Chapter 40

"This year looks like it will be a bumper year for peaches," Song Zhiyuan went to the orchard and came back with a worried expression on his face, "Those yellow peaches from the south grow too well, each one bulging out and weighing down the branches."

"Is it bad that they grow well?" Song Dingxiang handed a handkerchief to Song Zhiyuan to wipe his face.

Song Zhiyuan shook his head, "Those yellow peaches don't sell as well as the peaches here. There were still quite a few left over last year that ended up sun-dried, and it looks like another batch will go to waste this year."

Fruit is actually not easy to sell, especially fresh fruit. Pears and persimmons are easier, as they freeze in cold weather and can be sold throughout the winter.

If there are too many persimmons, they can be made into persimmon cakes, which have a white frost on them that helps with coughs - anyone with a cough can eat a piece and get better.

Apples and hawthorns can be dried and sold in the winter. Pomegranates are even easier to store, as long as they are not kept in a warm or frozen place, they can be eaten all winter.

Unfortunately, peaches present a significant storage challenge. While it seems incredibly wasteful to resort to sun-drying, the reality is that their fresh market life is limited to a mere month.

Consequently, when the harvest yields an abundance of ripe peaches, the most practical solution often involves sun-drying, making it a rarity to savor the succulent taste of fresh peaches during the winter season.

But ever since Song Dingxiang started making spicy cabbage, apples and pears are no longer a worry - if they can't be sold fresh, they are all shredded and made into spicy cabbage. This spicy cabbage sells really well, with vendors coming every day to buy barrels of it, which are almost sold out after going around once.

Even though spicy cabbage is a bit more expensive than pickled cabbage, it is still very popular.

Nowadays, the most troublesome thing is peaches. Once July arrives, peaches start ripening one after another, reaching their peak in August.

By September, when the weather turns cold, the peaches start to spoil because they can't be stored properly.

Last year, Song Dingxiang didn't pay attention to the fruit situation at home, and with the lower production of yellow peaches last year, Song Zhiyuan wasn't concerned either. However, this year with the abundant harvest of yellow peaches, they had no choice but to worry.

People from the north don't feel particularly fond of yellow peaches, as their fibers are coarser than the crispy peaches unique to the northern regions, and they are not as sweet. Typically, they are only eaten fresh.

However, quite a few dried yellow peaches were made last year, which were either sold or given as gifts without much left over.

Song Dingxiang had a plan long ago, but because the initial costs were high, she had not mentioned it. However, seeing Song Zhiyuan's worries now, she couldn't help but speak up.

"Dad, I have a solution."

Fang Shi was knitting gloves nearby and upon hearing this, she quickly asked, "What's the solution? You are always the most clever one, so hurry up and give your dad some ideas."

Song Dingxiang smiled, "Yellow peaches may not taste as good as our local crispy peaches and honey peaches, but they are easy to preserve as canned fruit because they don't easily spoil. The cans used for storage must be ceramic, and a lot of sugar is needed to make the preserves. However, well-sealed canned fruit can be bought and enjoyed in winter with the same taste as fresh peaches."

Fang Shi asked, "How do you know that these preserves won't spoil?"

Song Dingxiang replied, "When I was helping Hutou in town before, I heard merchants from the south talk about it. Since they have an abundance of yellow peaches over there, they use this method to store them when they can't eat them all, and they can be stored for a long time."

Song Zhiyuan scooped up some water from the vat and poured it down his throat, wiping his mouth, "Since it's feasible, I'll go order the jars and give it a try."

Fang Shi asked, "But those are ceramic jars, won't they cost a lot?"

Usually, the family uses pottery jars and bowls, which are cheap. Porcelain bowls are expensive, although there are a few sets in the house, they are mostly used for special occasions.

Song Zhiyuan's thoughts were more long-term than Fang Shi's, he said, "If we can really store them until winter and they taste almost as good as fresh fruit, we can definitely sell them for a good price. The cost of these ceramic jars will be recovered. Dingxiang, did they mention what kind of ceramic jars to use? "

Song Dingxiang gestured and said, "I was curious and asked a few questions. They said if it's for gifting, they use delicate small jars about half a foot high. For large-scale storage, they use big-bellied jars, making sure to seal them properly. Before filling the jars, the inside must be wiped with white wine, boiled in a pot, and then while hot, the cooked fruit and syrup are poured in, sealed, and stored in a cool place."

