Chapter 122: Building the Ice Cellar

After finishing the work in the fields, everyone began preparing for the winter quarters. Specifically, each household now ate only two meals a day: one in the late morning and one in the late afternoon, both of which were rather thin gruels. The main goal was to conserve grain.

More people started going up the mountain, searching for wild fruits, gathering wild vegetables, and collecting firewood, all kept busy in a whirlwind of activity.

At this moment, four or five strangers entered the village.

The veteran comrades who stayed behind instantly became alert. Granny Cui took the lead and blocked their way. “Who are you looking for?”

Tall and sturdy, they didn’t look like good people—could they be kidnappers again?

The leader forced a sincere smile. “Comrade Tang Zhiqing sent us. He said we’re here to dig an ice cellar.”

Upon hearing Tang Zhiqing’s name, Granny Cui’s guard softened slightly but she still said, “Wait here. I’ll go call Tang Zhiqing.”

The strangers obediently waited in place.

Elsewhere, Tang Banxia was baffled upon hearing the news. Was Xiao Bai really that efficient? Had he found trustworthy people so quickly?

When she reached the village entrance, she asked, “Who sent you?”

The leader smiled honestly, “Comrade Wen Mubai.”

At that moment, Geng Zhengfei returned and saw the scene at the village entrance. “Tang Zhiqing, who are these?”

“Xiao Bai brought them to dig an ice cellar,” Tang Banxia replied succinctly.

“Oh, so that’s what this is about!” Geng Zhengfei mused. “Wen Zhiqing was asking me about this a few days ago. Didn’t expect he’d find people so quickly.”

Tang Banxia smiled slightly. “Xiao Bai is always so swift and energetic.”

The veterans thought of Wen Mubai’s performance in the fields, their lips twitching in unison.

There’s a saying, isn’t there? Love makes one blind!

“Come with me.” Tang Banxia turned and led the group back home, pointing out the west wing. “Let’s put it there.”

Then she turned to Geng Zhengfei. “Secretary Geng, I still have to go up the mountain later. Can I trouble you to watch over things? I’ll call Xiao Bai over soon.”

Geng Zhengfei’s expression was serious. “Just as well, I’m free.”

Calm and composed, Tang Banxia locked her bedroom door and set off with her herb basket on her back.

However, before heading up the mountain, she first stopped by the Song household, where she happened to bump into Song Third. Tang Banxia nodded slightly but said nothing, only to be pulled inside by Old Madam Song.

Not long ago, Song Third had quite a complicated dispute with Tang Banxia’s former mother-in-law’s family. In the end, it was Old Madam Song who spoke up, saying that if it couldn’t be resolved, he would be kicked out. Only then did Song Third stop pretending to be dead.

No one knew how he negotiated with the former mother-in-law’s family, but the matter was ultimately settled.

Old Madam Song was annoyed but had no reason to expel him anymore.

Indeed, she wanted a clean break with Third, but she had to stand on the moral high ground. There were still so many children in the family—if their reputation was tarnished, finding brides would be difficult.

“Little Tang Zhiqing, you’re here?” Old Madam Song’s thoughts raced, but her expression remained composed.

“Yes, I arranged with Song Yu to go up the mountain,” Tang Banxia said, pulling out a packet of medicine from her basket. “Auntie, I heard you’ve been coughing these days. The autumn harvest must have worn you out. This is to replenish your blood and soothe your lungs. Remember to take it.”

“Oh, how can I accept this? Let me get you a consultation fee,” Old Madam Song said, warmth flowing through her heart. Just a few coughs, and Little Tang Zhiqing had taken notice.

Tang Banxia waved her off. “These are all herbs gathered from the mountain. They’re not worth much, just take it.”

With all the care Old Madam Song had shown her during the harvest, Tang Banxia felt she must repay the kindness.

After a moment of hesitation, Old Madam Song reluctantly accepted the medicine, then asked, “Little Tang Zhiqing, why did you decide to go up the mountain with my Liyu?”

It wasn’t that Tang Banxia was cautious, but Liyu was special. The fewer people who knew about her, the safer she would be.

Tang Banxia understood but had already prepared an excuse. “It was your Liyu. She’s so thoughtful. When she heard that sugar pear soup helps with coughs, she insisted on coming with me.”

