Tao Hongying immediately became furious, "Is this Yan family never going to stop? Time and time again, what are they trying to do this time? Have they learned their lesson from the beating they suffered before?!"
The old lady, however, felt that Lord Zhou wouldn't go to such lengths to stand up for his wife's family.
After all, he didn't stop the Yan family from being beaten before.
She tried to comfort him, saying, "Don't be angry yet, let's go see what's going on. Maybe Lord Zhou has something else to do..."
Li Laosi thought the same thing, so he stepped out first, followed by the others.
Jiayin wasn't worried at all. She happily picked up the fruit and started eating while watching the fun.
When the Yan family came to cause trouble before, only she and her grandmother were at home, and she also had to protect her pregnant master, so she had no choice but to step in.
Today, both my parents are home, and my godfather next door is also home.
Anyone who dares to cause trouble will likely be wiped out before they even get a chance to make a move.
So, just relax and enjoy the show...
No, it means you can eat the fruit in peace!
Lord Zhou looked somewhat haggard, and was accompanied by more than a dozen craftsmen, each carrying various tools, as he paced around the village entrance.
He was startled when he suddenly saw the Li family arrive in a "fierce" manner.
The craftsmen behind him were quite helpful; they quickly surrounded him and protected him.
Lord Zhou quickly explained, "Don't panic, we're not here to fight. Let's talk things out."
After saying that, he stepped forward and bowed to the Li family, smiling gently. "Madam, I am here today on official business. The 'Feng Shui Treasure Land' archway that the Emperor previously bestowed upon Suijintan should be started."
"We've come to survey the area and see where would be a good place to build it. If the old lady or the villagers have any ideas, please let us know, and we'll make adjustments as needed."
The Li family breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt somewhat guilty for misunderstanding Lord Zhou.
Old Mrs. Li quickly said, "Lord Zhou, please come in and have some tea. How can you come over and start working right away? It's not like it's anything urgent."
Lord Zhou waved his hand, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but I have many errands to run in the yamen and cannot stay any longer. These dozen or so craftsmen are all skilled. I brought them here today to select a location first, and we can start digging the foundation tomorrow."
"Otherwise, when it gets cold and the weather gets colder, if the archway is only half-built and we have to wait until next spring to continue, it will look terrible."
Everyone nodded, not thinking that Lord Zhou's attitude was intentional distancing. After all, he had been just as serious and responsible in handling official business when the valley was being built.
Back then, after the village chief and Li Lao Er returned with their people to present the jade melon, they discussed this matter. Later, after discussing it with everyone, they all decided to build the archway on the west bank of the river.
It's the place after you come down from the main road in Xindu, turn onto the small road leading to Suijintan, and cross the small river.
In this way, everyone entering and leaving Suijintan must pass under the archway, which serves as both a deterrent and a source of pride for the entire village!
Next year, the villagers will pave the path properly and rebuild a stone bridge...
Lord Zhou also thought the place was nice, so he led everyone there. After working for quite a while, he finally decided on the location and pointed it out to everyone.
At this moment, the village chief and Uncle Zhao and others also arrived.
It must be said that Lord Zhou is indeed quite capable; he explained things clearly and thoroughly to everyone, which made everyone happy.
The village chief called out to the villagers, "Go pick a basket of fruit and bring it over to quench the thirst of Lord Zhou and all the masters!"
Immediately, some villagers ran away, and Lord Zhou couldn't stop them even if he tried. "Uncle Village Chief, with this archway, your fruits and vegetables will probably fetch a better price. Don't give them to us now, it's such a waste!"
“How is that a waste?” The village chief beamed with joy. “Not only did the adults help build the hot spring valley before, but now they’re helping us build the archway. We can’t even express our gratitude enough.”
"It's just a few fruits. If Lord Zhou and the chefs taste them and praise them when they get back, we won't have to worry about selling them."
Li Laosi and the others also smiled and persuaded, "Yes, Lord Zhou, we'll also benefit from your harvest and taste what our own fruit tastes like. You know, our village chief treats the fruit like his own eyes, and he doesn't allow us to pick a single one normally."
The village chief, Uncle, brandished the pot with the eye bags as if to hit Li Laosi, laughing and scolding, "You brat, all you do is lie through your teeth! If you don't dare to take it off, what's that Fu Niu'er holding?"
Jiayin sat in her mother's lap, the fruit in her hand already gnawed away, leaving only a thin pit.
Seeing that everyone was looking at her, she immediately threw away the fruit pit, waved her two chubby little hands, and said innocently, "I didn't eat it, Fu Niu'er didn't eat it!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Fu Niu'er, wipe your mouth first, or you'll attract ants!"
Soon, the fruit was picked, and everyone took it directly to the river to wash it. They then found a stone by the roadside to sit down, each holding one fruit, and ate while chatting.
One craftsman couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder the emperor bestowed an archway upon this auspicious site; it was absolutely right! This fruit is sweeter than any I've ever tasted before!"
"Yes, the fruit grown in such a blessed place is truly exceptional!"
Everyone praised it, and the gossip became quite lively.
Lord Zhou privately asked Old Madam Li, "Madam, when do you plan to start building the Princess's residence?"
The old lady frowned.
There have been so many things going on at home lately, one after another, that we haven't had a chance to discuss this matter yet.
After all, the imperial edict was presented earlier to punish the Yan family members; it was a sudden and unavoidable situation.
Actually, we have plenty of room at home, so there's no rush to build this princess's mansion.
Tao Hongying, who was standing to the side, also listened for a few minutes. She didn't think too much about it, but she wondered if her daughter would have to move out after the Princess's Mansion was built.
Doesn't that mean leaving home and leaving her?!
That won't do!
So, Tao Hongying, unusually, took the lead and said, "The village is about to harvest the fruit, and there's still an archway being built. It's not appropriate to build the Princess's Mansion now. Let's wait until next year."
The old lady nodded in agreement. "Hongying is right. Let's do it next year, when spring is here, the flowers are in bloom, and the mud and water are mixed. We can discuss this matter again then. A house is not like a memorial archway; there's a lot of work involved, and it can't be built in a short time."
Jiayin sensed her mother's reluctance and anxiety, so she quickly hugged her mother's neck and sneezed loudly.
Tao Hongying immediately stood up and said, "Mother, the wind is strong here, I'll take Fu Niu back first."
"Go ahead, if things get busy in the valley, take Fu Niu'er to play with the Marquis for a while," the old lady instructed, and Tao Hongying took her daughter and left.
Lord Zhou casually asked, "Is the Marquis in the village?"
The old lady replied, "Yes, the Marquis has been very busy lately, so he came back to stay for one night."
After thinking for a moment, Lord Zhou said, "If the old lady decides to build the Princess's Mansion next year, it would be best to ask the Marquis to go to the Ministry of Revenue to collect the silver. That way, construction can begin whenever she wants."
The old lady understood.
It seems that with the imperial court moving to the new capital, everything requires money, leaving the Ministry of Revenue strapped for cash. They're trying to avoid expenses and evade payment as much as possible...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com