This person is so rich.
Fifty taels of silver on the first try.
Just as Madam Gu was about to refuse, Little Sweetie scrambled a few steps closer and clutched the silver note.
"Money! Money!" Little Sweetie shook the silver note, her big eyes curving into crescent moons.
Kong Xingzhuo's body trembled, his heart almost melting from the cuteness.
This little girl was too adorable.
Madam Gu was a warm and considerate person; she had no intention of accepting his money.
Having guests at home for a few days to eat and stay would bring some liveliness.
So, Madam Gu picked up Little Sweetie and coaxed, "Daughter, quickly return the silver note to Young Master Kong!"
Little Xi Tian shook her little head, "No, no!"
Although the family was not lacking in food or clothing now, they still needed some savings!
Otherwise, if any major or minor incident occurred, they wouldn't even have money to tide them over.
Old Man Yun also advised Little Xi Tian, "Sweetie, we can't accept Young Master Kong's money. Be good and return it to him quickly!"
"No, no..." Little Xi Tian's face was full of determination.
Her chubby little face was flushed, and her big eyes were bright.
Her small, chubby hands, clutching the silver note, refused to let go no matter what.
Kong Xingzhuo let out a chuckle, "Esteemed elders, please accept this money."
"Otherwise, I would feel too embarrassed to trouble you all!"
Madam Gu hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, I'll have Elder son go into town to buy some good meat and vegetables for Young Master Kong and the workers!"
"No need, Madam!" Kong Xingzhuo smiled kindly, "We have people who specialize in buying groceries, so Madam doesn't need to worry!"
Hearing this, Madam Gu exchanged a look with Old Man Yun and said nothing more.
Little Xi Tian was not taking this silver note for nothing.
Later that evening, Zhao Guihua came to the kitchen to prepare the dishes.
As soon as she walked in, she saw several large cages placed against the west wall.
Inside were plump grey rabbits and wet soft-shelled turtles.
There were also geese honking 'ga ga eh eh' and pheasants with vibrant feathers.
Not only that, but there were also lively grass carp, three-striped carp, and loaches in the water buckets.
And countless small fish, densely packed.
These ingredients, though not worth fifty taels of silver, were enough to give Young Master Kong and his entourage a delicious meal.
The kitchen space was limited, and they couldn't all fit.
Little Xi Tian could only bring out so much at once.
Zhao Guihua stared in a daze for a long time before reacting.
Her mother-in-law had told her not to make a fuss when such things happened.
She should just accept them secretly.
Soon, a wisp of aroma from cooked dishes wafted from the old Yun family's kitchen.
The workers, their mouths watering, lost their focus on their work.
The sound of stir-frying crackled noisily, quite boisterous.
But most people enjoyed listening to this sound.
The spatula clanged against the iron pot, and fragrant oil splattered and sizzled in the pan.
Ingredients tumbled, releasing a rich aroma.
Food is paramount; only after a full meal can one have the energy to chat!
"Young Master Kong, the meal is ready!" Liu Cuirong came to the east side room to call Kong Xingzhuo for dinner.
"Alright, thank you, Second Sister-in-law!"
Kong Xingzhuo put down the book he was holding, picked up a wine gourd, and walked towards the main house.
Liu Cuirong had rarely seen such a handsome young man.
Wealthy and good-looking, with an elegant demeanor.
She was truly smitten.
"Young Master Kong!" Liu Cuirong called out to him.
Kong Xingzhuo paused and turned his head, "Does Second Sister-in-law need something?"
Liu Cuirong's cheeks flushed slightly, and she asked in a low voice, "No... no, I just wanted to ask, how long do you plan to stay at our house, Young Master Kong?"
Kong Xingzhuo smiled faintly, "That depends on the length of the construction period!"
If there were rainy or cloudy days, it would be slower.
If the weather was fair every day, it would take less than three months for the skilled craftsmen to build a house.
Liu Cuirong replied with an "Oh."