"It's just ceramic jars and sugar, right? Fine, anyway, thanks to you, we've made quite a bit of money these past two years, let's give it a try." Song Zhiyuan looked at Fang Shi, "Wife, you handle the money, I'll go order the jars."

"Listen to everything she says, but what if it doesn't turn out well?" Fang Shi put down the gloves in her hand, muttering as she went to look for the money, "The jars can be sold later, but the sugar will be wasted."

"We won't know if it works until we try. If it does, we won't have to worry about wasting those old fruits anymore." Song Zhiyuan truly felt sorry for the fruits that rotted every year.

If the fruits could be turned into money, then what is the harm in buying some ceramic jars upfront?

Although Fang Shi was heartbroken, she still handed over the money saved over the past two years, "I still need to keep some money for household expenses. Here, take all of these... It's really hard, the money can't be saved at home for long, a little savings and you are already thinking of how to invest it."

Song Dingxiang smiled, "Mom, in these years, every penny I invested has brought back more money, haven't they?"

Fang Shi gave her a disdainful look and said, "If it weren't for this, do you think I would give you a copper coin?!"

Song Zhiyuan took the money and hurriedly walked out, he needed to quickly go to the neighboring village's porcelain workshop to order the jars.

Song Dingxiang chased after him, grabbing his arm and said, "Dad, order more jars, we have so many fruit trees in the house, it's a waste to dry all the fruits, it would be great if we could make fruit wine."

Fruit wine is not a particularly rare thing, the history of brewing fruit wine in the south has been long. However, it is mostly small workshops that produce it, and it is rarely seen in the north.

Song Zhiyuan also knew that fruits could be used to make wine, but he was unsure of how to do it or what equipment was needed.

"You know how to make wine?"

Song Dingxiang whispered, "I didn't say it earlier because I saw mom was feeling sorry, but the merchant said that making fruit wine is just fermentation, very easy. But if it's not done well, it can turn sour. However, sour fruit vinegar is also very tasty, have a few sips after overeating, they say it aids digestion. Since he said it can be done, and I read in a book about making wine with chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, if flowers can be used, why can't our fruits?"

Song Zhiyuan thought for a moment and said, "Let's make a little less this year. I'll go buy a few large vats for brewing... Maybe we can store them in the new house, and you and dad can secretly make it."

Not even the soil from the lotus pond excavation was wasted, they hired someone to make adobe bricks and built new houses in the two large yards for the pigsty. They also spent a good amount on blue bricks for flooring and wall bases, making the new houses spacious.

However, for the time being, no one lived in the new houses, they were filled with random items.

"You're the best, dad!" Song Dingxiang chuckled and watched Song Zhiyuan leave before going back inside.

Seeing her, Fang Shi said annoyed, "What small talk were you discussing with your dad? You were keeping it from me? Why, afraid I'd be upset if I heard?"

"Mom," Song Dingxiang smiled and approached, "Why would I be afraid of you being upset? I was just discussing with dad about what type of jars would be most suitable. By the way, mom, why aren't you selling tea today?"

Fang Shi said, "I won't go anymore. From now on, your eldest aunt will take Zhao Di to sell tea. Their family is not easy, especially now that Zhao Di is pregnant, it's not easy at all. Even though it's just a few copper coins, it's good to give them to your eldest aunt."

Fang Shi is the kind of person who is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.

She felt sorry for the money, complained a little, but still tried to provide as much convenience as possible for Song Dingxiang. The same goes for Zhang Shi, even though they have their own families now.

As long as it doesn't jeopardize the family, she is not willing to argue over a few copper coins of profit with her sisters-in-law. Besides, Zhang Shi is grateful and works hard every day without fighting, so Fang Shi doesn't mind at all.

"Mom is really kind." Song Dingxiang genuinely liked all the people in this big family.

Fang Shi snorted and said, "I'm kind? You're still hanging out with your dad behind my back."

Song Dingxiang chuckled awkwardly, picked up her gloves, and continued knitting. Just as she started, she heard someone outside calling for Song Xingyi.

