Chapter 395

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

"Eh? Da Zhi?" Liu Chengjie had quick eyes and hands, grabbing his arm in one go.

But Da Zhi's whole body had already gone soft like a patch of mud, his mouth mumbling unclearly: "... Good... good wine... again... again drink...".

His head kept drilling toward under the table. Liu Chengjie and Chai Youqing beside him scrambled to support him, but he was slippery and strong, and the two simply couldn't stop him.

Only to see Da Zhi's body lower, with a "slip," his whole person shrank under the table, directly knocking the table over, then hugging the table leg, still humming in his mouth; within two seconds, snoring sounded, deep and muffled.

The dining table fell silent for a moment, then burst into even louder laughter.

"Hahaha! Da Zhi! You kid are really something! Say drill and you drill!" Liu Chengjie pointed under the table, laughing bent double, his previous heroic bearing turned into purely watching the excitement without fear of trouble.

Liu Chenglei also rarely split his mouth in a silent laugh a few times, shook his head, then poured himself another bowl of wine, drinking slowly.

Song Qingshan looked at Da Zhi curled into a ball under the table, both amused and helpless: "Sigh, this child, so honest, you two brothers got him drunk down. Quickly get him out, tomorrow we still count on him to drive."

Su Wan and Song Qiushui also heard the noise at the kitchen door; poking their heads to look, Su Wan cried "Ai yo": "How did he still drill under the table? Quickly help him out, help him out!"

Song Qiushui held back her laughter and responded by going.

Chai Mi called several people to lend a hand: "Help him out, send him to the west room kang to sleep more soundly."

Liu Chengjie then stopped laughing, and together with Chai Youqing, each supporting one of Da Zhi's arms, with great effort dragged this drunk-unconscious Da Zhi out from under the table.

Da Zhi's legs dragged limply on the ground, his head drooping, his mouth still unconsciously humming "Big brother, drank this cup of wine...".

The two helped him into the west room and directly laid him on the kang. As soon as Da Zhi touched the kang, he rolled over, snoring even louder.

Chai Youqing panted heavily, complaining: "Dead heavy dead heavy... this job is more tiring than moving bricks..."

"Dad, the table outside hasn't been cleared yet. People haven't left yet, you still want to sleep? Go help Mom gather the bowls and chopsticks. Chengjie and Chenglei are also tired, let them go back to rest first."

Chai Youqing had his little scheme exposed by his daughter, could only respond with a huff, and went out slowly and reluctantly.

No more wine was drunk; Liu Chengjie and Liu Chenglei drank some tea, then left.

In the main hall, Su Wan and Song Qiushui nimbly cleared the bowls, chopsticks, and leftovers.

Chai Mi helped wipe the table clean.

"Mom, Qiu Shui, you've also been tired all day; hurry up and finish clearing and rest." Chai Mi said, looking at the weariness on her mother's face.

"It's fine, it's just about done." Su Wan stacked the last few bowls, "Mi ah, the brick money... you'll give it to him later? All the bricks have been hauled..."

"Mm," Chai Mi nodded: "Since it's not too late, I'll go now. Also settle the remaining balance, to avoid being busy the day after tomorrow and forgetting, delaying things. You watch the house, Dad," she glanced at Chai Youqing rubbing his waist again, "you rest early too."

Chai Youqing was only too happy to hear this, nodding quickly: "Eh, I know, I know."

Chai Mi put on a thick coat, tucked away the money, and walked out of the courtyard gate.

It was already past seven in the evening, and the sky wasn't especially dark yet.

But the late autumn night wind carried a bone-piercing chill, refreshing her spirits.

Speaking of this Liaoxi area, the best season is late autumn evenings; that cool feeling is especially comfortable.

Arriving at Liu Guangcai's place, Chai Mi nimbly took out the wrapped money, according to the amount counted in the afternoon and the previously agreed price of nine fen per yuan, deducting the deposit, and handed over the remaining payment in full to Liu Guangcai.

"Handling business is so efficient!" Liu Guangcai counted the thick stack of bills, his face beaming; he had thought Chai Mi wouldn't ask for payment on credit on her last trip home. "Are all the bricks ready? Those two young men, what strength!"

"Ready," Chai Mi replied, "breaking ground the day after tomorrow; trouble you, Uncle."

"No trouble, no trouble! If you need bricks in the future, still come to Uncle!" Liu Guangcai enthusiastically saw Chai Mi out.

Returning to her own courtyard, the house was already much quieter.

The lamp in the main hall was still lit, but voices had ceased. She walked in lightly, seeing her mother Su Wan still sitting on a small wooden stool at the kitchen door, mending something by lamplight, presumably clothes torn during the day's work.

"Mom, not asleep yet?" Chai Mi asked softly.

"Waiting for you. Did you give the money?" Su Wan looked up.

"Gave it, settled it." Chai Mi walked over.

Su Wan put down her work: "You go wash up and sleep too; all day, your feet haven't touched the ground."

"Okay." Chai Mi indeed felt very tired.

She drew a basin of hot water, simply washed her face and hands, then went to sleep too.

