"Ah, I can't catch the culprit, and mom will be even more worried. She definitely won't let me go out." Su Qingluo propped her face with her hands, sighing.
"Then let's wait for a few more days."
Little Kingfisher was very considerate: "Anyway, the gold mine won't run away. It's not too late to go after the thief is caught."
"Ah, that's the only way."
Su Qingluo hung her little head, listless: "Luckily we're close to the riverbank, so I can sneak out to play in the water from time to time. Otherwise, being cooped up at home all day would be boring."
"Master, I'll go to the mountain to pick some medicinal plants."
Little Kingfisher, being playful, couldn't stay still and fluttered its wings for a few times before finding an excuse and flying away again.
"Ain't loyal, always sneaking out to play alone."
Su Qingluo watched Little Kingfisher fly away enviously and closed the window reluctantly.
Since there's nothing to play with, might as well sleep!
She was still a growing child herself, and sleep helps her bones grow. Having a reasonable nap can make her grow taller.
**
"Sister Yu, the sour plum soup is ready."
Li Xiu'e brought the prepared sour plum soup to her little daughter's bedroom, peeked through the window at the sleeping child, shook her head with a smile, and carried the tray back to the kitchen.
She poured the full pot of sour plum soup into a clean wooden barrel and carried the barrel to the well.
After being cooled by the well water, the sour plum soup became refreshing and chilled, perfect for Sister Yu to enjoy when she woke up.
She thought about this and sped up her work, tying the wooden barrel with a rope, immersing it in the well, and floating it on the water surface.
After placing the barrel, she returned to the kitchen to clean up the pots and bowls. Once everything was tidy, she took her needle and thread and sat in the shady spot in the courtyard to embroider handkerchiefs.
Her embroidery was excellent, with fine stitches and bright colors, very popular among the young ladies. Before Sister Yu joined the family, Li Xiu'e used to embroider handkerchiefs to supplement the household income.
Although their financial situation had improved in recent years, she hadn't laid down this craft. In her spare time, she embroidered several handkerchiefs and pouches for her daughter and son to use as they attended the school.
*********
Su Qingluo slept until the evening. When she woke up, the kitchen was already filled with smoke as Li Xiu'e began preparing dinner.
As the sun set in the west, Su Hu and other hunters from the village returned from hunting, chatting and laughing as they walked down the hill, warmly greeting the villagers sitting in the shade under the old locust tree at the village entrance.
"What did you catch today, Su's lad?"
The white-haired Old Village Chief knocked his pipe on his heel, walked out of his yard with his hands behind his back, and squinted his eyes, peering into Su Hu's basket.
"Not much, just caught a rabbit. I'll give it to you, sir."
Su Hu took off the basket from his shoulder, deftly pulled out the gray-haired wild rabbit, and stuffed it into the Village Chief's arms.
The wild rabbit was still alive, its right leg broken, twitching in pain.
"Haha, Su's lad, you're really capable."
The Old Village Chief laughed heartily, not forgetting the main topic: "Your daughter, Sister Qiao's schooling in the county town has been arranged. Mingshui Academy, the best academy in our county."
"Thank you, Village Chief, for all your efforts."
Su Hu was overjoyed and spoke incoherently: "I'll go to Furong Town tomorrow to buy some good wine to thank you."
"We're all family here in the village, no need to be so polite."
Old Village Chief grinned, holding the rabbit: "It's all thanks to your daughter Sister Qiao's hard work. She passed the County Examination at the age of thirteen and became the first female scholar in Woniu Village in a hundred years. After the County Examination, when she becomes a Female Official, it will be the glory of our entire Woniu Village."
"Hehe, thanks to your blessings, sir. When Sister Qiao becomes successful, she'll thank you," Su Hu said, his heart blooming with joy as he grinned foolishly.