Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 127 - 127: 125: Careful Calculation – Sisi Preparing for a Rainy Day

“Yes! Indeed, public opinion is fearsome! Well said, teacher!”

Thinking about the investigative report provided by her subordinates and comparing it to the person in front of her, the Old Madam couldn’t help but sigh at the truth of these words.

“Since the Old Madam investigated Sisi’s background, she must have also found out that Sisi went to Heji Clinic a few days ago. Dr. He’s character should be trustworthy to the Old Madam! Speaking of small families, thirty years ago, the head of the Gan Family toiled and studied diligently, finally achieving success and bringing honor to the family. This story is known by every man, woman, and child in the small town. As for taking advantage of the Gan Family, how could Sisi, a mere woman, do such a thing? Aren’t you being too hard on her?”

Old Madam was clearly taken aback by Liu Sisi’s words, giving her a surprised look before her expression softened after pondering for a moment.

“Since the teacher has been injured, it would be best to focus on recovery. When your health has improved, continuing your studies won’t be late. I was reckless just now, and I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

As she spoke, she turned to the elder servant next to her and instructed, “Go and pick some of the finest medicinal materials and give them to the teacher. Speaking of which, up until now, our Gan Family has not given the teacher even a single reward. It’s truly shameful, shameful!”

“The Old Madam is too serious! This matter is Sisi’s fault, and I hope the Old Madam will be understanding.” Liu Sisi said with a light laugh as she bowed.

“Very well, very well! What a clever and eloquent woman! But I have confidence that I will not choose the wrong person, and you must be able to educate my grandchildren well.” A swift glint of light flashed across the Old Madam’s eyes.

“The Old Madam is too kind with her praises.”

As Liu Sisi went with the flow, she naturally blurred the matter.

Although there had been some minor twists and turns, the final goal was achieved! Looking back at the Gan Mansion, Liu Sisi let out a sigh.

“Ye Lei! Let’s visit father in the afternoon? We don’t have any good stuff at home, so we can buy some suitable things to send to him!” Liu Sisi’s voice was filled with cheerfulness.

Looking at the large package of items Di Yelei held in his arms, her eyebrows curved upwards, resembling a crescent moon.

The gifts from the Gan Mansion, as expected from a wealthy family, were generous. In addition to ten taels of silver ingots, there were two pieces of silk cloth, four sets of autumn and winter clothes, a jar of wine, and ten strips of bacon! Additionally, there were valuable medicinal materials like codonopsis, gastrodia, donkey-hide gelatin, and caterpillar fungus. Although the amounts were not large, their value was quite high.

Following the local custom, an education gift usually consisted of ten strips of bacon and one tael of patterned silver each month.

However, the gift from the Gan Family was clearly on a much higher scale!

Di Yelei’s face turned sour as soon as he left the Gan Mansion; receiving so many education gifts for just one student, but as for him…

Secretly clenching his fists, his determination grew even stronger!

No matter what, he must let Sisi live a good life!

The two went to the grocery store and bought some suitable rice and other food. The people in the old house were frugal, rarely eating white rice and pure flour throughout the year. Di Yelei directly bought fifty pounds of pure flour, some glutinous rice sugar and brown sugar, then stopped his purchases.

He still remembered that buying a simple cake for the children last time had cost them 300 copper coins. The prices of sugar and pastries in this era were not only rare but also frighteningly expensive. It was better to make their own!

Liu Sisi thought for a moment: “We still need to return the silver. It’s not good to visit empty-handed. Instead of buying this expensive candy, why don’t we buy more raw materials and make some delicious, beautiful, and present-worthy food to give as gifts?”

As she spoke, she put the candy back and bought some essential items like white sugar, clear sugar, brown sugar, honey, butter, baking soda, raisins, sesame seeds, peanuts, and red beans. Then, she went to the market, bought a big white gourd, and finally headed home.

“It’s a pity we don’t have milk or an oven at home, otherwise the taste would be even better,” Liu Sisi sighed.

She had decided to make a few of her signature pastries.

“What is an oven?”

“An oven is… It’s like the box used by the street vendors who roast sweet potatoes.” Liu Sisi didn’t know how to explain it properly.

“Li Wu has a roasting tube for sweet potatoes. His family used to sell roasted sweet potatoes, but they stopped after business got bad. As for milk, I know that Old Sun’s family in the east of the town sells it. They have several cows and provide milk to the nearby wealthy families at a high price. You wait a moment, I’ll go and see.” Di Yelei said and ran off. Shortly after, he returned with a bamboo tube of milk, which made Liu Sisi’s eyes curve in laughter.

When they arrived home, Liu Sisi immediately directed Di Yelei to start kneading the dough. Her hands seemed to be unable to do any delicate work for a short time.

She separated the egg yolks and egg whites, then mixed the egg whites with a little salt and white sugar. She stirred the mixture until bubbles formed, added sugar again, and continued stirring until it reached a creamy state. She mixed the egg yolks with half a basin of flour, added one pound of white sugar, and stirred evenly. After mixing the bamboo tube of milk, she poured the combined mixture into a greased tray. When half of the mixture was poured, she added cooked red beans and then continued filling the tray.

Di Xuan had also borrowed the roasting tube, and Liu Sisi had Di Yelei place each tray into the tube. She filled up all five layers of grid spaces with large plates, sealed the tube, and set the red-hot steel carbon at the bottom to heat it.

In the big pot, Liu Sisi strained the boiled pumpkin and added it to the flour to let Di Yelei continue kneading the dough. The pumpkin pancake-making process was simple, and Di Yelei was able to do it without Liu Sisi’s detailed instructions.

“Are you hot? Have a sip of water.”

While Di Yelei was kneading the dough, Liu Sisi quickly offered water and delicately wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“I’m not hot. Sisi, did you buy that white gourd to make white gourd cakes? If so, I can make them later too,” Di Yelei said as he wiped his dripping sweat.

With a chuckle, Liu Sisi replied, “No, it’s for making white gourd candy. The children have no snacks, and we don’t have anything presentable for guests at home. So, I thought white gourd candy can be stored for a long time and can be offered to guests, killing two birds with one stone.”

Di Yelei paused briefly before nodding and continuing to knead the dough: “You’re right. It used to be just me, a big rough man, at home, and no one said much. Now that you’ve married in, there will inevitably be relatives and neighbors visiting, so we should indeed prepare some food for them. The white gourd candy can’t be made that quickly, so I’ll make it when I have free time. Don’t tire yourself out while your hand is still injured.”

The movements of the man’s waving arms were extraordinarily brisk, and his kneading posture had a rhythmic beauty.

The slanting sun shone through the window lattice, casting a shimmering light on his bronze-colored back. It was dazzling, just like Michelangelo’s David Sculpture.

Liu Sisi was so fascinated!

By the time she came back to her senses, Di Yelei had already put the pumpkin pancakes in the oil pan. She blushed and went forward to help add firewood.