The village head auntie also said with a smile, "Fengnian's mother, this earthen pit of yours is really a good thing. Charcoal is expensive, how can we farmers afford it? You only need to use a little firewood to keep warm all night. We really don't know how to thank you. Here are some dried bamboo shoots that I dried."
Fang Chuntian also said, "I also have some pickled cowpeas here. Aunt Lin, you can try some too."
"And my family's preserved mustard greens..."
A group of women began to offer Song Anxin some of the food they had made at home. They knew that Aunt Lin's family certainly didn't lack these things, but they just wanted to give her something to thank her. After thinking it over, they felt that homemade food was the most sincere way to express their gratitude.
As Song Anxin watched the villagers bring out the food they had made themselves, she didn't know what to say. Although the food they brought was simple and unpretentious, she knew it came from their hearts.
Song Anxin said, "Dear mothers-in-law, aunts and sisters-in-law... this is all your food, how can I accept it? Please take it back. I appreciate your kindness."
"Oh, please accept it. Everyone has made so much money off you, so we can afford to give you this little treat," said Aunt Guiying.
Sister-in-law Lin, whose legs had been crossed on the earthen kang since she came in, was now extremely warm. With a comfortable expression, she said, "Sister-in-law, please accept this. It's all from everyone's heart. We women are especially afraid of the cold after giving birth, and winter is even harder to endure. Our husbands don't understand or appreciate our suffering. If we tell them, they say we're making a fuss and being delicate. Since this earthen kang was built, Da Xi, Er Xi, and I have been sleeping on it every night. It's so warm! If your brother doesn't understand, let him sleep in the same room as his son."
Everyone covered their mouths and laughed upon hearing this, and one of the women said:
"Oh my, my husband initially thought it was only early winter and there was no need to sleep on a kang (heated brick bed), but after sleeping on it for one night, he found it extremely comfortable. He even keeps trying to get into bed with me."
"Oh dear, then you'll soon be able to have another one, Tu Zi's mother. I never thought that once it gets warm, men would be so eager to get into bed."
"Hahaha......."
Everyone burst into laughter and started talking about their own relationships with their husbands.
Song Anxin, a young woman in her prime, felt embarrassed. The village women's crude talk was really exciting. She quickly made an excuse to take Da Xiaocao out.
About ten days later, Song Anxin's brick and tile house was almost complete, just waiting for the roof beam to be installed. The roof beam was a good one that Uncle Bai got from another carpenter. It was said that the carpenter had kept the beam for his family for a long time, and Song Anxin bought it at a high price.
On the day of the beam-raising ceremony, almost the entire village came to watch. It happened to be a day off for Lin Fengyao and Fenghe Academy. After the four Lin brothers, including the eldest brother Lin and the village head, finished their ceremony, the village head shouted:
"The auspicious time has arrived! Set off firecrackers and raise the roof beam!"
With the crackling of firecrackers, children ran and laughed amidst the fireworks. The four courtyards began raising the roof beams simultaneously. The roof beams, weighing over a thousand pounds, were filled with people. The men shouted slogans in unison, creating a truly spectacular scene.
After the beam is completed, the workers on the beam begin to throw dried fruits and snacks from it, a practice called "throwing the beam." The craftsmen also recite congratulatory words from above.
"Throw the beam to the east, and the sun will rise in the east, bringing blessings to the house; throw the beam to the west, and the Qilin will bring children and grandchildren; throw the beam to the south, and your descendants will enjoy continuous blessings; throw the beam to the north, and the five grains will be plentiful and the granaries full."
This represents blessings for the host family. The whole village, young and old, went to the beam to pick up snacks and dried fruits, busy and happy. Everyone's face was full of smiles. It had been a long time since anyone in the village had such a lively ceremony for raising a beam. The last time was when the village head's family built a house with so many people. Moreover, Aunt Lin's family had a lot of snacks and dried fruits.
After the roof beam raising ceremony, a grand banquet was to be held. The ceremony was a major event, so a large banquet was to be held, with only a few fewer tables than the banquet for Madam Liu. Of course, she also invited the Liu family, but Madam Liu and her son Liu Mingjie did not come. Instead, the Liu family came with his two maids, Taohua and Mingzhu Mingyue, to offer their congratulations.
Lin Taohua's belly is getting bigger every day, and her eyes are full of smiles. It's obvious that she's much happier than before. Her two maids, Lin Mingzhu and Mingyue, have also become much more lively and cheerful.
She naturally extended a polite invitation to Magistrate Yan and his advisor, Master Fan, but Magistrate Yan said he was busy with official business and sent Master Fan instead, which was a great honor for her.
The feast for raising the roof beam was extremely lavish, designed to ensure that the guests and craftsmen ate and drank well. Some craftsmen from various counties were surprised that the village feast could be so delicious, and they all praised the food and drink. Lin Lizheng then bragged about her family's feast again.
The craftsmen felt that Madam Hui valued them so much and even personally cooked the dishes, so they secretly decided that they must work even harder for Madam Hui's family after the banquet.
A few days later, Song Anxin's new courtyard was completely completed. This house cost her nearly ten thousand taels of silver. On an auspicious day, Song Anxin's family moved in. The four-courtyard house was very spacious. Song Anxin let her family members each choose their favorite courtyard, while she herself moved into the main courtyard of the third courtyard. Old Madam Song naturally moved in with her, and Lin Fengyao, reluctant to part with her, also moved into the courtyard with her. Song Anbang, Lin Fengnian, and Fengshou and Fenghe all lived in the second courtyard.
Because the house-raising banquet was a grand affair, only close relatives were invited to the house-moving banquet, such as the eldest brother's family, the village head's family, and the craftsmen. The sister-in-law, Lin Taohua, also brought Mingzhu and Mingyue. Master Liu was out of town, so he did not come this time.
Seven or eight tables were set up in the front yard for entertaining guests. It wasn't noon yet, but everyone had arrived early. The group visited Song Anxin's new house together, and the atmosphere was lively wherever they went. This is what the village calls "warming up the new house."
As she looked around, Sister-in-law Lin exclaimed, “Sister-in-law, your courtyard looks much more impressive than Master Liu’s. There’s even a pair of stone drums at the entrance. I don’t think Master Liu’s house has those. When I’ve saved up enough money, I’ll build a house like yours. Our house doesn’t need to be this big; a large courtyard will suffice.”
Lin Erxi immediately jumped up and said, "Mother, what are you saying! Second Aunt is now a seventh-rank lady of the imperial court, only she can live in a house like this. If our family built a house like this, our whole family would be doomed."
"Hey, you brat, how dare you talk like that! Why are you hoping for the whole family to die?" Sister-in-law Lin said sternly, ready to teach Lin Erxi a lesson.
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