The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Indeed, his own daughter-in-law seemed to share the same heart as him,thinking exactly what he was thinking.

Zhuang Yonghe began to laugh: “You did the right thing. Don’t let Ning girl bring it here tomorrow, I’ll go find her to take it. We have plenty of bean seeds, and they’re really heavy. It’s too tiring to carry them around.”

“Alright.” Mrs. He stood up: “I’ll knead some dough. You take a break and then help me stoke the fire in the stove. We’ll have scallion pancakes for dinner tonight.”

“Okay.” Zhuang Yonghe agreed, and then took a couple more sips of his cold tea.

After Zhuang Qingning returned home, she started to cook little pieces of crispy pork, and also made a dish of mashed garlic eggplant.

When the two dishes were ready, Zhuang Minghao came over in a rush, his cloth cloche wrapping two big scallion pancakes.

They had plenty of layers, were deliciously fragrant with scallions, and the outer crust was perfectly crispy. One could even smell the delightful scent of sesame oil; it appeared some had been added to the mix.

Sesame oil is a rarity; Mrs. He is always careful to conserve it, she only ever used sparing drips during festivals or anniversaries. It appeared that she used more this time around because these two pancakes were a gift for her.

“This is so big, I’m afraid Qingsui and I won’t be able to finish it.” Zhuang Qingning laughed.

“Mom said to bring more. If you can’t finish it, you won’t have to make pancakes for breakfast tomorrow morning.” Zhuang Minghao grinned: “So you two should hurry up and eat. Our pancakes at home are almost done. I need to rush back for dinner. If I get back late, my parents will probably think I’ve been running around playing and will scold me.”

“Don’t rush off.” Zhuang Qingning scooped a small bowl of the crispy pork pieces from the small porcelain basin: “Take this back to eat with the pancakes. I made too much and was thinking of sending some to your house. It just so happens you’re here, so you can bring it back.”

“No, no, my mom specifically told me not to accept any favors from you, Sister Ning.” ZhuangMinghao just laughed: “Otherwise, when I get back, people will say that I accepted them because I am gluttonous. Sister Ning, you can’t let me get scolded.”

Zhuang Minghao usually loved to jest and he was speaking in a lighthearted manner this time as well. Yet his words were serious and pleasing to hear. Zhuang Qingning chuckled: “Take it, and when you get back, just say that I asked you to. If Uncle and Auntie have anything to say, just say I asked you to.” “Moreover, I’m not giving you this for nothing, you need to help me with something in the next few days.”

What is it?” As soon as Zhuang Minghao heard this, he patted his chest: “No matter what you ask, Sister Ning, I’ll make sure to get it done.”

Even if I can t do it, I’ll think of a way to find someone who can. Sister Ning, trust me!”

“It looks like I’ve chosen the right person.” Zhuang Qingning laughed: “It’s not a big deal really. Qingsui and I have been thinking of moving to a new home. It’s a bit lonely at home, so we’re thinking about getting a cat or a dog. If you’re not busy these days, ask around the village and see if any of the cats or dogs are about to have offsprings. Ask on behalf of me and Qingsui.”

“I thought it was something hard, turns out it was this.”

ZhuangMinghao’s chin raised high: “Sister Ning, leave this matter to me. Not to boast, but I know all the cats and dogs in our village and the two or three neighboring villages. Whose cat is amazing, whose dog is stupid, whose cat is beautiful and gentle, I know everything. I promise to find you ones that are not only good-looking but also gentle.”

“Sister Ning, speaking of which, I heard Daniu mentioned it last time. His auntie’s cat is about to give birth and it should happen in a few days. I’ll ask for you tomorrow.”

“Okay, ask when you have time. I’ll leave this matter to you. If it’s done, I’ll buy you sesame candy as a reward.” Zhuang Qingsui patted Zhuang Minghao’s head.

Alright, leave it to me.” ZhuangMinghao chuckled: “You and Qingsui should start eating… I’ll leave first.”

“Go ahead, run a little slower on the way, don’t fall.”

As soon as Zhuang Qingning finished her sentence, Zhuang Minghao had disappeared. From beyond the wall came a distant shout: “Sure…”

He was faster than a rabbit.

Zhuang Qingning smiled wryly and shook her head, then sat down with Zhuang Qingsui for a delicious dinner.

The next day, when they arrived at the town, Zhuang Qingning found an excuse to sneak off after a while of busyness. When she came back, she was carrying a heavily laden hemp sack.

“What’s in this?” Zhuang Qingsui was instantly curious as she looked at the bulging, heavy sack.

“Bean seeds.” Zhuang Qingning said: “I found a place where you can buy good bean seeds. I remember Uncle Yonghe and Auntie He’s house didn’t have enough bean seeds, so I brought some back.”

“Looking at these seeds, they’re pretty good. We should ask them to bring more to our house.”

The hardest part of getting stuff out of thin air is justifying where they came from. Zhuang Qingning had to resort to fabricating a fake trader. She’d say she bought the seeds and if asked who from, she’d say it was someone from the city. She couldn’t remember anything else and was hoping that she could bluff her way through.

When she woke up early the next morning, before Zhuang Qingsui, she took the stuff out of Xiaowu’s and piled at the doorway. She then told Zhuang Qingsui that someone had just delivered it.

Everyone was so busy that no one had the time to delve into it, so she managed to gloss over it.

Concerning her concocted justifications, Zhuang Qingning found them feasible. Besides, she had already become proficient at spinning such lies. Telling these lies now, her face not blushing, her heart not pounding, she felt somewhat self-righteously justifiable.

Even she was starting to believe her lies!

In Zhuang Qingsui’s eyes, everything big sister did was right. She didn’t think too much about it and simply nodded: “Alright.”

Remembering that Zhang Qiuying and Mrs. Cao no longer had land and mentioning bean planting might upset them, Zhuang Qingning decided not to say more.

In the afternoon, Zhuang Qingning transported the bean seeds home using Zhuang Sifu’s bullock cart.

When they reached the front of their house, Zhuang Yonghe was just walking towards them.

How lucky, I was just saying I should come over to see if you’re back, and ask if you’ve got the bean seeds. If you have, I can take them back. That way you won’t have to make another trip carrying them.” Zhuang Yonghe laughed.

“I was just thinking about having Brother Sifu drive the bullock cart directly to the front of the house. It’s lucky you’re here, uncle. You can check these beans and see how many you’ll need at home.”

Zhuang Qingnmg said as she untied the hemp rope holding the sack closed and revealed the bean seeds inside.

As soon as Zhuang Yonghe saw, his eyes widened a bit. He then grabbed a handful and carefully examined it in his hand: “These beans, they look big and round, they look good. There’s not even a single wrinkled or rotten one in here, they’re much better than the ones we saved at home.”