17: Chapter 17 Lending You the Coat (2)_1 17: Chapter 17 Lending You the Coat (2)_1 Lady Chen saw her dressed even better than her own daughter and envy flashed in her eyes, “Once the visitors leave, take it off!” she commanded before going back to her room.
Although they had marriage interviews that morning, Lady Zhu didn’t allow Madam Fang and the others to rest, “Why aren’t you working yet?
When do you plan to finish shucking that pile of corn?
It’s almost ti to take it out to sell.
If you can’t finish shucking in three days, see if I don’t skin you!”
Finishing that pile of corn in three days was practically impossible, shucking them one by one, unless you did nothing else, not eating, drinking, or sleeping.
Lady Fang took a round-bottom wisker basket to the backyard to fill with corn.
anwhile, Old Pei, seeing that the house had cald down, led the ox out the door.
With a gloomy face, Lady Zhu commanded, “Take the large winnowing basket to your room!
It’s taking up all the space in the main room!”
San Ya and Si Ya hurriedly stood up and carried the large winnowing basket out.
Pei Qin frowned slightly as she watched and helped carry the large winnowing basket to the west wing room, then went to help Lady Fang carry the round-bottom wisker basket.
Pei Wendong was also squatting next to the large winnowing basket, shucking corn.
As she watched them shucking the corn one by one, Pei Qin’s knees ached.
She moved a small stool over to sit down, pondered the tool used for shucking, and thought about their current situation.
Shaking her head, she said, “Go find a sack and a mallet!”
“What do you need those for?” asked Si Ya.
Lady Fang, San Ya, and Pei Wendong also looked at her with confusion.
“Just go find them!
If there’s no mallet, find a thick stick!” Pei Qin frowned.
“I’ll go find them!” San Ya quickly stood up and went to look.
Lady Zhu thought they were planning to steal corn, “What’s this now, acting ungratefully towards the family, planning to steal the corn!?”
Pei Qin shot her a cold glance, took a sack, and stuffed the shucked corn into it, tying it tightly.
She threw it onto the ground in the courtyard and began pounding it vigorously with the mallet.
The others watched as the corn kernels rattled inside the sack and fell out.
Joy appeared on their faces.
“Let Mother do it!” Lady Fang took the mallet and let Pei Qin rest to the side.
Soon, the corn in the sack was smashed flat.
Pei Qin turned the sack over and continued pounding.
When it looked about right, she dumped its contents into the large winnowing basket.
Most of it was corn kernels, with only a few still clinging to the cobs.
Pei Qin picked two up and rubbed them against each other, the kernels cascading down.
“Such a ti-saver!” exclaid San Ya, delighted.
Si Ya looked towards Lady Zhu.
Lady Zhu’s mouth twitched.
She nitpicked, “Smashing like this, how many sacks would be enough for you to destroy?
Can you afford to buy new ones if they’re ruined, or would you weave them yourselves?
And look at those ruined corn cobs, what use are they for cooking now!?”
Pei Qin threw down the mallet in frustration, “When you see a sack ruined, you complain!
So what if two sacks are ruined when there’s so much corn to shuck?
And who says you can’t burn crushed corn cobs!?”
Lady Zhu was about to scold her when soone outside called out, saying that visitors from the village were looking for Old Pei’s House.
It was Qian Dog and his family!
Lady Chen rushed out from inside the house, calling out to Lady Zhu as she quickened her pace to et the visitors.
Outside, an old man was driving a donkey cart, with Qian Dog and his mother, Grandma Qian, sitting on it.
Lady Chen greeted them warmly, “Oh my!
Dog himself has co, showing great importance!
And Madam Qian is here too!
Quickly, quickly!
Co inside!”
Lady Zhu also smiled and ushered them in.
Lady Chen called into the house, “Da Ya!
Go pour tea for our honored guests!” Her tone was extrely cordial.
Pei Qin scoffed and stepped out with long strides.
Lady Fang watched, her heart tightening, “Qinqin…”
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