Shitou brought in the thank-you gift.
There was a piece of bright pink jacquard silk, a piece of sky blue silk, two pieces of white fine cotton cloth, five sets of the four treasures of the study, a drawer of dry goods such as longan and red dates, a pair of silver-inlaid green jade bracelets, and two small copper hand warmers with Clivia patterns.
Each item was brought to Qin Yao for her inspection and then placed on an empty table beside her.
The first two pieces of silk already made Qin Yao secretly startled for a moment.
Later, when he saw the pair of silver-inlaid green jade bracelets, he felt that Qi Xianguan's thank-you gift was too sincere, even a little too heavy.
It wasn't that she was ignorant, but seeing the nonchalant look of Qi Xianguan and the familiar expressions of the servants and guards around her, she couldn't help but think of a common saying -
In ancient times, a little bit of money that slipped through the fingers of the rich was enough for ordinary people to live a rich life.
However, these thoughts only flashed through her mind, and soon Qin Yao returned to her normal state of mind. She generously accepted the thank-you gift, asked Awang to help deliver it to her room, and prepared to eat.
It was already dark, and lights were on inside and outside the house, illuminating the entire courtyard.
Qin Yao waited for Awang to come out of his room, and asked him to deliver meals to everyone in the old house and tell her the progress of the renovation. She then looked at the time and led these people in the courtyard over.
With the help of Qi Xianguan and Gong Liangliao, two powerful people, Qin Yao's family of six had dinner for the first time with maids and servants serving them.
Although they were just lending a hand and mainly serving Qi Xianguan and Gong Liangliao, the feeling of someone helping to bring the dish you wanted to you just when you wanted to pick it up was very impressive.
Just now Qin Yao didn't have time to pay attention to the two maids who accompanied her. Now, after observing them secretly, she found that they had mastered the skill of observing people's words and expressions to perfection.
Although they seem to have their heads slightly lowered, their eyes are very sharp. They notice every movement of everyone at the table and give timely feedback.
Qin Yao was curious for a moment and couldn't help asking Qi Xianguan: "Young Master Qi, how much do your two maids get paid every month?"
Qi Xianguan was stunned. It was the first time someone asked him this question.
Turning to the maid, he asked, "How much is your monthly salary?"
The maid smiled and replied, "Madam, I am grateful for your kindness. I will receive a monthly allowance of three taels of silver, in addition to a set of clothes for each of the four seasons."
There are also some invisible benefits that the maid hasn't told about, which are all rewards from the master. When the situation is good, any one of them can be equivalent to the monthly allowance.
However, this is only possible for first-class maids like her who can serve the master closely. The other maids are far inferior.
Liu Ji's eyes lit up when he heard this. If possible, he also wanted to be a maid like this!
Qin Yao nodded to show that she understood, smiled at Qi Xianguan, and signaled him to continue eating and eat more.
Awang is a very good cook. Although it is a simple meal, it is very tempting and whets the appetites of Qi Xianguan and Gong Liangliao, who have eaten too many delicacies from land and sea.
If he wasn't afraid of indigestion, Gong Liangliao could eat three bowls of rice.
After filling his stomach and putting down his bowl and chopsticks, he did not forget to ask Liu Ji to ask his servant named Awang to prepare breakfast for him the next morning. The old man wanted to taste the delicious food of the country people.
Liu Ji readily agreed, "Leave it to me!"
He boasted again: "I'm afraid we can't get anything else in this rural area, but we have fresh fruits and vegetables, and domestic chickens and ducks. We have everything."
After the meal, Qin Yao cut the only three watermelons left in the house and brought them out for everyone to share.
The guards did not dare to take it until Qi Xianguan nodded. After eating a few bites, they continued to stand in the stance, with an uncomfortably dedicated attitude.
Awang came back and exchanged glances with Qin Yao. The guest house had been cleaned up and they could take everyone over.
Qin Yao nodded, walked into the house, and said to Qi Xianguan: "The guest house is ready. I see the guards are tired. How about letting them go over and rest first?"
Fearing that Qi Xianguan might be worried, he added, "There is no danger in our rural area. It is enough to leave a guard and someone to serve the master."
"For other instructions, just ask Liu Ji."
Teacher Liu Jichong smiled and told him to just call him if he needed anything. He was not afraid of hard work and could do any job.
Gong Liangliao had no doubt about this, so he asked the servant to stay while the two maids and guards went to the guest house.
Qi Xianguan also realized at this moment that the guest house was prepared for the guards and servants. He looked at Qin Yao in confusion, "Then where do I live?"
Liu Ji’s house is so small, there’s no room for everyone!
Qi Xianguan said, "Teacher, please stay. I will go to the guest house as well."
Qin Yao didn't say no, she just said, "Then let's go take a look first."
"Okay." Qi Xianguan stood up expectantly.
At this moment, he still had 100% confidence in what Liu Ji said: "very big and big enough to live in."
But who could explain to him how that shabby house emitting eerie candlelight in the dark forest could be called a house?
Qin Yao smiled and explained: "It's dark now, the scenery here will be amazing during the day."
Qi Xianguan believed her for the time being and carefully stepped into the shaky door under the protection of the guards.
The courtyard was so empty that an echo could be heard, and any slight noise would be amplified, to the point where you could scare yourself to death.
Looking at the rooms with a candle lit, it would be better if there was no light at all. The candlelight flickered, and against the mottled walls, those mottled marks instantly became ferocious.
Qi Xianguan was about to step forward, but he silently retracted his leg.
Then he turned around angrily and glared at Liu Ji who was following him, and asked coldly: "Is this the guest house that Junior Brother mentioned that is big enough to live in?"
Liu Ji thought to himself that you haven't seen the original version of this house. Now this is a renovated advanced version, which is already quite good.
Liu Ji gave Qin Yao a thumbs up and praised her efficiency.
Seeing that Liu Ji did not answer him, Qi Xianguan became really angry. He immediately rushed out and was about to find Gong Liangliao to sue Liu Ji for fraud!
"Oh!" Liu Ji quickly ran forward to stop the little brother, "Brother, don't be anxious. We should look at things from multiple sides. How can we make a conclusion based on the one side in front of us?"
"Come, come!" Liu Ji put his arm around the little brother's shoulders, asked him to face the house in front of him, and began to deceive him. "Brother, look at this house. It is square and has a good layout. If you decorate it according to your own wishes, wouldn't it be a wonderful place for cultivation?"
Qi Xianguan was stunned with indignation. "Arrange it as I wish?"
"Yes!" Liu Ji led him back into the rickety door, "Let's start the renovation from this door. What kind of door do you like, brother?"
Qi Xiangguan: "Since it is a rural area, it emphasizes the integration of man and nature, so a wooden door and fence yard is naturally the best."
"Brilliant!" Liu Ji gave a thumbs up. "Brother, your idea is brilliant. Liu Ji admires you. Come on, let's look at the yard again. It is empty now, but it is precisely because it is empty that you can add whatever you like. Isn't that brilliant?"
Qi Xianguan asked in disbelief: "Then can I dig a pond here and plant white lotus?"
Liu Ji: "Brother, be brave. You can dig the whole house into a pond and build a crystal palace underwater!"
"Because this house is a small gift from all of us in Liujia Village to you and your teacher. You and your teacher can modify it in any way you want. Coupled with the scenery of the mountains, I guarantee that you and your teacher will not want to leave once you stay here."
Seeing the stars light up in the eyes of the junior brother, Liu Ji immediately looked for Qin Yao's gaze. When he received the other party's approving smile, his tail was lifted up to the sky and he tried even harder to fool people.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
