Chapter 174: Didn’t Dare to Make a Fuss After All
The old lady was so incensed by her eldest daughter’s scolding that she could barely breathe.
Eldest Aunt was the old lady’s first child and, more importantly, her only daughter. She had always held a position of some status in the family. In the old lady’s heart, she might have had her doubts about others, but she had always believed her daughter was genuinely filial.
The old lady clutched her chest and pointed at her daughter. "You... you’re in cahoots with the second branch now, too."
Ms. Qian seized the opportunity to twist the knife. "It’s only because she sees the second branch has struck it rich and wants to curry favor with them."
Eldest Aunt glared at Ms. Qian. "Keep spouting nonsense and see if I don’t tell Gu Zhong to divorce you!"
Ms. Qian wanted to retort, but she was genuinely afraid Eldest Aunt would go and speak to Gu Zhong.
Gu Zhong had been very displeased with her lately, so she could only swallow her resentment and stay silent.
Just then, Gu Fei’s bright voice called out from the courtyard, "Aunt! Are you home, Aunt?"
Eldest Aunt hurried out of the old lady’s room, her face breaking into a smile. "Little Fei, you’re here! Come, come sit in my room."
It wasn’t just Gu Fei. Gu Qing had come too, along with Er Lang and Sanlang.
Gu Qing walked into the old lady’s room carrying a suckling pig and a cured fish. He smiled. "Grandma, Young Master Su just sent over some New Year’s gifts. This suckling pig is nice and tender, perfect for an older person. I brought it over for you to enjoy for the New Year."
The old lady’s mouth twitched. She was about to start scolding him, but then she recalled her daughter’s words, which weren’t without reason. With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she said, "How kind of you to still think of this old woman."
Ms. Qian’s eyes lit up at the sight of the suckling pig, but then she immediately pursed her lips. ’There was so much on that carriage, and they only brought this little bit over. So stingy.’
Meanwhile, Gu Fei took a cured chicken and a cured fish into her aunt’s room.
She set the items down. "Aunt, with the New Year just around the corner, you can use this chicken and fish for an extra dish."
Her aunt looked around the room, trying to find something to offer Gu Fei, but there was truly nothing. She looked a little embarrassed. "Sigh. After fleeing the famine, my family has become poor too. I don’t even have anything to offer a guest."
Gu Fei quickly reassured her, "Aunt, it’s always like this at the beginning. Things will get better slowly."
She suddenly recalled that a few days ago, Mrs. Chen had been in an empty side room trying to grow chili peppers. The seeds had already sprouted into small seedlings.
Mrs. Chen had even muttered, "We have so many extra chili seeds. I think there’s enough here to plant dozens of acres."
An idea sparked in Gu Fei’s mind. ’The seeds are just sitting there anyway. Aunt’s family and Youngest Uncle’s family are both struggling right now. Why not have them plant chili peppers too?’
She lowered her voice. "Aunt, what are your family’s plans for after the New Year?"
Her aunt replied, "Your uncle found Liu Zhuangtou. It turns out two tenants are giving up their leases, so our family and your Youngest Uncle’s family are planning to take over the land to plant grain. At least with grain, we won’t starve to death."
Gu Fei thought for a moment. "Aunt, my family is planning to plant chili peppers in the spring."
Her aunt’s eyes lit up. "Chili peppers? Is that what you used in the stir-fried rabbit that time? I think I remember you mentioning it."
Gu Fei nodded. "If you want to plant them too, Aunt, I have some extra seeds."
"But they’re a new crop, so it’s hard to say how they’ll turn out once they’re planted."
’I wonder if the dishes with chili peppers are selling well at Young Master Zhu’s restaurant.’
The aunt considered it. ’This girl, Little Fei, isn’t just capable, she’s lucky too.’
’Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to buy a house and land right after arriving in Ping’an City. If her family is planting chili peppers themselves, what’s there to hesitate about? I’ll just follow their lead.’
She nodded. "In that case, my family will plant chili peppers too. When spring comes, I’ll go to your place to buy the seeds."
Gu Fei smiled. "No need to buy them. We have plenty of extras, so I’ll just give you some, Aunt. If Youngest Uncle wants any, he can just come and get them from me too."