Chapter 30
Su Ying entered the kitchen and decided to make steamed rice and pheasant chicken before going to sister Fei's house so she prepared the rice and lit a fire and started cooking before plucking the pheasant feathers and chopping it then she put it on the fire. Soon it was done and she scooped for the kids and left hers and Xiao Shan in the pot before calling the kids to come eat. She gave them a cup of spring water each before taking to Xiao Shan who was still making the winter coat outside.
Xiao Shan took the water from her and took a sip and his eyes widened in surprise at its deliciousness which was not normal. He looked at her with questions in her eyes and she replied
"It's sugar water so I thought you would want some?"
"Hm"
Although he didn't believe her he couldn't think of any other explanation for it's sweetness. He looked at the woman sitting on a chair next to him and then glanced at the leaves in the courtyard and curiously asked the use
"That's Fairy Tree used to make a jelly like snack that could be eaten this summer. It sells well after I'm done you can have a bite".
"How do you know about that "
"When I was at my father's house and my step mother asked me to go fetch firewood in the mountains I encountered an old man who thought me all this"
"....."
Xiao Shan was speechless at her answer which was quite believable. The woman before him had so many secrets which made him want to strip her bare and see for himself and at the thought his gaze deepened. Su Ying drank the water and then stood up and started arranging the the branches to the backyard while Xiao Shan continued his work. Su Ying broke the silence by saying
"I'm going to sister Fei's house to check on the progress of the cloth and also ask her husband to come fix the courtyard door for us to avoid thieves breaking in when we start making money"
Xiao Shan was pleased with the 'us' she used and involuntarily nodded showing his agreement then realizing what he had done he could only swallow his words. Su Ying didn't know what happened and soon finished piling the branches at the backyard then entered the kitchen washed her hands and then scooped some food on a plate to go to sister Fei's house. She walked for 20 minutes and arrived at their house to see the kids running around, Sister Fei sewing while occasionally chatting with madam Zhen Mei who was resting under a shade and Shi Dong chopping firewood. She entered and greeted and they'll turned to look at her.
Madam Zhen Mei welcomed her in as Shi Duo and Shi Tuo trailed behind her attracted by the aroma of the food in her hand. She handed the food to sister Fei and sat down beside madam Zhen Mei.
"Sister Fei you're doing great than I expected almost done with one of them. Here is the 20 copper coins of one cloth as I promised and I will give you the remaining after you're done with the other one".
Madam Zhen Mei stared at her shock not expecting her to really bring the money. As she was about to refuse Su Ying stuffed the money into Qin Fei's hands and faced Shi Dong before requesting
"Brother Shi Dong I actually came to see you for something"
Snapping out of the daze he turned to look at Su Ying finding her more pleasing than before. Although his mother and wife had told him about her changes he was still skeptical but seeing it now he believed it. He then asked
"What do you need me to do for you Su Ying?"
"I need you to come to house when you're less busy to help me fix the courtyard door which is broken to avoid thieves in the house and after the work is done I will pay you ten copper coins "
It was not an extreme request but he was taken aback when she wanted to pay him for it. He instinctively wanted to refuse but the look in her eyes showed she wasn't taking no for an answer so he held back and nodded.
"I'm not busy at the moment so I can go with you just let me get my tools".
Nodding she resumed chatting with madam Zhen Mei and sister Fei before he arrived at the left for her house. As soon as they reached he greeted Xiao Shan who was sewing in the courtyard and entered the mountains to get woods for repair it. Su Ying didn't plan to build it anything fancy till she was stable so she just planned to make it a bit higher and sturdier for now. As Shi Dong came back with the chopped woods she described to him her choice of door.
"I want it higher than normal enough to avoid prying eyes and also sturdier not to pushed down easily"
Fortunately the wood he came back with fitted her preference so he started work while she retreated inside to check on the kids only to find them sleeping. She retrieved her needle and started making clothes for Xiao Shan before she made hers. Thinking of his refined features she knew the type of cloth to make for him so she started cutting to the right measurement and started sewing. She planned to make him a Chinese robe know as 'changshan' worn by nobility and scholars. According to history it became famous during the Ming Dynasty so it was not know as of now she planned to use it to make the cloth famous then she would make her own brand.
At first she was rusty but after a moment her hands had gotten used to it and she nimbly began sewing. As she continued sewing she lost track of time immersing herself in sewing the cloth till a knock on the door was heard she then realized it was afternoon already. Setting the almost finished work aside she stood up and opened the door to see Xiao Ming standing at door. She carried him up and went outside to see the work done and Shi Dong chatting with Xiao Shan. She went inside fetched water from the water barrel and added sugar to it then scooped some food into the pot and went outside.
She placed it on a chair she got inside and sat down. Shi Dong thanked her and finished the water with a gulp and then began eating. Su Ying noticed that Xiao Shan was done with the winter coat and also went back inside scooped his food and served him outside. She planned to repair the broken chairs and table and also put some furniture but not now so she got the ten copper coins she promised and gave it Shi Dong who collected it gratefully.
"Thank you so much sister in law"
"You're welcome. You deserve it after the job you did and I also promise to call you if I want to fix anything else".
He smiled then stood up and bade his farewell and went back home. Meanwhile Su Ying scooped her own food and started eating while thinking of starting to make the fairy tofu before dusk. Xiao Shan then asked
"Where did you get the money to pay him?"
"When I entered the mountain I saw a herb and then sold it at the county market and earned some money".
"How can you identify herbs"
"The old Taoist man in the mountains thought me that too"
"..."
Speechless he ignored her and continued eating. Su Ying knew that she couldn't hide the fact that she knew medicine for long so she came up with this excuse as for if he believed her or not she couldn't care less.