My humble days in ancient times

Soon the day of raising the beam arrived. An auspicious day and time were specially chosen.

The time chosen for the beam raising was around noon. A large wooden stick was chosen as the main beam, and a festive red paper was hung on it with four beautiful characters written on it: "Good luck in raising the beam."

When raising the beam, one must invite the tablet of Taigong, offer tributes, and place the altar in an auspicious direction.

When raising the beam, you should also say auspicious words:

A little bit of Liangtou will make your descendants kings and dukes.

Two dots on the waist bring blessings to your descendants today.

Three dots at the end of the beam, a house full of wealth and jade.

Step on the silver ladder and rise higher and higher, hold the beam with both hands to pick the fairy peaches.

When Lu Ban arrived here, it was time to put up the beams.

……

Xu Ruyi worked late yesterday, meticulously steaming several baskets of lovely, colorful white flour buns. Having everything ready in advance allowed her to handle today's tasks without rushing around too much, and in an orderly manner.

In addition to the steamed buns, Xu Ruyi also prepared 500 copper coins. This was a first in Xujia Village and the surrounding villages! In an era when people were hungry and cold, how could anyone be willing to spend money?

The news spread like wildfire and soon spread throughout the village. Many children came running happily, their faces filled with innocent smiles, making the scene even more lively.

At this moment, a loud burst of firecrackers suddenly rang out, as if to push the joyful atmosphere to a climax.

As the sound of firecrackers rang out, people standing on the roof began to excitedly scatter all kinds of things down.

There are snow-white and soft steamed buns, golden copper coins, colorful candies, fragrant peanuts, and so on.

The copper coins fell like raindrops. The children immediately rushed forward with joy, scrambling to pick up the copper coins.

Xu Ruyi saw Huang Guiyun, Luo Daying, Xu Dayan and Xu Eryan all came. At this moment, they were busy picking up things on the ground!

Although some people may bump into it, no one will care at this time.

Xu Ruyi bought a lot of candy and peanuts, and made a lot of steamed buns, which gave him 500 copper coins. So everyone picked up a lot.

Aunt Zhang smiled broadly at Xu Ruyi and praised her, "Wow, you kids are so generous! We normally wouldn't even bother making these fine flour buns. And these candies and coins—the villagers wouldn't be willing to part with them. This is the first time I've seen anyone as generous as you. Look at the faces on each of them—they're even more excited than during Chinese New Year!"

Xu Ruyi smiled slightly after hearing this and replied softly, "Aunt Zhang, it's a rare opportunity to make everyone happy. How wonderful! And this time I specially steamed a lot of steamed buns, just to make sure everyone who comes can have some, so no one comes empty-handed."

At this time, Aunt Zhang nodded and continued, "Isn't it true? Even Wang Erdan's wife, who has always been honest and well-behaved, picked up quite a lot today."

Hearing this, Xu Ruyi gently grasped Aunt Zhang's slightly rough hands and said firmly, "Aunt Zhang, please don't save me this little money. Although I'm still young, I've always believed that doing things should be done with generosity and dignity."

Aunt Zhang looked at the sensible and generous girl in front of her and couldn't help but feel pity for her. She couldn't help but sigh and said, "Ah, I can see that you are a person who cares about face very much."

At this time, Xu Xiaohua ran over like a happy little rabbit, hugged Xu Ruyi tightly, and said with admiration: "Sister Ruyi, you are really amazing. You and Brother Qinghe built a house so early. You will have your own new home in the future."

Xu Ruyi felt a surge of pride after hearing this, and asked with a smile on her face, "How many good things did Xiaohua pick up today?"

Xu Xiaohua hurriedly lifted the cloth on the basket. Xu Ruyi peeked in and saw that the basket was full of steamed buns, candies, peanuts and everything else.

Xu Ruyi couldn't help but praise: "Xiaohua is amazing, the steamed buns are almost filling a basket."

Xu Xiaohua felt both happy and embarrassed when she heard this. She was happy because she had picked up so many things quickly, which would help her family improve their food supply. But she was also embarrassed because she had picked up so much. She had only picked up four steamed buns and a few pieces of candy when Han Jun's family put up the beams.

Xu Xiaohua just thought that the white flour buns made by Sister Ruyi were so delicious. If she picked up more, she and her grandmother could have two good meals and improve her life.

Xu Ruyi didn't know what Xu Xiaohua was thinking. She continued to ask excitedly, "Did you pick up any copper coins?"

Xu Xiaohua nodded embarrassedly: "I picked up some."

Aunt Zhang, watching them being so affectionate, couldn't help but smile and said, "They're both sensible children, and they both know how to get by. In the future, they'll both be able to live a prosperous life."

When Xu Dafu and Li saw Huang Guiyun, they felt like there was a stone blocking their hearts and they felt a little uncomfortable.

Mrs. Li stared at Huang Guiyun's receding figure and said angrily, "She looks like a decent person, but she's just not a good person. She's so shameless that she pretends to be a ghost and scares people. That noise I heard the first night might have been her. Because she stole the bricks the first time, she tried the same trick the second night... Just thinking about it makes me so angry that my lungs are about to explode."

Xu Dafu looked at Li's angry face and said quickly, "Today is a good day. Don't talk nonsense and don't get angry. Besides, it's not worth getting yourself hurt by getting angry."

After hearing what Xu Dafu said, Li suppressed her anger and gave up.

After everything on the ground was picked up clean, everyone left reluctantly, looking back every few steps.

When Wang Erdan's wife left, Li happened to see her, so she casually asked, "How are Wang Erdan's legs?"

Wang Erdan's wife said, "He can already walk a few steps, but he still can't walk properly."

Mrs. Li understood and said comfortingly, "That's good. Take good care of yourself and don't let your legs and feet get tired. You will definitely get better day by day and recover slowly."

Wang Erdan's wife nodded repeatedly, then left with a group of people.

Because the ceremony of raising the beam requires drinking the beam wine, Xu Ruyi and Xu Qinghe naturally prepared a lot of dishes.

Mrs. Li and Mrs. Hu, Xu Ruyi's aunt, started picking and preparing vegetables early in the morning.

Xu Ruyi personally went into the kitchen and showed off her skills by making delicious braised pork, fresh and tasty braised fish, fragrant chicken stewed with potatoes, and spicy and fragrant spicy tofu.

Not to be outdone, Li cooked a few more dishes: stir-fried pork with green peppers, refreshing stir-fried beans, a refreshing and appetizing cucumber salad, and soft stir-fried potato shreds. Finally, she made a sweet and sour tomato and egg soup.

There is plenty of steamed buns and rice so that everyone can eat their fill.

It was not until the table was almost served that Tian Yuhe arrived slowly and leisurely.

Xu Ruyi asked Li with a puzzled look in her eyes, "Grandma, do you know what Auntie Tian has been busy with lately? Why are you so late today?"

Mrs. Li didn't hide anything and told the whole story, "Last time, after she said she was sold by someone, I kept a close eye on her. I urged her to have a baby soon. After that ordeal, she's probably become more obedient. She spends all day at home cooking, sweeping the floor, and focusing on taking care of herself. Now she's pregnant, and she's only three months pregnant. Because she's pregnant, and there are so many people around today, I'd better avoid them to avoid any disturbances."

"So that's how it is. This is good news." Xu Ruyi was surprised to hear that Tian Yuhe was pregnant, but she quickly calmed down. She thought to herself: No wonder she has been so quiet recently, no wonder it's not easy to see her in the village.