Kang Yueran put away Chai Shijing's letter, thought for a while about how to return the gift, then entered the space, packed 20 kilograms of tea, 10 kilograms of cherries, and bought a few books of Ouyang Xun's calligraphy, a black gold inkstone, and a complete set of tea sets in the mall.
After leaving the space, he wrote another affectionate letter to Chai Shijing.
The next day, it was delivered to the address mentioned in Chai Shijing's letter.
The Chinese New Year is coming soon, and the city of Anzhou is very lively. People are busy buying New Year's goods.
Huang was no exception. She and Wang Xiaoying counted the things they would need for the New Year and asked Kang Yuanchen and Hu Dacheng to buy them one by one.
He Zhengchu asked Huang to prepare a festival gift for him. The gift was for Yue Qingyao. It was not much and not expensive, but it was a token of his thoughtfulness.
Huang also prepared one for Kang Yuanfeng's husband and asked He Zhengchu to deliver it together.
On the afternoon of the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, work at Heshun Wharf stopped.
The chief steward had all the tools used in daily life transported to Heshunyuan, and left fifteen people to guard the stones during the New Year. The rest of the people could go home after receiving their wages.
More than 600 disaster victims from Kaoshan Village returned to Kaoshan Village to meet their families first.
After Wang Dali went back to wash up, he took his son to find Wu and his daughter.
Mrs. Wu handed Wang Dali one tael of silver and said, "The New Year's gift was distributed just after the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. I will use the two pieces of cloth to make a set of clothes for you and your three children."
Wang Dali said with a smile, "This one ounce of silver plus my wages will allow us to have a good New Year."
Mrs. Wu asked again, "Will we come again next year?"
Wang Dali nodded vigorously. "Of course I'll come. The boss is going to build a kiln to make porcelain in Baekdu Mountain next year. Erqiang and I can both go and work. In a few years, we can earn enough to buy a house."
The house in his hometown collapsed, and he would have to build a new one if he returned. Wang Dali's parents had passed away long ago, and he had separated from his brothers long ago. It would be better for him to continue working in Baitou Mountain.
Wang Erqiang said, "I heard from the stewards that if you don't want to go home for the New Year, you can also celebrate the New Year in Kaoshan Village. Should we go back to the village? Where will we live if we go back?"
Wang Dali replied, "Second Uncle Da Neng has a house where we can squeeze in."
The four Wu family members looked at each other without saying anything. Going back would still be like living under someone else's roof, where everything would be uncomfortable. It would be better not to go back.
Wang Dali didn't really want to go back, but going home for the New Year was ingrained in him. He opened his mouth to persuade her, but felt he had no idea where to begin.
Finally, he hardened his heart and said, "Even Da Neng's second uncle's house may not be able to squeeze in. If you are willing, we can spend the New Year in Kaoshan Village."
The four Wu family members smiled and said, "Dad, let's celebrate the New Year in Kaoshan Village. After the New Year, we will settle down in Xiangshan Village."
His parents were gone, and wherever his wife and children were was his home. Wang Dali agreed loudly, "Okay! I'll tell Da Neng when I get home that we won't be returning to the village for the New Year."
As soon as the family finished discussing, Wang Daneng ran over and said to Wang Dali with an apologetic look on his face, "Dali, I'm sorry. My family doesn't want to go back to the village for the New Year."
Wang Dali waved his hand and said, "My family won't be going back to the village for the New Year either."
Wang Daneng laughed. "That's all right then. Tomorrow I want to take my wife and children to Changming County to buy some needles, thread, and snacks. Would you like to come?"
The epidemic was over and the New Year was approaching, so Mao Qiang ordered everyone to move freely.
Wang Dali looked at Wu and said, "Go ahead. The county town must be very lively. Just treat it as a day of fun."
In fact, they are a little closer to Anzhou City, but things in the county town are definitely cheaper than in Anzhou City, so everyone prefers to go to Changming County.
