The terrain on the east side of the village was relatively higher. Building a residence here would prevent floodwaters from inundating it in the future.
Several guards were seen dismantling the dilapidated temple completely, clearing a large open space.
Xiao Jinheng held a blueprint, looking down at it.
The blueprint clearly depicted sketches of two large residences.
Even if the Yun family did not move in, he would still proceed with the construction...
"Young Master, the craftsmen have been contacted. They will enter the village tomorrow morning!" Kong Xingzhuo said with a smile.
He had extensive experience in building houses.
The large residence where Xiao Jinheng was currently staying was built by him and his team of craftsmen...
"Yes, hurry up and build the houses as quickly as possible!" Xiao Jinheng commanded.
He did not wish to see the little village girl living under someone else's roof.
Furthermore, during the construction period, he moved into Du Lao San's home.
Not for any other reason than Du Lao San being a neighbor to Fu Daqiang's family.
This way, he could see the little village girl every day...
"Understood, Master!" Kong Xingzhuo replied, turned, and went to work.
The Yun family was also busy dismantling their house.
"Young Master Xiao said they don't need the bricks, tiles, or wood from their residence. Think of how much money we'll save, haha!"
Yun Er Man stood amidst the ruins, carrying out bricks.
He was covered in dust, his fingertips worn raw, but he didn't care...
Little Xi Tian, feeling sorry for her three elder brothers, took out a stack of gloves from her space and handed them to them.
Yun Jinshan and Yun Jinhe also returned to help move bricks upon hearing that their home was going to be rebuilt.
Although many hands make light work, skill was still required.
By the end of the morning, Yun Jinhe had his feet smashed three times, and Yun Jinshan had scraped his kneecap...
"You two should go back to your studies. Don't get in the way here!" Old Man Yun shooed them away.
These two rascals were more trouble than they were worth, and their medical expenses would outweigh any benefit from their help.
The next morning, dog barks echoed through the village.
More than a dozen horse-drawn carts arrived at Dashui Village.
The carts were loaded with stone slabs, bricks, tiles, and a large quantity of wood for construction.
Accompanying them were over twenty craftsmen...
They gathered at the east end of the village, first setting up temporary shelters, and then commencing their work.
Kong Xingzhuo, wearing a straw hat, directed the craftsmen in digging the foundation.
"Hurry up, hurry up! My Master said you won't be shortchanged if you do a good job!"
Who wouldn't want to earn more money when working outside?
The craftsmen rolled up their sleeves and worked with all their might. In just one day, the foundations for the two large residences were laid...
In ancient times, there was no cement, but glutinous rice paste could be used as a substitute.
Using this material to build walls made them strong and stable.
That night, the Yun family gathered for dinner.
"Father, Mother, why did Young Master Xiao lay the foundations for two houses?" Yun San Man asked curiously.
Only their parents and Little Xi Tian knew that Xiao Jinheng had invited the Yun family to live with him...
If Liu Cui Rong heard about this, she would pack her bags and sleep at the construction site!
Gu Shi took a sip of coarse grain congee and said lightly, "Young Master Xiao has a noble status. It's nothing unusual for him to build a few more rooms!"
Yun San Man grunted an "oh" and didn't think much of it, continuing to eat his congee.
Gao Feng Juan had come earlier that day and brought him some change of clothes.
Perhaps after being severely scolded by Gao Man Tang upon returning to the county town, she had come to show her attentiveness...
After dinner, Gu Shi sent Liu Cui Rong away before speaking about Xiao Jinheng's invitation for them to move into the new residence.
"Mother, it's fine to move in with Young Master Xiao. We can pay him for it, can't we?" Yun Da Man said.
"Pay him?" Old Man Yun frowned and glared at him. "If you give him money, wouldn't that be like renting a place to live?"
"What about the property deeds and land titles? Will they belong to Young Master Xiao, or to our family?"
Yun Er Man nodded slightly, "Father makes sense. I heard from Advisor Zuo that there was a family in the county town before whose neighbors were close. The older generation lived together."
"But after the old folks died, the younger generation started arguing daily over the house!"
"It's better to clarify things from the start to avoid future trouble..."
Gu Shi held her drowsy youngest daughter, affectionately stroking her little face.
"Without Tian Bao, our family wouldn't have had such good fortune!" Gu Shi sighed and spoke slowly.
"Then why is Young Master Xiao building us a house for free? Why is he letting our entire family live in it?"
"Isn't it because your sister is blessed and favored by Young Master Xiao!"
At these words, all the men in the room were stunned...
What did these words mean?
Could it be that Young Master Xiao had taken a liking to Little Tian Bao?
How old was that little brat? And he was already using money and material possessions to entice their sister?
"Mother, if Young Master Xiao wants to marry Sister, then we absolutely cannot move in!" Yun Da Man stated resolutely.
"That's right. If we are suppressed by him, how can we hold our heads high in the future?"
Yun Er Man also disagreed.
Although Young Master Xiao was excellent, how could they accept his things?
Old Man Yun tapped his pipe, frowning deeply. "What are you all making such a fuss about? Who said anything about marrying your sister to him?"
"Listen to what your mother has to say!"
All major and minor family matters were discussed together.
But the final decision still rested with Gu Shi.
"Take the old bricks and tiles over there!" Little Xi Tian suddenly said crisply.
Gu Shi looked at her youngest daughter with surprise.
So she wasn't asleep!
Little Xi Tian sat up in her mother's arms, rubbing her eyes. "We will provide all the materials for building the house ourselves. Big Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother will also help with the construction."
"Even if the two houses are built together without a dividing wall, the property deeds and land titles for our own built residence will still belong to us!"
Half would be their family's, and half would be Xiao Jinheng's.
Just like before...
Upon hearing this, Yun Da Man slapped his thigh. "Sister is right. Since Young Master Xiao wants to live with us, we can provide the stone and wood for building the house ourselves. If we don't let him spend money, then it's fine!"
Gu Shi also thought this method was good.
However, their family had no tilers. They could move bricks and mix mud, but building a house was a bit difficult...
Moreover, they needed to build a residence almost as large as the previous one, and one or two tilers wouldn't be enough.
In the end, they would still have to rely on Xiao Jinheng for labor and manpower.
Gu Shi pondered for a moment, took out a bank note from her purse, and handed it to Yun Da Man. "Take this money to Young Master Xiao, tell him our situation, and say this money is to hire tilers!"
"Alright, I'll go now!"
As Yun Da Man pushed open the door, he heard a dull thud.
He saw Liu Cui Rong squatting on the ground, clutching her forehead and groaning "Ouch!"
"Second Sister-in-law, why are you squatting here?" Yun Da Man asked.
A large bump had appeared on Liu Cui Rong's forehead, and she looked at him resentfully. "Can't I just be passing by?"
Inside the house, Gu Shi narrowed her eyes and instructed Yun Er Man, "Go and bring Cui Rong in!"
Today, she was going to release the anger that had been suppressed in her heart for a long time...