The next day, as the sky just turned crab-shell green, the Chai Family Small Courtyard was already full of figures.

"Chai Mi, morning! Good day, we must start early!" Zhu Shukun's voice was loud, dispelling some of the morning chill. He pointed to the two beside him: "This is Master Wang and Master Li, old hands who've followed me for years, their skills are top-notch!"

"Master Zhu, Master Wang, Master Li, Little Zhang, you've worked hard!" Chai Mi went to meet them, in high spirits, not a trace of yesterday's travel fatigue; "The site is all cleared, just waiting for you to 'lay out the foundation.' Hot water is on the stove; have a sip to warm up?"

"No need to drink; before the sun comes up, it's cool, work goes faster!" Zhu Shukun waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the cleanly cleared empty space to the east; "Come, first lay out the lines!"

Little Zhang moved nimbly, cooperating tacitly with Masters Wang and Li.

Zhu Shukun stood in the center of the empty space, squinting to gauge the direction, then took a tape measure and plumb bob to measure for a while.

He pointed with his hand: "Old Wang, this side, the load-bearing wall position, drive the stakes!"

Master Wang responded, hoisting a large hammer, "Bang! Bang!" driving a sharpened wooden stake into the designated position.

"Little Li, correct, here!" Zhu Shukun strode a few steps and designated again.

Master Li moved just as neatly; another wooden stake steadily entered the ground.

Little Zhang quickly pulled the ink line taut; the ink line snapped straight between the two wooden stakes with a "crack"!

Then hanging the plumb bob, calibrating the level, measuring repeatedly...

Actually, laying out the foundation means fixing the specific location of the house to be built—how wide and long, where to place what, where the windows and doors are.

It requires the highest technical skill.

Chai Mi stood quietly watching to the side, feeling at ease in her heart. Leave professional matters to professionals; this money was well spent.

Chai Youqing and Su Wan were also watching from the side; Chai Youqing looked a bit awkward, wanting to help but unable to get a hand in. Su Wan said softly to Chai Mi: "Chai Mi, I see the hour is about right, it's time to prepare……"

Chai Mi nodded: "Mm, Mom, you go get the things out."

The sun gradually rose higher; the four corners of the side room's foundation had already been clearly marked out with wooden stakes and ink lines.

Then Xiao Zhang sprinkled a layer of lime marks, so that when the time came to work it would be convenient.

Chai Mi took a deep breath and walked to the edge of the open space. Su Wan came carrying a wooden tray, on which were neatly arranged: four bundles of coarse incense, several thick stacks of yellow paper money, a small jar of white liquor, a small basket of fresh chicken eggs, a few coarse porcelain wine cups.

Song Qiushui also came from the house rubbing her eyes, evidently having been deliberately woken up.

"Qiu Shui, lend a hand," Chai Mi called out.

Zhu Shukun signaled the apprentices to pause, step back a few paces, and stand on the outer perimeter.

Chai Youqing also subconsciously shrank back a little.

Chai Mi and Song Qiushui walked to the southeast corner of the foundation. Chai Mi squatted down, used a lighter to light three sticks of incense; green smoke curled up. She inserted the incense steadily into the soft earth. Then she picked up a stack of yellow paper money and lit it over the incense fire. Flames leapt, swiftly devouring the paper money, turning it into scraps of ash that scattered on the wind.

Song Qiushui handed over a wine cup filled to the brim with white liquor; Chai Mi sprinkled the wine in the cup in a fan shape before the burning paper money and incense.

Having done these things, Chai Mi began to mutter in a low voice the prayer words Ceng Xiazi had taught her:

"Earth veins spiritually enduring, all things have response. Now there is a mortal household Chai Mi, here moving earth to build a dwelling, truly for the family's young daughter Chai Xiu to study with a calm mind, compelled by necessity. Startling the various immortals' quiet cultivation, deeply fearful. Specially prepared humble gifts, burning incense to respectfully inform. Ten thousand hopes the immortals show compassion, temporarily move your immortal carriages. When the dwelling is complete another day, we will surely establish another place for you to reside, offering incense and worship. Prostrating in hope of your enjoyment!"

(Researched material, quoted from the I Ching.)

The prayer finished, Chai Mi respectfully bowed three times toward the southeast corner.

Song Qiushui also followed and bowed.

Song Qiushui herself believed in this; she usually called herself a Half Immortal.

Afterwards Chai Mi bowed in turn at each wall corner, counting it as expressing her sincerity.

Finally she stood up; the rite was complete.

The countryside actually pays attention to this; not only building houses and erecting structures, but also marriages, illnesses — all find someone to take a look.

Sometimes it's to resolve some doubts in the heart; sometimes it's simply wanting to spend a bit of money.

This thing is very common locally.

Believe and it exists; don't believe and it doesn't.

But many times, people will associate it with some recent events; when the mind is anxious, taking a look is still good.

Even if knowing it may not necessarily work, they'll still go take a look.

After all, this thing most of the time is still a bit accurate.

But in later generations it's not so good; too many Great Immortals, Great Immortals everywhere, so the good and bad are mixed.

