Chapter 94: The Layout Is Good

The women hurriedly moved benches and tables for them in the courtyard, and the kitchen maid brewed tea and set it on the table.

Qiao Mai put down the Embroidery Work and gave them a smile.

"You're tired, aren't you? Sit down and have some tea."

"What's this?"

"I bought a dozen or so servants; three are in the shop up front. These few work at home during the day and stay in the rooms behind the shop at night. Once the house is finished, we'll move them there."

"You should have bought two servant girls to look after Ling'er; she can't be away from people."

"It's not too late."

Yuan Jiaqi felt a bit uneasy; suddenly there were so many women in the house, and he felt uncomfortable.

Old Mr. Wang noticed it, and not only he but also Feng'er and the other three felt a little uneasy. However, living in the Wangfu with servants attending, it wasn't that obvious.

"The main thing is the space here is small; when it gets bigger, without these people you'll still feel scared to live here. Remember, a larger house needs people; otherwise the residence won't be stable and will attract strange things."

"Sir, do you still study metaphysics?"

"Hmm, I've read a bit of it. What are we having for lunch today?"

"The kitchen maid is cooking; please rest a moment, I'll go slice some fruit for you."

Hearing that, Feng'er quickly stood up, "Mother, I'll go. You stay with the sir."

The three youngsters immediately got up and went to the storeroom; they knew where everything was. Wu Zhui and Sai Xue followed behind them, and even Ling'er clamored to go with her brother.

Old Mr. Wang listened to the quail's chirping from the East Wing Room and asked, "Is there a place for them in the new residence?"

"There's a dedicated quail coop, a coop for chickens and ducks, one for deer, and we'll raise two dairy cows."

"With so many animals, doesn't the house get smelly?"

"They're kept in a corner of the back courtyard; behind the house there are five mu of land, and the manure can be burned with dry straw to make fertilizer."

"I didn't expect you could farm."

"Otherwise, when you come in winter, how could you have fresh vegetables?"

"You're good at twisting words."

"I'm speaking the truth."

"Hmph!"

Lunch was eaten in the courtyard; the women and servant girls ate in the kitchen. Though it was different from what the master ate, it wasn't a big difference.

They had fish and meat alike; after coming to the Qiao Family, they all put on a round of weight.

After lunch, Qiao Mai led them to the new house for a tour, explaining as they walked.

"The row of shops ahead has eight units, none rented yet; when the time comes my business will take one. The whole residence is shaped like a hundred‑character layout; the architect said the floor plan is good, so the blueprints weren't altered much."

Old Mr. Wang, well‑read and knowledgeable about houses, nodded and said, "The layout is good."

"First we'll build the inner rooms; next the main gate and the courtyard structures, and the wall last."

"The wall consumes more blue bricks than building the houses."

"Exactly, but it's truly sturdier than a house wall; what are these two sides for?"

"One side will have a few pomegranate trees, symbolizing prosperous descendants."

"Hmm, the middle should be a pond, replacing the screen wall, right?"

"Yes, the screen wall is too vulgar; having mountains and water fits feng shui."

"You actually know a lot. What about over there? Is it a corner room?"

"No, that's the kitchen—a small courtyard house for the kitchen maid, which is more convenient. Inside there's an Ice Kiln and a water well. The opposite house is for the housekeeper, also with a well for washing. The middle is the reception hall, with rooms on both sides; one side for you to teach students, the other can be used for anything."

"Hmm, it looks spacious and bright; when no one's around, you can also teach in the courtyard, letting them get some fresh air."

Arriving at the central courtyard, six residences were neatly arranged; the blue bricks and green tiles were pleasing to the eye, far more rationally designed than ordinary houses.

At that moment the workers were installing doors and windows; Old Mr. Wang walked in, looked at the layout, and nodded.

"Is this your drawing?"

"Yes. Each residence has a surrounding corridor. I've heard it's called the Four Waters Returning to Hall layout; besides gathering wealth, it's very convenient—when it rains you can walk between rooms and even enjoy the rain from the corridor."

The old gentleman looked at her deeply and said, "Hmm, a house is meant to be lived in comfortably."

"There are six residences in total; you may choose one, and I'll send two women to attend to you."

"No need. When the time comes, shall I bring two from home?"

"That works. Once it's finished, besides our family, my good sister's family will also move in."

"I heard Ru'er say that woman is trustworthy; she saved you back then, so your gratitude is justified."

At the far end, the middle house was hers, more grand than the front reception hall.

"Hehe, this is where I live; the layout is the same as the front reception hall."

Old Mr. Wang nodded, didn't go in, and turned to the left side, asking, "What's the plan for this area?"

"A playground for children, with slides, a carousel, a seesaw, and other simple equipment. This side has a small house for raising quail and chickens, capable of about a thousand quail and over a hundred chickens."

The old gentleman raised his eyebrows without a hum, moved to the right side and asked, "And this side?"

"This is a training ground for physical exercise; craftsmen are hurriedly making fitness equipment. The adjacent house and open area are for raising ducks, geese, and deer."

"Why raise deer at all?"

"Deer have many benefits. Their antlers can be sold, there's deer blood, etc.; the whole animal is a treasure for medicine. I don't kill them; when they age naturally we harvest the antlers. I also want to raise some elk for musk each year; that stuff fetches a high price at apothecaries."

Yuan Jiaqi's eyes lit up at her talk of making money, feeling a ticklish itch like a cat's claw.

The old gentleman pursed his lips, "If you have silver, go ahead and tinker."

Finally, at the edge of the five‑mu field behind, "The wheat has grown quite tall."

"Yes. I let the idle workers help me hoe the grass and water the ground; I didn't intervene much. After harvesting the wheat, I plan to plant something else—growing grain would starve me."

"I see you didn't have land before, yet you lived just fine."

Hehe, of course, I'm the most skilled at doing business.

After touring around, the old gentleman crossed his arms and returned to the Qiao Family; although outwardly he seemed carefree, inside his mind could not settle down.

The layout of this house is so reasonable that he even wants to rebuild his own house.

A courtyard covering thirty mu has flowers where there are flowers, grass where there is grass, trees where there are trees; the arrangement is orderly, truly wishing it could be finished soon to enjoy it.

She raises small animals with purpose: dogs to guard the home, others to make money, cows so the family can drink milk, and the land gets fertilizer.

She also likes small animals; she has her own principle of raising them—she doesn't kill them, but keeping them creates wealth and value for herself.

If Yuan Jiaqi continues to rise step by step in the future, with the children passing exams and further promotions, each step requires money; without funds it can't happen.

Save a bit of family capital early, for unforeseen needs.

When Yuan Jiaqi saw the house, his confidence waned; Qiao Shi not only makes money, but in such a short time bought a dozen servants and acquired this big house. He and his three children are just a bunch of freeloaders.

If later they fail the exams, it would be a great disappointment to Qiao Shi.

Today he suffered a huge blow and remained silent, but the children were very happy, thinking that they could soon live in the Big Zhai.

The old gentleman saw through it and pulled Yuan Jiaqi aside.

"Don't feel sorry for yourself; your strength is that you can read. As long as you study well, you can become strong. Being weak now doesn't mean you'll stay weak. Even if she has money, without support and power it's useless. In the future, just be her support, protect her and the children."

Yuan Jiaqi took a deep breath and solemnly said.

Wang Jiaru's Student must put in Effort.

"Remember, there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens; do not be arrogant or restless, keep your original heart."

"Yes, sir!"

(End of chapter)