Chapter Thirty Silver

  Ye Baiji took Qi Zhener for a stroll around the area, and both of them had a satisfied look in their eyes.

  "It's not bad here." Ye Baiji said, "It's close to the mountains and water, but most importantly, it's also close to my home. In the future, I can come visit you when I'm free."

  Qizhen'er looked at the land seriously and said it was a wasteland, but it wasn't really. This place is close to the stream, the soil quality is still good, there are just more stones, which takes some time and effort to tidy up.

  However, Qizhen didn't think these were problems. She and Huzi would often come to pick up stones, and it would be even better if they could get Yebaiju to join them. The three of them should be able to clear a piece of land in one day to build a house. As for the rest, they could slowly pick them up later.

  "It would be great if you could build a house on our family's land, it would be closer." Before Qizhen could speak, Ye Baiju continued: "Hmph, I also know that I'm just talking nonsense. If it were just my family and my grandfather, it would be fine, but with someone like Ye Baizhou around, she wouldn't let you take advantage of her for even a bit."

  Next to Ye's family vegetable garden is a 7-fen plot of land planted with spring wheat, which is a piece of land allocated outside the homestead, not part of the homestead. That's the one Ye Baizhi was talking about.

  However, Qizhen had never paid attention to that piece of land. Not only had she already owed the Ye family a lot, but even if she built a house on that land, there would be endless troubles in the future. She had brought Hu'er out initially to live a peaceful life, and if they were troubled every day, how could their lives be peaceful?

  Besides, she was already very satisfied with having such a piece of wasteland to build her house!

  Back in the medical room, Old Master Ye saw their facial expressions and knew they were satisfied. He still asked: "Zhen Er, how was it?"

  "Great place, thank you, Grandpa."

  Ye Lao Yezi waved his hand and said: "You like it, that's good. What are your plans next?"

  Zhen'er is a child who seems to have a good head on her shoulders, and Old Man Ye also likes her very much. Whenever he has something on his mind, he will ask for her opinion and listen to her thoughts.

  "Grandfather, to be honest, I'm just a little girl and I don't understand these things."

  At this point, Ye Baiji beside her smiled slightly. Seeing that both of them were looking at her, Ye Baiji hastily stopped and said: "You two talk, I'll listen."

  Qizhen'er ignored the strange look from Ye Baiji and continued, "I just thought of building three thatched cottages, one with a kitchen, and another outhouse behind the house. As for what materials to use and how much it would cost, I have no idea."

  Ye Lao Ye smiled and said, "Zhen Er, you still don't understand, do you? You've thought of almost everything. Alright, I understand your idea now, leave the rest to me. You go back with Bai Zhi, it's not good for young girls like you to be in a place like this where people come and go."

  Ye Baiji was happily preparing to head back, but saw Qi Zhen'er hesitantly taking small steps.

  Ye Lao also noticed and asked: "Zhen Er, is there anything else?"

  "Grandfather, I...I only have two taels of silver." Qizhen said softly.

  Ye Lao Yezi smiled and said: "What's wrong? Not enough money? Grandpa will lend you some."

  "No, Grandfather." Qizhen shook her head. "I wanted to tell Grandfather that the house doesn't need to be built very well, it can be done with no more than two taels of silver. If we can't build three rooms, then two will do."

  Ye Lao Yezi originally wanted to say that he could help Qizhen pay for a better place to live, but seeing her insistence and knowing she had a strong personality, he didn't persist. "Alright, Grandfather will give you the two taels of silver to build."

  Qī Zhēn'er smiled happily. After bidding farewell to Old Man Ye, she prepared to return to her room. As she reached the door, she turned around and said to Old Man Ye: "Grandfather, I'll owe you the medical expenses for now, and I'll pay you back when I have money in the future."

  Ye Lao Yezi also knew Qi Zhen'er's temper and nodded: "This is not urgent, wait until later to give it."

  Back in the east wing house, Hu Zi had woken up and was sitting beside Sun Shi, helping her sort out threads.

