouths. This village was truly backward. They hadn't expected to wait over half a year for an opportunity to go to town openly.
For the past half year, the main family had often had small feasts, and Jun Jiuli had also used a lot of spiritual spring water for them. Xu Dahua looked much younger, and the Xiao Chun sisters had also gained weight. Their faces were fair and tender, and their hair was no longer dry and yellow.
Jun Jiuli made two wooden cages and kept the excess wild chickens and rabbits caught in a cave. The sisters took care of them whenever they had time, raising them very well. Xu Dahua initially felt a little guilty for not daring to participate, but soon she joined their group.
The sun was exceptionally strong today, making people feel anxious. The dust that occasionally kicked up made everyone uncomfortable. Zhao Jiaojiao, wearing a straw hat and holding several large bamboo tubes, slowly walked to the edge of the field.
"Dad, Mom. I'm here to bring you water. Come and rest first." Her voice was soft and sweet, making people feel comfortable. Several people in the neighboring fields straightened up and looked over.
Old Man Wang said, "Old Zhao, you have such good fortune. Such a sweet and gentle little daughter is so thoughtful."
"Hahaha, yours is not bad either."
"They are all troublemakers. How can they be as lovable as Jiaojiao?"
Old Man Zhao was very happy, and his back straightened a bit more. In this village, no girl was as spirited and beautiful as his Jiaojiao. Many people secretly envied him.
A group of people gathered to drink water. After drinking, they sat down under the shade of a tree to rest for a while before continuing to cut.
Old Lady Zhao said, "Jiaojiao, the sun is too strong now. You take Xue'er and the other little ones back. Don't play around on the way, lest you get sunburned."
"I know, Mother. You don't need to worry. Xue'er, Xing'er, let's go home with Auntie."
Xiao Chun and Xiao Hong heard her call and consciously patted the dust off their hands, picked up their small baskets, and walked directly towards home. After Jun Jiuli's education, they already knew to fight for themselves. If you don't tell me to leave and want me to do more, then I'll leave myself. If everyone is here, then we all work together. As long as one person is not here, then we run.
Old Lady Zhao opened her mouth to scold them, but she saw Xu Dahua standing silently behind her. After thinking about it, she closed her mouth. They were all her granddaughters, and they didn't do much work. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and picked up her farm tools to continue cutting.
By this afternoon, the wheat was almost completely harvested. The family returned home, exhausted. Xiao Chun and Xiao Hong had already boiled water, and Xu Dahua and Jun Jiuli could wash up as soon as they returned. Under Old Lady Zhao's stern gaze, Li Shi and Zhang Shi wearily went to cook. After dinner, they each returned to their own rooms.
After the harvested wheat was dried, it still needed to be threshed by hand. After it was packed and the taxes were paid, the remainder belonged to the family. There was still much to do. Old Lady Zhao agreed to go to town tomorrow to relax.
"Mother, didn't you promise me before? Madam Xu has already started teaching classes. If I don't go, it will be too late." Zhao Jiaojiao playfully tugged at Old Lady Zhao's hand, shaking it non-stop, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Old Lady Zhao pitifully.
Old Lady Zhao couldn't bear to refuse but was genuinely short of money. The tuition was one jar of money per year. Where would she get it?
"Jiaojiao, why don't you stop learning? You are so beautiful, and those things are not important," Old Lady Zhao tried to comfort her. But Zhao Jiaojiao was clearly anxious and upset, and she didn't buy her act. She said angrily, "What do you know? I'm beautiful but lack knowledge, and people won't fancy me."
With that, she started to cry. Old Lady Zhao quickly coaxed her, wiping the tears from her face with her rough fingertips, her eyes full of heartache. "Mother is incompetent. Mother is sorry for you. How can the family's grain, after paying taxes, last until next year? Your two brothers earn hard-earned money, and our family cannot afford it. Why don't I go and beg Madam Xu tomorrow? I'll work for her to repay the cost, and then you can go and learn, okay?"
"This will make people look down on me. How can I hold my head up?"
"Alas, it's all Mother's fault. My Jiaojiao is so good, how could she be born from my belly? Jiaojiao, it's Mother who has failed you."
Old Man Zhao walked in at this moment. "It's so late, and you're not resting yet? Jiaojiao, you know our family's circumstances. If we could really send you, your father would have no objections. Don't blame your mother."
"Dad, I was wrong. I was daydreaming. I shouldn't have had such extravagant hopes, sob sob sob~" After speaking, she covered her face and ran back to her room. For a long time, her crying could still be heard.
"Old man, can't we think of any other way? Jiaojiao is definitely not simple. Such a good appearance, how could she be born from a wretched old woman like me?"
"Alas, why think so much? It's good enough if we can support this family. Tomorrow, give her a few more copper coins, and let her go to the street to relax. She'll figure it out eventually."
"You're right. This is all fate."
The next morning, Old Lady Zhao gave each of her grandchildren a copper coin, ostensibly for them to buy whatever they wanted. Zhao Jiaojiao's eyes were still red, and she felt extremely indignant looking at the copper coins. If she saved these, she would have enough. In the end, it was because she was a girl that they were reluctant.
Old Lady Zhao did not notice her unusual emotions and walked ahead with her, tucking five copper coins into her small pocket and whispering, "Don't be unhappy. Mother is giving this to you. The street will surely be lively today. You can buy whatever you like later." Zhao Jiaojiao was still angry but still pouted and said, "Thank you, Mother. Mother is the best."
It took two hours to reach the street, which was bustling with people. There were not many vendors, most of them selling agricultural products. Jun Jiuli used the excuse of needing to use the restroom and asked Xiao Hong to keep Xu Dahua occupied for a while. She went into a pharmacy, browsed around, took out the silver she had obtained from the landlord from her space, and left the pharmacy. Xiao Chun saw her approaching and smiled exaggeratedly. When no one was paying attention, she quietly asked, "Brother, how much did you sell it for?" Jun Jiuli held up five fingers. Xiao Chun jumped up excitedly. "Five taels of silver!!" Jun Jiuli leaned into her ear and said, "Fifty taels." Zhao Xiaochun's eyes widened, her entire face contorted with effort. "Fifty taels of silver! That's enough for our family to live a lifetime. Hahaha~" "Alright, alright, calm down, calm down." "Yes, remain calm. Brother is right, wealth should not be exposed, wealth should not be exposed!"