Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard c1-234

by N/A

  Du Xiao Li gave the people that came to deliver the presents each a red packet, and also had them stay for a meal. Before leaving, she even shared some of the wild hare, wild chicken, and whatnot that she'd previously salted with them, saying it was game from the mountains for the county magistrate and Li family's old master to try.

  Red Packets filled with money

  The people that came to deliver the presents, seeing Du Xiao Li as such, all left very satisfied. After leaving, they even mutually sighed at how well she knew how to handle affairs at such a young age.

  After sending away the village chief and the others, the three of them had the bowls and chopsticks cleared away. Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng washed the dishes, while Luo Qi cleaned the courtyard. When everything was done, Du Xiao Li sent off Du Xiu Heng. Because today wasn't a holiday, and for the sake of moving into the new house, Du Xiu Heng had specially asked for a day off to come back.

  Today's two large table full of food were all prepared by her alone. By the time she came back from sending off Du Xiu Heng at the bottom of mountain, she was already about to collapse from exhaustion.

  Looks like this body was still no good! Du Xiao Li sighed.

  As early as the start of the eleventh month, the weather had already turned cold. By the end of the month, the crops in the fields and the grass by the roadside were all white with frost in the mornings. After entering the twelfth month, there was even an instance of light snowfall. Unfortunately, the snowfall was too small, and didn't pile up. However, in the warm southern part of the country like this, for there to be some snowfall was already very rare.

  Aside from occasionally going to the county seat to check on the winery's situation, Du Xiao Li had all her other time used on preparing marinated food for the new year. Because in the past, she'd lived in Sichuan province for a very long period of time and was rather familiar with the things there, she thus salted and smoked meat according to the customs there. She even bought pig's intestines and meat to make link sausage.

  "This is also edible?" Luo Qi looked to the dirty small intestines in the basin and asked.

  "Of course! When new years comes, you'll know!" Du Xiao Li said and then went to go wash the pig intestines, using salt and vinegar to wash repeatedly for more than an hour, before finally finishing. Afterwards, she used a thin string to tie up one end of the intestines, then had the seasoned ground meat stuffed in. Roughly ten some centimeters in, she used a thin string to tie it up, and then continued stuffing, all the way until the small intestine was completely used up.

  After she finished stuffing, she used hot water to wash it once, then lastly place it together with the marinated dried meat to dry in the sun.

  Once everything was prepared, Du Xiao Li then went with Luo Qi to go chop some pine wood to bring back, and outside the courtyard, built a temporary tall stove. They hung a portion of the sausages and dried meat on there, covered a oilskin on top, and then lit a fire below. Afterwards, they had the pine wood put in. Because the pine wood was moist, very soon, white smoke appeared from inside.

  "What's the point of this?" Luo Qi saw how Du Xiao Li's eyes were even squinted due to the white smoke and asked.

  "Dried meant and sausage smoked using pine wood taste different from naturally air-dried ones. You'll know once you try some. Cough, cough....." Another puff of white smoke rose out from below, causing Du Xiao Li's tears to come streaming down. She quickly stood up and ran to the side, wanting to use her sleeve to wipe her tears, but Luo Qi had already handed over a blue handkerchief.

  "Thank you big brother Luo Qi." Du Xiao Li accepted the handkerchief and roughly wiped her tears a few times, finally returning to normal.

  After almost two-hours, Du Xiao Li took out the smoked sausage and dry meat and hung them together with the other meat to air-dry for a few days.

  Aside from dry meat and sausages, Du Xiao Li also bought a lot of New Year's goods. When everything was more or less prepared, the weather also reached the coldest period.

  (T/N: New Year goods are usually the dry snacks that are sold around Chinese New Years. Dry fruits and nuts are quite commonly sold.)

  During this period, Du Xiao Li didn't go out much, nesting in bed all day to practice her inner energy.

  The eight of the twelfth lunar month* just happened to be Du Xiu Heng's eleventh birthday. Before noon that day, Du Xiao Li and Luo Qi headed to the county seat and waited outside the school for Du Xiu Heng to come out.

  (T/N: This is also the day of the Laba Festival, celebrating the enlightenment of Buddha.)