She looked around, and seeing no one passing by, she leaned closer to Kong Xingzhuo, "Young Master Kong, can you... lend me an ounce of silver?"
Liu Cuirong dared not cheat.
She knew the old Yun family had strict family rules, and her mother-in-law was upright and would not tolerate any slack.
However, borrowing some silver from Young Master Kong should be acceptable, right?
Just then, Little Xi Tian, carrying her small satchel, came to find Kong Xingzhuo to show off the small bone she had just found.
As soon as she reached the doorway, she heard Kong Xingzhuo say, "Second Sister-in-law, why are you asking me for silver?"
We... aren't that close, are we!
Liu Cuirong bit her lip and lowered her head, "To be honest, my mother and sister are starving. If they don't have money, they'll have to beg."
Kong Xingzhuo: "..."
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Alas, Second Sister-in-law, family matters should not be aired in public!
Why are you telling Young Master Kong all this?
Besides, Young Master Kong has no obligation to help them!
"Is that so..." Kong Xingzhuo looked at Liu Cuirong meaningfully.
He had no intention of prying into others' private affairs, so he took out two corners of broken silver from his sleeve, "Here you go!"
As soon as she saw the silver, Liu Cuirong's eyes lit up with greed, and she snatched it away, "Thank you, Young Master Kong, you're so kind!"
Kong Xingzhuo: "..."
She hadn't expected this elegant and handsome young master to be so easy to talk to.
If she had known, she would have asked for more.
Kong Xingzhuo smiled helplessly. Just as he was about to step over the threshold, he saw a certain Sweetie with a wrinkled little nose.
"Oh, whose precious little darling is this!"
Kong Xingzhuo's face was full of smiles as he bent down and picked up Little Xi Tian, "Come, give your big brother a kiss!"
"No, no kiss!" Little Xi Tian pouted, showing her displeasure.
Why did you give money to Second Sister-in-law?
Lu Shi and Liu Cui Jin were bottomless pits, forever insatiable.
Kong Xingzhuo was unaware of the complexities within the family. He only knew that this little girl was very cute.
"Kiss me, and big brother will buy you something fun!" Kong Xingzhuo began to employ the tactic of sweet talk.
Little Xi Tian snorted and, with great reluctance, kissed him.
Kong Xingzhuo was overjoyed and ecstatic.
So, when Little Xi Tian woke up the next day, the heated brick bed was piled high with toys and snacks.
It was practically a mountain.
There were colorful kites, pure copper Nine-Link Puzzles, and rattles.
There were pine wood spinning tops, Luban locks, and bamboo dragonflies, among others.
Toys were scarce in ancient times.
To find these good items, Kong Xingzhuo had his subordinates ride horses overnight to several county towns.
He pieced them together, finally managing to buy these few toys.
"Wow!" Little Xi Tian casually picked up a rattle and shook it gently.
"Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong..."
"Heh heh!" Little Xi Tian grinned.
At this moment, Yun Jinhe crawled in.
Seeing his little aunt playing happily, he smiled and hugged her, "Auntie, shall I take you for a ride on the big horse?"
"Okay! Okay!~"
The old Yun family's fields had already been plowed.
The jujube-red horse, besides running errands to and from the county town, was usually idle at home.
Little Xi Tian was too young, so her father and two older brothers forbade her from riding horses.
Yun Jinhe, taking advantage of the adults' inattention, quietly slipped into the stable and led the jujube-red horse out of the house.
The nephew and aunt were too short to climb onto the horse themselves.
So, Yun Jinhe led the jujube-red horse to a low wall.
With pulling and dragging, and a lot of effort, he managed to get his aunt and himself onto the horse's back.
"Haha!~"
"Horse, go, go!"
Well, Little Xi Tian was actually a very mature and steady person.
But since she had transmigrated into a baby, her true nature and instincts still yearned for wild abandon.
If she appeared too composed and calm, it would seem abnormal.
The fine horse neighed, pawed the ground, and then galloped out like an arrow.
"Woof woof!" Snow Spirit dashed out from behind.