  Ye Baiji told Qi Zhener about building a house, and Sun Shi first tried to persuade them to stay, but after hearing their reasons, she didn't insist anymore, and was genuinely happy for the sister and brother.

  Hutou was delighted and immediately pulled Qi Zhen'er along, saying he wanted to go see the place where they were building the house.

  Qizhen'er smiled and nodded at his nose, saying: "Don't rush, wait for Grandpa to ask first. If the village chief agrees, we'll go pick up stones later, don't be lazy then."

  "Sister, don't worry, I'll work hard. I used to feed chickens before, and Tiger can help you with the work."

  The Sun family also looked at Hu Zi with appreciation.

  Qī Zhēnér's eyes flickered as she glanced at Yè Bái zhǐ, then turned to Sūn shì and said: "Auntie, that place has a lot of stones, Huāng Zǐ and I will definitely be too busy to handle it. I think it would be better if White Orchid sister helps us out?"

  Sun looked at Ye Baiji and smiled: "Alright, why not?"

  "Hey, why didn't you ask me for help?" Ye Baiji said with a raised head, showing an arrogant and disdainful expression. "First say something nice to hear, I'll tell you, if you don't satisfy me, I won't use my strength."

  Qizhen'er didn't care about her at all, "My aunt has already agreed, if you don't make an effort, I'll tell my aunt."

  "Hey, you're treating me like a laborer!" Ye Baiji protested, and the whole room burst into laughter.

  "What's got you so happy?" Jiang asked with a smile as soon as she entered the house.

  Sun's mother and daughter, Qi Zhen and her younger brother, all looked at the newcomer. Ye Baiji's face darkened for a moment before she smiled again, "Third Aunt, how do you have time to come over?"

  Jiang casually glanced around the room, and saw that the things she had sent over were still on the table, except for the silk fabric, nothing else had been touched, so she knew that Ye Baiji was not so easily deceived.

  "Alas, I have no choice. Your third brother is still young and only pesters me, now he's playing with his sister in the house, so I finally have time to come over and see you, Second Aunt."

  Turning to Sun's wife, he asked: "Second sister, how are you? Are you feeling better?"

  "Oh, I'm fine..." Before Sun could finish speaking, Ye Bai Zhi cut in, "My mother said she's a bit better, just still feeling a bit dizzy. When we first came in, her face was deathly pale, but now that she's talking and laughing, it's gotten a bit rosier."

  She Bai Zhi isn't that stupid, when she first met you, Jiang Shi. You clearly came once at noon, and now you're coming again just to let others know her mother is better? She won't let you have your way.

  Jiang saw Sun's rosy face and secretly cursed. Dizzy, I curse! Who are you fooling? At noon when she came, Sun was already fine, now still pretending to be ill, isn't it just to avoid the second aunt's concubine affair? Hiding won't work, right?

  Although he thought so in his heart, Jiang's face didn't show it at all. He was still smiling and even held Sun's hand to remind her to rest well.

  Sun was made very uncomfortable by Jiang's good intentions. Being treated with such concern while pretending to be ill made someone who was usually neglected feel uneasy and at a loss for what to do.

  "By the way, I just heard you all excitedly talking about something related to a house. What's this about a house?" Jiang asked, turning her head after comforting Sun for a while.

  Ye Baiji poured a cup of tea in front of Jiang Shi and said, "Nothing, I was telling Zhen'er about the houses in our family. She said theirs are different from ours, and we all thought it was interesting."

  "Oh, this house is different too. I haven't seen it before." Jiang said with a sip of tea.

  Ye Baiji slightly pursed her lips, you're not self-proclaimed clever, it turns out there's still something you don't know.

  "Our house walls are thicker than here, and we also burn the kang in winter." Qizhen said. She thought that since they would be neighbors later on, there was no need to make things too awkward with the Jiang family.

  "It's really novel indeed." Jiang replied, but obviously wasn't very interested.

  "What are you two doing at the market today?" asked Mrs. Jiang again.

  Qī Zhēn'er's heart skipped a beat, had their whereabouts been exposed today?

  Just saw today's recommendation, haha, add two more, everyone enjoy together!