Beautiful Peasant Girl: The Young Marquis's Beloved

When we returned to Liujia Village, it was already dark.

The group drove directly to the new house.

The new house was basically built, but Liu Xu later asked to dig a cellar, and Zhu Jiacheng also wanted to decorate their front yard, so the house has not been handed over yet. However, the keys have been given to Liu Xu and his family.

Because it was dark, we didn't meet anyone on the road, except for Grandpa Guisheng's family who helped to light the fire wall. No one knew that the two families had bought people back.

The two families each led their people back home. It was already late, so Liu Xu let them temporarily live in the back room, which had a kang, so seven or eight people could sleep in one room. As for mattresses, they didn't have them yet, so they could only let them light up the kang and sleep there in their clothes for the night.

There were three carriages, one of which belonged to Liu Changshun's family, and they had already rushed back.

Liu Xu asked Liu Ming, the man who knelt down and begged her today, to unload the horses and mules and drive them to the backyard.

When they were in Yuyang Town, she thought that there was nothing in the new house, so she bought some steamed buns and asked them to eat them tonight. She would send more food tomorrow.

After arranging everyone, the mother and the two children returned to the old house. Xu Ge'er and Hao Ge'er had eaten their fill on the way and were now sleeping soundly.

After a busy day, the mother and daughter were exhausted, so they just had some steamed buns for a meal, washed up quickly, and went to bed.

The next morning, the mother and daughter had breakfast, carried some rice and went to the new house with the two sleeping kids in their arms.

After knocking on the door, Liu Ming opened it, and everyone got up. Zhu Jiacheng really asked them to move in with their bags, and even prepared the pots and pans, wooden barrels and water tanks in the kitchen. In addition, there was a well in the backyard, so everyone had already washed up and was waiting obediently.

Give the rice to Liu Ming and ask the women to cook first and gather in the front yard after eating.

The mother and daughter held their child and prepared to go for a walk. After all, they had never visited the house since it was built. Even Liu Xu only came to take a look when the main part was completed.

Liu Xu took Xu Ruolan from the main house to the left and right wing rooms, and then to the backyard, looking at each room one by one.

As expected, Xu Ruolan was most interested in the bathroom, which was in every room. It was about six square meters and had a large bathtub with a dry and wet separation. Next to it was the toilet and washbasin, and there was a ventilation window, a modern design.

Liu Xu later discussed with Zhu Jiacheng and built a large wooden basin outside each bathroom, divided in the middle, one for cold water and the other for hot water. They connected them with ceramic pipes, so that people didn't have to carry water from the room to take a bath.

The bottom of the wooden basin is built high and has steps. When the time comes, pour water into it, open the piston when using water, and plug it back when you are done.

She wanted to make a brass faucet, but she was too busy to research it. She would do it later when she had time.

There was a kang on the east side of the room, a step-out bed on the north side, and a wardrobe on the right. They were all made according to her drawings. The main room and the wing rooms had five-door wardrobes, while the back room had three-door wardrobes. Because they didn't expect to have a guest at that time, they prepared it as a guest room.

One of the side rooms on the left and right was used as a kitchen, and the other was intended to be used as a warehouse.

After looking at the front yard, I went to the back yard.

In the backyard, two men were carrying firewood and adding it to the stoves. Liu Xu walked up to them and called out in a playful voice:

"Uncle, fourth uncle, thank you for your hard work."

The two are Grandpa Guisheng’s eldest son and fourth son. They have been helping to light the fire wall these days.

"Hey, Miss Xu is here, and my sister-in-law is here too!" Liu Tianzhuang said with a simple smile.

"Xu girl, Xu Ersao!" The slightly shy one is the fourth son, Liu Tiancai.

"Eldest cousin, fourth cousin, thank you for your hard work! You guys go about your business, we just came here to take a look." Xu Ruolan nodded and replied gently.

"Hey, okay."

Liu Xu took her mother to look at each one. There were five rooms on each side. The right side was used as a granary, utility room and livestock room, and the side was a drying room. Because there was a kang, the Liu Tianzhuang brothers chose one room to rest in the past few days.

Originally, no one knew what the remaining willow catkins on the left side of the house would be used for, but now that there are so many people in the family, it can be adjusted to allow the servants to live in it.

Liu Xu planned to talk to Zhu Jiacheng and ask him to build a few more kangs.

"Mom, the backyard is so wide, we can keep half for drying things and let them grow vegetables in the other half, so that we don't have to buy vegetables all the time."

"Okay, I see there's a lot of empty space in the front yard, how about planting some there?"

