Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Digging for Chinese Yam with Helpers
"Strictly speaking, I can only earn thirty-five copper coins by embroidering ten pouches. If we deduct the town's entry fee, it'll only be thirty-four copper coins."
"My family doesn't have land, so I don't have to work in the field. That's why I have more time to do embroidery. But even so, I can only embroider at most two or three pouches a day. "
"Sigh! It's mainly because my eyes aren't as good as before..."
Firstly, it was because she had been doing embroidery work for many years, causing her eyesight to deteriorate. Secondly, she had cried too much after her husband passed away, damaging her eyes slightly.
"I'm guessing that if your pair of straw sandals could earn you three copper coins, the money would be much easier to earn than doing embroidery."
The main thing was that she saw that her daughter-in-law was very fast at making straw sandals. She could make a pair in about 15 minutes.
This was different from her embroidery work. If she could find a stable market for sales, the work of weaving straw sandals could be regarded entirely as viable work.
Qin Xiaoyao thought for a moment, then turned to look at her mother-in-law again.
Seeing the anticipation in her mother-in-law's eyes, she finally nodded.
"Alright. Then you can give it a try."
"However, my father's meat stall might not be able to sell many straw sandals. So, even if you've learned how to make straw sandals, there's no need to make too many."
Primarily, she was not expecting the three of them to work hard to earn money for the family. It was good enough that they could do their part.
"Alright!" Madam Liu's face lit up, and she quickly agreed.
Immediately after, she also joined the team to weave straw sandals.
Even the little one, Song Ye, dashed over when he saw his mother and sister learning diligently from his sister-in-law.
However, the three of them unanimously agreed that Song Ye should not get involved in learning how to make straw sandals.
That was because the child was still too young and didn't have enough strength. He wouldn't be able to do it well even if he had learned it.
Hence, little Song Ye could only continue to be a little freeloader at home.
The three of them weaved straw sandals. Madam Liu and Song Yun only stopped work reluctantly when it was dusk.
This was because they had to go and cook.
After half an afternoon of hard work, the mother and daughter had basically mastered the trick of weaving straw shoes after completing a few pairs of unsightly straw shoes.
If they continued to practice a few more pairs, they would probably be able to independently weave a pair of straw sandals that could pass muster.
Qin Xiaoyao didn't take notice of the mother and daughter and continued with her work.
Since she was free today, she could make a few more pairs of straw sandals. She had to go into the mountains starting tomorrow.
At that point, she would have less time to weave straw sandals.
As Qin Xiaoyao said that she wanted to eat egg pancakes, she took special pains to remind the family to make more.
Madam Liu didn't try to save on the rough noodle flour tonight.
She scooped out two and a half bowls of flour from the jar, then mixed in wild vegetables and pheasant eggs before making the pancakes.
Qin Xiaoyao, who was busy working under the roof eaves, soon smelled the fragrant aroma of the pancake and felt that life was warm and stable.
It was nighttime.
After eating the egg pancakes for dinner, Qin Xiaoyao used the fire on the stove to weave the last pair of straw sandals with the remaining straw.
Then, she wrapped up.
"The oil and salt on the stove and the lamp oil at home are almost gone. When I'm in town tomorrow, I must buy some back," Qin Xiaoyao mumbled to herself as she stood up.
Once the fire in the stove was extinguished, the kitchen would be dark.
The room she shared with her attractive husband was still fine. The oil in the oil lamp had not been used up completely.
However, in this kitchen and room the mother shared with the two children, they could only rely on the moonlight.
There was also oil and salt. These were the two most basic seasonings. If she didn't buy them, it would be difficult to cook the next meal.
In fact, she had wanted to buy these things back when she was in town today. However, considering that she did not have enough money on hand and that she had to pay for the consultation fees, she did not dare to buy them.
Now that she had more money, she could consider buying them.
Madam Liu didn't hear what her daughter-in-law said. She smiled and asked Qin Xiaoyao to go and wash up quickly.
As for Song Que, Madam Liu had already asked Song Yun to send her big brother some toiletries.
"Mother, you should rest early after you are done. I'm going to take a shower," Qin Xiaoyao said.
"Oh, alright." Madam Liu agreed with a smile and left. She did not think it was strange that Qin Xiaoyao wanted to take a bath again today, even though she had just taken one yesterday.
Qin Xiaoyao went to the stove to get some hot water and brought it to the bathroom. Then, she went to get a change of clothes before taking a bath.
By the time she finished her bath, the moon was already high in the sky, and the courtyard was silent.
When she returned to her room, the first thing she noticed was that Song Que was looking at her.
However, she pretended not to notice and did not light the lamp. She walked straight to the bed and laid down.
Then, with a creak, she turned over, her back facing Song Que, and closed her eyes.
Seeing this, Song Que was dumbfounded.
Was this woman… really going to ignore him?
Feeling a little upset, Song Que frowned and turned over as well.
It would be best if she ignored him. This was the result he wanted!
However, that night, he couldn't sleep again. He was so angry…
As usual, Qin Xiaoyao was not aware of this.
As she had many things to do, she got up quite early today.
When she reached the courtyard, she saw Song Yun helping her wash her clothes.
This time, she didn't say anything. She went straight to the kitchen to get water and wash up. Then, she helped Madam Liu make breakfast.
This time, she did not even bother with Song Que. After she had her breakfast, she carried the hoe and sickle and went out.
Just as she was worried that she might have gone out too early, she saw Big Girl Li and Liu Daniu from far away, waiting for her at the foot of the mountain with tools in their hands.
With a smile on her face, Qin Xiaoyao hurried over.
"Big Girl, Daniu! Morning!" Qin Xiaoyao was the first to open her mouth and greet them.
"I was worried I might keep you waiting, Sister Sanya!" Big Girl Li replied awkwardly.
As she said that, she even elbowed her man.
Liu Daniu also smiled awkwardly at this juncture.
"Yes. It's only right for us to wait for Mrs. Song," he said.
Qin Xiaoyao looked at Liu Daniu. Just as her gaze was beginning to give him goosebumps, she looked away.
"Then let's go," she said.
The two of them quickly responded by following Qin Xiaoyao.
"Sister Sanya, what exactly are we doing?" Big Girl Li asked Qin Xiaoyao soon afterward.
She was envious when she saw Qin Xiaoyao walking briskly in her straw sandals.
If she had known, she would have worn straw sandals too.
Oh wait, she didn't seem to have straw sandals.
Liu Daniu followed his wife and looked at Qin Xiaoyao.
He was wondering exactly the same thing. What exactly were they supposed to do? To think that she wanted to pay them wages of a hundred copper coins.
"You'll know when we get there," Qin Xiaoyao replied without explaining.
Thus, Big Girl Li and Liu Daniu kept their mouths shut.
After walking for a while, they finally arrived at their destination.
Qin Xiaoyao stopped and began to explain the situation to the two.
"Do you see this plot of Chinese yam?"
"It's this thing here…" Qin Xiaoyao tugged at the Chinese yam vines by the side of the path as she spoke.
"There's something underneath, and that's what I want."
As she spoke, Qin Xiaoyao began excavating with her hoe.
After a few strikes, the ground was dug open, revealing the roots of the Chinese yam.
"Be careful when you two are digging. Try not to break it." As she spoke, Qin Xiaoyao continued to dig with all her might.