Chapter 247: Many Benefited
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan also thought it was pretty cheap. She said, “Isnt that too cheap,
First Granduncle Su?”
Although the house was for Baili Jinghua and would be better if it were cheaper, Su Binglan did not want her first granduncle to go against his principles. After all, he was the village chief. Everyone in the village was watching and wanted him to be just.
First Granduncle Su chuckled and said, “Dont worry. Even if we tell others of this internal price, no one will be able to object. I still have to thank you because your Uncle Zhengde has been praising you, saying that you taught him how to develop bricks and form a construction team. His schedule is full until the end of the year, and he can barely handle it.”
Old Madam Su replied smilingly, “Also, your aunt saw your furniture designs, and she likes them. She has wanted to open a furniture shop for a long time, so it’ll be convenient for your three cousins to build furniture with their carpentry skills.
“Your aunt has been asking about you. She said you gave her and your uncle all your blueprints, and others can use them to make furniture in the future.” Old Madam Su referred to Su Zhengde and his wife, Zhou Shi.
Zhou Shi had always wanted to open a furniture store, but she had yet to implement that idea because she did not know where to start. However, she got too excited when she saw Su Binglan’s designs and could not put them down.
“You don’t say. The furniture will look great when it’s done,” Su Binglan said.
Old Madam Su pulled her granddaughter along as they talked about their daily lives. Su Binglan was also delighted, saying, “I’m happy that I was able to help Uncle Zhengde and Aunt Zhou Shi, but I didn’t need to do much since theyre smart.
The Su family members were hardworking people who could always find ways to run their businesses.
Old Madam Su continued, “Ever since your uncle formed a construction team and started building your new house, everyone can’t stop looking at it. That’s why many villagers joined his team to do construction.”
Su Binglan understood what her grandmother meant. The red bricks and her family’s new house were like free publicity for Su Zhengde. Everyone looked at the house and the construction team’s style and efficiency. They felt at ease helping him build the house.
“That’s good.”
“Yeah, your uncle recruited a few people from the village. Everyone is grateful to him.”
Su Binglan knew it was not easy to find jobs in this era, especially in the village. Since most worked with Su Zhengde’s team, they had more freedom because they were familiar with each other and would not feel anxious.
Everyone helped each other and earned more money daily, which they could save. The villagers were always in good spirits as they took their payments home.
Everyone knew they could convert their daily work into money. After all, anyone would be willing to work whenever money was involved.
The villagers would be busy from spring to autumn if they planted crops, and no one could predict how much they could harvest. Therefore, they only knew how much they could earn after selling a portion of their crops.
It was different from getting paid daily, as Su Zhengde’s construction team benefited many others.
‘i Uncle Zhengde will take on many projects and become a celebrity throughout the town in the future, Grandma. I’ll need his help to build more things too.”
OldMadam Su said, “Listen to yourself. Your uncle and aunt want to thank you, so it’s only natural that they will oblige.”
After chatting with her grandparents, Su Binglan bought the vacant house for five silver taels and left. When she got home, she told Baili Jinghua about it. Baili Jinghua was in disbelief. ‘I R-Really? The house only cost five silver taels?!”
Buying a house in the capital would cost at least a few thousand silver taels.
Even the village houses in the capital’s vicinity were expensive. Moreover, Baili Jinghua inquired about the prices of goods along the way. Even the slightly off-centered houses would cost a few hundred silver taels.
Su Binglan said, “Yes, the house was only five silver taels. The village houses here are cheap. I’ll bring you to my granduncle’s house tomorrow for the payment, so you can take the documents he has stamped and go to the county office to do some papervvork. Then you will officially become a member of Su Teng Village.”
Baili Jinghua said excitedly, “Thank you so much, Miss Su!”
“There’s no need to thank me. You can sleep at my place tonight. We’ll share a room with Xihong, and my husband will share a room with my second brother.”
“Okay.”
After that, Su Binglan and the others went back to their houses. Luo Jin’an and
Su Wenxiu prepared their room, while Su Binglan, Baili Jinghua, and Baili
Xihong prepared the other. After heating their brick beds, they all went to
A pigeon appeared outside the window lattice and buckled in the middle of the night. Since Luo Jin’an was a light sleeper, he instantly woke up and exited the room to go to the courtyard. He removed the paper strapped to the pigeon. Luo Jin’an’s expression changed when he read the paper’s contents.
However, Su Binglan and Baili Jinghua also opened their eyes when they heard the pigeon. Baili Jinghua had joined the army with her father in her earlier years, so she was very vigilant.
Su Binglan and Baili Jinghua looked at each other as Su Binglan said in a low voice, “It’s okay. I’ll go and take a look.”
Baili Jinghua laid back down and thought this was not an ordinary family. Nonetheless, she felt more at ease living here when she saw Major General Wei.
She trusted whoever Major General Wei trusted, even more, not to mention Su Binglan had saved her and helped her settle down in the village. Baili Jinghua was even more grateful to her.
Baili Jinghua thought that buying the cheapest house in the village would cost at least a few dozen silver. She felt she would not have much money left after buying the house and would have to think of ways to earn more.
She never expected to save a lot of money this time. With the money she had left, Baili Jinghua could start a small business, or rather, she wanted to work by Su Binglan’.s side because she knew how capable Su Binglan was.
Baili Jinghua had just discovered that Su Binglan was the one who developed all the delicious food she had and truly admired her. She wondered how old Su Binglan was, especially since she was as capable as Princess Lan Roubing.
Meanwhile, Luo Jin’an heard footsteps behind him. Still, he did not intend to hide these things from Su Binglan. If he were on guard against his wife, he would not have let the pigeon appear at their house.
Su Binglan did not ask why the pigeon appeared. She only saw Luo Jin’an’s solemn expression through the moonlight. She asked, “Did something happen?
Luo Jin’an nodded and replied, “There’s a plague in the capital. I need to leave.”
Since the couple trusted each other more now, Luo Jin’an knew he could tell certain things to his wife.
“Are you going to the capital?”
“Yes.”
Su Binglan asked, “How long will it take?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe a month. Maybe more.”
“Aren’t you going to celebrate the Mooncake Festival with us?” Su Binglan still hoped her husband could celebrate the Mooncake Festival at home. Although Luo Jin’an did not talk much, Su Binglan had grown accustomed to having him around.
“I’m already too late,” Luo Jin’an said.
Su Binglan nodded. “Okay, I understand. Wait a moment.”
Then she went to pack her husband’s bag with food, water, some bottles, and some jars. She also included a piece of paper as she explained, “This prescription might cure the plague..”
