Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

The crab oil was ready. Qingge stood by the stove, and Zhang Sanlang scooped a spoonful of crab oil and poured it over the rice before handing it to him. He took a couple of bites, his mouth full of crab oil, and mumbled as he looked up and said he wanted to eat this again tomorrow.

Not even the crab shells were wasted. After removing the crab meat, the remaining shells were poured into an iron pot, water was added, and the pot was brought to a boil over high heat. A few slices of ginger were thrown into the pot, and the soup gradually turned white. The remaining meat and roe in the crab shells tumbled in the boiling water, and all the umami flavor was forced out.

About half an hour later, the crab shells were taken out, leaving a pot of milky white crab shell soup. A pinch of salt was sprinkled on top, and a bowl was ladled out for Ximei. She held the bowl with both hands, took a small sip without saying a word, and then took another sip.

We didn't throw away the crab shells left over after making the soup.

As soon as Mother He came out of the back room, Zhang Sanlang spread the crab shells on the stove to drain, explaining that they would be dried in the sun, ground into powder, and mixed with wheat bran to feed the chickens.

By the time the sun had set beyond the west wall of the old house, everything on the stove was ready.

The stir-fried vegetables with pork cracklings are served on a plate, glistening with oil.

The pork skin jelly has solidified into a crystal-clear block. Cut it into neat little squares, arrange them on a plate, and drizzle with minced ginger and soy sauce.

Four crab-stuffed oranges nestled plumply in the steamer.

The crab oil rice is served in a large bowl, with golden crab oil coating the millet rice, each grain distinct.

The crab shell soup was served in a rough porcelain bowl; the soup was milky white and steaming.

Zhang Sanlang straightened up, wiped his hands with his apron, and greeted the courtyard with a smile: "Don't stand there, everyone. I made a few dishes during the holiday, come and try them while they're hot."

Carpenter He stood by the stove and took a deep sniff: "Director Zhang, what kind of dish is this? It smells so good it's making my mouth water."

Zhang Sanlang took the crab-stuffed oranges out of the steamer. "If you think it smells good, come and try it. Ximei, go and call your Grandpa Sun to come along. Zhou Qing, don't squat on the steps, bring your wife with you."

He caught Ah Yun looking at him expectantly. "Ah Yun, tell your mother to put the river lanterns down for now. Come and try my cooking."

Zhou Chenshi leaned against the door frame of the main room and said, "Third Brother Zhang, this table of dishes you've prepared is even more elaborate than what you'd find in a restaurant. From now on, you shouldn't be a clerk anymore; you should open a food stall."

Zhang Sanlang shook his head and laughed: "Running a food stall is too tiring. Showing off your skills during festivals is enough."

Carpenter He returned home and brought over a large round tabletop, which he placed on the woodpile, using it as a low foothold for stability.

Each family was preparing seasonal meals, so they brought out the food they had already prepared. Mother He brought out pickled garlic and pickled cowpeas, Sister Sun brought out a pot of chicken giblets stewed with tofu, Zhou Chenshi brought out a bowl of braised pork, and Old Sun brought out a stool and a small stool.

Moonlight filtered through the old locust tree in the courtyard, casting dappled silver light onto the plate.

Aunt Sun placed the last dish on the table, wiped her hands with her apron, and suddenly slapped her forehead, "I almost forgot."

She turned and went back into the house. When she came out again, she was holding an old wooden box in her hands. Inside the box were a stick of incense, two ceramic candlesticks, and a stack of yellow paper.

She placed the wooden box on the offering table, then went to the stove and brought out a plate of mooncakes and a plate of pomegranates, arranging them neatly.

"Worshipping the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival is a tradition passed down from our ancestors; don't just focus on eating." She turned to Zhou Chenshi, "Madam Zhou, you have plenty of fruit; could you borrow a couple of plates to display?"

Zhou Chenshi returned to the main room and brought out a plate of autumn pears and a plate of fresh dates, then added a few bunches of grapes and placed them next to the mooncakes. "Worshiping the moon naturally requires sincerity. Sister-in-law Sun is right, worship the moon first and then start eating. The more sincere you are, the more prosperous our women's family will be."