"Ah? Then forget it. I have discussed with Uncle Zhu to plant some fruit trees in different seasons. Then we can enjoy the cool and eat the fruits! Isn't it wonderful? If we plant vegetables, there will be no place to enjoy the cool." Liu Xu said with a pout.

"Okay, I'll listen to you!" It was rare to see her being so childish, so Xu Ruolan had no choice but to agree.

By the time we got back to the front yard, half an hour had passed. Everyone was waiting in the yard.

Liu Xu asked someone to go into the living room and bring a chair for her mother to sit on. Then she walked up to them.

"We asked everyone to come here, firstly, so that we can get to know each other. After all, we were quite rushed and tired yesterday, and we didn't have a good chat with everyone. Another reason is that everyone must have some understanding of the situation at home."

"My mother said yesterday that our family is just a farmer's family, and we just have a small business. I only have one request for everyone, which is absolute loyalty. Don't think that there are only two of us at home, and don't have any inappropriate thoughts. You should know that I can buy you back, and I can naturally sell you. As for where I sell you to, I don't think you want to know. Of course, I will not be stingy to those who treat us sincerely. As for how to be generous, you will slowly understand in the future." Liu Xu paused after speaking, and when she saw that everyone was not unusual, she continued:

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Liu Xu, and I will be seven soon. This is my mother, you can just call her Madam. I have two younger brothers, the eldest master Liu Chengxu and the second master Liu Chenghao. My father Liu Donglai has not returned from the war yet. Now from left to right, please introduce yourselves one by one, including your name, age, what you did before, and what you can do."

"Madam, Miss, I am He Yi, 38 years old this year. I used to work as a steward in an official family in the city. Because of a dispute over the heir of the previous master's family, my family was framed and all four of us were sold out." The first person to speak was the middle-aged man who could read and count. Liu Xu nodded.

"I am Lin Shuniang, the wife of He Yi. I am thirty-five this year. I used to manage the secular affairs in the courtyard of the former master's family. I also know some needlework and snacks, and can read and count."

Oh, another lady in charge, not a loss at all.

"I am He Feng, the eldest son of He Yi and his wife. I am fifteen years old. I used to work as a servant for the young master of the previous master's family. I know how to fight and can read." The young man has regular features and speaks concisely. He looks calm and steady.

"I am He Lei, the second son of He Yi and his wife. I am thirteen this year. I used to run errands for the former master's family with my brother. I know how to fight, but I am a little bit worse than my brother. I can also read. From now on, you can take me with you wherever you go. I will make sure no one will bully you."

Liu Xu was happy when she heard this. Look at how lively he was. If she had this boy with her, she would definitely not be lonely.

Next is Liu Ming's family

"I am Liu Ming, 28 years old this year. I used to work as a guard in a government official's house in the capital. Because my master committed a crime, my family was implicated and sold as criminal slaves. I can fight and can read. Since my surname was given by my former master, please give me a new name, young lady."

Liu Xu smacked his lips. Wow, it’s from an official’s family in Beijing.

"My name was Zi Yue before. I am twenty-three this year. I used to manage the storehouse in the courtyard of my former master's lady. I am good at needlework and can read and calculate. Please give me a name, young lady."

"I am Liu Qiaoyun, eight years old this year. I can sew and read a little, but I will work hard to learn more in the future."

"My name is Liu, Liu Xibao. I'm six years old. I can fight crickets..."

"Puff" Liu Xu was amused by this little guy, who could fight crickets, hahahahaha. Seeing that the little guy was a little nervous, he couldn't help but cough twice, and then asked with a smile:

"Well, besides cricket fighting, what else do you usually do?"

Seeing her gentle smile, the little guy was no longer nervous.

"In addition to cricket fighting, I can also use a slingshot, and... I can also write big characters. I'm very good!"

"Yeah, that's great, keep up the good work!" Liu Xu said to him with a smile.

Liu Ming and his wife looked embarrassed, and Liu Yun covered his face and turned his head away.

"My name is Zhou Qiang. I'm 27 years old. I used to work as a security guard in a merchant's house. I was sold because I let go of a young lady that was tricked by my previous master. I can fight and drive a carriage."

"I am Zheng Li, 26 years old. I used to work as a security guard in the prefectural city. My former master offended a powerful person and was imprisoned. He was then sold out. I can fight and drive a carriage.

"Little Wu Sangui, I am 21 years old this year. I used to be a farmer. My family is poor, I have many brothers and sisters, and my parents are partial to me, so I sell myself. I don't have any special skills, but I am strong."

