After discussion, Yan Qingqing and her group quickly finalized the list of workers for their family, which included the five young men from the Wang family.
Aunt Wang had helped Yan Qingqing before, and Yan Qingqing had always remembered it. This time, all five sons of the Wang family signed up for the job, and Yan Qingqing accepted them all.
Of course, Yan Qingqing also invited several other villagers with good reputations to come and work tomorrow.
All the laborers have been hired, but the head chef is in trouble. Yan Qingqing's drawings are generally incomprehensible to most people.
Seeing this, Li Sanniu said, "Second sister-in-law, I knew a very skilled house builder when I was working in the city. If you don't mind, I can go to the city to find him."
Yan Qingqing nodded in agreement. She believed in trusting those she employed and not employing those she didn't trust. Since she had let Li Sanniu participate, it meant she trusted him.
It would be good if he could find someone, but if he really couldn't, Yan Qingqing could do it herself.
Li Sanniu was pleased to see that Yan Qingqing trusted him, as he genuinely wanted to help her.
Yan Qingqing immediately had Li Xinniang give Li Sanniu one tael of silver.
Li Sanniu was immediately taken aback, then asked, "Second Sister-in-law, what are you doing?"
Yan Qingqing replied with a smile, "You've been a great help to Second Sister-in-law these past two days. When you went out to invite people to help us build a house, you had to bring some gifts or something."
Li Sanniu immediately retorted, "We still don't need that many."
Yan Qingqing added, "It will take a long time for the house to be built, and we might need the money somewhere. Just take it for now."
Li Sanniu admired Yan Qingqing's generosity. Over the years, he had given all the money he earned to Old Madam Li. If he hadn't secretly kept some for himself, he probably wouldn't have gotten a single penny.
Previously, he and Xu had openly and secretly looked down on Yan Qingqing, but now Yan Qingqing had put aside past grievances. Not only did Xu work at her sister-in-law's house, but she had also invited him to help out.
Therefore, he could not betray his second sister-in-law's trust in him and his wife no matter what.
After making up his mind, Li Erniu put away the silver and said to Yan Qingqing, "Don't worry, Second Sister-in-law, I will do my best."
During dinner that evening, Zhao Yumei said something to Old Mrs. Li again. Before they even started eating, Old Mrs. Li said, "San Niu, what are you doing standing next door all day long? Don't you need to do any work in the fields?"
Li Sanniu glanced at Old Mrs. Li and replied, "Mother, the crops have already been planted, what work is left to do in the fields?"
Zhao Yumei interjected, "How can there be no life? All those weeds have grown out of the ground."
Xu glanced at Zhao Yumei and said, "Unlike me, who works for my second sister-in-law's family, I don't have much to do except wash clothes and cook. I can also go to the fields to weed."
Zhao Yumei glared at Xu Shi and said, "Third sister-in-law, I am a virgin. How many virgin wives have you ever seen working in the fields?"
Madam Xu pursed her lips and said, "Sister-in-law, let's not even talk about how my brother is only a student now. Even if he passes the imperial examination in the future, it will be because of us and my second sister-in-law's family supporting him."
But my sister-in-law, this virgin, seems to have been given away for free.
Zhao Yumei angrily retorted, "Xu, what nonsense are you spouting? Believe me or not, I'll tear your mouth off!"
Seeing that the family was arguing again, Old Master Li slammed his chopsticks on the table and said sternly, "You can't even eat in peace every day!"
The third son's wife was right. The family has gone to great lengths to support the eldest son's education over the past few years, and the second son even lost his life because of it.
But the eldest son is a disappointment, and his wife has no gratitude whatsoever. If he fails the imperial examination this year, she says he might as well give up on his studies altogether!
Old Master Li's words were the result of careful consideration over this period of time, but everyone else looked at him with disbelief.
Grandma Li and Zhao Yumei, in particular, were even more incredulous. Grandma Li stammered, "Old man, what, what did you say?"
Grandpa Li sighed and replied firmly, "I said if the eldest son doesn't pass the imperial examination this year, he doesn't need to study anymore."
My family has supported his education for over thirty years, and he has yet to achieve anything. I cannot let him drag down all my children and grandchildren!
Perhaps our Li family's ancestral graves just weren't lucky enough!
The Li family felt a mix of emotions during the meal. But at least Yan Qingqing's separation from the family didn't affect them.
That night, before going to bed, Li Sanniu told Xu about the tael of silver Yan Qingqing had given him. Xu told Li Sanniu not to betray Yan Qingqing's trust.
Li San Niu certainly understood this principle.
The next day before dawn, Li Sanniu took Li Xiang'an's oxcart into the city to find a master craftsman who could build houses.
Just as Yan Qingqing finished breakfast, the construction workers arrived at her house. There were forty or fifty people standing there, filling the yard to capacity. It was quite a sight.
After Yan Qingqing had Li Xiangping say a few polite words, she lit firecrackers to officially start the work.
Building a house definitely requires laying a foundation first. This is something that doesn't require a master craftsman's guidance; anyone who has built a house for someone else knows how to do it.
While everyone was busy at the new house, Aunt Wang from next door and Jiao, the village chief's wife, also came to Yan Qingqing's house.
Aunt Wang held Yan Qingqing's hand and said, "Qingqing, I have to thank you. Otherwise, where would our family of five find such a good job?"
"Take a look around and see if there's anything we can do to help. Just tell us, and don't be shy about asking me for help."
Except for Wang Fugui, who was too old, the rest of the Wang family men were helping Yan Qingqing build a house. The five of them earned 125 coins a day.
Moreover, it's close to home, something Aunt Wang never dared to dream of before.
Although Jiao didn't take advantage of Yan Qingqing's family, Li Kaishan had already explained the future benefits to her, and added, "Yes, Qingqing, don't be so polite with your aunt."
"My aunt can't help with other things, but serving tea and water—with so many people like this, it's quite a task."
Although Yan Qingqing's family doesn't provide meals when building a house, they definitely need plenty of water in this hot weather.
Seeing that the two women spoke sincerely, Yan Qingqing also said, "I appreciate your kindness, aunts."
In that case, my aunties, please help boil some water.
The two of them immediately agreed.
In the afternoon, Li Sanniu led the master craftsman who was building the house to Canghe Village.
This master craftsman is named Chen Deyun. He comes from a wealthy family and studied house building under a master craftsman in his early years, so he knows more than the average person.
Chen Deyun was originally unwilling to come, but Li Sanniu had saved him by chance years ago, so he came this time out of respect for Li Sanniu.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Chen Deyun, Yan Qingqing handed him the blueprints.
Chen Deyun was immediately stunned when he received the blueprints. Even his master couldn't have drawn such an exquisite design, and now it was appearing in such a small mountain village.
After the initial shock, he looked at Yan Qingqing with intense longing; anyone who didn't know better would have thought he had feelings for her.
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