Chapter 16
As she walked on their way to the stream she noticed how every where had gone silent. It was 5pm now which was the time people of this era ate to avoid wasting oil on lamp. So they cooked early after returning from fields to eat and go to sleep being the reason why everywhere was quiet. It was actually a good thing which meant few people at the stream.
If the stream was crowded no fishes would be caught because they would scare it away. She had already thought of a method to lure the fishes and catch them. Watching the kids happily skipping with the bucket she smiled. Within a few minutes they were already at the stream and as expected it was deserted. Placing the bucket on the ground she signaled the kids to shush by placing her hands on her lips. Imitating her movement they did say told even quietly tip toeing to the stream.
The stream looked quiet and clear. You could see fishes swimming quickly across it. After observing the stream she started preparing her traps. Looking around she spotted bamboo trees and went for it. Chopping some down with the knife she picked up while looking the door she gathered them together. The people here used their bare hands to catch the fishes which was time consuming. Another thing was that they barely ate fish due to the fishy smell from it. But as a time traveler she knew ginger could be used to eliminate the fishy smell and also the lake water as a secret recipe making her confident that the fishy would turn out delicious.
Gathering the chopped bamboo she started making the bamboo trap. It was a simple and easier way of catching fishes. She cut and prepared the bamboo 1-2 inches in diameter then arranged the pole in a funnel shape making the entrance wide and the exit narrow. This could trap the fishes inside then tied the pole together with a rattan the trap was already. Looking satisfied she prepared to start fishing. They kids looked at her in awe in excitement while keeping shut.
"Watch how I catch those fishes". Su Ying boasted.
Lowering the trap into the stream, she quietly waited for the fishes to enter. She had discreetly dropped a bit of lake water into the bamboo poles before lowering it into the stream. This was why she was confident that the fishes would soon swarm there and as expected they fishes was quickly attracted to the area. Watching the fishes flapping in the water, they kids were so excited that they shouted in excitement.
"Mother look they fishes have gathered here. Oh no! They're escaping, catch them quickly before the run away".
With that they both entered the water and started catching the fishes. Su Ying let them have fun. The side she fished was quite shallow so she wasn't afraid of them drowning. Quickly they filled the bucket with three big carps, two crabs a few shrimps. Seeing that it was enough she quickly removed the trap and they fish scattered returning to the stream. Disappointed, they kids recluntantly came out of the water all wet.
"It's alright you both. Look how many you caught so don't be disappointed. Besides we can't finish them all now leaving them to die so this is enough. Come let's go home you're all wet before you catch a cold"
Although it was mid-july and the weather was hot it was better safe than sorry. So she decided it was time they went home.
They kids although disappointed knew that their mother was right so they went home with her. Looking at the fishes in the bucket their mother was carrying and remembering how much fun they had they were happy. Even the mature Xiao Yu had a smile on his face proving that no matter how matured he acted he was still a child.
Carrying the bucket, Su Ying lead the way and they arrived at home. It was now 5:30pm. Taking advantage of the light she headed into the kitchen and made the fire immediately boiling water for bathing. She asked they kids to strip off their clothes and prepare to bath. Looking at the firewood in the kitchen she knew it wouldn't last till tomorrow so she made a mental note to bring back firewood when she entered the mountains tomorrow.
The water boiled and she brought it off the fire and brought the remaining bucket for bathing. Luckily they had two bathing bucket so leaving the one which had the fishes in it she used the other one to mix the bathing water and carried it to the courtyard. Quickly bathing them both she made them wear the clothes she washed earlier and then washed the one they removed and spread it.
She had also added a bit of lake water to the bathing water she used to bathe them. Leading them inside she went to have her own bathe. This time she didn't use the space but choose to bathe outside. Her cheap husband wasn't back so she had nothing to fear. Their house was completely isolated from the village so she wiped down and changed her clothes before going in to start preparing the fish as dinner.