"The old slave Lin Fang, I am 48 years old this year. I was sold because my former master committed a crime. I used to be a cook."

"I am Liu Yanniang, 21 years old this year. I was sold by my ex-husband because I had no children after three years of marriage. I can farm and do housework."

"I am Cui'er, a servant girl. I was a servant girl before. The young lady thought I was stupid and ate too much, so she sold me."

"Okay, I understand everyone's situation. Since you have all come to my house, your future is over from today on. Liu Ming, since your family's previous surname was given by the master, from now on you will change your surname to Liu, but your name will remain the same. Aunt Yue will follow my mother's surname, Xu, mother, is that okay?" After Liu Xu finished speaking, he turned and asked Xu Ruolan.

"Okay!" Xu Ruolan nodded.

"Is there anyone else who wants to change his name?" Liu Xu asked casually.

As a result, they all knelt down and shouted in unison.

"Please ma'am, miss, give me a name!"

Well, she shouldn’t be so mean. Liu Xu looked at her mother aggrievedly, and signaled with her eyes: Mom, you do it, I can’t do it anymore.

Xu Ruolan couldn't help but glare at her before turning to look at everyone.

"I think everyone is used to calling each other by my name. I don't think it's necessary to change it. No matter your surnames or names, as long as you are the judge, you are all members of the Liu family from now on. From now on, you are all one family, so just get along well. Remember, the Liu family does not tolerate betrayal, nor does it allow intrigue. Otherwise, you will be punished at the least, or even sold to the government."

At this moment, Xu Ruolan made Liu Xu feel that her mother was really a rich lady. Even though she was wearing plain clothes, she could not conceal her elegance.

"Yes, ma'am!" everyone said in unison.

"Madam, I want to change my name, is that okay?" Cui'er raised her paw weakly.

Xu Ruolan was stunned for a moment, then said:

"Okay, well, you look pretty happy, so I'll call you Huanxi from now on."

"I am glad to thank Madam for the name."

"From now on, Uncle He will be responsible for managing the general accounts inside and outside the house, as well as the reception and sending off of guests. He will report to the young lady or me once a month, and special circumstances will be charged separately. Aunt Lin will mainly take care of the sundries. Yue Niang will bring Xi Bao to my side to take care of the two young masters. Granny Fang and Yan Niang will be mainly responsible for cooking and cleaning. Huanxi and Qiao Yun will follow the young lady, and Liu Ming will bring He Feng, He Lei, Zhou Qiang, Zheng Li, and Wu Sangui, divided into two shifts, day and night, to guard the fire wall in the backyard and the safety of the yard. Xu'er will take them there later, and let your eldest uncle teach them how to burn the fire wall."

"I understand, Mom!" Liu Xu nodded in response.

"Our house is not that small, but we have rented out our land to others, so there is not much work to do but it is rather fragmented. Don't just focus on the area you are responsible for, but lend a hand wherever help is needed. After all, this will be your home in the future."

"Yes, ma'am." Xu Ruolan said and asked everyone to leave. Liu Xu took Liu Ming and others to the mushroom house, and Huanxi and Qiao Yun followed.

Uncle He, Aunt Lin and Yue Niang stayed.

"Uncle He, you will assign housing to everyone later. There are three rooms in the back building. You and Aunt Lin will live in one, He Feng and his brother and Xi Bao will live in one, and Zhou Qiang and his three friends will live in one. There are also three rooms in the backyard. Yue Niang and her husband will live in one, and Aunt Fang and Yan Niang will live in one. Leave one empty for them to rest when they keep watch. Qiao Yun and Huan Xi will stay with Xu Er, so you don't need to worry about them."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll arrange it right away." After Xu Ruolan nodded, He Yi withdrew.

Then Xu Ruolan said to Lin Shuniang:

"Aunt Lin, we have nearly 20 people now, and we don't have much to carry. In the next few days, we will have to trouble the women in our family to help sew ten quilts, and then winter clothes for everyone. First, make one set for each person to wear, and when everything at home is sorted out, make another set for each person to change. Later, the county will send cloth and cotton, and you should arrange to sew the quilts for tonight. There are two old ones in the old house, and they will be brought over. If they are not enough, you can make do with them for the time being."

……

It is true that all things are difficult at the beginning. Xu Ruolan talked about these trivial matters for most of the hour.

The situation for Xing'er's family next door was much simpler. Firstly, there were few people in their family, and secondly, Liu Changshun and the others didn't know what to say. After asking about the situation, they arranged the work and left it at that.