A hundred-tael banknote lay on the table, sent by Yun Daman.
Xiao Jinheng had been sitting there, his gaze fixed, for nearly half an hour. His handsome young face was clouded with gloom.
"Young master, it's getting late. You should rest!" Kong Xingzhu advised in a low voice.
The Du family had two rooms in total. One was for themselves, and the other Xiao Jinheng had rented at a high price...
Granny Jin and two maids lived in the west room, while Xiao Jinheng occupied the east room.
Kong Xingzhu and two hidden guards resided in the side rooms.
"Commander Kong, what exactly does the Yun family mean by this?" Xiao Jinheng asked.
Since the house had already started being built, and he had bought the bricks, tiles, and lumber, the Yun family should just move in...
What were they fussing about?
Kong Xingzhu sighed, "Young master, didn't Daman say these silver notes were to hire craftsmen?"
The old Yun family insisted on providing their own materials for building the house, refusing to take any advantage from Xiao Jinheng.
This indicated that they agreed to live together...
This brought a slight easing to Xiao Jinheng's dejected mood.
He wondered what the little village child's attitude was.
He put away the banknote and climbed onto the kang to sleep.
The next morning.
After breakfast, the Yun family resumed moving bricks from the ruins...
Yun Daman and his two brothers worked without hesitation, carrying over a dozen blue bricks at a time.
They stacked the old bricks onto a cart. Once loaded, they would transport them to the construction site at the east end of the village.
The craftsmen worked with great efficiency, their bricklaying speed astonishing.
In just one morning, they had erected two gable walls...
Liu Cuirong, having been reprimanded yesterday, began helping her family by washing bowls, cleaning vegetables, and tending the fire after getting up today.
In short, she dared not be idle.
She truly feared being kicked out by her mother-in-law while pregnant.
If her own family also disdained her, she would truly have nowhere to turn.
Hu Xi'er watched Liu Cuirong squatting by the stove, tending the fire, feeling deeply resentful...
This wretched woman was truly blessed by heaven, getting pregnant at such a crucial moment.
Why hadn't her mother-in-law just crushed her to death?
With her around, Hu Xi'er felt very restricted at home.
She wasn't even allowed to go out for a stroll.
Liu Cuirong's mouth was like the waistband of padded trousers, always chattering nonsense day in and day out.
"Second daughter-in-law, come inside and rest for a bit. Don't strain yourself!" Madam Gu called towards the kitchen.
Zhao Guihua's belly was growing larger each day. If she miscarried due to heavy labor, Madam Gu would be the most guilt-ridden...
"Mother, I'm not tired. Sister-in-law Su Zhen just sent over half a basket of chives. How about we make chive pancakes for lunch today?"
Zhao Guihua wiped her wet hands on her apron and walked into the room.
Madam Gu smiled and nodded, "That sounds good. Eating plain congee alone isn't filling. Your father and the others are doing heavy labor; they must be getting tired!"
The family's hens were kept in a coop, separate from Fu Daqiang's family...
Zhao Guihua took six eggs, whisked them into a thin omelet, and washed the half-basket of chives, chopping them finely.
"Second sister-in-law, mix the dough and fry the eggs!" Zhao Guihua instructed.
Liu Cuirong wrinkled her nose upon hearing this.
She threw the last piece of dry firewood into the stove, grumbling, "Hmph, so bossy. With Huaihua and Xi'er available, why make me do these trivial chores."
Zhao Guihua: "..."
Frying an egg and mixing dough, would it kill you?
Zhao Guihua really didn't want to argue with her, so she snatched the dough basin. "Alright, alright, you don't need to do it. I'll mix the dough myself!"
Startled by the push, Liu Cuirong immediately became agitated, "What do you mean, eldest sister-in-law?"
"What did I do?" Zhao Guihua had been experiencing some abdominal pain lately, which also affected her mood.
Last night, her mother-in-law had insisted on kicking Liu Cuirong out, and Zhao Guihua had tried to persuade her with many earnest words...
But not only did this troublesome second sister-in-law not appreciate it, she also called her a sycophant.
Was there any justice in this world?
"Eldest sister-in-law, why did you push me? Don't you know I'm pregnant? Can you afford it if I miscarry? Huh?"
Liu Cuirong put her hands on her hips, staring at Zhao Guihua with an aggressive gaze. "I'm carrying triplets! Even if you tore your head off, you couldn't afford it!~"
Hmph, she was so angry.
This disgusting eldest sister-in-law was just someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong...
She could never be shown any kindness.
Zhao Guihua closed her eyes; a dull ache returned to her abdomen.
Little Sweet Treasure had told her that she shouldn't get angry during pregnancy, as it could affect the fetus.
But when faced with such a situation, it was hard for Zhao Guihua not to get angry.
"I'm not like you, I have no manners or upbringing!~"
Zhao Guihua put the chopped chives into a basin and poured a ladle of water over them...
Liu Cuirong's eyes widened upon hearing this, and she snatched the water ladle. "Eldest sister-in-law, you've gotten bold, starting to roll your eyes now?"
"Give me the water ladle!~" Zhao Guihua frowned.
"Heh, I won't give it to you. What are you going to do about it?" Liu Cuirong shook her head at her and even stuck out her tongue to provoke her.
Zhao Guihua's anger surged, and she raised her hand, slapping her across the face.
The blow was not light. Liu Cuirong screamed and lunged towards the stove.
Her hand landed directly on the pot lid, causing two large red blisters...
"Wuwu, she hit me, Mother, Mother!~" Liu Cuirong wailed, turning to run outside.
Coincidentally, no one was inside the house at that moment. Madam Gu had taken her youngest daughter to dig dandelions.
Only Fu Daqiang and his wife were in the yard feeding the chickens.
Seeing the sisters-in-law fighting, Fu Daqiang slapped his forehead. "Why are they fighting again? Oh my goodness!~"
"Husband, go stop them. Don't let them get hurt. Daman's wife is pregnant; if she bumps into anything, it'll be over!"
Wang Suzhen nudged Fu Daqiang, urging him.
"I'm not going!~" Fu Daqiang turned around and kicked two fighting roosters away.
"What if they scratch me?" Fu Daqiang dared not court trouble.
Everyone in the village knew what Liu Cuirong was like...
She was a shrew!~
"Useless thing!" Wang Suzhen pinched him.
Inside the kitchen.
As Liu Cuirong was about to run out to complain, Zhao Guihua pulled her back.
"Second sister-in-law, do you think I'm easy to bully?"
Zhao Guihua had wanted to beat her up for a long time.
What a clueless person.
"Let go, you're hurting me. Let go quickly!~" Liu Cuirong shook her arm forcefully.
Zhao Guihua snatched the water ladle, pushed her away, then scooped a ladle of water from the water vat and poured it onto Liu Cuirong's face with a 'splash'...
"Ugh! Hah!~" Liu Cuirong shivered from the cold, her hair and collar soaked.
"You dare splash me, Zhao?" Liu Cuirong's eyes were almost bulging out.
If it weren't for her eldest sister-in-law's pregnancy, she would have already attacked her...
If a real fight broke out, Zhao Guihua would not be her match.
"You're ungrateful!~" Liu Cuirong cursed angrily.
Just as she was about to roll up her sleeves and charge, a stern reprimand echoed from the yard.
"Stop it, what are you arguing about?"