Chapter 85: Chapter 85 Peace of Mind_1
Chapter 85: Chapter 85 Peace of Mind_1
Steward Wong and his family all lived in the front courtyard, while the master’s rooms were in the back. Although the masters had not visited this place for more than a decade, they still cleaned the houses every day without a speck of dust.
Steward Wong’s eldest son, Wong Liang, already had a son and a daughter, the daughter being three years old, and the son just over one year old. His second son, Wong Ping, had just married not long ago, with his wife newly pregnant. They also had a daughter working as a second-grade maid in the yard of the Second Madam at the Song Mansion in Sheng City.
While the family was having a good ti, a little maid ca to report that villagers from Huaxi Village of the Qian family had co.
Steward Wong thought it was a tenant farr from Huaxi Village and gave a grunt through his nose, which ant for them to be let in.
Villagers, especially tenant farrs, were unceremonious, and the family did not move, still sitting in the courtyard.
Lady Wu led two children in, but Steward Wong did not recognize them. He asked suspiciously, “Who are you people, and what brings you to my house?”
Qian Yijin stepped forward and bowed, saying, “My family is from Huaxi Village, and today, we specifically ca to ask Old Wong for a favor.”
Steward Wong couldn’t help but be amused, “You have a favor to ask of ?” These peasant brats dared to speak so boldly.
Qian Yijin quickly explained, “The thing is, my younger sister had a chance encounter with Sister Zhang, who serves closely to the Second Lady at Old Great-grandpa Song’s mansion in Sheng City, and they got along very well. It was agreed that when Old Wong goes to Sheng City, he would bring so local specialties for her. Although local products are simple, the sweet rice liquor made by my grandmother is exceptionally good, fragrant, and delicious. We would like to ask Old Wong to bring a jar to her when he goes to Sheng City.”
After finishing, he bowed once more.
Sister Zhang was the steward Sister in charge of the Second Lady’s yard at the Song Family and was highly valued by the Second Madam, making her soone Steward Wong’s family eagerly wanted to ingratiate themselves with.
Steward Wong’s gaze swept over Yixiu, “The little girl is acquainted with Sister Zhang and they get along?” He was sowhat incredulous.
Yixiu then spoke of the connection her family had with the Official second generation little monk, Hong Ji, at Daci Temple, and how she had visited the temple with him. By chance, they ran into Zhang Ma-Ma, who was an acquaintance of the little monk, how they’d enjoyed a lovely chat, and how Zhang Ma-Ma had subsequently introduced her to the Song Family master. She was not only favored by them but even received several embroidered pouches…
In short, when it was ti to exaggerate, she did not hesitate.
How shrewd Steward Wong was, noticing that both the boy and girl were little clever ones, exceptionally astute. Such people could be believable in winning the favor of the masters and Sister Zhang.
A smile appeared on his face as he said, “All right, I just happen to have business in Sheng City tomorrow, so I’ll help you take it.”
Qian Yijin added, “We also want to offer a jar to Old Wong as a token of respect, please don’t disdain it.”
On the way back, as it was getting darker, the group did not take the road outside the village but went through the village itself.
Normally, at dinner ti, many people would be squatting at the doorway with their bowls, eating while chatting. Today, however, it was extrely quiet, with every household’s doors tightly shut, and in so yards, there were even multiple dogs barking. It seed the incident with the Fan family’s bellybands was still fernting.
The next day, which was June 25th, Qian Dagui and his son, Qian Ergui and his son, Second Grandpa’s son Qian Chun and grandson Qian Liang, along with Xie Huzi, all ca to help the third wife’s family with house repairs. Originally, Qian Sangui had not called upon Qian Ergui and his son, but since they ca on their own initiative, Qian Sangui did not have the heart to turn them away.
Qian Dagui had already ordered roofing tiles and clay bricks in advance, and within five days, the group finished the repairs.
Replacing the thatch with roof tiles, the house suddenly appeared much more imposing. The three eastern wing rooms, half of which had been collapsed, were also repaired, and this place was reserved for Qian Yijin to use when he grew up.
A pigsty was also built in the back courtyard. Lady Wu said that in a few days, she was going to adopt two piglets to raise.
The privy was also rebuilt next to the pigsty to accumulate manure, which tidied up the front courtyard as well. The original privy was filled in and converted into a little house for Dashan and his future offspring to live in.
The people who had co to help had their fill and returned to their hos, and the usually bustling western end of the village finally quieted down.
After tidying up the house, it was already quite late. But the excited Qian’s third wife could not sleep, except for Qian Yijin who was diligently studying by the lamplight under Sir Di’s guidance. The rest of them gathered in the courtyard to enjoy the cool evening breeze, even Monkey Brother sat on the rooftop tiles, happily gazing at the new ho. Dashan, fond of the new residence, had already gone back to his room to rest.
The night breeze was cool, and the stars scattered across the sky brightly illuminated the courtyard.
Looking at the tall courtyard walls and the solid and heavy wooden gate, one felt much more secure.
Then, glancing at the beautiful mother, Qian Yixiu felt that perhaps heaven had sent him and Monkey Brother to this family to be heroes who rescued the beauty, to save their mother. Otherwise, the Fan family might have indeed brought the household to ruin, and a beauty to disgrace.
It would have been an utter travesty of justice.
Pleased with himself, he said aloud, “With the courtyard walls built so high, grandpa and brother can also sleep peacefully.”
Qian Sangui nodded his head with a beaming smile.
Cheng Yue seed to be reassured as well, her face wearing a smile as she listened to the others talking. Her gaze mostly lingered on her daughter but occasionally shifted to the small window where the light shone through.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, “Yixiu, with our house changed so much, what if Brother Jiang cos back and can’t find his way ho?”
Her words prompted everyone to burst into laughter.
Qian Manxia laughed and said, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Even though the look of the house has changed, its location hasn’t, so big brother will still recognize it when he returns.”
Qian Yixiu pouted and said, “If daddy cos back and can’t even find his own ho, then Yixiu doesn’t want him anymore, I’d sweep him out with a broom.”
Hearing this, Cheng Yue pursed her lips in distress and quickly said, “No, Yixiu, you can’t do that.”
Seeing that his mother took him seriously, Qian Yixiu hastily said, “Yixiu was just joking, how could I possibly not recognize daddy?”
They then started planning the details of hosting the guests. They prepared to invite people who had helped them as a gesture of thanks on July second, setting two tables for the feast and inviting the Qian family first and second wives, Second Grandpa’s family, and Xie Huzi’s family over for a lively ti.
Qian Yixiu suggested that they should also extend an invitation to Old Wong from the Song Family Manor, “It’s better to err on the side of being too polite than not. It shows we respect him. If he doesn’t co, we have done our part. If he does, we can host him well.”
Qian Sangui nodded repeatedly; the household, in its current state, was in dire need of a stronger backer.
To show sincerity, the very next evening, which was the thirtieth, Qian Sangui personally took Qian Yeejin and Qian Yixiu to extend the invitation. Since his walking was not good, he even had Xie Huzi drive a donkey cart for them.
To their surprise, Old Wong readily agreed. This left Qian Sangui and his grandchildren overjoyed.
What they did not know was that the two jars of sweet fernted rice they had sent were very well received by the Wong family. The people of the Wong family had a particular fondness for it, especially Steward Wong’s wife and the pregnant second daughter-in-law.
When sent to Sister Zhang during a trip to the city, she initially brushed it off with a laugh, “Heavens, that little kid really did bring this stuff.”
However, when Steward Wong stayed for a day and was about to return to the countryside, Sister Zhang suddenly visited his ho in the city.
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