  "Big brother!" Du Xiao Li saw Du Xiu Heng coming out from the school and waved her little hand at him.

  Du Xiu Heng and Zhang Rui were preparing to go eat together, and upon seeing Du Xiao Li, the two quickly walked over.

  "Younger sister, how come you've come?" Du Xiu Heng asked.

  "Today's your birthday, you can't go back, so we thus came over. I reserved a private room at Tonglai Inn. Let's go over now. Big brother Zhang Rui come too, just think of it as celebrating big brother's birthday." Du Xiao Li went forward and grabbed Du Xiu Heng's hand, saying with a smile.

  "Xiu Heng, so today's your birthday, why didn't you tell me beforehand, making me not the least bit prepared." Zhang Rui said.

  "I forgot, if not for younger sister, I wouldn't have remembered." Du Xiu Heng somewhat awkwardly scratched his head.

  Du Xiao Li smiled and said, "I just knew you would forget. Let's go."

  The party arrived at Tonglai Inn, and because Du Xiao Li had previously said they would come over at this time, the dishes were already prepared. As soon as they arrived, the dishes were served up.

  Du Xiu Heng looked to the table full of food and said, "Younger sister, how can you order this many dishes, such a waste of money!"

  "It's a rare occasion, celebrating your birthday with you." Du Xiao Li said. Others didn't know, but Du Xiu Heng understood her meaning. This was the first birthday she's celebrated with him since coming to this world. "You all eat first. I'm going to go downstair and have a look."

  With that said, Du Xiao Li went down. Du Xiu Heng and Zhang Rui both didn't know what she went to go do right now.

  A while later, Du Xiao Li came up carrying a bowl of minced meat noodles. She had the noodles placed before Du Xiu Heng and said, "Happy birthday big brother!"

  So she went just now to go make him longevity noodles!

  Du Xiu Heng looked to the noodles before him, his tears instantly bubbling up. He immediately used his sleeves to wipe them.

  "Aiyaa, such a good day, why are you crying!" Zhang Rui saw Du Xiu Heng's appearance and said with a smile.

  "I'm just too moved!" Du Xiu Heng wiped his tears dry and looked to Du Xiao Li, saying: "Younger sister, thank you!"

  T/N: Regular chapter for today lol! Thanks to the many sponsors I should be able to wrap up the remaining parts of this long chapter by end of today! Which is like 4-5am for me because I have a messed up sleep schedule. Also random but lately I've been listening to this song while translating and got really addicted and wanted to share---check it out!

  Ch. 057.7 – Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (7)

  Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (7)

  T/N: Chapter sponsored by Kim, Christiine, Nøïr! Thank you for supporting!

  He really was moved. In the past, on his birthday every year, Su Su Xin would always make him a bowl of longevity noodles, even saying that one must eat longevity noodles on birthdays. This year, Su Su Xin died. He thought that this year, he won't have noodles to eat anymore, but unexpectedly Du Xiao Li made himself a bowl! That's why, when he saw the noodles, his tears uncontrollably squeezed out.

  "I remember every year during the new years, mother would always make a bowl of noodles for you. Now that mother isn't here anymore, before you find yourself a wife, I will make this noodle for you. Quick, see how it tastes, otherwise the noodles will bloat up." Du Xiao Li urged.

  "En!" Du Xiu Heng picked up the chopsticks and
took a bite, saying: "Very delicious, the same as the ones mother made!"

  "Haha, as long as it's good. Alright, big brother Luo Qi, big brother Zhang Rui, let's eat too." Du Xiao Li said, afterwards went for the ribs in front of her.

  In her past life, she lost her loved ones when she was very small. No one has ever cared for her, and she also never cared for someone else before either. Right now, to be able to make a bowl of longevity noodles for her family, even she herself felt incomparably happy.

  After eating, Du Xiao Li had Du Xiu Heng and Zhang Rui sent back to the school, and afterwards headed back with Luo Qi on foot. However, once they reached a place with no one around, they both flew away using qinggong.

