The main gate opened, and sure enough, Zheng Wei was seen driving a large cart parked by the gate.
After Zheng Wei drove the cart inside, Shen Xiaoyan closed the main gate again.
Zheng Wei drove the cart to the side courtyard, and Shen Xiaoyan followed. The two of them worked together to move the fodder trough from the cart.
Shen Xiaoyan then saw that there were two stone blocks in the cart, which seemed to be used to place the fodder trough, otherwise, it wouldn't be high enough.
After placing the fodder trough, the cart was driven to the wooden shed next to the kitchen. Only then did Zheng Wei unharness the mule and lead it into its new home.
When the house was being built, Shen Xiaoyan had already thought that there might be a need for a place to put things later, so she had people build a wooden shed next to the storage room by the kitchen.
This wooden shed was not like the thatched shed in the old courtyard, nor was it like the shed Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei had built together. Except for the lack of three walls, this wooden shed was solidly constructed with black bricks and red tiles.
Now it had a purpose. Their cart could be stored here.
In front of the kitchen was a four-cornered pavilion. Under the pavilion were not tables and chairs, nor was the pavilion used for cooling off, because under the pavilion was a well.
There was such a well in each side courtyard, making it convenient to fetch water without having to walk a long distance.
Zheng Wei drew a bucket of water and added it to the mule's fodder trough, along with husks for it to eat. Then the two of them returned to the adjacent courtyard. Seeing the land that Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming had tidied up, Zheng Wei felt a pang of emotion. Such capable wife and brother-in-law truly put him under a lot of pressure!
Another 8 days passed, and the Zhu family made no move, and no one came to find Zheng Wei. This made Zheng Wei a little strange. However, he would not therefore assume that the Zhu family had given up looking for him. But since no one came, he could only wait.
On the 9th day, the furniture they had ordered was finally delivered.
Mid-morning, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei were sparring in the courtyard when they heard someone knocking at the door. When they opened it, they saw it was Lu Taobao, followed by more than ten carts loaded with various furniture and furnishings. Shen Xiaoyan immediately knew it was their furniture.
Opening the gate, they let the people drive the carts in, and they all went straight to the side courtyard before stopping.
It was much more convenient to enter from this side, at least saving these people a few steps and making it faster to move furniture.
After working hard for the whole morning, all the furniture and furnishings were placed in their proper positions. Shen Xiaoyan finally stopped, her forehead covered in sweat.
She paid the remaining money to the apprentices who delivered the furniture. Taking the note written by Zheng Wei earlier from their hands, and after confirming there were no issues, she saw the apprentices off.
The more than ten carts left one after another, and the only one remaining was the cart Lu Taobao was riding in.
Lu Taobao was currently standing in the side courtyard looking at the large black mule. Seeing Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei walk back, he said to them, "Why didn't you buy a horse? Didn't you find a good one? Why didn't you tell me?"
Zheng Wei glanced at him and said faintly, "There's no need."
Shen Xiaoyan also smiled and said, "We don't travel far, so we don't need a horse. This mule is quite good. When the time comes, we'll definitely find you to buy a good one."
Lu Taobao could only say, "Alright."
Shen Xiaoyan smiled gently and then said, "Actually, there is one thing I need your help with. Do you know where to buy puppies? I want to raise a few."
"Raise a few? What kind of dog does sister-in-law want? My mother has a Pekingese, it's very cute. Should I get one for you too?" Lu Taobao asked.
"No Pekingese," Shen Xiaoyan quickly refused. She didn't want a cute puppy, and she didn't have the time to play with it.
"Wolfhound, hunting dog," Zheng Wei stated his requirement directly.
"What do you need such dogs for?" Lu Taobao asked in surprise.
"To guard the house~" Shen Xiaoyan said with a smile. She loved majestic hunting dogs the most. It would be great if she could get one.
Lu Taobao suddenly understood, "That's right. There are only three of you in the house, and it's too few people. The courtyard is so large, you should raise a few dogs to guard it. Okay then, I'll go back and ask people to see if I can get them."
"Thank you in advance then. We'll pay for whatever it costs," Shen Xiaoyan said.
"What are you saying, sister-in-law? Two dogs, and you still want to pay? What kind of person would that make me?" Lu Taobao feigned anger. His words made all three of them laugh.
It was already noon, and Shen Xiaoyan did not let Lu Taobao leave just like that. She asked Zheng Wei to keep him company while she quickly went to cook.
Lu Taobao always brought a servant with him when he came, who was responsible for driving his cart. The servant was only 15 years old and his name was Wu Yong.
Wu Yong came often and had become familiar with Shen Xiaoyan and the others. Every time he came, he would play with Shen Xiaoming. The two of them were playing together at the moment.
However, in Shen Xiaoyan's opinion, it was actually Wu Yong who was coaxing Shen Xiaoming to play. Being a servant who could be relied upon, he was definitely not an ordinary person.
After lunch, Lu Taobao bid farewell and left. He had many things to do. This time, he heard that their furniture was ready and came along to deliver it, and to see if Shen Xiaoyan and the others needed anything else.
After seeing Lu Taobao off, Shen Xiaoyan and the other two closed the main gate and went into the new house together.
Shen Xiaoming darted into his east side room, and Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei followed him in.
Entering the door was the hall. Against the east wall was a high table, and in front of the high table were two lounge chairs, with a square table placed in the middle.
Three wooden chairs were placed on the north and south sides respectively. Between every two wooden chairs was a square table.
Entering the door on the north wall was Shen Xiaoming's bedroom. Upon entering, they saw a combined wardrobe placed directly opposite the door. On the west side of the kang, the kang cabinet, kang chest, and kang table were already in place.
Not far in front of the kang was a round table, with four stools on one side. On the other wall was a wooden rack for hanging clothes.
Next to the wooden rack was a display shelf, which was currently empty.
On the north wall of the kang was the door to the washroom. Next to the door was a dressing case.
Yes, it was a dressing case. In ancient times, men's hair was as plentiful as women's, just not as long. Therefore, Shen Xiaoyan had also prepared a dressing case for Shen Xiaoming.
On the dressing case was a crystal mirror, which could clearly reflect a person's face. Shen Xiaoming was very fond of it, constantly touching and looking at it.
Entering the washroom, a freshly made basin was placed on the washstand. Inside, next to it, was a wooden cabinet for storing various washing supplies.
The basin for bathing was oval-shaped, with a seat at one end for lying down and soaking.
Coming out of the bedroom and entering the study, the study had bookshelves against the east wall, with a desk and a lounge chair in front of them.
On the left and right sides were cabinets and display shelves. On the west wall was another kang, which also had a kang cabinet, kang table, and kang chest on it.
After accompanying Shen Xiaoming to see all three rooms, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei went to the main house. The layout of the main house was the same as Shen Xiaoming's room.
Entering the east study and bedroom, everything was identical.
Shen Xiaoyan touched each item and finally smiled with satisfaction.