Having received the property deed, Mu Yi felt at ease. Although it cost several thousand taels of silver, it was worth it considering the size of the courtyard.
Upon returning to Uncle Mu's house, Mu Yi'an first thanked his aunt.
"We're family, no need to be so polite. Which one did you choose?"
Aunt Mu had visited those three courtyards before, and they were all quite nice, more spacious than their own.
"We chose that three-courtyard house, which has a spacious area and the house is well-maintained. Most importantly, the layout inside is quite regular."
Mu Yi'an didn't like her home being a mess, with artificial hills here and ponds there.
This courtyard is a fairly well-organized three-section siheyuan. The first section is the front courtyard, with a row of back rooms on each side of the main gate, which can be used as an outer study, guest rooms, or servants' quarters.
The first courtyard has two side courtyards on each side, which are quite spacious.
After passing through the hanging flower gate, you enter the second courtyard.
There are several main rooms, with east and west side rooms, and a passageway leading to the third courtyard. The east and west wing rooms also have side rooms, as well as covered corridors.
The third courtyard is also spacious, with a row of rear buildings, a sizable garden, and a pavilion.
The layout of the entire courtyard was already in Mu Yi'an's mind, and she could already think about how to tidy it up.
Most importantly, going out through the back door of the third courtyard, across a path, is a long row of independent courtyards, which were the houses provided by the master for the servants who had married.
Aunt Mu also knew that the three-courtyard house was indeed spacious, complete in all four corners, and lacked nothing, but it was also really expensive!
"That yard is really nice. It only needs a little tidying up; no need for major renovations."
"Yes, that's what I like too. Shuyun will be taking up her post at the academy in a few days, so we can move in quickly after a little tidying up, without wasting any time."
Third Aunt, could you please send someone to the dock to deliver a message to Steward Li, asking them to pack their things and come over?
“This is simple, Aunt Wu. Tell Butler Mu to send someone to the dock to deliver a message to Xinyuan County.”
"Understood, madam, I'll go right away."
After Aunt Wu left, Mu Yi'an discussed some shops in the prefectural city with Aunt Mu San.
Moving to a new house requires purchasing many things, so Mu Yi'an looked into them in advance.
The two daughters-in-law of the Mu family also offered some suggestions, which felt quite novel.
"Cousin, is the yard you bought very big?"
"It's alright, enough for a family."
"Is it bigger or smaller than my house?"
In the past, Mu Yisi had mostly come into contact with families of similar social standing to her third uncle. Their family circumstances were generally not as good as her own.
"Once the house is ready, please invite Sister Yisi to come and play."
Mu Yi'an did not directly answer the question about the size of the house, but changed the subject.
"Sister Yi'an, don't forget to invite us then, don't just invite Sister Yi Si."
The eldest sister-in-law understands her sister-in-law well; she doesn't have any bad intentions, but sometimes she speaks without considering the occasion and likes to pry.
"No, please, please."
After chatting and laughing for a while, Mu Yi'an and the others returned to their guest rooms.
"Mother, did I say something wrong again?"
Mu Yisi was a little confused. She hadn't said anything, had she?
"Yi Si, there are some things you can't ask too directly, or it will be difficult for people to answer."
Your cousin bought a yard that's much bigger than ours. Your question is difficult for her to answer.
Aunt Mu was also worried. With her daughter's personality, what would happen to her in-laws?
When I was little, I thought it was cute because of their straightforwardness. But as I grew up, it wasn't like that anymore.
It's too late to change now!
"Sister An must have a lot of money, right? Didn't you say that our courtyard cost a lot of money? Her courtyard is so big, doesn't it need even more money?"
Mu Yisi quickly changed the subject, and they started talking about whether or not they had money.
Aunt Mu pressed her head with her hand; she had a headache and felt exhausted.
“Yi Si, you can’t compare them like that. The locations are different. Yi An’s family’s courtyard is in the west of the city, while we are in the east of the city. The house prices are different.”
Mu Yisi wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn't. She saw her mother's brows furrow slightly, and swallowed back the question she was about to ask.
In the following days, Mu Yi'an and Jiang Shuyun were busy tidying up the courtyard, as it would be a few more days before Butler Li and the others arrived.
Fang's wife recovered and stayed at Uncle Mu's house to look after the children.
Zhao Wu bought a horse-drawn carriage and followed Jiang Shuyun and the others around every day.
Mu Yi'an still needs to go to the brokerage firm; she needs to buy a few more servants.
Now that the courtyard is tidy, we need to put a gatekeeper there. There should also be a maidservant guarding the hanging flower gate next to the screen wall. The inner and outer courtyards need to be clearly distinguished.
With more people in the family, we need more women to do laundry, and we also need to add a few more guards.
Mu Yi'an looked at the back row of houses, and each small courtyard was neat and orderly.
At that time, the Li family and the Song family can move to the back row of houses and have their own home.
Mu Yi'an felt that no matter when, people always hope to have their own independent space and their own little home.
Jiang Shuyun only has Li Li by her side, and she needs a true loyal follower to help her with some things.
Mu Yi'an needs to have another stewardess by his side; one Fang Saozi isn't enough.
For now, we don't need any more help with the three children. Chuyue is still young, so a little maid is enough. We don't need anyone else for now.
Mu Yi'an looked at the notes she had just taken to see if she had forgotten anything.
"Sir, Madam, is there anything you need?"
The waiters rushed over to greet Mu Yi'an and her group as soon as they entered, recognizing them as big customers.
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