  As the saying goes, once the eight of the twelfth month (Laba) passes, it is the new year. As soon as the Laba festival passed, the entire village began brimming with the new years festivity. Unlike Du Xiao Li, who'd long had the things for the new years prepared, everyone all began preparing after Laba. However, the things they needed to prepare weren't like Du Xiao Li's and needed a very long time before it can be eaten. That's why, preparing a little later, they can eat it just in time for the new year.

  (T/N: Laba literally just means eighth of the twelfth lunar month.)

  As per tradition, Du Xiao Li and Luo Qi had the house cleaned prior the twenty-third of the twelfth month. Because it was a new house, there weren't much that needed to be cleaned. In the afternoon of the twenty-second of the twelfth month, Du Xiu Heng's new year's holiday began, because on the twenty-third that day, the government officials will be celebrating the little year*.

  (*T/N: This is one of those older traditional holidays that's rooted in Chinese mythology and Daoism; the sacrificing to the Kitchen god is a part of this holiday.)

  On the twenty-third this day, Du Xiao Li, Du Xiu Heng and Luo Qi woke up early to offer sacrifices to the Kitchen god. On the twenty-fourth they celebrated the little year, and out of courtesy, she still went to go invite her third uncle and fourth uncle's family.

  Du Xiang and Du Ping, previously, because were afraid of Du Fu, this eldest brother, watched on helplessly as they kicked the siblings out. That's why, afterwards, when Du Xiao Li's living conditions improved, they didn't come fawn over either. And now that Du Xiao Li invited them for a reunion, they even found it somewhat embarrassing.

  Du Xiao Li although knew that they weren't her actual blood-related uncles, for better or worse, they were still Du Hai's brothers. For their mother's and their sake, Du Hai can be said to have devoted a lot of effort. Even though Du Xiang and Du Ping didn't extend a helping hand to them when they were in trouble, at least they didn't throw stones at someone who was down either.

  The third brother, Du Xiang, has a wife and three kids. Fourth brother, Du Ping's wife has passed away, leaving behind only two sons.

  Du Xiao Li made two tables of dishes. Recently, she's taught Luo Qi how to make some simple dishes, so Luo Qi right now could also help her with some small tasks and whatnot.

  As for Du Fu's family, they've long been excluded by Du Xiao Li.

  Du Xiao Li had the previously marinated dry meat and sausage steamed for everyone to try. Regardless whether it was adult or child, everyone all said it was delicious.

  Luo Qi compared the ones that were smoked with pine wood with the ones that weren't smoked and discovered that the flavor was very different. However, both were very delicious.

  When the finished eating, the third brother's wife carried the dishes into the kitchen along with Du Xiao Li. After putting down the dishes, she stood to the side and watched Du Xiao Li boil hot water to wash the dishes. Seeing Du Xiao Li intently minding her own business, she thus shyly and awkwardly asked if she can give them a bit.

  (T/N: Author doesn't specify what exactly so I'm not sure what she wants either.)

  Du Xiao Li looked to the third one's wife and very bluntly refused, "On the twentieth that day, I sent quite a bit over to Madam Li and the county magistrate. Right now, there's already not much left."

  Previously, she did indeed give some to Li Xue Qing and Li Xue Mei, but that didn't mean she didn't have anymore. Just, this third one's wife really is somewhat greedy and insatiable. Her inviting them over for a meal was nothing more than seeing on Du Hai's behalf. This one rather knows how to climb up along the pole!

  Hearing Du Xiao Li say it like that, her face flushed red and resentfully shot a glare at Du Xiao Li, before turning to leave the kitchen.

  If it was that girl in the past, she could still imitate Cui-shi and make things difficult for her, but she currently had connections with the county magistrate, so even if she was unsatisfied, she could only swallow it into her stomach.

  Else, she could steal from the county magistrate?

  Du Xiao Li sensed her dissatisfaction and heard her gathering her kids to go back outside. After letting out a cold snort, she turned around and added a bit of firewood into the stove. Then, she reached her hand in to test the waters. Feeling that the temperature was just about right, she finally had the fire put out and began washing the dishes.

  She'd previously thought that third one's wife came in to help her wash the dishes, but turns out, she just came to asking for something. And the third family's three children all left with their mother. When they left, they didn't even say a single word of farewell. Rather, Du Ping's two children came in, and said they wanted to help Du Xiao Li wash the dishes.

