Free Web NovelChapter 281: Chapter 281: Building a House
Rong Ruiyuan said, "A general amnesty is simply not enough. Gu Baijiang, that old fox, won’t loosen his grip unless he sees real benefits."
Consort Liang was also vexed, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t lose her mind either. "Gu Baijiang also wants to find a way out for his family. At this time, you must patiently placate him. Don’t forget, your other brothers are all watching like hawks. Right now, Gu Baijiang is crucial. You have to make him submit, and also use this matter to show the court officials that only by following you can they have a future."
Rong Ruiyuan said, "Just pardoning their current status means when they return to the capital, they are mere commoners. I’m afraid Gu Baijiang won’t be satisfied."
"You can tell that Gu fellow all the efforts you’ve made recently, letting him know that even if he turns to other princes, unless your father the Emperor agrees, no one can do anything.
I can write you a personal letter. As long as a daughter of the Gu Family can bear you a child, I can promise her the position of a secondary consort. One day, when my son ascends the Eastern Palace, her position as the mistress of the palace is inevitable."
Rong Ruiyuan said, "I’ll give it a try first."
"Remember to truthfully inform them of today’s events. We have no way out, and neither does the Gu Family." Consort Liang’s voice carried authority.
Now that a Gu family daughter has been marked by Rong Ruiyuan, who in the whole Rong Dynasty would dare to marry her?
Rong Ruiyuan certainly realized this point, and didn’t linger in the palace for long, hastily returning to the residence.
In the backyard of the Third Prince, the Third Prince Consort and the two secondary consorts also received the news before nightfall. It would be another restless night.
That Rong Ruiyuan could go this far for her, if he really brought her back, was there still a place for them?
Tian Village
It’s only been three days, and Gu Kaiyuan’s house is already taking shape, with all the surrounding land being cleared.
The villagers of Tian Village are indeed skilled workers. Not only did they clear away all the tree roots, but even the small stones were picked clean.
It’s no wonder, Gu Kaiyuan and his wife are truly generous. Besides the wages, they prepare three meals a day and ensure everyone is fully fed.
These men, though the strong labor force of their families, usually only half fill their stomachs at home. They feel that in just these few days, their health has improved, and they have been working with great vigor.
This morning, the main family brought back a whole cart full of grain from the city, and there’s even meat today. If the main family has work in the future, they could do it for a lifetime.
I heard that the mountains ahead will also need people, so they can earn Silver right at their doorstep. It’s truly good luck for them to encounter such an opportunity.
Is this what you call sending exiles? It’s more like sending a god of wealth...
"Miss, young master, today the house can be roofed." Zhuang Datou reported after the couple finished their meal.
"So fast?" Bai Suihe was indeed a bit surprised, it was like a miracle.
"Lin Hua found excellent house builders this time, and with enough manpower, the house could be built so quickly." Zhuang Datou was also satisfied with the progress. The sooner the house was built, the sooner Miss and the others wouldn’t have to stay in that small shed.
It’s been sunny for several days in a row. As a Lingnan native, she knew this kind of weather wouldn’t last long, and it might rain and cool down in a day or two.
"There’s another thing," Bai Suihe thought about the fact that there’s no air conditioning at this time. She didn’t want to use a brazier in the room either. "Go ask those craftsmen if they can make a heated bed."
Although it doesn’t get as cold here as in the North, it does snow. The village head’s wife mentioned that it snows once a year before New Year’s. Seeing that New Year was approaching, she didn’t want to tough it out through the winter.
"Miss, we can make heated beds," Zhuang Datou said quickly, "We can handle the job ourselves."
Bai Suihe said, "You have this skill?"
Zhuang Datou smiled shyly, "Back in the village, we followed every kind of work, and the steward purposely taught us these skills."
Because they were Nanny Wu’s godsons, the people in the village didn’t withhold anything from them. They picked up a little bit of everything, aiming to better serve the main family in the future.
This time, following Miss to Lingnan was a rare opportunity to stand by the master’s side. Now that they were settled, they had to perform well.
"Then I’ll leave it to you, but you still have to supervise the construction. Can you manage both tasks?"
"We can manage," Zhuang Datou quickly responded, "There are many workers to help, and we only need to give instructions."
Bai Suihe nodded, "Then I will trouble all of you. Once we are settled, I will give a reward."
"Thank you, Miss," Zhuang Datou definitely didn’t refuse. He also had a wife to support now, and he might even have his own children in the near future.
"Mother-in-law really picked good hands for you," Gu Kaiyuan praised. Along the way, Zhuang Datou and the others worked tirelessly. He hadn’t expected them to have such skills.
These days, they were fully responsible for the house construction, and he realized that both Zhuang Datou and Huang Pingguo could read and calculate, making them ideal candidates for future stewards.
"Indeed, my mother always knew how to use talents. Anyone she sent out could handle a role independently."
Even the maids she kept by her side could read and calculate.
As she put it, all these servants are here to share burdens and alleviate worries. If the master had to do everything personally, it wouldn’t be called capable, but foolish.
While the construction was in full swing, even if Bai Suihe was curious about the progress, Gu Kaiyuan wouldn’t allow her to get close.
Bai Suihe occasionally took a glance from afar, watching the house rise progressively, but she knew nothing about its inside.
"I remember seeing lots of pebbles by the river when we first arrived. Shall we collect some to pave the path?" Those stones worn smooth by the river, though not as fine as pebbles, could be organized better than mud after rain.
"That sounds good," Gu Kaiyuan had considered this before, planning to buy some slabs for paving. But if Bai Suihe liked those small stones, it might just take more time.
"Later, I’ll also think of bringing some flowers over to decorate a small garden for Madam."
Back when Bai Suihe lived in the mansion, she enjoyed walking in the courtyard. Although she couldn’t provide the same lifestyle now, she still wanted a well-arranged environment.
But Bai Suihe waved her hand, "Let’s not plant flowers; I think we should plant more fruit trees. In the future, we can sit under them and pick fruits to eat."
Since they were living in this village, they might as well adapt to local customs. "I’m even thinking of starting a vegetable patch in the backyard..."