The incense sticks were lit, and the wisps of smoke curled upwards in the moonlight.

Sun Sao pulled happy Mei'er and A Yun to kneel in front of the offering table and taught them how to burn incense and pray.

Zhou Chenshi, unusually, restrained her usual sharp tongue, put her hands together and whispered a few words.

After the moon worship ceremony, Old Sun took out a small, rough pottery wine jar from the gatehouse and placed it on the table. "How can there be so many good dishes without wine? This was a gift from the boss when I was unloading goods for the winery at the dock. I haven't been able to bring myself to drink it."

He broke the mud seal, and a strong aroma of wine wafted out.

Carpenter He took the jar, brought it close to his nose, and sniffed it. "Good wine! Uncle Sun, you really know how to store it. This wine must have been stored for many years."

"It hasn't been two years. Drinking alone during the holidays is no fun, but tonight there are more people, so it's perfect." Old Sun poured wine into everyone's bowls, but when it was Ximei'er and Ayun's turn, they only took two drops. Zhou Qing teased them, saying that the kids should just have a little something sweet during the holidays.

After everyone had some drinks, they started talking more and their spirits rose.

Old Sun also told him about Zhang Sanlang's suggestion to set up a food stall at the dock.

Zhang Sanlang had a sudden inspiration and suggested that He's mother try taking her own pickled vegetables to the dock. While He's mother hesitated, her daughter-in-law readily agreed.

The courtyard was packed with people of all ages, the sounds of chopping food, conversations, and children's screams mingling together as chopsticks moved among the dishes.

After Qingge'er finished eating, he followed Huzi, the seven-year-old son of the carpenter He, and chased after the hen of Sun's wife all over the yard. He slipped on a chestnut shell that he had just dropped on the ground, but got up, patted his bottom, and continued chasing, completely forgetting the pain in his bottom.

Mother He leaned against the porch, squinting slightly in the moonlight, taking in all the people and dishes in the courtyard. She slowly chewed her food, smiling quietly.

Zhou Qing put down his wine bowl and stood up. "We've prayed to the Moon Goddess and drunk our wine. Let's go release some river lanterns! I framed several this afternoon, one for each of us, don't fight over them!"

A-Yun also brought out a bamboo basket of river lanterns from under the eaves; they had all been made by Sister-in-law Sun with her over the past few days.

The paper bark was folded into the shape of a lotus flower, and thin cotton thread, soaked in vegetable oil, was threaded through the wick. The bamboo frame was intricately woven.

Xi Mei picked out a lotus lantern, Qing Ge grabbed a small boat-shaped one, and Carpenter He picked out the neatest one for his mother.

Normally, the county town is under curfew, but it is open all night except for the three major festivals, when the city gates are never closed.

Zhang Sanlang, unusually relaxed, didn't object. The children naturally agreed wholeheartedly, and even the mature happy Mei'er's eyes lit up upon hearing it.

A large number of people had already gathered along the Guangji River, with lights twinkling on the surface, drifting away with the ripples.

Zhou Qing squatted on the bank and gently placed his lantern into the water. He turned around and called to Qing Ge'er to release it quickly. He also reminded the children to make a wish when releasing the lantern, but not to shout it out, otherwise it would not come true.

Qingge put the lantern into the river, put his hands together, closed his eyes and chanted for a long time. Ximei asked him what he wished for, but he refused to say no matter what.

When pressed, he let slip a sentence: it was related to Zhang Sanlang.

A-Yun's river lantern drifted the farthest, its tiny flame swaying in the middle of the river, gradually disappearing only as it reached a bend.

Xi Mei looked at the river and pointed out the light to Qing Ge'er: "Sister A Yun's lantern floats the farthest; her wish will surely come true."

Qing-ge didn't reply, but stood on tiptoe and stared at the river for a long time before looking away and chuckling foolishly.

After a lively half hour, everyone finally returned to the city, satisfied.