The Story of a Destitute Noblewoman Farming

Uncle Dayou's wife got the news at noon and went to the street to buy some food to entertain the villagers.

They rented a house in Hezhou Prefecture, which had four courtyards. In addition to Uncle Dayou's family, there was another family living there. When that family saw her buying so many vegetables, they couldn't help but take a look.

"Dayou's family, why are you back so early? Are you going to have guests? Why did you buy so many vegetables?"

"Yes, the villagers are coming to Hezhou, and my family asked me to buy some food to entertain them. Fangfang, go and wash the vegetables quickly. There will be many guests in the evening, so don't be too late." After she responded, she called her daughter out.

"Wow, there are quite a lot of you guys eating tonight. We've already started preparing the food at noon. Are you villagers here looking for work? With so many people coming, it's probably hard to find a place to stay. I have an empty house. If you don't mind, I can rent it to them for one night at a price even cheaper than the inn. How about that?"

"Don't bother Aunt Liu, they have found a place to stay." Aunt Dayou knew that her neighbor was not a generous person, so she didn't want to cause any conflicts. Besides, Dayou had asked her eldest son to come back before, and had already said that it was just a matter of cooking a meal, and they had already found an inn.

Aunt Dayou entered the house and saw Fangfang picking vegetables with her younger brother and sister.

"Mom, I'm afraid this meal today cost a lot of money. We haven't paid the rent yet. Oh, I hope Dad can take on more work." Although Fangfang is only twelve years old this year, she has always known about her family's difficulties. Few people from the village come here. She also knows that her parents entertain the villagers, which is also to help each other, but she is worried about the family's expenses.

In Hezhou Prefecture, renting a house and buying vegetables cost money. The eldest brother and the second brother went outside the city to collect firewood, and they could sell a few bundles every day to the neighbors for their own use.

My mother pushes a cart outside to sell food every day. Although it can supplement the family income, business is not always good. She will do it as long as she can break even.

She took care of her younger siblings at home and also took on some laundry work, earning a few cents.

"You're still a child, don't worry so much. Your father gets paid every day, and I can make some money too. The rent will be paid soon, and we can entertain the villagers. Your grandparents will have someone to help take care of them in the village. We don't have much land in the village, and if we go back, we'll have no money. At least we're in the city, and we can still have something to eat."

"I heard yesterday that the free konjac in the mountains can be sold for money. I don't know how it's made. Mom, I'll ask around someday. I can make konjac tofu at home and sell it to supplement the family income."

"Ah, it's my fault that I'm so incompetent that I've made you, a girl, worry so much. I've also heard about the konjac tofu. Konjac used to be everywhere in our hometown, but now it's become a treasure. I heard there's already a shop selling it in the city, and everyone says it's delicious."

The mother and daughter were busy while talking. They guessed that Dayou would be back soon. Aunt Dayou asked her two sons who had just returned to go outside the alley to see if the villagers had arrived, for fear that they could not find the way home.

"Mom, they're here. My dad has brought all the villagers here. It's such a big group." Xiaohu is Dayou's second son. When he saw people coming in the alley, he immediately ran back to report the news.

Aunt Dayou hurriedly brought her daughter to bring the food to the table. When everyone arrived, she wiped her hands and went forward to talk to everyone. Fangfang followed.

A girl came over from the crowd. Lu Dayou and Lu Linlang were walking together. Seeing their family, he hurriedly introduced them, "Mother, this is the daughter of the big brother I told you about, Linlang. You know the other villagers too, so there's no need for me to introduce you further."

"Hello, auntie. I'm Lu Linlang. I'm sorry to bother you today. We have prepared a small gift for you. I hope you won't mind." After Lu Linlang finished speaking, she put the things in her hand aside. Behind her, Lu Mandong and Lu Manxi also put down their gifts.

"Why are you so polite? You brought so many things. We can't accept them. You can take them back. They are too expensive." Although Aunt Dayou didn't recognize the words on the packages, she had been in the city for so long. Those were the best tea, snacks, etc., which ordinary people like them could not afford.

"If Auntie doesn't accept it, we won't dare to eat this meal. I've already discussed it with Uncle Dayou, and he agreed to accept it."

"Yes, sister-in-law, just accept it. The boss is not a stingy person. She bought all these. We didn't think of buying these. It was the boss who took us into consideration. If you don't accept it, we will feel embarrassed to eat." Lu Dashui, who was of the same generation as Lu Dayou, persuaded her, and after Lu Dayou asked her to accept it, Aunt Dayou agreed.

Aunt Liu, who was standing by, had already stuck her head out to see when people came in. When she first saw so many people, she was still wondering if they were the villagers who came to extort money. But when she heard their voices and saw the things placed aside, she stretched her neck even longer. Dayu's wife also saw her scrutinizing look, so she asked the children to quickly carry the things into the house.

"Linlang girl, you are so polite. I am so embarrassed. I only prepared a simple meal today. I feel sorry for you all. Don't be polite. Eat as much as you want. If it is not enough, there is more." She suddenly felt that the meal she prepared was too simple and felt very embarrassed.

He let his children pick up their chopsticks, brought them food, and asked them to sit down.

Except for Lu Dayou and his eldest son Dahu, no one else in their family was allowed to sit at the table. Worried that there would not be enough food, Aunt Dayou immediately asked her daughter to cook some more rice.

"Auntie, this is dry rice with vegetables and meat. It's already good enough. How can you complain? Why don't you sit down and eat? There are two tables here. Go and call the children to eat together."

Everyone was waiting for Lu Linlang. Only after she ate would others dare to eat. This was the rule that the clan leader had reminded them of before they came. Outside, Lu Linlang was their boss, and they must respect the boss and not be as unruly as they were in the village.

"It's okay, it's okay. The children are not hungry yet. Eat later. Eat quickly." Aunt Dayou did not agree and just asked them to pick up their chopsticks.

"Aunt, we may be guests, but you are also the host. We feel guilty for letting you stand aside and watch us eat. Uncle Dayou, please persuade Aunt. There is so much food anyway, and the children are hungry. We can't let them watch us eat."

After spending time with Lu Linlang today, Lu Dayou already knew that Lu Linlang was a man of her word and had her own persistence in these matters, so he immediately asked the children to sit down.

After Lu Linlang started eating, the others started eating. Although Aunt Dayou was eating, she was still nervous. She was very curious about Lu Linlang, whom she met for the first time, and she felt that there was an invisible pressure from Lu Linlang.