222 Mooncake Festival
Su Zhengde realized how much time and effort he saved by building the Su family’s new house with bricks. The bricks were rectangular and upright, making it convenient to build a wall. Moreover, the red bricks looked good.
“Binglan, I thought of asking for your permission to sell the bricks since you were the one who taught me about them,” Su Zhengde said.
Su Binglan replied smilingly, “I only told you about them, Uncle Zhengde. You were the one who made them. You can decide whether or not you want to sell them.”
“B-But that can’t be.” Su Zhengde knew he would not have thought about forming a construction team, let alone producing the bricks, if it were not for his niece.
Many came looking for him to build things since he formed a construction team and started using bricks. Su Zhengde and his team were busy with work, and the more they did, the more they could earn. He did not have to idle around at home these days.
Su Zhengde was most grateful to his niece, so how could she still be so selfless?
Su Binglan said, “You don’t have to be polite with us, Uncle Zhengde. My father once asked you to build us some furniture, and you refused our payments. I taught you about the bricks to repay your kindness. You can help me build more things if you feel guilty about selling the bricks.”
Su Zhengde waved his hand and said, “That’s an easy feat.”
Su Binglan smiled. “The thing I want you to build is no ordinary thing. You will know when you see it later.”
Su Zhengde became interested when he heard that. “Whatever you want must be fascinating. The architectural design of your house is a good example. More knowledgeable people will be amazed once they’ve seen the completed house.
“Since that is the case, I will sell the bricks fairly. Then the villagers can afford them.”
Many villagers wanted to renovate their houses but would have to spend a lot of money. The people of that era were frugal, after all.
Therefore, when the people saw the bricks, they wanted to buy them to renovate their houses independently. That way, they could save more money.
If the price of bricks were high, the villagers would not be able to afford them, so Su Zhengde had to sell them reasonably. Then it would benefit everyone.
“I still have to think of the villagers,” Su Zhengde said.
First Granduncle Su was the village chief then because he often helped and protected the villagers. He had a lot of prestige, and everyone respected him.
Su Zhengde’s personality was the same as First Granduncle Su. He was hot-blooded and righteous. If First Granduncle Su retired, Su Zhengde would take over as chief.
Su Zhengde sighed and said, “We’re from the same village, so we know it’s not easy here.”
…
When Shen Qiuhua finished grinding the soybeans, she sat on a stool and sorted the wild vegetables. She did not need to work in the field since the Su family had hired long-term workers to help.
Su Fengmao had nothing to do at home, so he leaned on his cane and said, “I’ll go and check on the fields.”
They were going to harvest soon, so he was worried because he did not know whether or not the rice field was doing well.
Su Binglan stopped her father, saying, “It’s best if you walk less, especially with your severely injured foot, Father. I will operate on your foot in the next two days.”
Shen Qiuhua understood how her husband felt very well. She said, “Your father can never stay idle. Still, we prioritize food, especially because the autumn harvest is among us.”
Su Binglan said, “I’ll check on the fields instead.”
Shen Qiuhua said, “Your father won’t be at ease even if you tell him how the rice fields are doing. He’ll only feel better if he sees them for himself.”
Luo Jin’an said, “I’ll go to the fields with Father-in-law.”
Su Binglan looked at her husband as he looked back at her comfortingly. Luo Jin’an said, “It’s okay. I’ll be back soon, and everything will be fine.”
Su Binglan nodded. “Okay.”
When Luo Jin’an and Su Fengmao went to the field, Su Binglan sat on the stool and thought about something. She still had many things she wanted to do since it was late autumn. She thought about what to prioritize.
Shen Qiuhua sorted the vegetables as she said, “The Mooncake Festival is just around the corner, so I’m thinking of making mooncakes for us to worship and admire the moon.”
Su Binglan was stunned when she heard that.
“The Mooncake Festival?” She almost forgot about it.
The customs of this era differed from those of the modern world. Still, the Mooncake Festival and Chinese New Year were significant celebrations in their culture.
“Mother, don’t you think we should make dumplings for the Mooncake Festival?” Su Binglan had previously mentioned that dumplings would liven the atmosphere most.
Her eyes lit up, saying, “Let’s go with mooncakes instead, Mother. Then we can make many and sell them.”
She knew how easy it was to make mooncakes in that era from her memories, especially how straightforward the filling was. However, the outer layer was relatively crunchy, so she wanted to make hers soft.
Then she could put egg yolks, ham, bean paste, fruits, etcetera. They would all taste delicious no matter what.
Su Binglan liked celebrating festivals in that era because the atmosphere was best there. Everyone enjoyed the Mooncake Festival and would take a break from work to gather as a family.
There was also a custom of offering sacrifices to the moon. The villagers would also carry lanterns, offer things to the moon, and worship it. Su Binglan was in high spirits when she thought of that lively scene.
Shen Qiuhua noticed her daughter’s expression and smiled. “Okay, we can make mooncakes if you want to.”
She was also looking forward to it because she knew the mooncakes her daughter wanted to make would be delicious.
Shen Qiuhua was in an excellent mood and looked forward to the Mooncake Festival even more. “How should we make the mooncakes, Binglan?”
“There’s no rush, Mother. I’ll prepare the ingredients over the next few days.”
Su Binglan wanted to prepare chicken puff pastry, so she planned to buy chickens from Su Fengchen. She also needed egg yolks for mooncakes and could buy some from Su Fengchen. Of course, Su Fengchen probably used most of them to make salted and preserved eggs.
Previously, Su Binglan had advised him to buy more eggs from the surrounding villages, so now she could buy whatever she needed from him.
Still, there were other types of fillings Su Binglan could make for the mooncakes, so she had to prepare them first.
“Let’s make more mooncakes and sell them in the shop other than giving them away.” Su Blinglan believed the mooncakes she made would be unique and that her dessert shop would be booming again.
“We can also eat chicken and duck dishes during the Mooncake Festival.” As if she thought of something, Su Binglan continued, “Mother, I’ll go to Uncle Fengchen’s house for a while.”
She wanted to cure her uncle’s hand as soon as possible so that Su Fengchen could make grilled chicken and roasted duck for the festival. After all, those were also essential dishes during the Mooncake Festival.
Su Fengchen had raised many chickens and ducks. He could keep some for their eggs while using the rest for grilled chicken and roasted duck dishes.
Shen Qiuhua looked at her daughter and said, “All right, I’ll come with you.”
Her family had been busy with everything lately, and Shen Qiuhua could not stay idle. Since her days and mood had improved, she was willing to join in the fun.
“Sure, let’s go together, Mother.”
Shen Qiuhua said, “I just picked and sorted these vegetables, so let’s bring them along.”
Wild vegetables were good things to have. The family would give them away whenever they visited someone because of how easy they were to cook.
