Chapter 468 Moving to a New Residence
Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and it's already the end of June.
The four-courtyard house was finally completed, and even all the furniture and utensils were made. Although the time was short, the details were exquisite.
In ancient times, there was no such thing as formaldehyde pollution; once a house was built, people could move in immediately.
June 28th happened to be an auspicious day for moving, so Cheng Wanwan made the decision to let the whole family move to the new house.
After passing through the hanging flower gate, you enter the residential courtyard. The second courtyard is where their entire family lives, and the third courtyard is where Wu Pozi and the other servants live. Of course, they don't live in the main courtyard, but each chooses a side room. The four guards and Wei Xiaohai, being male, live in the side rooms of the first courtyard.
The fourth courtyard is furnished as guest rooms, so there is enough room for guests to stay.
Little Dot, Little Black, and Big Black were placed in the area where the second and third courtyards meet, where a special pet playground was built, and the three little guys had a great time.
As for the chickens, ducks, geese, and other livestock, a new house similar to a breeding farm was built at a huge cost behind the yard, where they are all raised separately and will not disturb the main yard at night.
We held a small celebration to move into our new home, inviting only close relatives.
The courtyard in front was quite large, with seven or eight tables set up for drinking. One table was for the craftsmen, two tables for Old Zhao's family, two tables for Wu and Cao's in-laws, and three tables for our own family. Of course, the village head, who had put in a lot of effort, was also invited to drink.
"This house is so spacious!" Grandma Zhao exclaimed with emotion. "Look at where Xiao Sidan lives. There's a main house and two side rooms. Last year, you and your children were living in just three tiny rooms. In the blink of an eye, you've built a brick and tile house. It's like a dream!"
“Who says otherwise?” The village head took a sip of wine. “I used to think the Cao family’s courtyard was very beautiful, but now I realize that the Cao family are merchants. No matter how rich they are, they can’t use things that officials use. This house of Aunt Dashan is probably the only one of its kind in the whole of Huzhou.”
He had been to Huzhou and seen the prefect's residence from outside; only half the size of this courtyard was spacious.
The new matriarch of the Cao family, Madam Meng, holding the child, said with a smile, "Isn't that right? I just came in through the gate and I felt that this gate was really grand. Master, we should also change the gate of the Cao family. I think the gate of Sui'an looks good like this."
Cao Defu said with a headache, "If you don't understand, then say less."
The people of Sui'an were sixth-rank officials, and their houses were built differently from those of the merchants. No matter how rich the merchants were, they could only afford to have red doors and green tiles, but the officials could have a gable roof built above their gates, with two load-bearing round pillars underneath. This would make the entrance look grand and beautiful. Add two majestic stone lions, and the grandeur would immediately be revealed.
Meng stuck out her tongue and said, "There are no outsiders here, so don't worry. I will definitely be careful with my words and actions in front of outsiders."
Cao Defu had an even bigger headache.
Making Concubine Meng his principal wife was a rash and hasty decision made in the heat of the moment. Only after Concubine Meng actually became the mistress of the house did he realize that there were huge problems involved.
Meng used to be a maid, and she couldn't even read all the basic characters. To expect her to manage the household was simply a pipe dream.
Therefore, he could only ask someone to come back and teach her slowly. He could only teach the mistress he had chosen with tears in his eyes, so that she could truly sit firmly in the position of mistress.
Meng, holding the child, squeezed in next to Cao Yingying to talk. Although she was Cao Yingying's stepmother, she was only two years older than Cao Yingying. The two could talk to each other, and because they had the common topic of pregnancy and childbirth, they chatted quite happily.
On the other side, Wu's eldest son and his wife were also invited over. The two looked around the magnificent courtyard with disbelief on their faces.
Thinking back to this time last year, and looking at it now, my mother-in-law's home has truly undergone earth-shattering changes.
However, their family has also undergone considerable changes. Xiao Chui brings money back every month, and the family has saved up about ten taels of silver. So they renovated and expanded their small courtyard, and now it can be considered a large house that is worth looking at in their village.
All of this was because the mother-in-law was willing to lend a hand to the Wu family.
"Little Hammer, you have to do a good job," Aunt Wu said in a low voice. "I heard that the people of Sui'an trust you a lot now, and you can't let them down."
Wu Xiaochui nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, Mom, I'll definitely do my best!"
For the first ten years or so of his life, it was a black and white affair, with each day pretty much the same. But the last six months have brought a wealth of color to his life. He cherishes this opportunity and will work even harder, hoping to see more possibilities in life.
"And you, Huiniang, it must be incredibly lucky for our ancestors to have you marrying into the Zhao family." Aunt Wu held her daughter's hand. "Your mother-in-law's status is quite high now, so you must think carefully before you speak and act. Don't let her harbor any resentment towards you... Also, you and Dashan should try harder to have a son..."
Wu Huiniang said helplessly, "My mother-in-law and I are family. If we are family, how can we be considered family? As for having a son, we can't rush it. We can take it slowly. My mother-in-law has never asked me to. Mother, please don't keep bringing this up. Otherwise, my mother-in-law will think that my family doesn't like Xiaozhuzhu very much."
Aunt Wu quickly said, "Nonsense, Xiao Zhuzhu is my own granddaughter, how could I not like her?"
Everyone knows that Da Shan's eldest granddaughter is incredibly lucky, enjoying far more blessings than the boys born at the same time in the village.
The little girl was plump and chubby, and she would grin from ear to ear no matter who teased her. She was a lucky girl, and everyone who saw her liked her.
The house was bustling with activity when Cheng Jia suddenly rushed in from the doorway: "Madam, Lady Zheng requests an audience."
Cheng Wanwan's smile faded slightly after hearing the words "Madam Zheng".
Madam Zheng only came to Dahe Village twice. The first time, she plotted against the eldest daughter of the Lin family, and the second time, she deliberately brought Madam Ge to cause trouble.
She always prided herself on her good temper, but even she couldn't bring herself to give Madam Zheng a pleasant look.
She said calmly, "Granny Qi, take Madam Zheng to the guest room for a while."
Granny Qi, who was serving nearby, responded and hurried towards the front yard.
In fact, Cheng Wanwan had almost finished eating, and everyone else was also full and chatting happily.
Cheng Wanwan wasn't in a hurry to receive guests and chatted and laughed with her family.
In the side hall, Madam Zheng drank two cups of tea but still couldn't see Cheng Wanwan. She was furious, but dared not show it.
She has come today to ask for a favor.
In the past two weeks, the Zheng family has suddenly been plagued by bad luck. Various problems have inexplicably appeared in the area under her husband's jurisdiction, and he has even been implicated by the Censor Lin. If this implicated fault is sent to the officials in charge of the investigation, Old Zheng will not be able to get promoted for at least ten years.
She and Lao Zheng humbled themselves and went to the Lin family many times to apologize and beg for mercy, but Lord Lin refused to see them.
She had no choice but to ask a middleman.
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