Chapter 71: A Warm Jacket

Translator: CokeZero  Editor: Rainystars

Lu Jiao walked Lady Zhao and the others out. While she did this, she thanked everyone who helped her.

The others happily returned the appreciation, “We should be the ones thanking you. You agreed to teach us how to identify herbs. That is a huge favor.”

After everyone left, Xie Xiaobao walked in from outside the gate. In his hand was a crucian carp that weighed more than two pounds.

“Third aunty, here’s a fish for you. I caught a few but this one’s the biggest one.”

Xie Xiaobao’s clothes were sticky with mud, but he was in a great mood.

Lu Jiao saw the fish and realized a problem. Though they’ve been eating well, they’ve only been eating land animal meat, which could cause inflammation. The four little ones were small in size and were also short.

Lu Jiao wanted the quadruplets to drink milk. That way, they could get the calcium needed to grow taller.

Since the quadruplets were born together and were premature, they started off skinnier and smaller. The poor nutrition later didn’t help their growth. At this rate, they may end up very short.

Lu Jiao was worried. Sadly, there was no milk to be found. So, she thought, she could make more fish and have them drink fish soup. Later, she’ll have to figure out how to get them some milk. If there was no cow’s milk, she could get them some sheep’s milk.

Lu Jiao took over the carp and smiled, “How much? I’ll pay you for it.”

Xie Xiaobao pouted unhappily, “Third aunty, I don’t want money. It’s a gift.”

Lu Jiao didn’t fight it and asked, “Is it easy to catch fish in the village?”

Xie Xiaobao nodded, “It’s alright. But the fish usually tastes very fishy and has a strong scent. So most people don’t want to eat it.”

Though they were considered to be a source of protein, nobody liked fish due to the fishy smell.

He only decided to catch some fish today because he had craved something meaty.

Lu Jiao grinned, “I will cook this and give you some to try. I promise you it won’t have a strong scent.”

She added, “Ah, I want to discuss something with you. If you catch fish again, sell it to me. I will buy it at market price.”

In town, fish were sold for 10 tokens per pound. Xie Xiaobao wavered. However, he still looked up to Lu Jiao and shook his head, “No, third aunty, I want to give it to you for free.”

Lu Jiao laughed. How funny, this little guy was embarrassed. She thought about it and asked, “What if I trade you meat for fish? When I hunt down animals from the mountains, I’ll give you some in exchange for fish.”

“Isn’t that a bad deal for you?”

To Xie Xiaobao, meat was far more expensive than fish. Lu Jiao, however, had made up her mind, “That settles it then. Bring over any fish you manage to catch. Any fish will do, eel… loach…”

Xie Xiaobao was shocked, “How do you eat those things? They’re so gross.”

“It’s okay. I know how to make them tasty. I will let you try.”

Xie Xiaobao nodded. Lu Jiao shoved him two pieces of candy to thank him for today’s fish. Xie Xiaobao left excitedly.

Lu Jiao took the fish and told Lady Tian that they’ll have fish for dinner.

Lady Tian nodded mindlessly. Lu Jiao noticed how she was distracted and asked caringly, “Mom, what’s the matter? Do you feel sick? If you are sick, I can help.”

Lady Tian shook her head. She opened her mouth but quickly closed it again. It was as if she found it difficult to speak.

Lu Jiao thought it through. Could it be that Lady Tian wanted Lu Jiao to teach her own family how to identify herbs? After all, it was brought up today that she would be teaching everyone from the Xie Village that skill.

“Mom, you want me to teach my sisters-in-law how to harvest herbs?”

Lady Tian answered carefully, “Though they have their problems, we shouldn’t fight endlessly over five taels of silver. After all, we fought over money because our lives are hard. That is why I wonder if you can teach them all about herbs. That way, our lives can get easier.”

Lu Jiao wasn’t that angry at the Lu family. She simply wanted to teach them a lesson. Plus, she had already figured out a way to make sure the Lu family could get consistent income. It was because of the fight that she didn’t end up telling them about it.

Lu Jiao thought about it and said to Lady Tian, “Mom, I’m fine with that. But, even if they learn that skill, it’s not a reliable source of income. The only reason why there are so many herbs up on the mountain is that nobody harvested them for years. Once everyone learns what they are and starts to harvest, there won’t be much left.

I have already figured out a way for the family to earn consistent income. I struggled with it for a while but decided to teach you tofu making. Once you learn that, you will have a source of income and your lives will improve.”

Lady Tian was in full shock after she heard what Lu Jiao said. She jumped up, “Jiaoijao, you know how to make tofu?”

She then thought of something and started to shake her head, “No, no, no, tofu making is serious craftsmanship. You should save that skill to teach the quadruplets.”

Lu Jiao couldn’t help but laugh. The father of the quadruplets will one day be the First Assistant. How could he let his children make tofu for a living?

Lu Jiao didn’t tell Lady Tian all that. She laughed, “Mom, I have other tricks up my sleeve that I will teach my children later. Tofu making is only the method I thought suited the Lu family well.”

Before Lady Tian could answer, a person slipped in from the outside and hugged Lu Jiao.

Lu Jiao subconsciously wanted to slap him away but realized that it was her brother Lu Gui.

Lu Gui excitedly held onto Lu Jiao, “Sister, you are truly my sister. We have been so wrong before. We never should’ve treated you that way. Please don’t be mad, sister. I will treat you so well going forward.”

His sister knew how to save lives, knew how to identify herbs, and now told them she knew how to make tofu. More importantly, she was willing to teach that skill to the family.

Lu Gui admired his sister so much right now. He was no longer like his old self who used to be scared to come and visit because all the villagers complained about his sister.

This time, all the villagers complimented his sister and described her as generous, kind, and caring.

Those words were like sugar water to his ears.

Lu Jiao pushed Lu Gui away, “Keep your distance from me.”

Lu Gui’s face dropped and he spoke carefully, “Sister, are you still mad at me? I was in the wrong. Brother and sister-in-law were also in the wrong. Don’t be mad. I’ll ask them to apologize to you.”

Lu Jiao brandished her arm in annoyance, “Enough. I don’t care about your apology. You think I am angry because of your attitude? I am angry because of the way you treated mom. The only reason I’m teaching you tofu making is because of mom, not because of you.”

Lu Gui straightened his chest and promised, “Sister, don’t worry, we won’t make mom mad anymore. I will be the first in line to object if someone pisses off mom.”

Inside the kitchen, Lady Tian wiped away her tears. This was her Jiaojiao! She was considerate with everything she did. There was a common saying that having a daughter was the same as having a warm jacket. That saying sure was accurate.

Lu Jiao stared at Lu Gui and slowly stated, “I am only going to teach mom how to make tofu. The rest of you can help her out. As for selling the tofu, the three of you go make sales, and mom distributes your salary. Each one of you gets three tokens for every 10 pounds sold. If you manage to sell 100 pounds in a day, you get 30 tokens. That makes up for 2 taels of silver a month or 12 a year.

That money would be considered your personal money. The money needed to support the family’s necessities would be paid for by mom. What do you think?”