Chapter 143

143. Chapter 143: Zhao the Ruffian Breaks Into the Jiang Family at Night

"Alright, I'll go ask my mother."

After saying this, Jiang Xiaoxiao ran to find Jiang Wei and told her about Carpenter Zheng's desire to buy cement.

Jiang Wei thought for a moment, then said: "Fine, we can sell him the leftover cement from building our house."

Carpenter Zheng worked hard for our family; selling him some cement isn't a big deal.

Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded. Her family had started preparing cement a month ago; Old Zhao had been hauling a cart of materials back from Town every day, and now they had stockpiled a great deal—more than enough to finish the house, with plenty left over.

She asked again: "Mother, how much should we charge for the cement?"

Jiang Wei considered, then said: "Let's sell it at nine wen per jin."

Jiang Xiaoxiao: "..."

Honestly, this price was rather expensive.

In the Modern Era, a jin of cement cost only a few Corner; a fifty-jin bag typically sold for twenty yuan. Selling it at nine wen per jin was truly expensive...

But then again, this was ancient times—technology was nowhere near as advanced as in the Modern Era, and cement production remained complex and laborious; even the step of burning lime consumed vast amounts of fuel.

Jiang Xiaoxiao returned to deliver her mother's words.

When Carpenter Zheng heard the cement was only nine wen per jin, he could hardly believe it was so cheap!

Big households building a mansion spent at least several thousand taels of silver, and in the Capital, it was at least ten thousand taels!

If they used this cement, the cost would drop dramatically—just a few hundred taels would suffice to build a house as solid as stone!

Carpenter Zheng was overwhelmed with joy, and Jiang Xiaoxiao began pondering on her own.

Given her mother's decision not to sell the cement formula at a high price, it seemed she intended to run a cement business—perhaps even open a cement factory to mass-produce it.

Selling the leftover cement from home to Carpenter Zheng now would let him help promote it—truly a two-for-one advantage!

Carpenter Zheng had wide connections; he might spread the cement's reputation in no time.

The house construction proceeded smoothly; after two days, everyone had grown proficient and no longer needed Jiang Wei to supervise constantly.

She planned to have Qiulian Niang and Zhao Dasao watch the house tomorrow while she went to the Carpentry Shop to commission furniture, so it could be moved in as soon as the house was finished.

Night fell, and after all the workers left, the mother and daughter finally had time to list the furniture they needed to commission the next day.

"Writing desk, kang table, wardrobe, cabinet, storage cabinet, square table, bench... these are all essential."

Jiang Xiaoxiao wrote the furniture names on paper with a brush, asking her mother if anything else needed adding.

Jiang Wei thought and said: "Add two sets of matching dressing tables, plus screens and bed couches."

"Alright." Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded and wrote them down.

Although their house would still use the village's common earth kang—essential for winter—they could make extra bed couches for sitting in the Main Room when receiving guests: soft and dignified.

The mother and daughter were fully focused on tomorrow's furniture list and noticed nothing outside.

At this moment, Zhao the Ruffian had slipped into the Courtyard under cover of night.

Due to construction, the Courtyard Gate had been left open, and the yard was piled high with blue bricks and tiles—perfect for hiding his figure.

He stared at the light from the Main Room and nervously swallowed.

Inside the Main Room, Jiang Xiaoxiao finished writing the last character, set down her brush, stretched wearily, and prepared to go to the Courtyard to wash her hands before returning to sleep.

But as she rose, Little Tiger, who had been sleeping at her feet, suddenly jerked awake, leapt up, and bit firmly onto her pants leg, stopping her from leaving.

"Aowu~"

Jiang Xiaoxiao frowned: "Xiaohu, what's wrong?"

Jiang Wei had finished cleaning the table and, seeing this, glanced at Little Tiger clinging to Jiang Xiaoxiao's pants leg, then chuckled: "You've been locking him in the Wu all day with all these visitors—did you drive him mad?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao agreed it made sense, assuming Little Tiger just wanted to play, so she patted his head: "Good boy, Xiaohu, once the house is done I'll play with you. Let go now—I need to wash my hands."

She freed her pants leg from his mouth and stepped out of the Main Room.

"Aowu!"

Little Tiger howled twice at her retreating back, as if worried, then chased after her.

Jiang Wei watched the tiger's unusual behavior and frowned.

She peered through the window at the dark Courtyard but detected nothing amiss.

Still, she rose and followed them outside.

The Courtyard was silent—only the splash of Jiang Xiaoxiao washing her hands could be heard.

Little Tiger entered the Courtyard, sniffed around, and finally found a patched outer garment beneath a pile of blue bricks.

"So that's why you were acting up tonight—you smelled this clothes!" Jiang Xiaoxiao laughed.

Jiang Wei came over and, seeing the garment, visibly tightened her eyebrows.

Jiang Xiaoxiao reassured her: "It must be one of the workers'—they forgot it when they left."

Jiang Wei said nothing, but carefully scanned the entire Courtyard, then told Jiang Xiaoxiao: "Wash your hands and go back inside to rest."

Then she moved to close the Courtyard Gate.

Tonight, she would stay alert, listening for any movement in the Courtyard.

Aside from other concerns, their Courtyard was piled high with blue bricks—each worth seven wen. Some villagers might be tempted to sneak in and steal a few at night.

Jiang Xiaoxiao washed her hands and returned inside.

But the moment she stepped through the door, Little Tiger's roar erupted behind her—and the next instant, a kitchen knife pressed against her neck.

"Aowu—!!"

Little Tiger dropped the torn garment in his mouth and lunged toward the man, but Jiang Wei seized him and held him fast.

"Hah." Seeing Jiang Wei's move, the bare-chested Zhao the Ruffian sneered smugly: "Jiang Shi, you'd better hold him tight—if I get startled by this tiger, I can't guarantee I won't slip this knife and cut your daughter's throat. Don't blame me if it happens."

As he spoke, he deliberately shifted his wrist, pressing the blade even closer to Jiang Xiaoxiao's slender neck—so close the blade reflected her face.

Jiang Wei stared at Zhao the Ruffian, her face dark as storm clouds, her eyes cold enough to flay him alive.

She never expected that this Zhao the rogue actually had some brains, knowing the feint tactic, knowing there was a tiger at her home, so he used his own clothes to draw the tiger's attention, then took the chance to sneak into the house...

"If you don't want your daughter to come to harm, take off your clothes right now, hurry!"