Chapter 380: Gathering Grain (1) (1/2)

The bad weather, harsh climate and geography of the land meant that the northern border wasn’t suited for planting grains. Even if they tried to plant some crops, the harvest would be dismal. That was why the disgusting Chinese olive porridge was so precious to the people here.

Since grain crops couldn’t survive in the northern border, fruit trees were a mere dream.

This was also winter. Even in the capital, the types of fruit available in the middle of winter were just some frozen pears or tangerines.

Even Chu Lian, who seemed to have prepared an entire larder for herself, hadn’t brought any fresh fruits with her. When she was craving for some fruit, the most she could do was to have some candied kumquats.

Thus, when Sima Hui served up some juicy and sweet sugarcane, she was overwhelmed by the luxurious treat.

Chu Lian knew perfectly well what the soldiers in the camp were going through now.

When Xiaoju saw that Honoured Lady Jinyi was looking at the white porcelain dish containing the sugarcane with surprise, she smiled and explained, “The general brought these over from Su City. Since the weather hasn’t been very good, some of the sugarcane was spoiled by the frost. The only ones we have left are here.”

When Chu Lian heard that, she didn’t feel like eating the sugarcane any longer. She pushed the dish towards Sima Hui. “It wasn’t easy to have kept this sugarcane for so long. Sister Hui, you should have it instead.”

Sima Hui smiled gently, “I don’t like to eat sweet things. Lian’er, go ahead and eat it. The only reason I even have these is because Su City had an abundant harvest of sugarcane. I bought them while passing by with my subordinates. If you feel bad, then you can make some salty snacks for me.”

Chu Lian did have a sweet tooth, as could be seen from how she always drank honey water without any hint of getting tired of it.

Since Sima Hui had already explained her reasons, it would be impolite for Chu Lian to refuse the sugarcane. Her lips curled up into a smile, “Since Sister Hui has already offered it to me, I won’t stand on ceremony.”

Chu Lian used the toothpicks placed next to the dish to pick up a piece and put it in her mouth. The sugarcane had been kept well and it was still very juicy. She chewed it forcefully, bringing out the sweet juice within and filling her mouth with the unique taste of the sugarcane. This taste was completely different from eating candied kumquats.

Chu Lian quickly crunched her way through five pieces. Although her actions weren’t as elegant as those of noble-born ladies, the way she ate made anyone watching her hungry too! When Sima Hui saw how happily she was eating, she picked up a piece of sugarcane and ate it as well, even though she normally didn’t like sweet things.

Thus, the scene that greeted He Changdi when he entered the tent was his dear wife sitting at the table and happily gnawing away at sugarcane!

Of course, the scene wasn’t complete without Sima Hui staring at Chu Lian with a warm and gentle gaze.

There was a small plate on the table where Chu Lian had spat out the remains of the sugarcane after chewing on them. The amount of sugarcane mush there was like a thorn in He Changdi’s eye.

Now the bag of sugarcane he was carrying on his back had become hard to give away.