She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 211 - 221 Guests (2)

Chapter 211: Chapter 221 Guests (2)

The two started talking about construction, and it didn’t take long before Jinrong joined the conversation, "I’ve had knowledgeable people review the plans and construction documents for the dairy products workshop. They are well done, very orderly, and the layout is refreshingly innovative. I wonder if Father-in-law Qi has any energy left. If so, once the workshop is completed, please produce a courtyard design. If you can create an innovative and elegant design, I will hire Father-in-law Qi’s team to build the courtyard."

Qi Younian, who had been engaging in casual conversation with a tranquil state of mind, instantly showed an unusual focus and enthusiasm upon hearing Jinrong’s proposal that involved his own profession and the future of the construction industry.

The old master subconsciously inclined his body forward, eagerly asking, "How large does Sixth Master plan the courtyard to be? Are there any particular requirements?" As he spoke, he became somewhat restless, "Or perhaps, I should bring Wong Qiao here right away. He is very skilled at this; he single-handedly managed the dairy products workshop’s designs and construction documents."

Jinrong smiled and gestured with his hand, "There’s no rush at this moment. Just keep in mind that the space for building the courtyard isn’t large; plan for a size of about ten or so acres. As for the requirements, I won’t say much. Saying too much would limit the craftsmen’s imagination. I want to see what kind of courtyard the craftsmen can create without any requirements from the owner."

Qi Younian glanced at Cheung Wusi beside him and, rubbing his hands with eagerness, said, "Alright then, let us use all our efforts to think of a unique garden. If Sixth Master finds it unsatisfactory, we can always make changes."

Jiang Yifan, astonished, asked, "Where does Sixth Master plan to build this garden? Ten or so acres is not a small area; where do you have such a space available?" For a prince to build a garden at the local level, as Jinrong mentioned, would be a private affair and quite a significant matter.

Jinrong replied nonchalantly, "The courtyard I custom-built has been long uninhabited, and not only does it look terribly old, but the layout isn’t pleasing either. I’m planning to allocate a piece of it, demolish the original buildings and pavilions, and rebuild something innovative and comfortable to look at."

He spoke casually, glancing over at Zhou Shuyu, "Upon hearing our conversation, Young Master Zhou must find it novel and will surely report back everything to Prefecture Governor Zhou, right?" The underlying warning in his words was unmistakably clear.

Zhou Shuyu was startled and hastily declared his position, "When Sixth Master and Father-in-law Qi talk about construction, I am a layman and understand absolutely nothing."

Jinrong glanced at him, seemingly satisfied with his tactful response, "It’s best to not understand. Even if you do, it doesn’t matter. Renovating one’s own house isn’t a major event, and everyone will naturally find out once the construction starts."

Zhou Shuyu continued to reinforce his stance, "Not understanding, I truly do not understand." Regardless of whether it’s a big matter or not, I will pretend to be clueless about what you’re saying here.

Jinrong smiled and then changed the subject, asking about the newly constructed house of the Qi family, "I see that the new house next door is almost finished. Have you picked a date for move-in yet?"

Qi Younian replied, "It is almost complete indeed; only the interior walls need more plastering and some carpentry work to be done, which should take three or four more days. However, a house built in autumn tends to be damp, so it needs to be thoroughly dried for some time. If not dried properly, living in it would be uncomfortable for a long duration."

As they were conversing, the sound of children’s laughter and frolicking neared from the outside. Qi Younian’s genuine smile emerged—his Ye Zi and Qi Jia were returning.

As there are differences between the inner and outer parts of a house, today the Qi family had not only Jinrong and Jiang Yifan as guests, but also people from the Zhou family and servants from Duke An’s Mansion. As a woman, Ye Xinyan naturally would not meet with His Highness Prince Yu and Magistrate Sir but would go directly to Zhou Biyao instead.

With so many visitors at the Qi family today, and even though Qi Younian, mindful of the elevated status of Duke An’s Household, didn’t instruct Anshun’s Household’s workers, the maids and old woman servants from Prince Yu’s Mansion did not rest, so naturally, those from Anshun’s Household also dare not stand idly by.

Upon receiving the message that His Highness Prince Yu intended to stay at the Qi family, Lian Gui and those from Anshun’s Household were somewhat taken aback for Qi Younian. The eldest daughter was not present, and as an old farmer, how could Qi Younian know how to receive a prince in such a humble and simple abode.

Afterward, it took Qi Younian only a moment to agree without hesitation, and Lian Gui inside felt even more disdain for the ignorant commoners who dared to agree to such things so rashly.

What followed, however, left Lian Gui and his people dumbfounded.

Before long, several skillful craftsmen gathered in the Qi family courtyard. Some hammered in stakes, others made frameworks. Wood materials were continuously brought in and nailed together, and some were even polished on the edges. In just over a Shichen, a presentable lattice wooden house had seemingly risen out of nowhere.

Anshun’s household was even able to tidy up the two thatched rooms of the Qi family with Nanny Liu’s cooperation, while Lian Gui could only watch with wide eyes as the wooden house was built at an unimaginable speed, gradually rising and being perfected until it was complete.

He had thought that no matter what, this was the Second Miss’s place of residence, and they couldn’t just watch them struggle. He thought of lending a hand. But the scene was simply not something an outsider, a layman, could get involved in.

His gaze kept shifting between Qi Younian and another older craftsman, as well as another young man who was tall and thin and did not seem like your ordinary ignorant commoner.

Throughout the construction of the wooden house, this young man was on the scene the entire time, specifying the dimensions and positions of the various pieces of wood. Under his direction, Qi Younian and two elderly craftsmen kept several craftsmen so busy that they barely had a moment to themselves, continuing their respective crafts without missing a beat. In the blink of an eye, they built the lattice wooden house on a flat piece of land.

Seeing with his own eyes His Highness Prince Yu and the former son-in-law of Duke’s Mansion actually arriving at the Qi family, Lian Gui felt his mind was not functioning properly.

Jiang Yifan, who had despised the Second Miss to the utmost in the past, took the opportunity when the Second Miss’s scandal was the talk of the whole capital, and at the risk of losing his position of giving council, managed to divorce and now could actually come to the Qi family without qualms.

And even His Highness Prince Yu could lower himself to visit this rough and humble farmer’s home to be a guest and rest his feet.

Only when he saw the Second Miss return, now Qi Ye, did Lian Gui suddenly realize that the notoriously troublesome Second Miss had not recklessly acknowledged an ordinary old farmer as her grandfather. The Second Miss’s family, where she resides, was filled with extraordinary people. And the Second Miss herself had also changed, like a phoenix reborn, not to be taken lightly.

That cattle farm and the Dairy Products Store that he had never heard of before must indeed be a business that could create a family fortune.

The Second Miss, having left Duke An’s Mansion, was no longer the person she used to be.

Zhou Biyao heard that Ye Xinyan had returned and immediately got up from the edge of the kang, only to be greeted by Ye Xinyan lifting the door curtain and entering after only two steps.

"Sister Qi is back, and your younger sister has come to bother you again," Zhou Biyao said while reaching out to take Ye Xinyan’s sleeve.

Ye Xinyan quickly took a step back, pulled her sleeve tighter, and said, "Second Miss Zhou, welcome. The house is chaotic with people coming and going—I hope we haven’t offended you." Zhou Biyao was not a bad person, but this habit of being hands-on really wasn’t good.