Plus the internet era is developed, everyone is a Great Immortal or Half Immortal; some people take the Analects to tell fortunes……

"Alright, the proprieties have been observed." Chai Mi looked at Zhu Shukun, her tone returning to its usual crispness, "Old Uncle-in-law, we can start work."

"Good!" Zhu Shukun nodded, waved at the two master craftsmen and Xiao Zhang, "Pick up the tools! Dig along the lines! Dig the four piles first, deeper, make it stable!"

Master Wang and Master Li were the main force; Xiao Zhang was responsible for clearing the excavated topsoil. Chai Youqing was arranged to help push the wheelbarrow hauling earth; Su Wan began bustling about preparing the noon meal.

Chai Mi and Song Qiushui weren't idle either, helping clear scattered stones and grass roots on the side.

Chai Mi's gaze never left the gradually deepening foundation pit; Ceng Xiazi's words — she actually didn't know if they were accurate or not, but this matter was still better to believe a little.

Time passed bit by bit.

The sun rose to overhead; the foundation pit had already been dug down nearly half a meter deep, the pit walls straight.

Zhu Shukun went down into the pit, used a level to carefully check the depth and the flatness of the pit bottom.

"Dig down another half chi or so and it'll be deep enough! Old Wang, tidy up this corner a bit more……" Zhu Shukun pointed at a pit corner near the original sheep pen edge and instructed.

"Hao la!" Master Wang answered, swung the pickaxe, and hacked forcefully at that pit corner.

Clang!

The pickaxe seemed to hit something hard, emitting a dull sound different from earth.

"Huh?" Master Wang stopped, used the pick tip to carefully brush away the adhering earth. Immediately after, as if scalded, he jerked back a step, voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible alarm: "Bo… Boss! Snake! There's a snake nest!"

This shout made everyone's movements stop!

The air seemed to freeze instantly.

Chai Mi's heart gave a violent jump; she immediately rushed to the pit edge and looked down.

Zhu Shukun also quickly crowded close.

Only to see, under the earth at the pit corner Master Wang had dug open, a snake as thick as a wrist, entirely pitch-black, was coiled there!

It raised its triangular head, cold vertical pupils warily scanning the uninvited guests above.

And beneath its coiled body and in the surrounding loosened earth, several slightly thinner, equally pitch-black snake shadows could be faintly seen slowly wriggling! Truly a nest!

"Holy shit! It really fucking is a nest!" Song Qiushui screamed in fright, covering her mouth.

Chai Youqing let out a "Mama!" and nearly threw the wheelbarrow in her hands, face deathly pale as she retreated repeatedly.

"Nobody move! Don't make a sound!"

"Old Uncle-in-law, have the big fellows stop immediately! Everyone get up! Gently!" Chai Mi's words flew fast.

Zhu Shukun was someone who had seen the world after all; though also shocked, he was still fairly calm, immediately calling to Master Wang and Xiao Zhang in the pit: "Old Wang, Xiao Zhang, get up quick! Careful, don't startle them!"

The people in the pit carefully, making as little noise as possible, climbed up.

Everyone crowded around the pit edge, not daring to breathe, tensely staring at the scalp-numbing scene at the pit bottom.

That nest of snakes had clearly been thoroughly startled; several small snakes twisted uneasily, while the big snake maintained its raised-head alert posture, cold tongue flicking in and out, emitting a faint "hiss-hiss" sound.

Chai Mi didn't hesitate in the slightest; she turned and walked quickly to the tray where the offerings had been placed earlier, picked up that basket of fresh chicken eggs, and also grabbed a bundle of incense and a small stack of paper money. Song Qiushui reacted, hurriedly picked up the wine jar and wine cups and followed.

Back at the pit edge, Chai Mi said to Song Qiushui in a low voice: "Quick, light incense, burn paper! Pour the wine!"

Song Qiushui's hands trembled a little, but she still efficiently did as told. Three sticks of incense were lit again, inserted on the pit rim slightly farther from the snake nest but with a view of it. Yellow paper money was lit, flames leaping. White liquor was poured into cups, and Chai Mi lightly sprinkled it beside the burning paper money.

"Earth vein immortals above! Startling the immortals' quiet cultivation, Chai Mi is terrified, deeply apologetic! Just now moving earth was truly an unintentional mistake, absolutely no offense intended! Now again preparing humble gifts, burning incense to respectfully inform! Ten thousand hopes the immortals show compassion, forgive my crime of ignorance! Please quickly move your immortal carriages, seek another blessed land! Humble gifts presented, prostrating in hope of your enjoyment!"

(Quoting the I Ching once more)

After the prayer was complete, Chai Mi did not rise; instead, she remained in a reverent posture and bowed deeply toward that nest of snakes at the bottom of the pit.

"Quick! Gently put the chicken eggs down! Place them beside the nest!" Chai Mi said to Song Qiushui immediately after bowing.

Song Qiushui gritted her teeth, overcoming her fear, carefully took a few chicken eggs from the basket, and rolled them down to the bottom of the pit as gently as possible, throwing them onto the ground half a meter away from the snake nest.