Zhulan and Zhou Shuren helped their parents back to their residence. Today, the Zheng family moved out, allowing Zhulan to inspect their new home carefully. After settling Zhulan’s parents, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, along with their family and the Yang family, went to the main house.

Zhulan had the blueprint of the Zheng family’s house in her hand. The house consisted of eight courtyards, each independent. Apart from the main residence, each courtyard was of the same size, and they were all constructed as small two-entry courtyards. In each small courtyard, there were heavy gates in the front and back, both equipped with intricate locks. Zhulan had seen similar locks during her visits to ancient Jiangnan mansions with her grandmother in modern times.

There was a small mechanism inside the gate, which could be pressed to move the wooden stakes out. Six wooden stakes were lying across the back of the gate, making it difficult to break in.

If there were ever to be another war, the design of the Zheng family’s house, aside from modern explosives, would make it difficult for soldiers to enter through the main gate using ancient weapons. It would be even more effective in defending against mountain bandits.

The eldest Yang, Yang Zhumu, fiddled with the mechanism, “This is good. In two years, our family will build a house like this. It will also be very useful in preventing refugees during disaster years.”

Second Yang, Yang Zhulin, “Also, the corridors of the house can be designed according to the Zheng family’s layout. If it weren’t for my younger sister leading the way, those with a poor sense of direction might easily get dizzy.”

Zhulan smiled, “It’s just that all the corridors designed the same can give people the wrong impression, but if you pay attention, you won’t get lost.”

Boss Yang looked at the drawing with curiosity, “You can hire someone to build a house according to this design without paying money. Little sister, the drawing in your hand is worth a lot of money. The Zheng family actually sold this house for only one hundred taels. Why do I think there is something fishy?”

Second Yang pulled his elder brother behind him, and Boss Yang shut up. He and his father knew it wasn’t simple. If his sister didn’t say something, there must be a reason. Why did he blurt it out? He quickly chuckled, “I’ve also seen the house. I’ll go back and check on your dàsǎo.”

Second Yang continued: “I’m going back to the main courtyard to see your second dàsǎo. Sister, mèifū, please take your time and stroll around!”

The two men from the Yang family left, and only the man from the Zhou family was left.

Boss Zhou felt that his two jiùjiù were really smart people, and he was a little sad. He wasn’t as smart as his father, so why wasn’t he as smart as his mother? Obviously, my wàigōngjiā¹ were all sensible people!

Boss Zhou, feeling depressed, followed them into the courtyard. The small courtyard was divided into front and back sections. The front area was for receiving guests, while there were plenty of rooms in the back courtyard, particularly spacious for living.

Upon entering the house, Zhulan noticed that the furniture had not been taken away. To maintain a low profile, the Zheng family did not use high-quality wood for the furniture; instead, they were made of pine wood from the mountains. However, the bedroom’s bed cabinets were crafted with fine materials, with each cabinet costing one or two taels of silver.
The ground is not dirt, it is paved with wooden boards, and there is a dressing table in the bedroom.

Li Shi couldn’t see enough, and she didn’t dare to step hard with her feet for fear of breaking the board. “Mom, is this really our home in the future?”

Li Shi touched the edge of the kang curiously, which was full of wood. It was wrapped, unlike her house, where you could get dirt and dust even when sitting by the kang.

Zhulan secretly thought that she was worthy of being from a family background, and no matter how low-key she was, she would not treat herself badly. However, the Zheng family was really rich. They were carrying boxes one by one to see them off, and the convoy looked very spectacular.

Zhulan got up and went to the study next door, speaking in a brisk tone as she walked: “Yes, this will be our home in the future.”

Li Shi’s eyes were particularly bright, “Mom, when will our family move here? It’s so nice here, I’m so excited I don’t want to go back to live in our old home!”

Zhulan’s heart moved. She also wanted to live in a house with big windows, good lighting, and a clean house. She didn’t want to go home to live in a short house with poor lighting. She felt sorry for herself. She would go to Pingzhou next year. No. Stay here for a while, well, she was not willing to give in!

