My humble days in ancient times

At this time, after getting up in the morning, people would breathe out so much that you could almost see white mist filling the air. Many people would put their hands in their sleeves, hunch their necks, and try to hide their entire bodies in their clothes.

The area under the big locust tree at the entrance of the village was empty. Many people had gone to Uncle Xu's house, and the wall of Uncle Xu's house had become a gathering place for everyone.

Standing here, you can chat and watch the people and things far away outside the village to pass the long and cold winter time.

Seeing Xu Ruyuan and Xu Qingyan running over happily, Zhang San couldn't help but say, "Look, the Xu Ruyi siblings and their four best dressed in this village! They look so smart and beautiful in their new clothes."

Widow Wang couldn't help but say enviously, "Isn't it? Look at the new clothes, they're so beautiful. Our old clothes are ugly and not warm enough. The Xu brothers and sisters are living a more prosperous life now."

Huang Guiyun said with disdain, "I only earned a few silver coins. Who with money doesn't know how to dress up and buy clothes? If I had money, I would dress like I was 18 every day."

Widow Wang smiled and said, "It's no use dressing up as eighteen. When you're old, you're old, and your face is covered in wrinkles. It's more fun to look at young girls. They're young and lively, and even their laughs are so sweet, like spring orioles."

That day, just after lunch, everyone was preparing to take a break when they heard the sound of "clang clang clang" gongs. Everyone knew that the village head was calling everyone together for something.

Everyone hurried to the headman's house, and Xu Ruyi and his four siblings also ran over in a hurry.

Seeing that almost everyone was present, the village head cleared his throat and said, "I've gathered everyone here today. There's nothing important to discuss, but there are a few small matters I want to discuss."

Wang Erdan quickly asked, "Uncle Lizheng, if you have anything to say, please tell me now. But keep it simple so it can be faster. After all, it's a bit cold now."

Wang Erdan actually expressed everyone's thoughts. At this time, everyone was standing in the open space next to the headman's house. The biting wind blew in all directions without any pattern, and it was so cold that it went straight into people's collars.

The village head looked at Wang Erdan and said, "Everyone, hold on a little longer. The wind is really strong today, and I'll be done in a few words. First, I hope everyone won't go to the river. If you fall in, no one will notice, and it's cold, so you'll definitely freeze if you fall. Adults should keep an eye on their children and don't let them run around. Second, the weather has been getting colder and windier lately, and I'm afraid of snow. If your houses are weak, find someone to repair them quickly to prevent them from collapsing under the weight of the snow."

Everyone looked at each other, nodded, and discussed. Many people replied, "I understand."

The village head nodded and said, "Then let's all go back!"

"Wait, I have something else to say."

Everyone was about to leave when they heard a sharp woman's voice. Turning carefully, they saw who else but Huang Guiyun? She had her hands on her hips, a look of insolence on her face.

When the village head saw this situation, his heart skipped a beat and he quickly thought that Huang Guiyun was going to cause trouble.

The village head immediately became serious, frowning and saying, "Huang Guiyun, if you don't have anything to do, don't make a fuss. It's so cold, everyone is anxious to go back and warm up."

Huang Guiyun didn't take it seriously. She smiled and said, "Everyone wait a moment. I'll finish in a few words and won't waste too much of your time."

The crowd soon quieted down, waiting for Huang Guiyun to speak with either curiosity or annoyance.

Xu Shi, however, pulled Huang Guiyun forward, trying to stop her. Huang Guiyun shook off Xu Shi's hand with such force that Xu Shi staggered.

Huang Guiyun said, "Dear fellow villagers, I would like to ask, can anyone live in the empty houses in the village for free?"

When the head of the village heard this, he became unhappy and his face darkened. He thought to himself: It turns out that there are so many people here today, Huang Guiyun has finally got the chance!

The village head asked in a bad tone, "Do you want to live there?"

Huang Guiyun smiled and said, "All the elders and fellow villagers are here. I just want to ask one question: why don't the four Xu Ruyi brothers and sisters move out of their new house? Now that they have money, why don't they move out and not pay the rent?"

Xu Ruyi heard this and said angrily, "Does it matter to you whether Huang Guiyun moves out or not? You're meddling too much!"

Mrs. Li was also furious. She pointed at Huang Guiyun's nose and cursed, "Huang Guiyun, you bully my granddaughter every day. Do you still have any shame? Don't you know how old you are? You only do these ridiculous things!"

Most of the villagers looked disdainful and cast contemptuous glances at Huang Guiyun.

Huang Guiyun became even more arrogant and shouted even louder, "If everyone behaves like this, how many thatched huts will there be in the village? Will that be enough for us to live in?"

Widow Wang joked, "Huang Guiyun, is it because Xu Shi doesn't want you anymore that you want to move over?" Widow Wang has always been bold and outspoken. She is the only one in the village who dares to joke like this when Huang Guiyun is angry.

Huang Guiyun glared at Widow Wang and said, "How could Xu Shi not want me? I just want to ask if all the empty houses in the village are free and can anyone live there?"

The village head fell silent, and the crowd was also silent. The atmosphere was a little solemn for a moment.

Xu Ruyi said, "Of course it can't be free."

Everyone saw Xu Ruyi walk out of the crowd slowly, then stand beside the village head and say calmly, "Two hundred coins a month for an empty house."

Huang Guiyun was a little unconvinced and said with a curled lip, "Who knows if you gave it or not?"

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "I have two taels of silver here. If I give it to the head of the village now, can I live in this house until the end of next year?" As he spoke, Xu Ruyi took out two taels of silver from his sleeve and gave it to the head of the village generously.

Li smiled and said, "Of course you can. If anyone encounters difficulties in the future, remember to pay the rent. You can't live in an empty house in the village for free."

When Xu Shi heard this, he was secretly annoyed and frowned, thinking to himself: What Huang Guiyun did today was really stupid. If anyone gets into trouble and falls on hard times in the future, they won't even be able to afford to live in the abandoned and unwanted houses in the village. Isn't this cutting off everyone's escape route?

Most of the villagers were stunned when they saw Xu Ruyi easily pull out two taels of silver from her sleeve, and they were a little envious. You know, in this dynasty, two taels of silver was enough for an average family to live on for a year. Xu Ruyi could actually carry it with her, which showed that this little girl was really rich.

After the village head took the silver, he said seriously, "Huang Guiyun, if Xu Shi divorces you one day and you become homeless, remember that the empty house in the village costs 200 coins a month."

Huang Guiyun's face instantly turned red like a ripe apple after hearing this, and she wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into. She felt so ashamed that she wanted to disappear immediately from everyone's gaze.

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely move out of the house by the end of next year. I won't be staying here for too long. If you can move out sooner, you don't have to return the extra money to me. You can use it to repair the ancestral hall. It can be considered as a contribution to the village."

Mrs. Li also spoke proudly at this time: "Look at my granddaughter, she knows how to talk and act. Although she is young, she is sensible and reasonable. Unlike some people who jump around like clowns all day long, which is very annoying."

Everyone burst into laughter after hearing this.

Huang Guiyun stood aside, shaking with anger, his face ashen, and he almost fainted.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, the village head said, "Let's all go."