At noon, everyone enjoyed the soup and mutton. A portion was set aside for Lu Tianjun, who was at school, and the rest was saved for later.
Even though the cooked half lamb shank had shrunk by almost a third, it was deemed too extravagant to consume it all in one meal.
In the evening, Feng Qingxue kept her promise and boiled a large pot of vegetable gruel using the shepherd's purse the children had picked after school.
"It's not bitter at all! And it's delicious and fragrant and so good!" Guan Yu kept taking bowlfuls, filling his small belly and leaving no room for a staple, Lu Tianzhi and Feng Qingyun did the same, saving quite a lot of grain for the family.
Father Lu shook his head, "it doesn't taste bitter because your aunt used good ingredients. Try boiling it with pure water and see if it's bitter."
Guan Yu immediately shook his head. He didn't want to try. He understood well enough.