Zhulan saw that even Zhao Shi was looking at her expectantly, “Wait until I tell your father.”

Li Shi was happy in her heart. As long as Mother said she wanted to live there, Father would definitely agree. Dad should listen to Mother more. Mother’s words were more effective at home than father’s!

The study room had the best lighting. There were two special places for candles and oil lamps next to the table. Next to the window was a special place for drinking tea. Zhulan thought that apart from being threatened, they really got the better deal!

Zhulan went to the woman’s boudoir again. The boudoir was much more exquisite than Zhulan’s house in Pingzhou. The boys’ houses were all similar. Because the Zheng family was a family of military commanders, the boys’ houses were much simpler, but the space was larger, and it was very convenient to practice in the room.

Each small yard had a dedicated kitchen and firewood room. The granary was dedicated to storing grain. Each granary had a cellar specifically to store winter vegetables.

As for the ice cellar where ice for summer was stored, it was located at the edge of the backyard of the entire courtyard. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren took a glance inside, it was consistently very cold in there, but the storage capacity was particularly large.

The ice here not only relieved the heat in summer but could also be used as drinking water in times of drought and water shortage. This showed how thoughtful the Zheng family had been.

As for the other secrets of the Zheng family, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had no intention of prying into them, and they didn’t care about them.

The children from the Zhou and Yang families were ecstatic; the place was so spacious, making it perfect for playing hide-and-seek. Second Zhou was cautious, always sticking close behind the children.

After returning to the main courtyard, Sun and Yang Yong were both emotionally stable, Zhulan’s two dàsǎo were also much better, and everyone in the Yang family was sitting together talking.

Yang Yong asked: “Have you seen it all?”

Zhou Shuren sat down. “Yeah, we’ve finished looking. Each courtyard is similar. The Zheng family left behind furniture, pots, and everything. Anyone who wants to move in can just come over.”

Yang Yong looked at the courtyard, marveling at its beauty. Remembering what his eldest son had said, he spoke up, “You should tidy up and move in. Let people know that your family has bought it. It will also prevent others from knowing that the Zheng family has left. Thieves might sneak in over the wall to steal things, damaging the furniture and making a mess of the house.”

The courtyard walls might have been high, but they couldn’t stop a living person. As long as they could set up a ladder high enough, climbing over the wall was no problem.

Zhou Shuren wasn’t afraid of petty thieves. To deter them after Old Man Zheng left, he secretly revealed that he had hired people to guard the yard for twelve hours a day. If anyone dared to come, breaking their legs would be the least of their worries.

However, Zhou Shuren felt that Old Man Zheng had also given him a warning before leaving. It was a reminder that he had many cards up his sleeve. Nonetheless, it could also be considered a gesture of goodwill. The Zheng family’s mansion had attracted the attention of too many people, so resorting to forceful intimidation might indeed be for the best.

He didn’t want to spend the first few days listening to screams. However, after seeing it, he did consider moving in. He just talked to Zhulan about it when he came back. He wouldn’t torture himself by living elsewhere when there was a good house available, especially since the lighting in their current house was too poor. It strained his eyes when reading or when Zhulan was sewing.

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, “Seven days from now is a good day. We’ll move in then. Buying a house is a joyous occasion, and we can host family and friends here for a celebration.”

Yang Yong wasn’t particularly clever, but he understood life well. After years of experience and observation, he had gained even greater insight. He knew there might be something fishy about his son-in-law buying the house, just as he felt uneasy about the house being trouble-free. As long as his son-in-law knew what he was doing, that was enough for him. Yang Yong noticed that his son-in-law’s abilities were growing, and he preferred not to interfere too much as a father-in-law.

It was fortunate that the son-in-law was a good person and cared for his family. Although Yang Yong didn’t know the details of any agreement between his son-in-law and the Zheng family, the fact that he considered the interests of the Yang family showed that the years he and his wife had spent protecting him weren’t in vain.

(End of this chapter)

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Footnote

1. Maternal Grandparents’ home. Basically, his mother’s family.