She envied Song Yu’s good fortune but wasn’t heartless. Song Yu was still young, and the unpredictability of the mountain was too great to risk her safety.

Hearing this, Old Madam Song was moved to tears. In this whole family, only Liyu and Little Tang Zhiqing truly cared about her cough.

“I’ll go with you!” Old Madam Song said.

She trusted Little Tang Zhiqing’s character but dared not joke with Liyu. By following along, she could help gather herbs and also shield Liyu a little.

“Alright, the more the merrier,” Tang Banxia smiled.

When the three stepped out, Song Qing was washing clothes in the yard. Seeing the trio, a dark glint flashed in her eyes. “Grandma, what are you all up to?”

Old Madam Song snorted coldly. Song Yu said softly, “We’re going up the mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Song Qing immediately dropped the laundry. “I’ll come with you.”

Tang Banxia raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

As expected, Old Madam Song firmly refused. “Why would you go? We’re gathering herbs.”

Song Qing wasn’t offended. “I know a few herbs myself. Maybe I can help.”

After speaking, her expression shifted to one of sadness and vulnerability. “My dad said Grandma hasn’t been feeling well these days and asked me to help out more.”

They were talking inside, not hiding from anyone. It wasn’t unusual for her to overhear.

Old Madam Song’s expression softened. Despite her deep disappointment in her son, she was moved by his concern.

Tang Banxia noticed this and clicked her tongue.

Isn’t motherhood the greatest bind on a woman?

Once a woman is labeled a mother, she becomes invincible, willing to die without regret for her children.

“Come along. We’re just picking herbs—nothing shameful about that,” Tang Banxia said.

She held no goodwill toward Song Qing, but this trip was just to gather some commonly used herbs.

So, Song Qing naturally joined the group.

However, as they passed the clinic, Tang Banxia called Liu Hongfen to join, wanting to give her apprentice some practical experience.

The four became five, and at the foot of the mountain, they ran into Xu Sheng, turning the group into six.

By then, Song Qing’s expression had darkened considerably.

With so many people following, how could her plan be carried out?

Unconsciously, she glanced at the large and small figures walking hand in hand ahead, her eyes filled with resentment.

Xu Sheng noticed this, his gaze sharp before quickly lowering his curled lashes, hiding the look in his eyes.

True to her word, once on the mountain, Tang Banxia gathered herbs while carefully instructing Liu Hongfen and Song Yu.

This time, she didn’t let Song Yu choose the path as before but took full control, visiting places where herbs were commonly collected.

Yet, luck played a powerful role. Song Yu still discovered new things even in familiar places, earning Tang Banxia’s admiration.

Looking up at the tall pear tree before her, Tang Banxia silently closed her mouth.

In other words, luck is undeniable.

After all this time gathering herbs here, she had never seen this pear tree. But after bringing Song Yu once, there it was?

Indeed, the heavens favored some more than others.

Still, she stood tall and said, “Auntie, I wasn’t lying. I told you there’s a pear tree here.”

Old Madam Song looked on with gratitude.

Tang Banxia then fashioned a simple tool for picking fruit, and the six of them shared the entire pear tree’s yield.

Returning fully laden, Old Madam Song helped carry Tang Banxia’s share of pears home. Seeing the comings and goings of people, she was curious. “Tang Zhiqing, who are all these people?”

“Xiao Bai brought them to dig an ice cellar,” Tang Banxia brushed it off, then explained, “Some herbs need to be stored in an ice cellar; otherwise, they lose their potency. It’s a waste. I thought digging one would better help treat the villagers.”

Well, actually, that wasn’t the real reason.

She mainly wanted to dig an ice cellar to store food. These past two summers, smoked and cured meats were the main fare, which wasn’t good—eating too much could cause cancer.

Of course, storing herbs was also part of the reasoning.

Old Madam Song took it to heart and immediately spread word of Tang Banxia’s kindness and beauty.

She said Tang Banxia was selflessly building the ice cellar out of her own pocket to help treat the sick, thinking of everyone’s welfare.

Tang Banxia: hmm...

Yes, it’s her, it’s really her—the selfless and devoted Tang Zhiqing!