Leaving the Tongfu Restaurant, the whole family was extremely happy, and when they left, the shopkeeper had the waiter pack those two plates of pastries to take home for the children.
They originally wanted to eat wontons, but their stomachs were already full, and they ate even better than they would have with wontons.
"Erniang, let's go see the doctor first," Jiang Hu was still thinking about this.
He had been to the town several times and was familiar with it, so despite Erniang's objections, he dragged her directly to the pharmacy.
Fortunately, after taking her pulse, the doctor said Erniang's health was recovering well, and she didn't even need medicine.
Though no medicine was needed, there was still a consultation fee, two copper coins.
When they left the pharmacy, Erniang was distressed, "I told you I was fine, and now we've wasted two copper coins for nothing."
But Jiang Hu had a different perspective, "Even though we spent two copper coins, at least we have peace of mind. It's like spending money to buy peace of mind, no problem."
"Dawa, hold onto Erni, don't get separated. We'll go buy vegetable seeds first and plant them in the idle land nearby."
Erniang nodded but hesitated, looking at the two little ones dozing in her arms.
"But Brother Hu, our vegetables tasted good because of the millet and eggs. If we plant them again, I'm afraid they won't be the same."
After all, their diapers had been washed by the river recently.
"Plus, the weather is getting warmer, and soon we won't even need diapers for the little ones."
As Jiang Hu knew how to care for children, having taken care of Dawa and Erni himself when his parents weren't around, he had already considered these aspects.
Looking around, it was already afternoon, and the streets were empty, so discussing these not-so-graceful topics wouldn't be too embarrassing.
"Don't worry, Erniang. I've thought about it. As the children grow up, they'll produce more waste. We'll catch it in a potty, add two pails of water each day, pour half by the river, and use half to water the vegetables!"
Little Millet, almost drifting to sleep, was instantly awakened by their parents' words.
Listening to their parents, Little Millet covered her face in frustration. Oh my, why can something like waste be distributed so seriously!
But on second thought, without fertilizer, farming relied on these things. It's said that in the past, people raising cattle would take a basket with them, collecting cow dung to bring home.
Oh dear parents, don't just focus on me and Egg! The contents of our home toilet can also water the fields!
Unfortunately, the couple discussing agriculture didn't notice Little Millet's frustrated expression.
And even if they did, they wouldn't understand, only assuming she was hungry or thirsty.
After buying seeds, Jiang Hu also bought twenty jin of rice. The brown rice was cheap, but twenty jin still cost forty copper coins. But thinking of selling twenty jin of vegetables for a hundred copper tomorrow eased his heartache.
Recently, with a full stomach, everyone had more energy for work, so Jiang Hu's next goal was to ensure the whole family ate their fill while keeping savings at home.
At the grain shop, Little Millet perked up, completely forgetting the earlier embarrassment, and widened her eyes to look closely at the store's offerings.
In addition to various seeds, there were crushed corn, cornmeal, sorghum rice, polished rice, wheat flour, millet, black rice, red rice, and more!
Not only that, there were various beans, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and even dried fish!
Large pieces of dried fish that didn't look like river fish but rather sea fish!
Little Millet was amazed. Such a small town had sea fish!
From her observations, this area was mountainous with limited rainfall, not a coastal region.
But Jiang Hu and Erniang, having bought what they needed, were soon off to buy some fabric, as the weather was getting warmer, and thinner coats were necessary.
Adults had old clothes to wear, and Dawa and Erni's could be altered smaller to fit Little Millet and Egg. But new clothes would have to be made for Dawa and Erni.
Possibly due to better nutrition for over a month, along with milk powder and Spiritual Spring water, these siblings showed signs of growth within such a short period.
On their way back, Jiang Hu splurged a bit and hired an ox cart for two copper coins to take them to Fuan Village!
But to keep a low profile, Jiang Hu woke the sleeping siblings as they neared the village, along with Erniang, who was asleep on his shoulder, and had them walk the rest of the way while the ox cart returned.
"Dawa, Erni, remember, our cabbage sells for two copper coins per jin, got it?"
Erni nodded obediently, while Dawa stretched and rubbed his eyes, "Why, Dad?"
He had overheard his dad signing a note with Shopkeeper Liu for five copper coins.
Jiang Hu ruffled Dawa's hair, "If someone else knew we had money and tried to rob us, could you protect your mother and siblings?"
Dawa puffed out his chest, "Of course, I'll protect them!"
Jiang Hu raised an eyebrow, "But what if an adult like me held you down, and others tried to take the money, what would you do?"
Dawa's proud expression wilted, brow furrowed in thought, "Wouldn't you protect them, Dad?"
"What if there were many people, ten, or eight adults, that even I couldn't handle?"
"Huh?" Dawa was stunned, "Would that many people try to rob us?"
Jiang Hu chuckled, "If bad people knew we had money, and you're still young, they might rob us. You know money can buy many things."
Dawa started to understand, "I get it now. You once said we shouldn't flaunt our wealth, or others might become envious and do bad things."
By then, they were near the village entrance, and from afar, someone saw them and approached. Jiang Hu's family lived on the outskirts, so unless they went over the mountain, they'd have to pass through this path.
Jiang Hu nodded with a smile, "Smart Dawa, just understand that while we earn little money, we shouldn't let others envy us. This is to protect your mother and siblings, got it?"
Dawa perked up again, holding his head high with pride, "I get it, Dad. Don't worry, I'll protect them!"
Though the method is different, he knew he was protecting his siblings!