Song Xingyi came out, and there was a young man standing at the door who greeted him, "Is this Fourth Master Song Si? I'm a servant at the town academy, here to deliver a letter to your young master." He then handed over a letter.

Song Xingyi hurriedly invited the young man inside, but he declined, saying, "No need, no need. I have other matters to attend to here. I've delivered the letter, so I should go attend to something else."

With that, he turned and left.

Song Xingyi opened the letter and read it, then called out to Song Dingxiang in the yard, "Er Ni'er, come to your grandmother's room, there's something to discuss."

"What's the matter now?" Fang Shi asked, carrying her sewing basket, following them to the main house.

Song Xingyi's face lit up as he said, "It's good news. Zhixuan wrote in the letter that the lotus flowers in our pond will bloom in a few days. He wants to bring some friends over for a flower-viewing and calligraphy event. When the flowers bloom, we'll send him a letter and prepare some food and tea for them."

Song Dingxiang's lips curved into a gentle smile, "That's great news. Holding a calligraphy event at our lotus pond will enhance our scholarly atmosphere. But I heard that the young aunt is pregnant, I wonder if she'll be able to come back."

Song Xingyi grinned and said, "The letter mentioned that they want your aunt to come back for childbirth. It's not good to stay at her parents' house when she's about to give birth. Ah, our family is getting more and more children, this is prosperity."

With a large family and harmonious relationships between siblings and sisters-in-law, it is truly a sign of prosperity. It's no wonder Song Xingyi smiles all day long, without a worry in the world.

Fang Shi was puzzled and asked, "This is good news, but why did you call my Second Daughter to come over?"

Song Xingyi replied, "Isn't she full of good ideas? Let her help think about how we can arrange things, what kind of tea and snacks to prepare."

Song Dingxiang thought for a moment and said, "They will need to write and paint for the calligraphy event, so we should lend them some clean long tables. For tea, we should prepare a few sets of tea sets we have at home. As for the tea... those scholars must have had plenty of good tea, so our usual choices might not impress them. I suggest we brew lotus leaf and flower tea, chrysanthemum tea, jasmine tea, and hawthorn fruit tea. And since they will be writing, big and crumbly snacks won't do, so let's steam some meat or sweet-filled buns, made delicately and beautifully."

"I knew she would have great ideas!" Song Xingyi chuckled, "She's so clever. As for the meat-filled buns, that's easy, but what filling should we use for the sweet buns? Let's prepare that too."

Song Dingxiang rested her chin and thought for a moment, then brightened up, saying, "For the meat buns, we can use pork, but we should add some finely chopped water chestnut for a fresh texture. As for the sweet buns, don't we have some ripe fruit at home? We can use that to make filling, each fruit providing a different flavor. And for the dough, we can use spinach juice, carrot juice, and beetroot juice to give the buns a colorful look."

"Oh, where did you come up with these ideas? No wonder your sister and I are so dull, all the cleverness seems to be on you," Fang Shi exclaimed, amazed.

Li shi laughed and said, "Our Dingxiang might have been enlightened by a fairy."

Song Dingxiang looked around and suddenly said, "Grandpa, Grandma, Mom... what if I told you I really have seen a fairy, would you believe me?"

Fang Shi was shocked and exclaimed, "How can you say such things? You've really seen a fairy?"

Song Dingxiang whispered, "Yes, at that time, I was feeling down, right? Later, when I was unconscious, a female fairy spoke to me, saying that the reason I was feeling down before was because my soul was unstable, lacking a complete soul. She found that missing piece of my soul and needed to stabilize it when my soul became unstable again. When I woke up, I suddenly felt exceptionally intelligent, but I didn't dare to speak out, fearing that everything I thought of was fake. But now, I feel like I should tell you all."

Li shi and Song Xingyi's expressions changed, and Li shi nervously asked, "Besides us, have you told anyone else?"

Song Dingxiang quickly shook her head and said, "I haven't told anyone, because I was afraid. Grandma, you know I didn't have any thoughts before, and later I lied to my mother, saying I was afraid that my future in-laws wouldn't allow me to do things, and at a young age, I didn't dare to cause trouble. But the more I think about it, the more I feel like the reason I have so many ideas now is because my soul has returned, and it's been nurtured by the fairy for fourteen years."