Wang Daneng said, "Okay, let's wait at the village entrance after breakfast tomorrow and go together!"
Wu immediately agreed, "Okay, let's go together tomorrow!"
Most people return to the village because they miss their relatives. For those like them who have few relatives, it is also good to stay.
Anzhou City
Kang Yueran was taking He Zhengchu to look at houses. She couldn't just stay in the He family's house forever. Since she wanted to live in Anchang in the future, she had to have her own home.
After listening to Kang Yueran's request, Qian Yaren pondered for a moment and replied, "There's a courtyard in Guihua Lane that's quite suitable. It used to be occupied by Mrs. Liao Changsheng's brother. After Liao Changsheng was dismissed from office, Mrs. Liao's brother fled with his family.
The title deed is in the name of Madam Liao and is now in the hands of Lord Guo. Mr. Kang can ask Lord Guo to buy it.”
Kang Yueran asked, "Have you been inside to take a look? What's the yard like?"
"Thanks to Lord Guo's kindness, I'm selling the courtyard. The key is with me, and I can take the master to see it.
Mrs. Liao and her family are very fond of luxury. The courtyard is spacious and exquisite, with a pond and rockery.
Kang Yueran was very tempted, "Let's go and have a look!"
Arriving at Osmanthus Alley, Qian Ya Ren led the way while explaining to Kang Yueran, "This is the main gate. There is a side gate on each side."
He took out the key and opened the door. The first thing that caught his eye was the screen wall. In the middle of the wall was a vase carved, which symbolized peace.
On the left is a row of back houses, and next to the screen wall is the hanging flower gate. After passing the hanging flower gate is the outer courtyard, in the middle is a bright hall, with east and west wing rooms and east and west ear rooms on the left and right.
There is a moon gate next to the east wing, and inside is a garden for viewing and entertaining guests. There are corridors on both sides of the garden, and a pond in the middle with a pavilion built beside the pond.
Behind the pond is a two-story building, and behind it are dozens of plum trees.
Kang Yueran smiled and said, "It's so pleasant to enjoy the lotus in summer and the plum blossoms in winter!"
Behind the hall is the inner courtyard, and on both sides of the inner courtyard are wing rooms. The row in the middle is the main room, and behind the main room is a row of back rooms.
After looking around, Kang Yueran was very satisfied. The house was still very new and only needed to be cleaned before moving in.
Qian Ya Ren opened the door to the main house and said, "The furniture inside is basically unchanged. Lord Guo only had some valuables taken away, and Lord Kang can just buy some more."
After leaving the main house's bedroom, Qian Ya Ren pointed to a place and said, "That's the storeroom. Madam Liao has a lot of valuables, so the storeroom is large and sturdy."
Kang Yueran smiled and nodded, "I like this courtyard very much. Let's go find Mr. Guo to get the deed."
Guo Tong hadn't had his holiday yet. When he heard that Kang Yueran wanted to buy Madam Liao's yard, he readily quoted a low price, "If the boss wants to buy it, just give me three thousand taels."
A yard and a full set of furniture, three thousand taels is not a high price!
Kang Yueran asked He Zhengchu to go home to get the silver, and gave the money man ten taels of silver as a reward to send him away.
Afterwards, he discussed with Guo Tong the matter of setting up a female household.
"Why do you insist on registering a female household? Are you afraid that your brother will compete with you for property in the future?" The two of them had more contact, and Guo Tong dared to make a joke in front of Kang Yueran occasionally.
"It's for the property, and also for my brother. Everyone in Anzhou knows that I was once the head of the Qingping Stronghold. If my brother were to take the imperial examination in the future, I'm afraid it would cause trouble.
Besides, you know, I killed so many people from the Tiger Gang, and if the court doesn't pursue the matter, it's fine. If someone dislikes me one day and pursues me again, I can at least leave some property for my family."
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