Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 548 - 282 You’re Too Beautiful_3

Chapter 548: Chapter 282 You’re Too Beautiful_3

Continuing southward, to take a look at the more than two hundred acres of land for sale, Qian Yixiu was also quite satisfied. She told Huang Tie that as long as the price was relatively fair, she would buy all of it.

Past that stretch of fields, they saw another village, called Xishi Village. According to Pan Shoufu, the majority of the more than one hundred people they were looking for were from Dongshi Village and Xishi Village.

The villages in the North were different from those in the South, where in the southern villages, the houses were very close together, some separated by only a wall. Moreover, all the courtyards were hidden among the green trees and bamboo, with small yards often fenced with rattan. In the North, the houses were spaced much further apart and were much larger, with high and sturdy mud walls.

Pan Shoufu mentioned that Xishi Village was closer to Dashan, and sometimes, when wild animals were driven by hunger, they would enter the village to steal sheep or chickens, and could even injure people.

Huang Tie added, "Miss, your paternal aunt’s grandmother rented a small courtyard in Dongshi Village."

"Paternal aunt?" Qian Yixiu paused for a moment.

With a smile, Huang Tie continued, "That’s the granddaughter of the Second Old Master, Miss Duo. I saw them cleaning the courtyard a while ago, but I’m not sure if they’ve moved in by now."

Qian Yixiu then remembered that Pili Camp was more than ten miles from here, and Li Shuanzi was serving there—it was indeed possible that they rented a place here. She smiled and said, "Let’s go and take a look."

The group had just entered the village when they saw Li Shuanzi, in military attire, riding a horse out of the village. Huang Tie called him over and he quickly dismounted and came to the ox cart, saying with a joyful smile, "Is that you, Sister Embroidery? What a rare visitor, please, come in."

Arriving in front of a courtyard, Qian Yixiu got down from the ox cart. When she walked into the yard, she saw Qian Mandua along with Li Ahcai and Li Ahcao tidying up the courtyard.

Qian Mandua and the others hurriedly invited Qian Yixiu and her companions into the main room, and Li Ahcao went to pour tea. She said with a soft laugh, "Sister Embroidery, I’m so happy to see you. I haven’t seen our relatives for a long time, and I’ve really missed you all."

Little Ah Cao, now a bit over eight years old, seemed much more cheerful than before.

Qian Yixiu smiled and said, "I’ve missed you too."

According to Li Shuanzi and Qian Mandua, the living quarters in the camp were intended for temporary use by family members, and they felt uncomfortable staying there indefinitely. Li Shuanzi didn’t want to send them back to their hometown, and the rent in town was expensive, so they opted for a cheaper house in the village—a large courtyard like this one cost only three strings of cash for a year.

"... My wife and Ah Cao stay home to raise a couple of pigs and some chickens, which earns some money, while Ah Cai has experience as a shop assistant and has a way with words. He will look for work in town. With the money from that, we’ll have enough for our household expenses. As for the money I earn, I’m saving it for future use: to provide for Ah Cai’s wedding and for Ah Cao’s dowry, and eventually, to buy a courtyard in town..." Li Shuanzi spoke optimistically about their future.

Listening to Li Shuanzi’s words, Qian Yixiu couldn’t help but marvel at how war can change a person. It not only turns cowards into men of steel, but also transform lazy and aimless people into diligent and responsible men.

Looking at Li Ahcai, she saw that the fourteen-year-old boy had grown tall and slim, with handsome features. He looked a lot like Qian Mandua and was exceptionally talented. Dressed in short blue garments and drenched with sweat, he seemed to have just been working on building a pigpen.

The rude and unreasonable child from years past was now entirely unrecognizable in him.

Qian Mandua, being her paternal aunt, also seemed to have changed from her previous lazy and selfish ways. Thinking of her own need for additional help at home, Qian Yixiu thought she should give them a hand. She suggested, "Cousin Ah Cai, you don’t have to look for work in town. It’s far away and inconvenient for taking care of the family. If you don’t mind, you can work with Butler Huang—in charge of the pond digging for now, and later, managing the lotus planting. Once you learn these skills, you’ll know how to set up your own business in the future."

Li Ahcai’s family was overjoyed, knowing Huang Tie had been looking for help, but they felt uncomfortable asking due to past grievances with Qian Yixiu’s branch of the family. Now that Qian Yixiu had offered them the role of a small supervisor, they all expressed their gratitude repeatedly. Li Ahcai vowed with determination, "Cousin, rest assured, I’ll work hard."

They invited Qian Yixiu and her group to stay for a meal, but she refused and insisted on leaving.

Back at Meizhuang, she went to the main house to speak with Qian Sangui. Qian Sangui was surprised and delighted to learn that Qian Mandua lived nearby and ordered someone to invite them over for a meal the next day. Qian Yixiu knew he was homesick and wanted to hear the local dialect, so she nodded and agreed.

Evenings in winter came early, and here, evening arrived even sooner than in Huaxi Village. Around the You Hour, it was already getting dark.

In the main house’s eastern room, they lit two charcoal basins and heated the kang bed-stove, making the room as warm as spring. Su Siwu and Auntie Pan moved the lacquered carved flower kang table off to the side and replaced it with one laden with dishes. Dinner was a warm goat meat hotpot.

PS: Thank you, dear readers, for your rewards and monthly votes. Gratitude~ There will be an extra update tonight.