Uncle Qian sat down and looked around the Qiao family's courtyard. The cracked earthen walls, patched with new mud, had some new cracks that were letting in drafts. The roof was thatched and needed to be replaced every year.
Uncle Qian was initially envious of the Qiao family for making a lot of money, but seeing the Qiao family's current situation, he felt that the money should have been earned by the Qiao family, and that they would probably have nothing left after building the courtyard.
From now on, life will continue as before.
Grandma Qiao was cutting pig feed in a ravine in the distance, chatting with Grandpa Qiao on the other side.
"Old woman, after we build the house, I'll buy you a gold bracelet. Back when I married you, my family couldn't afford it, and you've suffered so much all these years. I'm so sorry." Old Man Qiao wasn't usually a talkative man, but he would only speak these heartfelt words to Old Woman Qiao when his children weren't around.
"Alright, with a gold bracelet on, how could an old woman like me dare to walk on the street?" Old Mrs. Qiao said, "But if we really become rich in the future, I'll buy a gold bracelet for every daughter-in-law who marries into the family and for every granddaughter who marries out, as a wedding gift and dowry."
With these thoughts in mind, Old Mrs. Qiao worked even more efficiently.
"By the way, our family's financial situation has improved. Let's go to the Shen family tomorrow to finalize the marriage. After all, it's been a while. If we delay for another two years, we might become estranged."
Old Man Qiao said, "Alright, Xi'er is the eldest granddaughter in the family. The grandsons said that the matter of finding a wife can be put on hold. When a granddaughter gets married, she is moving to a different home and adapting. We must be careful and stable so that she doesn't suffer any grievances."
Qiao Xi'er listened to all of this from behind another small slope before coming out.
"Grandpa, Grandma."
"Xi'er, what brings you here?" Grandma Qiao asked.
After hearing Qiao Xier explain her purpose, Old Mrs. Qiao's face fell slightly.
"Don't you know where the silver is and where the key is hidden? Just go and get it when you need it. Why bother an old woman like me all this way?"
Qiao Xi'er knew that Grandma Qiao was reassured about the whole family.
Centralizing the money is for easier management, not to prevent anyone from misusing it.
"Okay, I'll head back now."
Qiao Xier ran home and, as she crossed the road to town, saw a familiar figure.
It was Shen Liang, sixteen years old. He wore a light blue silk robe, the soft fabric fluttering in the wind. His black hair was tied up with a silver hairpin. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he was still quite striking. In addition, he had a tall and straight figure. Wherever he appeared, young women and married women would have their eyes light up and their cheeks flush.
He carried a book box on his back, but not to take the imperial examination; he was going to town to learn mathematics so that he could become an accountant or something similar in the future.
Qiao Xier ran over like that, but Shen Liang seemed not to see her and naturally walked past her.
"Shen Liang." Qiao Xi'er stopped and called out to him.
"Oh, it's Xi'er." Shen Liang turned to the side, a faint smile on his face: "You've come back from working in the mountains."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Qiao Xier.
Qiao Yunni makes clothes for the Qiao family every day, but there are too many people. She makes clothes for the adults first, then for the younger generation, and it's not Qiao Xi'er's turn yet.
Therefore, Qiao Xi'er was still wearing a coarse cotton coat with several patches, which made her look very shabby.
Unfortunately, Qiao Xier was beautiful and had a slender figure, which made Shen Liang feel a little sorry for her.
"I need to go see my grandparents about something. You're going to town to study again?" Qiao Xi'er thought of what her grandmother had just said, and a thin blush appeared on her face.
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