Ye Shiheng originally thought that Dugu Lanxi was in charge of the affairs of the mansion and would not be able to complete the transaction so quickly. He did not expect it to be completed at such a fast speed. This eldest daughter-in-law is indeed capable!
For this, he smiled with satisfaction, "Lan Xi, among all the daughters-in-law in our family, you are the best at taking care of household chores. You are much more capable than your mother-in-law, and you are even better than her."
Being praised, Dugu Lanxi blushed, "No, no, it's my mother-in-law who taught me well. If it weren't for her teaching me step by step, no matter how big or small, I, the daughter-in-law, wouldn't be able to manage the household expenses well."
"I don't know how deep your mother-in-law's abilities are. She's good at managing household chores, but she's no match for you. Just accept the praise." Ye Shiheng said sincerely. This eldest daughter-in-law is good in every way, but she's too humble.
Dugu Lanxi said, "Father, the money the Duke currently has in the mansion has to cover daily expenses, the monthly wages for the servants and the maids, and the money for Grandfather's birthday this year. Sister Ruhuan's coming-of-age ceremony is another matter. The Duke's money isn't enough to give to Hua'er, and we don't know how much rent we can collect from the farm when the time comes. This doesn't include the rent from my aunt and grandmother. Even if we collect rent, it's probably not enough."
She knew exactly how many fields and shops the mansion had. Most of the shops were dowries from daughters-in-law, privately owned, and the income was managed by the daughters-in-law themselves, not counted as zhonggong. Some of the land and farms were rewards for military exploits, and the rent collected went to zhonggong. Others were dowries from daughters-in-law. The land and farms owned by Xu and her late grandmother were in the hands of the old general, so the rent collected did not go to zhonggong. Most of the rent from the land and farms owned by Madam Ouyang was counted as zhonggong, as were the shops she brought as a dowry. As for her own land, her dowry was small, so the rent was not much either, and she had her own expenses, so it did not go to zhonggong.
To raise enough money for compensation, the extra money from the Duke was not enough, and the old general would probably be angry if the ancestral property was touched. So Dugu Lanxi gave Ye Shiheng a compromise suggestion, "Dad, if my sister-in-law comes back, you can tell her that the money can be paid to her in installments. My sister-in-law is reasonable and can understand. What do you think?"
"Don't worry about this," Ye Shiheng said, "just go and get busy."
Gu Du Lan Xi resigned and returned to Fengquexuan, where he took a pomegranate branch to look for the team of masons and bricklayers.
This mason and tile maker is commonly used by the wealthy and officials in Fengjing. The renovation quality is good and the price is affordable. The Ye family has also used this mason and tile maker before.
Dugu Lanxi is in charge of the household affairs of the mansion and also has to take care of the fields and farms. He is usually very busy and rarely has free time. It is rare that he has some free time today.
As soon as Liuzhi left, she sat on the official hat chair, leaned back, her posture lazy, her white and tender hands covering her lower abdomen, and sighed softly. She burned incense and prayed to Buddha, and took a lot of pregnancy medicine. She even took the pregnancy soup prepared by Hua Fushu for a while. When would she be able to have a child?
She was already in her prime, and most women would be mothers of several children, but she had none.
Her parents-in-law won't urge her, and her husband won't blame her, but she is very anxious.
Dugu Lanxi murmured to herself, "It's just a minor injury. Am I destined to never have children in this life?"
As soon as Ye Yunlu entered the room, he saw Gu Du Lan Xi with a worried look on her face. He reached out and rubbed her brows, holding her hand and saying softly, "Lan Xi, I don't care whether I have a child or not. You are enough for me, really."
Dugu Lanxi's eyes were slightly red, and gradually moistened. She threw herself into his arms, hugged Ye Yunlu's waist, and choked with sobs: "Why can other women give birth to children, but I can't? Why, why..."
Ye Yunlu said sadly: "Lan Xi, don't blame yourself, it's all my fault. I failed to protect you."
Dugu Lanxi cried silently, and her tears wet Ye Yunlu's clothes.
The news of renovating Wutongju reached the old general's ears. The old general felt that Ye Shiheng had too much to do, so he asked Yuzhi to invite him over.
Ye Shiheng was afraid that his father was going to promote his wife or send Ye Songyan to the military camp, so he asked Yuzhi to tell his father that he would not go.
Yuzhi said that the old general came to Feiyuan to renovate the courtyard, so Ye Shiheng followed Yuzhi to Feiyuan. He did not go empty-handed, but brought something with him.
This thing is a chubby cat with round eyes, long whiskers, pointed ears, and orange hair wrapped around its plump body. It nestles in Ye Shiheng's arms, as well-behaved as a girl.
Ye Shiheng asked about the old general's well-being and sat down without being invited.
The old general noticed what Ye Shiheng was carrying in his arms. "I asked you to come here, not to bring something with you."
Ye Songyan was serving the old general medicine and happened to be there. He was sharp-eyed and recognized the orange-colored fat man at a glance. "Orange."
The fat orange guy cooperated and called out, "Meow."
"What oranges?" the old general asked in confusion.
Ye Songyan smiled and said, "Juzi is my sister-in-law's cat slave. I gave it to her as a gift. She has a very gentle temperament. Juzi is the name my sister-in-law gave her. She has orange fur, so she calls her Juzi. She also has a parrot called Green Bean."
The old general said with some displeasure: "What's the point of an old boy holding a cat? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Yan'er, take it away quickly."
Ye Songyan walked up to his father and said, "Father, please give the orange to your son."
Ye Shiheng gave the orange fat boy to Ye Songyan. The orange fat boy knew Ye Songyan and was very well-behaved in his arms. His grandfather and father were talking and he probably didn't need to be present, so he tactfully left and the old general didn't stop him.
The old general didn't like to talk nonsense, so he went straight to the point and asked about the renovation of Wutong Residence. Ye Shiheng said, "Penglai Residence is so small, it's really crowded for two people to live in it. When Zelin and Huaer have a child, there won't be enough room. We have to move anyway, so it's better to move as soon as possible. If we wait until Huaer is pregnant, what will happen if she gets a miscarriage? Dad, I'm preparing for my grandson."
This excuse is really good for Sun Yat-sen. The old general is also impressed by Ye Shiheng.
He was silent for a while before he said, "Zelin, how long has he been married?"
Ye Shiheng was slightly stunned. This old man disliked Ze Lin the most, and he actually asked him how long he had been married?
He didn't know why his father asked him this, so he said, "It's almost four months. If they are fast enough, I will be able to hold my grandson in my arms next year."
The old general called Ye Shiheng over. He originally wanted to scold him for wasting money, but when he heard that it was for his future grandson, the idea of scolding him gradually disappeared. He just said, "Renovate it well and spend the money that should be spent. Don't let your grandson down."
Whether this "grandson" refers to Ye Shiheng's future grandson or his grandson, probably only the old general himself knows, or even he himself is not clear and does not know.
Ye Shiheng's eyes turned and he glanced outside the door. "Dad, the fourth kid is already grown up. It's time for him to have his own yard. Why don't we clean up the yard in Shanyueju and give it to the fourth kid to live in."
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