Watching the bright girl by the window smile, the boy’s lips curled upwards, revealing a row of white teeth.
“Qi Ge.” Fu Xinci knew that Qi He coming to the small building in the backyard meant he had something to discuss, so she put on a thick coat and walked out.
“Fu Meimei, my father is discussing the matter of building our courtyard with Grandpa Meng and Uncle Fu.”
“Building the courtyard?” Fu Xinci, by no means a fool, immediately understood what he meant.
“Fu Meimei, where do you want to build the courtyard?”
“I, I haven’t thought about it carefully yet.”
The girl’s shyness, illuminated by the warm winter sun, was dazzling. For a moment, the boy was speechless, his mind filled with the beauty of the person before him, leaving no room for anything else.
Fu Xinci, knowing Qi He’s personality well, took the initiative to start the conversation.
“Where has Qi Ge taken a fancy to? Tell me, and we can discuss it together.”
Prompted by Fu Meimei, Qi He, like a careless big boy, scratched his head and mentioned the place he had previously chosen.
“About two li behind this courtyard, just walk straight out the back door.”
“I know the place Qi Ge is talking about, you can see it from the upstairs building.”
“Do you, Fu Meimei, find the place I chose satisfactory?”
“Mmm,” Fu Xinci nodded. She also felt the place was good. Not only was it on the same central axis as the Meng family courtyard, but it was also very close. This way, even after they were married, it would be convenient for her to look after both sides.
Another point was that the other side of the small river was also the residential area for the Qianhu Suo’s families.
Having received a clear answer from Fu Meimei, Qi He ran towards the front courtyard, not wanting to keep the elders waiting.
Fu Xinci wanted to add a few more words, but considering that the elders knew more than she did, she didn’t say anything further.
When Qi He informed her later, the elders had already finalized the general plan for the courtyard.
“My father wants us to build three main rooms, with three side rooms on each side, and two gate rooms.”
“Alright, the middle of the three main rooms will be the main hall. One of the east and west rooms will be a bedroom, and the other a study, which will be perfect for Uncle Qi.”
“Fu Meimei.” Qi He hadn’t expected Fu Meimei to think exactly the same as him.
Fu Xinci gave him a sly glance and playfully continued, “As for you, you can stay in the east side room for now.”
“Mmm, I’ll listen to Fu Meimei on everything.”
Fu Xinci was unaware that when Qi Yuanshan heard his son’s account, his heart was filled with warmth, needless to say.
He didn’t have many words to say, only instructing his son to treat his wife well in the future.
This was something he didn’t need to tell his son; his kindness towards Fu Meimei was already ingrained in his bones.
Qi Yuanshan found another opportunity and, after discussing with Uncle Meng, the original quadrangle courtyard was transformed into a two-entry courtyard.
Fu Xinci learned about this from her grandfather, who also asked if she had any glass.
She answered resolutely, of course she did. Even if no one else had it, she had to have it, as she would be living here in the future.
Bright glass windows were the start of a good mood every day.
Perhaps it was because she had been too busy lately, but this New Year’s month seemed to pass particularly quickly, and it was already February in the blink of an eye.
Fu Xinci heard from Yu Er that Uncle Qi had just ordered bricks and tiles from people these past two days.
When Qi He returned from the seaside that evening, she secretly sought him out.
“Qi Ge.”
“Fu Meimei, wait for me to put the horse in the stable, and I’ll come back to talk to you.”
“Mmm.”
With Fu Meimei waiting, Qi He returned quickly.
Fu Xinci didn’t say much, she took out all the bank notes and silver she had saved for Qi He over the years.
“Fu Meimei, what are you trying to do?” Qi He felt a bit scared by Fu Meimei’s actions.
“I heard Uncle Qi ordered bricks and tiles from the brick kiln workshop. How can we proceed without money?”
“You don’t need to worry about this, my father has money.”
“Building a courtyard requires a lot of money.”
“Don’t worry, my father told me he has enough money to build a courtyard for us.”
“…” Fu Xinci wanted to ask if it was truly enough, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Qi He seemed to know her thoughts and began to tell her about the rewards his father had received over the years.
“My father said it’s more than enough to build a courtyard,” Qi He said, and then asked Fu Meimei to put away the bank notes and silver she was holding.
He was afraid Fu Meimei would insist on giving them to him, so he quietly said to her, “Save this money for our use after we get married.”
“…” Even with Fu Da Niu’s thick skin, hearing Qi He’s words made her shut up, and then she turned and ran away.
Leaving Qi He standing there foolishly happy.
…
Seeing that the courtyard construction didn’t require her to worry at all, Fu Xinci used the excuse of a trip to Longcheng, and upon her return, she brought back two boxes of glass.
Not to mention Qi He, even Qi Yuanshan was overjoyed when he saw it. He was particularly fond of the glass windows in the Meng family’s house.
Old Jin and several of the Bayonet Commanders from the Qianhu Suo saw them and kept pestering the Qianhu大人 by his side every day, hoping to get a piece of glass to install in their own homes.
The Qianhu大人 did not indulge them. “Let me be clear with you all first. This glass was brought back by Xinci from her sect. Even I, as her future father-in-law, have no right to make decisions for her.”
“However…” Qi Yuanshan glanced at his subordinates again before continuing, “If our family’s houses are all fitted with glass and there is any surplus, I will speak with Xinci about allocating some to you.”
“Thank you, Qianhu大人.”
“Thank you, Qianhu大人.”
These Bayonet Commanders knew what they were talking about. Such a good thing was rare and could not be sought. It would be a great fortune if the Qianhu大人 could allocate a piece to them, so they would wait.
Later, Qi He told Fu Meimei about this matter. Fu Xinci smiled gently. She felt that Uncle Qi was a good person, as he was willing to seek the opinions of the younger generation on any matter at home.
Having such elders was their good fortune.
Unlike some pedantic people who liked to put on airs as feudal patriarchs, poisoning the younger generation.
The weather slowly warmed up, and the snow on the mountain peaks gradually melted, seeping into the soil and flowing into the streams. Even the streams at the foot of the mountain seemed to have risen by two fingers.
Everyone knew that spring was a season of burgeoning life, and spring always brought endless hope.
A few days ago, when Tian Shi was processing seafood, she began to vomit profusely.
Mother Fang and Fang Shi, being experienced mothers, along with Grandma Han, all unanimously said that Tian Shi was pregnant.
Tian Shi herself didn’t believe it at first.
“When I gave birth to Ke’er, my water had already broken, but that old shrew refused to help me call a midwife. It was only when my mother got the news and brought my sister-in-law to call a midwife that things were resolved.”
Recalling the situation at that time, Tian Shi’s eyes were filled with tears.
“I was breathing in more than breathing out. My mother was desperately calling my name beside me, and only then did I endure and give birth to Ke’er.”