Finally, it's time for a proper bath, and Xiaomi is over the moon. Forty days! Forty whole days without bathing!
Heavens know how she managed it!
Before long, Xiaomi was lifted by Second Mother and placed into the perfectly warm water, while Jiang Hu picked up Iron Egg.
"Xiaomi, be good, it's bath time. If you bathe, you won't get sick all year round!"
Second Mother scooped a ladle of water with a gourd scoop, drizzling it down Xiaomi's neck, then gave Iron Egg the same treatment.
Then she covered their foreheads with a wet cloth, softening the cradle cap on their heads for easier cleaning.
Neither Xiaomi nor Iron Egg could sit steadily, so Jiang Hu and Second Mother each supported one child by the back of the neck, letting them recline halfway in the water while carefully washing them bit by bit with the other hand.
As soon as Xiaomi entered the water, she started splashing around, sending water everywhere. Iron Egg got sprayed all over and seemed to catch on to the fun of playing with water, mimicking his sister's actions.
Jiang Hu and Second Mother's clothes got soaked, but neither was angry—in fact, they were even more delighted.
"Iron Egg finally seems lively," Second Mother sighed with relief. "Thank goodness, he's been so quiet for over a month; I was worried he might be slow."
Jiang Hu lovingly touched his son's cheek. "How could that be? Our Iron Egg and his sister are both well-behaved kids. They stayed quiet so that Mother could have a good rest."
Xiaomi bubbled happily, while Iron Egg drank lots of Spiritual Spring water every day, feeling comfortably content and naturally choosing not to be mischievous.
However, thinking of the Spiritual Spring water, Xiaomi, while soaking in the water, secretly added a lot of it to the bath.
There's plenty of Spiritual Spring water, so wasting some doesn't matter. After all, this bathwater will be used to water the vegetables and fields anyway.
"Big Son, the water's a bit cold; get some hot water, please."
"Alrighty."
"Jiang Hu, lift the kids so we can add more hot water..."
After nearly half an hour in the bath, Xiaomi was finally satisfied and lifted out; both Ernie and Big Son each grabbed a small blanket to wrap them up quickly as their parents lifted their siblings from the water.
Actually, there's a fire burning nearby, so it wasn't cold at all, but it's just their family's way of showing care.
"Second Mother, I'll take the hot water to the backyard for you, so you can have a good wash later."
Jiang Hu carried the children's bathwater out to pour onto the vegetable garden. Without the water used for washing nappies, the garden hadn't been growing as fast.
But there was rain a few days ago, which cleaned the seedlings a bit, and today they could finally taste their home-grown vegetables.
While Second Mother dressed the children, Jiang Hu fetched two buckets of hot water, brought a large basin to the back, then found a pot to contain the charcoal embers.
Putting this pot of embers in the bath shed, it's warm without the risk of fire, allowing for a slow, warm bath.
"Later, I'll boil water to kill the rabbit. Xiaomi and Iron Egg can stay on the small bed next to the stove. Big Son and Ernie can watch them, so they won't get cold. Second Mother, take your time bathing in the back, no rush."
The shed behind the house is specially for bathing and relieving oneself, with a ready-made latrine below.
"Alright, Big Son and Ernie, watch over your siblings," Second Mother instructed, eagerly heading off with clean clothes and soapberry.
The children were fine, but she was truly uncomfortable—after childbirth, she was drenched in cold sweat.
At least her body had been wiped down with hot water, but her hair had become quite matted.
She used to worry every day about not having enough milk to feed the baby. Now her daily worry was whether there'd be lice on her head!
Thankfully, at long last, she could finally bathe!
"Dad, are we really having rabbit today?" Rather than being eager for a bath, Big Son clearly cared more about today's lunch.
During the past few days, several village buddies mentioned they'd eaten rabbit at home, but his family hadn't even once!
They ate wild chicken before, but Dad told them not to tell anyone—to keep it a secret. It was so hard because he couldn't brag. He felt so restrained!
Besides, a rabbit has way more meat than a wild chicken! Rabbits used to be sold because they fetched more money.
Admittedly, he craved it; however, Big Son knew his family was different from others. They had brothers and sisters, and it was Dad alone raising the four of them!
So even if he longed for it, he'd never complained at home. Recently, his tummy had been full, and he felt stronger, so what if they didn't have rabbit, as long as there was wild chicken meat?
However, hearing that Dad said they'd have rabbit today, he couldn't help but salivate. After all, it's rabbit—lots of meaty rabbit!
Jiang Hu washed the scent of mugwort from the pot and refilled it with water. "Of course we are; today is the day for Mother, Xiaomi, and Iron Egg to finish their confinement period; it's a good day to celebrate as a family."
Big Son almost jumped up instantly. "Dad, you're amazing! When I grow up, I'll catch rabbits for you to eat too!"
Jiang Hu ruffled his eldest boy's hair. "Alright, Dad will wait for you to grow up. But for now, keep an eye on your brothers and sisters, and later you can help Dad with the fire. We'll stew a big pot of rabbit meat for lunch!"
"Yep, yep." Big Son nodded eagerly, approaching the small bed, noticing how adorable his clean siblings looked and gently touching their little cheeks.
"Xiaomi and Iron Egg, grow up quickly, and I'll catch rabbits for you to eat too."
"Brother, what about me? Will you let me eat too?" Ernie, leaning on the bed, quickly asked.
Big Son grandly waved his hand. "Of course, Ernie will eat together with Xiaomi and Iron Egg!"
Ernie clapped her hands and bounced excitedly. "Big Brother is awesome, Big Brother is the best!"
Xiaomi joined in with her baby babbling of praise for Big Son, and even Iron Egg chimed in on the side.
Hearing the siblings' innocent voices, Jiang Hu felt happy, thinking that family should indeed be full of such love and closeness, to truly feel like a family.
Even rabbit fur can be sold, albeit cheaply. Jiang Hu still set it aside, and once the rabbit was processed, he'd neatly store the fur away.
Xiaomi and Iron Egg, being young, were not suited to watch the butchering of a rabbit, so Jiang Hu deliberately handled it outside, then had Big Son carry hot water to clean it thoroughly, bringing back only the clean, pink rabbit meat.
Seeing the rabbit, Xiaomi instantly got excited.
Rabbit head, spicy rabbit head! Dad, why did you throw away the rabbit's head!
"Does Xiaomi want to eat rabbit too? You're still too young, Xiaomi; when you grow up, you can eat it!"
Ernie patted her sister's belly, trying to soothe her.
Not eating rabbit; it's all about the rabbit head! Spicy rabbit head, Ernie!
Xiaomi, excitedly waving her hands, unfortunately, was not understood by Ernie, who picked up Xiaomi instead.
"Does Xiaomi want to see the rabbit too? Let sis take you there," she said, finding carrying without the wrap even more convenient.
However, Xiaomi feared falling and didn't dare move, but Ernie thought Xiaomi was quiet because she could see Dad cooking the rabbit, so she carried her over to the chopping board area.
As Xiaomi raised her head, she spotted the water tank beside her dad, immediately becoming thrilled.
Water tank! Oh, the water tank!
——————————-End of Part——————————
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