Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Li Taifu was referring to asking Shen Jingheng to help procure thick woolen clothes for Changyun and Xia Yu.

"It's basically all done. There are a few pieces that haven't been finished yet, but they should be completed in the next day or two. Once they're done, I'll have them delivered."

"Very well, then you'll have to put in the extra effort." Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Li nodded in satisfaction.

"You're too kind, Grand Tutor. I'll take Luo'er back first, and then bring him over after dinner."

Shen Jingheng did not follow them into the residence, knowing that Grand Tutor Li and his party must be exhausted after several days of travel. After finishing what he needed to say, he took Shen Luo back to the scholar's residence.

After watching Shen Jingheng's carriage leave, Grand Tutor Li led Changyun and Xia Yu into the mansion.

This is a three-courtyard house. Wutongyuan, where Xia Yu lives, and Qingsongyuan, where Chang Yun lives, are the side courtyards located on either side of the main courtyard in the second courtyard.

As for Grand Tutor Li, he lived in the main courtyard of the third section.

"Everyone must be tired today. Make yourselves at home here. Go back and rest first, and we'll have lunch together in my yard at noon."

At the hanging flower gate of the second courtyard, Grand Tutor Li spoke to the two with a hint of weariness in his voice. Then he instructed the servants following behind to escort them to their respective courtyards.

Although he didn't give any special instructions to the servants, no one in the manor dared to underestimate Changyun and Xiayu. The reason was simple: both Wutong Courtyard and Qingsong Courtyard belonged to the main residence. Everyone knew there were guest rooms there, yet the two were each given a separate courtyard to live in, demonstrating their extraordinary status in the old Grand Tutor's heart.

A maid led Xia Yu toward the Wutong Garden.

"Miss, watch your step. There are two loose bricks here that haven't been repaired yet."

"Thank you for reminding me, ma'am. But I'm new here and don't know how to address you," Xia Yu said softly to the woman who had shown her the way.

“My husband’s surname is Hu, so you can just call me Granny Hu, Miss. I usually clean the courtyard with a few other old women. It just so happens that I’m in charge of Wutong Garden. Please feel free to tell me if you need anything, Miss.”

"Thank you very much, Aunt Hu. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you even more," Xia Yu said politely.

"You're too kind, Miss. It's all I should do." Aunt Hu spoke in a loud voice, revealing her easygoing and carefree nature.

Xia Yu smiled but didn't say anything, knowing her place. Although the other person was polite, she wasn't some respectable master, and if she needed something, she would buy it from the street, not ask her for it.

After walking for a few minutes, Aunt Hu stopped in front of a vermilion courtyard gate. Above the gate was a black plaque with gold lettering that read "Wutong Garden" in a flamboyant style.

Aunt Hu pushed open the courtyard gate and went in first. Standing inside, she smiled and said to Xia Yu...

"Miss, this is the Wutong Garden. This old servant cleaned it a few days ago, and these flower pots were just placed here this morning. Do you like them, Miss?"

Xia Yu stepped inside and saw that there were indeed many flowers in full bloom in the yard. There were many of them that she didn't know the names of, but the clusters of flowers looked very lively.

"Thank you, Aunt Hu, I really like it." Xia Yu could tell at a glance that this was something she had put a lot of thought into.

Upon entering the house, one finds a complete set of furniture made of rosewood and jujube trees. Antique vases adorn the display cabinet, and cushions, curtains, and bedding are all arranged. Brand new rouge and powder are laid out on the dressing table, and various dresses are folded in the wardrobe, presumably prepared in advance by Grand Tutor Li.

Granny Hu poured a cup of tea and presented it to Xia Yu with both hands.

“Miss, we arranged all of this after receiving the master’s letter. If there is anything we didn’t think of or anything inappropriate, please be sure to speak up so as not to wrong yourself.”

Xia Yu accepted the tea with both hands and took a sip. The tea was fragrant and delicious; it was indeed a fine tea.

"Thank you very much, Aunt Hu. I like all of these very much. If there are any missing, I will send someone to ask Aunt Hu for them." After saying that, she glanced at Nineteen beside her.

Nineteen understood, took out a purse from his sleeve, and smiled as he stuffed it into Granny Hu's hand.

"Aunt Hu's arrangements are so thoughtful and meticulous, saving us girls so much trouble. Here, please take this to buy some fruit, Aunt Hu. Please don't find it too much."

Aunt Hu secretly squeezed the purse in her hand, feeling that it wasn't heavy, and guessed it was probably silver notes. She was happy, and the smile on her face became even more genuine.

"This old servant thanks Miss for her generosity. Miss must be tired from your long journey. Please rest for a while. I will come and lead you to Master's courtyard for lunch when it is ready."

"Yes, I really do feel a bit tired now. In that case, I'll have to trouble Aunt Hu to make another trip. Nineteen, could you see her off for me?"

"No need for Miss Nineteen to see me off, this old servant can go out by myself."

Although that's what he said, Nineteen couldn't really let her go out on her own. He affectionately took Aunt Hu's hand and escorted her to the outside of the courtyard before turning back and closing the gate.

"Ah...! So tired!" Seeing that all the outsiders had left, only she, Da Niu, and Shi Jiu were left in the room. Xia Yu lay down on the bed and stretched comfortably.

Looking at the two people still busy unpacking their luggage inside the house, Xia Yu said to them...

"Go and rest first. We can put those things away tomorrow. Besides, we don't know how many days we'll be here. Don't take anything out that we don't need to, so we don't have to repack it later."

"It'll be ready soon, Miss. I just saw a small kitchen in this courtyard where you can boil water. I'll get you a basin of hot water so you can wipe yourself down and lie down for a while; that will make you more comfortable," Nineteen said to Xia Yu after tidying up the things in the box her subordinate had taken.

"Hey, I'll go. You're not as strong as me." Da Niu heard what Shi Jiu said, stuffed the things in her hands into Shi Jiu's arms, and went out by herself.

Before long, Da Niu came in carrying a basin of warm water.

“Miss, I didn’t heat it too high. The temperature is just right. I’ll lower the curtains. You can wipe yourself down first, and then take a proper bath tonight.”

"Okay, you guys go and tidy up too, lie down and rest for a while."

"Miss, why don't you let Sister Daniu go wash first? I'll sit outside and keep you company." Nineteen thought for a moment but was still worried about leaving Xia Yu alone in the room, after all, this wasn't home.

"You should come too, I'm fine here." Xia Yu noticed the dark circles under Nineteen's eyes. She had seen how hard Nineteen had worked on the ship these past few days, and now that they were settled for the time being, she wanted her to get some rest.

"Then we'll go first. If you need anything, just call us. We're right next door."

"Okay, I know. You guys go and rest. If you keep nagging me, I'm going to fall asleep." Xia Yu looked at Nineteen with amusement, wondering when she had become such a talkative person.