stingy landlady

Chapter 107 Entering a new house (1)

Xu Hong thought for a long time before finally saying:

"Miss! Let's clear the land and plant the fruit quietly! It takes three or four years for the fruit trees to flower and bear fruit! What's the rush? Let's wait until we have more money. Anyway, we can't just sit around and do nothing!"

Lin Qian also expressed his opinion:

“I think it’s a good idea! There will be pig farmers, cattle feeders, vegetable growers, and tree planters! There will also be craftsmen who can work and earn money! I’ll give the wheelchair makers a special room, and the room that Manager Zhou is currently living in will be given to them!”

No one is allowed to disturb them without our permission! That way, we can keep it a secret, right? Boss?

Guizhi thought for a moment and said to Xu Hong:

"Uncle Xu Hong! Tomorrow, take my fifth uncle with you to the county town. I'll ask my father to get you some money. Go buy two hundred ducklings. Ducks grow quickly, and you can slaughter them for meat later. Don't be stingy! Buying meat with money is different from raising ducks yourself."

There are many people here, so we raise 150 of them, and I keep the other 50 at home.

Remember to keep the accounts separate. Uncle Xu Hong paid for the ducklings here, and my dad paid for the ducklings at my house!

Tomorrow I'm taking my fifth uncle to buy the materials for the imperial examinations—it's my dad's money! The final imperial examinations are in two or three months!

"If we pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, we can at least benefit from it and avoid paying some taxes!"

With a general direction in mind, Guizhi took her leave.

"Uncle Xu Hong! Uncle Lin Qian! I'm leaving this place to you! This is our shared home, let's build a life together!"

I have to go back! I've been away for so long, my family must be worried!

On the sixteenth, you should all go back and drink! While you're at it, bring back some wheat as our rations! Wheat bran mixed with some wild vegetables and leftovers is good for feeding the ducks!

Uncle Xu Hong! Tomorrow morning, go to the bushes near the entrance of Xing'an Academy and pick up my fifth uncle! Don't forget!

Zhou Mingzhi and Ping An harnessed the carriage, and Xu Hong and Lin Qian helped Guizhi onto the carriage before going back to discuss the manpower arrangements!

When they returned to the woods, Gui Xiang, Gui Hong, and Pan Qiang had already tidied up. They were just waiting for Gui Zhi to return.

On the bus, Gui Hong said to Gui Zhi:

"My fifth uncle didn't see you today and asked about you! I told him you'd find someone to take him to buy the materials tomorrow. He was so happy!"

Guizhi also laughed:

"We're all hoping that our fifth uncle will pass the imperial examination and become a scholar; that would make the whole family happy!"

That evening, Guizhi said to Dazhu:

"Dad! Tomorrow, let Uncle Xu Hong take Fifth Uncle to buy the materials. Take the money from my room! That way, I won't upset Mother!"

Dazhu agrees:

"Okay! Take as much as you need! Just let me know!"

Your mother drank chicken soup for lunch, and insisted that your fourth sister and I eat the chicken as well. We ate it for two days in a row, but it was so bland and tasteless! Sigh! I also have to stay with your mother during her postpartum period!

Guizhi chuckled to herself:

"Dad! You're complaining even though you have chicken to eat?"

Dazhu sighed:

"Back then, conditions were tough! Let alone chicken, even a soup with a little oil was incredibly delicious! We didn't care about the taste!"

Guizhi raised her little face and said seriously:

"Dad! We all need to be well! The good days have just begun!"

Time flies, and June 16th arrived in the blink of an eye. Guizhi and the others told the students at the academy yesterday that they wouldn't be going today, as they would be staying home to celebrate their housewarming.

Early in the morning, villagers began to arrive one after another to help with the banquet, setting up tents, slaughtering chickens and ducks, washing vegetables, and washing pots and pans—it was a lively and bustling scene!

The old man had gotten up early for his morning stroll and happened to be passing by. Guizhi, seeing him, quickly took his hand and led him to the west wing, where she took out the new clothes she had prepared beforehand and said:

"Grandpa! This was made especially for you! Isn't it beautiful? Hurry up and put it on so you can go with my dad to entertain the guests!"

The old man was also wearing specially chosen clothes today, but the fabric was different. The outfit Guizhi brought out looked very expensive!

"Guizhi! Grandpa is too old to wear such fine clothes. I've only ever seen landlords wear them!"

The old man touched the brightly colored, soft, and smooth clothes with his hand, and then said to Guizhi:

"Why did you make clothes for Grandpa when you moved into your new home? The fabric he's wearing is from the fabric you bought after you separated the family! Grandpa only wears it when he goes out, not when he's working! It's still quite new!"

"Grandpa! Hurry up and change! We're moving into a new house, and you're our elder! Besides, you're so good to us! We're all happy to make you new clothes! Grandpa, we'll get even better ones in the future!"

After saying this, Guizhi thoughtfully went out and closed the door behind her.

The old lady had already dressed up and was preparing to go there early to see if she could be of any help.

Zhao, holding Erbao, came over and said, "Mom! Let's go later. Those who went early are all doing chores. Mom is the old lady! Today we're going to eat at the feast! Mom! We'll eat at the feast later!"

The old lady said, "If we go too late, won't people gossip? We're really close relatives!"

Zhao then said:

"Mother! You are the elder! Logically, my eldest brother and sister-in-law should come to invite you in person!"

The old lady was a little confused by Zhao's words. "Okay! You say when to go, and we'll go together?"

Li is still in her postpartum confinement period and cannot come out! Zhou Qiong, on the other hand, is very patient and stays by her side!

"Madam, you mustn't get anxious or upset! Otherwise, the medicine will be wasted!"

"Madam! There are plenty of people helping with the work now! You can rest assured! Besides, there are several young ladies here too!"

Li really wanted to go out! In such a lively setting in her own home, she was stuck lying on the kang (heated brick bed)! She couldn't see anything, and nothing seemed to concern her!

It's her daughters who steal the spotlight, not her, the matriarch! It's so frustrating!

The Qu family did not return, but Manager Qu arrived with gifts.

Manager Qu arrived in a carriage, bringing several bolts of cloth, a few boxes of pastries, and several bottles of wine. Upon reaching the gate, he had his attendants carry the items off the carriage in front of everyone.

Since those who came to help were all villagers, they would give a gift, but no one was so generous. Just a few bolts of cloth would cost at least several taels of silver.

There are also pastries and wine. It's good enough if we can eat our fill normally, let alone dream of buying delicious snacks!

The village children watched with great curiosity as the two attendants carried the gifts.

When the old lady and Zhao arrived with the child, they saw Manager Qu getting out of the carriage. Dazhu and Guizhi came out to greet them.

"Brother Dazhu! Congratulations! May everything go well for your new house!"

A few days ago, when Dazhu went to ask a fortune teller to choose an auspicious date, he knew that distinguished guests might be coming to his house, so he specially learned a few nice phrases. And here he is, putting them to good use right away:

"Manager Qu, your presence is an honor! Welcome, welcome! Please come in!"

Guizhi called out in a clear voice from the side:

"Welcome, Uncle Shopkeeper!"

"Haha! Guihong and Guizhi! Congratulations on moving into your new home! May you have great fortune and prosperity!"