Yun Erman was working in the fields when he heard that his wife had given birth. He dropped his hoe and ran home.
Inside the east wing room, there were screams.
Aunt Zhang, being experienced, came to help with the delivery.
Zhao Guihua busied herself, adding firewood and boiling water.
Gu shi, accustomed to such scenes, remained calm.
With the cry of a newborn, Aunt Zhang smiled, "Sister-in-law Gu, Cui Rong has given you a big, healthy grandson!"
Yun Erman heard this as soon as he ran into the house.
He paused, his expression complex.
But he still pushed the door open to see his wife and son.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, cook a few more eggs tonight to replenish your second sister-in-law's strength," Gu shi instructed.
"Understood, Mother!"
"Also, there's half a rack of ribs left in the vegetable cellar. Make soup and let Cui Rong drink more."
The family had been busy with farming, eating whatever they had.
This rack of ribs was a gift from Fu Daqiang.
Xiao Xi Tian peeked through the crack in the east wing room door, her bright eyes blinking.
Huh!
Her third nephew was so small!
Liu Cui Rong had cried for two days because she hadn't given birth to a daughter for the Yun family.
Although Yun Erman was somewhat disappointed, he was content in his heart.
This was his son, after all. Even if it meant fewer bowls of rice, he would raise him.
When Yun Jinshan learned that his mother had given him another brother, he happily told everyone he met, "I have a little brother now!"
Although Xiao Xi Tian was younger than him, her generation was senior.
He could only dote on her and protect her, not dare to bully her.
Normally, Yun Jinhe would beat him, but now he had someone to vent on.
He was happy!
After Guyu came Lixia.
By this time, the tender shoots of wheat had broken through the soil, a patch of vibrant green.
The villagers began busy planting corn and sorghum again.
Vegetables were also planted along the borders of the fields.
Such as coriander, lettuce, rapeseed, and beans.
There were also scallions, garlic, eggplant, cucumbers, and so on.
The old Yun family had more land, so they planted more vegetables.
These vegetables were too much for the family to eat, so the surplus could be taken to the county town to sell.
As long as they were delivered to the major restaurants or wealthy families, they would buy them at the asking price.
The prerequisite was that the vegetables had to be fresh.
In the blink of an eye, it was the scorching summer.
Xiaoshu and Dashu again, another year.
Xiao Xi Tian was also a year old.
Dashui Village was stuffy and hot, like a large steamer.
It made the villagers wilted, tired, and listless.
Apart from going to the fields to weed, fertilize, water, and pick vegetables, no one wanted to go out.
The village was filled with the chirping of cicadas and the barking of dogs, with smoke rising from the chimneys, a scene of peace and harmony.
One day, an old man in a gray Taoist robe arrived at Dashui Village.
He carried a compass in his hand, stood in the center of the village, looking around and muttering to himself.
Coincidentally, Yun Daman was returning from the fields. Seeing the Taoist priest, he was curious and went forward to ask, "Master, what are you doing?"
The old man extended his hand, pointed to the large house on the mountainside, and his expression was somewhat excited, "Whose house is that?"
"It's ours! What's wrong?" Yun Daman was curious.
Why was this old man acting so mysteriously?
Could it be that he had taken a liking to their house?
The old man put away his compass and slapped his thigh, "Oh my, a blessed person lives in a blessed place, and a blessed person lives in a blessed place. Built against the mountain, it gathers wind and qi. What excellent feng shui!"
Yun Daman responded with a casual 'oh'.
He didn't understand feng shui.
He was too lazy to delve into its intricacies, so he asked, "Master, why have you come to Dashui Village?"
The old man coughed lightly, "This... I can't say yet!"
Yun Daman glared at him, accusing him of being mysterious.
The weather was too hot, and he wanted to go home for a nap, so he picked up his hoe and left.
The Yun family's backyard also had a vegetable garden, where melons and seasonal vegetables were planted.
He drew a bucket of cool water from the well and threw the melons into it.
After soaking for fifteen minutes, he took one out and took a bite. It was crisp and sweet, quenching thirst and relieving the heat.
Xue Ling, lying in her doghouse, was panting with heat.
Yun Daman had assumed the Taoist priest had come to the village to freeload.
So he hadn't mentioned it to his family upon his return.
Ten days later, a group of people rushed into Dashui Village.
Rumbling, there were thirty to forty people.
They went directly to the Yun family's house.
Seeing this, Old Man Yun felt a bit apprehensive and puzzled.
The clothing and demeanor of these people did not resemble refugees; they had the bearing of officials.
"Who... who are you looking for?" Old Man Yun asked.
The leader was a young man, fair-skinned, dressed in a fine cloth robe.
"Old sir, my name is Kong Xingzhuo. I'm from the capital. The empty plot of land next to your house has been requisitioned."
"Starting tomorrow, we will be building a house there, so we've come to inform you!"
Kong Xingzhuo cupped his hands towards Old Man Yun, being very polite.
The Yun family also came out, crowding at the doorway, staring at each other.
Gu shi, holding Xiao Xi Tian, raised her eyebrows, "Why are you building a house next to mine?"
Kong Xingzhuo smiled slightly, "Because the feng shui here is good, and my master fancies it."
Yun Daman let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
So the old Taoist priest he met that day was indeed there to check the feng shui.
"Ni, ni jia... ni jia zhu zhi, shi shui?" Xiao Xi Tian asked in a milky voice.
Well, she also wanted to speak clearly, but her little tongue was disobedient and couldn't roll.
For a baby over a year old, being able to say so many words was already a stretch.
Kong Xingzhuo saw the little girl before him, soft and adorable.
On her fluffy little head, she had two buns.
Her pair of watery big eyes shone like a clear spring.
Her pink dress was wrapped around her, exquisite and cute, like a carved jade.
Kong Xingzhuo clutched his chest, "What a cute little girl."
How could such a cute creature exist in this world?
"My master's name is inconvenient to disclose, please forgive us," Kong Xingzhuo said with a smile.
He suppressed the urge to pinch the little dumpling and looked at Old Man Yun, "Old sir, before the house is built, the two foremen and I would like to lodge at your home."
"Of course, for daily expenses, food, and meals, we will prepare them ourselves!"
"In addition, we will also offer generous compensation. What do you say, old sir?"
Mainly, this little girl was too endearing.
If he could live there, he could see her every day.
The Yun family was hospitable.
Seeing that Gu shi had already nodded, Yun Daman welcomed Kong Xingzhuo and the two foremen in.
The other workers built sheds next to the Yun family's house, lit fires, and cooked.
Zhao Guihua brought hot tea for the guests and served a plate of fried dried fruits.
The Yun family's main house had many rooms. Gu shi arranged for the three guests to stay in the east and west side rooms.
Kong Xingzhuo stayed alone in the east side room, and the two foremen stayed in the west side room.
After changing into clean and refreshing clothes, Kong Xingzhuo went to the main house.
As soon as he walked in, he saw Xiao Xi Tian sitting on the kang, holding a small bone and playing happily.
Gu shi was peeling garlic, and Old Man Yun was pounding garlic paste.
They were preparing to pickle garlic and eggplant for the evening.
Kong Xingzhuo raised a smiling face and stepped forward to bow, "Elder, Elder's wife, I will likely be staying at your esteemed residence for some time!"
As he spoke, he drew a silver note from his sleeve and handed it to the elders with both hands, "Please accept this money. Thank you for your hospitality!"
Xiao Xi Tian heard this, dropped the bone, and crawled over, glancing at the silver note.
Good heavens!
Fifty taels!