Li shi patted her chest and said, "I also think it must be like that. Remember, our Dingxiang was scared when she was little, always crying at night. It took me calling her soul for several days to calm her down."

In the old days, many people believed that a child's night crying was due to seeing unclean things, so they would have older family members help call their soul back while also asking the unclean things to leave.

Fang Shi nodded quickly, of course she knew about this. Song Dingxiang was weak when she was little, and a few months after she was born, she would cry all night until Li shi called her soul back for several days to make her stop crying.

Song Dingxiang chose this moment to speak because she felt she needed to pave the way for her future thoughts. She couldn't keep lying every time she came up with something, as the lies would only get bigger and eventually unravel.

She also knew that people at this time were superstitious, so saying that her soul had been with a fairy, making her spiritually enlightened, would be believable.

Song Xingyi, as he tapped his pipe, said, "No wonder, since our Dingxiang improved, she has become more sensible than before and spiritually enlightened. It turns out she has been with a fairy. It's true, our family can be considered to have received blessings from the fairy."

Song Dingxiang was afraid they would overthink things, so she quickly added, "But I only have ideas about insignificant things, like food and drink, or some knitting. I'm not good at much else."

Fang Shi scolded her, saying, "What else do you want? Isn't this enough? The ideas and ways you think of are things many people can't even come up with. Alright, alright, from now on I won't stop you from saying anything. Our Dingxiang has at least received blessings from the fairy."

Li shi also smiled and said, "Exactly, isn't life all about eating and drinking? You have some ideas, our family can earn a little money, and that's enough. We don't dare to have too much good fortune, otherwise, we might encounter troubles."

"I can't take it, I need to go out for a smoke." Song Xingyi was too excited, he grabbed his pipe and said, "Oh, as for this calligraphy and painting club, Dingxiang, you can decide everything." After speaking, he strode out of the door.

Li shi said, "Your grandfather is so happy, he always felt guilty towards you before, and since you liked playing with him when you were little, he cherishes you. Now that he knows you've turned your misfortune into a blessing, his heart can finally rest."

"Oh right, didn't you want to make fruit jam? Go check the garden and see if any fruits are ripe, get ready, your brother and your uncle should be in the garden at this time."

Song Dingxiang responded and left the room. After she left, Li shi turned to Fang Shi and said, "Our Dingxiang has received blessings from the fairy, but I feel both happy and worried in my heart."

Fang Shi smiled and asked, "Why worried? This is a good thing."

Song Lishi replied, "I'm afraid she won't handle this good fortune well, she may be spiritually enlightened in money matters, but her marriage may not necessarily be smooth sailing. Think about it, things have been complicated since she woke up, and her husband has been in military service for almost three years and hasn't returned. You... oh, don't take this too much to heart. People, when things go well on one end, they might encounter problems on the other end."

Fang Shi understood what Lishi was trying to say and her eyes reddened, "If that's the case, I hope she doesn't make too much money, just enough to eat and drink. As a mother, all I want is for my daughter to marry well and be happy. If my eldest daughter's marriage turns out like that, I would feel uneasy, so if she's turns out the same, I... I would be heartbroken."

Li shi said, "My two elder daughters are married far away, I only see them once a year. Once they are married, sometimes they have to rely on themselves. Fortunately, our two sons are with me, and the family is well taken care of inside and out. But who knows if life can really be as heartwarming as we hope?"

After wiping her eyes, Fang Shi said, "If all mothers-in-law were like you, that would be great."

Li shi gave a bitter smile and said, "Who isn't raised by their parents? I just hope to treat you well, so that the blessings can fall on my daughters as well, and let them live well. It's all a mother's heart. But you and the eldest are doing well, not too troublesome. I know you've given up the tea cart to the eldest, and it warms my heart. Our people are not doing things just for a few coins, maybe that's why we've received blessings from the fairy."

After a moment of silence, Fang Shi said, "Well, why ask for so much? As long as the children are safe and sound, I'll be content."

Regardless of money, all she hoped for was the well-being of her family and children, and other things weren't that important.

——— Author's Note:

Song Dingxiang: Sometimes, a little superstition isn't a bad thing.