Time passed quickly. A month later, the Qi family's house was nearing completion. The day of raising the main beam was unusually lively.
Li Shan's wife and several wives from the Song family came to help. Village Head Song also arrived early, as the Qi family's young daughter had invited him to preside over the event.
Indeed, although the Qi family had a son, he was too young to manage such affairs. Raising the main beam not only required entertaining congratulatory guests but also setting up offerings and other rituals. Without a capable person to oversee it, it truly wouldn't work.
Being trusted and valued in this way made Village Head Song feel honored. He busied himself as if it were his own house being raised.
The pig's head, specially ordered, along with two carp sent by Uncle Song, and various auspiciously shaped pastries meticulously steamed by Qi Zhenzhen. Besides being used for the offerings, the carpenters and masons would also throw them to the villagers watching after the main beam was raised.
Qi Zhenzhen was not stingy. Since it was a joyous occasion, she had prepared quite a lot.
Village Head Song directed the wives in setting up the offering table. In the center was the pig's head, with carp on either side. At the edges were stacks of five pastries each.
After the setup, Village Head Song led Qi Yi in offering incense, paying respects to the ancestors, and honoring heaven and earth.
Once these matters were concluded, the most important part, raising the main beam, commenced.
Two sturdy craftsmen stood in the center of the house, carrying the main beam. Village Head Song, as the master of ceremonies for the day, affixed a red paper inscribed with the four auspicious characters "Shang Liang Da Ji" (上梁大吉 - Raising the beam brings great fortune) onto the beam, and then nailed four copper coins to each corner of the paper. Additionally, tassels were to be hung from both ends of the beam. Each tassel was strung with nine copper coins, nine chestnuts, and nine red dates.
The hanging was not done casually. Village Head Song, with a loud and resonant voice, sang a celebratory song passed down from elders:
"Holding a piece of silk from the master of the house, thirteen feet and some inches, tied thrice to the left to increase wealth and nobility, tied thrice to the right to foster scholars in the Hanlin Academy..."
After the celebratory song, the tassels were hung.
Zhang Erniu and Chang Shan, who had climbed onto the roof earlier, threw down thick hemp ropes. Those below tied the ropes to both sides of the main beam. The two on top steadily pulled the main beam upwards—
"This beam, this beam, is no ordinary beam, born on Mount Emei, grown on Mount Emei, sent down the mountain by an Emei immortal master, raised to the roof by the master craftsman Lu Ban, a thousand-year pillar for the magnificent hall, a ten-thousand-year beam supported by a jade column."
Zhang Erniu, perched at the highest point, his clear, loud voice carried far. As his words fell, the main beam was steadily and securely in place.
With the crackling sound of firecrackers, everyone present became excited. Why? Because what followed was what everyone was most interested in: the throwing of pastries and copper coins.
Everyone had seen how lavishly the Qi family had prepared. Moreover, these were not pastries made with mixed flours but genuine white flour pastries. Both adults and children eagerly awaited these pastries. Not only that, but the Qi family had also prepared red envelopes with copper coins. Although each envelope contained only one copper coin, who would normally dare to throw actual red envelopes during a beam-raising ceremony? At most, they would use red paper to wrap peanuts or something similar as a token gesture.
Zhang Xiaoniu, leading Qi Yi and Li Hu, chose a slightly more distant spot. It was crowded near the front, and it was easy to fall when scrambling. By standing further away, his second brother on the roof could see them and throw more items their way, ensuring they would get more than others.
Zhang Erniu on the roof had indeed spotted his younger brother and Qi Yi. Since everyone understood the unspoken rules, those throwing pastries would naturally favor their close relatives.
When the throwing began, Zhang Erniu threw two pastries at a time to those nearby. To his younger brother's location, he threw four at a time. This way, it appeared as if he wasn't favoring his own family too much. But in reality, their side still benefited.
After the pastries were thrown, it was time for the feast.
Qi Zhenzhen had not hired professional caterers for the feast. The Du family's mother and daughter-in-law had excellent cooking skills. For the past month, they had been responsible for the meals of the craftsmen. Qi Zhenzhen asked them if they could manage the banquet, and they confidently replied yes.
Therefore, the task was directly entrusted to them.
In fact, they did not disappoint. Everyone at the feast looked delighted and ate to their heart's content. Some even inquired who the cook was.
The hosts were pleased, and the guests were satisfied. Especially at the end of the feast, each family was given a bowl of plain and meat meatballs, which made everyone extremely happy. Those attending the feast usually came alone or in pairs, not bringing their entire families. With these meatballs, the elderly and children at home could also have a good meal.
As the guests dispersed, the craftsmen resumed their work.
They hammered in the purlins, fixed the rafters, laid down woven reed mats, applied plaster, and finally, the tiles.
Everyone worked enthusiastically until dusk, and the new house was finally completely finished.
The mother and her two children stood in the courtyard, looking at the brand-new tiled house, filled with excitement.
This residence was certainly no match for the Changping Marquis's mansion with its pavilions, terraces, towers, and corridors. But in Yun Shi's eyes, it was excellent. This was her home, a complete home for her and her two children.
"Tomorrow, we'll move in all the furniture. We'll air it out for a few days and keep the underfloor heating on continuously. We can move in within three to five days," Qi Zhenzhen said softly to Yun Shi. The day she decided to build the house, she had spoken to Zhang Erniu about making furniture. Zhang Erniu found a carpenter, and Qi Zhenzhen finalized the furniture designs. The furniture was completed in just over ten days and was waiting to be moved into the new house.
Yun Shi looked at her daughter. Her chin was still pointed and thin. Over the past month, she and her son had gained weight and their complexions had improved considerably. Her daughter, however, due to worrying about the house and hunting, remained as thin as before. This made Yun Shi feel very guilty.
"When we move in, Zhenzhen, you can rest well."
"Mother, I'm not tired. I'm very happy being busy every day."
She wasn't just placating Yun Shi; she was genuinely happy.
Yun Shi's health had recovered, and her smile had become more frequent. Qi Yi was studious and sensible. All of this proved that she had not failed the original owner's entrustment.
On the day of the official housewarming, the Li family, Song family, Zhang family, and Du family all came. Initially, the Du family's mother and daughter-in-law were reluctant to come, feeling it was inauspicious. However, they couldn't refuse Qi Zhenzhen and ended up coming, along with Du family's only male member, Du Xiang.
The Du family's mother and daughter-in-law had been very anxious. Later, seeing that Li Shan's wife and the Song family members did not show any aversion, they finally relaxed.
Du Xiang and Song Mingyue's elder brother, Song Mingze, both studied at the town's academy. They had a good relationship and did not neglect their guest.
Qi Yi had also made rapid progress over the past month. With two people who attended school present, he exhibited the demeanor of a host, entertaining them courteously and gaining much knowledge by listening to their discussions of poetry and literature.
"Zhenzhen, your room is decorated so beautifully," Song Mingyue said, following Qi Zhenzhen to tour her room, her face filled with envy.