Chapter 79: Having a Daughter

After finishing the dishes, Madam Zhao hurried home to make candied peanuts.

“Husband, go back and pick through the peanuts once more,” she said, her tone anxious.

“Alright,” Father Jiang nodded, knowing she wanted to make candied peanuts for their daughter.

As Mrs. Qian stepped out the door, she happened to see this scene. Noticing Father Jiang leaving, she suddenly strode over to Madam Zhao.

“Sister-in-law, since you love your daughter-in-law so much, why not have a daughter of your own?”

Just the sight of Mrs. Qian irritated Madam Zhao. Hearing such a question, she replied bluntly, “That’s none of your business! Mind your own mouth and your daughter, and stop bothering our family.”

Madam Zhao was an extremely decisive person. No matter how wealthy the other party might be, if she didn’t get along with someone, she couldn’t be bothered to make conversation. So, after finishing up in the kitchen, she hurried back home at a trot to make the candied peanuts.

When she returned, Father Jiang had already shelled all the peanuts and was boiling the sugar.

Taking the spatula from him, Madam Zhao began working. Father Jiang put down the fire poker and, a bit worried, asked her, “San-niang, is there something on your mind?”

She grunted in response and, not avoiding him, said, “When I gave birth to our eldest, it was a difficult labor and my health was harmed. Being able to have Cheng’an was already a blessing. I’ve been thinking, should I see a doctor and… try for another child?”

Father Jiang’s fire poker fell to the ground with a thud.

“A daughter?” he asked, his voice husky—a rare occurrence.

Madam Zhao nodded. “A daughter. A girl just like our little one.”

Sweet syrup melted in the pot, filling even the air with its sugary scent.

...

Bai Yan’s family’s rabbit mushrooms were selling exceptionally well. In less than ten days, a reply had come from Magistrate Chen, saying the rabbit mushrooms were very popular and encouraging them to keep cultivating.

When Bai Yan heard this news, she shook her head without hesitation. After thinking a moment, she said, “No, you can’t become fat in one bite.”

“Don’t worry about him—just do things your own way,” Jiang Chengyan said as he repaired the plow.

Bai Yan squatted in front of him, cupping his face in both hands, and said earnestly, “I’m not just playing around!”

Jiang Chengyan only smiled and said nothing.

But when he went to put away the repaired plow, his gaze suddenly stopped.

The little patch in the yard that had been set aside for flowers was now a lush carpet of green. He bent down for a closer look and saw a patch of shepherd’s purse, tender and vibrant—perfect for eating.

If he remembered correctly, she’d only dug up those wild greens a few days ago while washing clothes with him and planted them here. Yet, in new soil, they were thriving.

It was only then that Jiang Chengyan began to seriously inspect their thirty acres of wasteland.

While the bean seedlings in other households had yet to stir, theirs had already sprouted, looking particularly robust. Even the apple trees were coming to life.

This rabbit spirit seemed to possess a calming effect on plants.

As Jiang Chengyan watched Bai Yan, she suddenly threw down her hoe and ran over to him.

“Hurry home—it’s going to rain,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the house.

Jiang Chengyan glanced at the sky. It was still perfectly clear.

“You don’t believe me!” Bai Yan glared back at him when he didn’t move.

“Hey, big brother, the weather’s great today—shall we go hunting?” Zhao Chiujiu called up from the path below, carrying his bow.

Jiang Chengyan didn’t even respond, heading straight toward Bai Yan.

Zhao Chiujiu was left speechless. “Well, aren’t you just the worst—abandoning friends for love.”