  Du Xiao Li didn't hold back either and let them each wash some with herself. All the way until all the dishes were done, the two brothers finally shook the water off their hands, bid Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng farwell, and went back.

  After today, Du Xiao Li more or less had Du Xiang and Du Ping's family figured out.

  From the twenty-fifth to the twenty-ninth, these few days all went by very peacefully. In the blink of an eye, the lunar new year's eve arrived.

  Last day of the lunar year, the night of the lunar new year's eve.

  During the day, Du Xiao Li thinking that tonight they were going to see the new year together, ran into her room to go fiddle with something. Du Xiu Heng and Luo Qi both didn't know what she was doing. Until after dinner, while everyone was sitting in the central room, preparing to start the boring wait for the new year. At this time, Du Xiao Li ran to her room and brought out a set of playing cards, saying: "Let's play cards."

  "Cards?"

  Du Xiao Li took out the imitation playing cards she made and said, "Let's play Fight the Landlord."

  (T/N: I played this once in college, and tbh I still have no idea how it works---here the rules if you're curious.)

  "What's Fight the Landlord?" Luo Qi asked with a smile.

  "It's a kind of playing card game, very simple. I'll teach you. You'll know how to play immediately." Du Xiao Li said.

  She first had the card's suits and numbers explained to them. Then, she explained to them the rules of Fight the Landlord, and the two very quickly understood. By the time they got the hang of it, the three of them thus began playing in the central room. Afterwards, because the weather was too cold, they decided to move their battle into Du Xiu Heng's bedroom. The three of them huddled on the bed and continued battling.

  By the zi-hour(11pm-1am), waves of firecrackers sounded in the village. Du Xiao Li also in the moment prior, stopped their game and went into the courtyard, waiting for the arrival of the new year. Hearing the other families setting off firecrackers, Luo Qi also had the firecrackers in the courtyard lit.

  "Pi Li Pa La----"

  Du Xiao Li covered her ears and stood together with Du Xiu Heng and Luo Qi, watching the firecracker emit sparks, lighting up the night. Her first year here has finally passed.

  At the same time, thousands of miles away in the capital city, the mourning bell in the palace sounded. A sharp voice mournfully shouted, "His Majesty has passed-----"

  This year, for Feng Ming, should be the most cheerless year. Because the emperor passed away, the entire country halted all entertainment activity
. Everyone all observed a period of mourning for the emperor.

  However, this didn't have any affect towards the remote little mountain village's Du Xiao Li. She still ate and drank whenever she wanted, practiced martial arts when she should, and when she was free, go visit the winery. When the tangerine tree germinated, she began tidying the tangerine tree's soft shoots.

  Ch. 057.8 – Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (8)

  Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (8)

  T/N: Chapter sponsored by Innovare, K. Samel, and Eva! Thank you for supporting!

  She circled around the tangerine orchard and had those excess shoots and those shoots that grew too long all cut, so as to avoid the branches from growing too lush and stealing the nutrients from the fruits.

  "Li girl-----"

  Just when Du Xiao Li was working in the tangerine orchard, Li Ming Fu came to the foot of the mountain and called out towards her at the waist of the mountain.

  "Village chief." Du Xiao Li came down the mountain and asked with a smile, "Village chief, do you need me for something?"

  "It's like this, I heard you and the Li family opened a fruit wine winery." The village chief said.

  Du Xiao Li thought for a moment, Li Ming Fu can also be considered the county magistrate's relative. Actually, speaking of this, he just had some connections to the Li family, thus him knowing this matter wasn't that strange either.

  "Yes." Du Xiao Li didn't avoid either and batted her eyes at Li Ming Fu, saying: "Village chief needs to keep the secret for me!"

  "Haha, okay okay." Li Ming Fu was amused by Du Xiao Li's appearance and said, "I definitely won't tell others. Li girl, I heard that winery specifically uses fruits as the raw ingredient, is this true?"

  Du Xiao Li nodded.

  "You see how behind our Du village is just a bunch of mountains. If even this tangerine of yours can be planted on the mountains, then other fruits can also be planted on the mountains, right? I plan on opening up that area for development to plant fruits." Li Ming Fu said.