122 Chapter 122: Moving Into A New House
They knew that the Song family had bought a courtyard dwelling in town, but they assumed it was just a small courtyard house close to the illegal construction area.
Much to their surprise, this courtyard dwelling was not only two streets away from the illegal construction area but was also so big!
There were also many rooms, and there was a well in the courtyard. They could set aside some land to plant crops.
“How… much is this dwelling worth?” Wang Laoshuan could not help but ask.
!!
Madam Liu smiled. “Including the subsequent purchases for interior fittings, it should be around 250 taels of silver in total.”
Her daughter-in-law had told her that she spent 230 taels to buy the courtyard dwelling. After that, the broker collected some processing fees, and some taxes had to be paid to the government office.
In addition to the things Qin Xiaoyao had bought for their home, she had spent almost that much money.
Everyone was shocked.
“Two… 250 taels?” Wang Laoshuan’s eyes almost popped out.
He didn’t even dare to think about such a large sum of silver.
Madam Liu smiled and did not say anything more.
She turned to look at Wang Xiaomei. “You can stay in that room for the time being. Put your things in there first!”
Wang Xiaomei was a little scared.
However, she still replied hurriedly, “Yes!”
Following that, she took her luggage and walked to the room Madam Liu had pointed to.
Wang Laoshuan and Wang Dashan looked at each other and then quickly took the girl’s belongings and followed her.
They thought they would help the Song family unpack later. Now they wanted to see what kind of environment their daughter and sister would be staying in.
In the end, when they entered the room, the three of them were stunned.
This room was really big!
It was even bigger than the main house of the Wang family where Wang Laoshuan and Madam Qian stayed in.
Not only was there a bed, but there was also a wardrobe, a dressing table, and a small desk.
The bedding on the bed was brand new, and there was a bronze mirror and a fine-toothed comb on the dressing table.
“Is this… really a room for servants?” Wang Dashan could not help but ask.
“Gosh! Even if it’s a young lady from a rich family, her house is probably just like this!” Wang Laoshuan replied excitedly.
“Oh, Xiaomei! You will enjoy a good life now that you are following the Song family!” As he said this, Wang Laoshuan looked at his daughter.
Wang Xiaomei was initially very pleasantly surprised, but when she heard Wang Laoshuan’s words, her expression immediately stiffened.
Upon seeing this, Wang Dashan glanced at his father.
Wang Laoshuan looked away awkwardly.
At this point, Wang Dashan stepped forward and patted Wang Xiaomei on the shoulder.
“Aunt Song and Mrs. Song are good people. They won’t treat you badly. Now that I’ve seen this house, your Big Brother feels even more at ease.”
“From now on, you should stay and wait in the Song family. Big Brother will definitely go to the Qian family to get the money back and redeem you!”
A hint of gratitude flashed across Wang Xiaomei’s eyes.
“Mm-hmm!” she quickly answered.
Although she didn’t want to go back to the Wang family, she also felt that there was a high chance that she wouldn’t be able to.
However, when she heard her brother’s words, she felt more at ease.
When Wang Laoshuan heard this, he wanted to rebuke his son.
The Song family’s courtyard dwelling was so big, and the room for his daughter was so good.
His daughter wouldn’t suffer here, so why would he take her back?
Not only would he make his daughter suffer, but he would also have to give up ten taels of silver. It was not worth it at all.
However, Wang Laoshuan only thought about it inwardly and did not dare to refute his son outwardly.
Anyway, he had not gotten the money back yet. He would wait until he went to the Qian family and got the money back before talking further.
“Alright. I don’t have much to tidy up here.”
“Let’s quickly go out and help.”
“They are moving today. I’m afraid there will be guests coming later,” Wang Xiaomei quickly replied.
“Right!” Wang Dashan responded.
He walked towards the door.
When he turned around, he even glared at his father, who had a reluctant look in his eyes.
Wang Laoshuan could only retract his gaze and quickly followed his son.
Thereafter, the family of three returned to the courtyard and started to help out.
It was easier to get things down with more people. Madam Liu directed the rest of the people to get on with various tasks, and it didn’t take long for all the things they had brought from their old home to be put in place.
Following that, Madam Liu arranged for Liu Daniu to bring Wang Dashan and Wang Laoshuan to hang red paper and red silk banners.
The courtyard quickly took on a festive look.
“Alright. Just leave the house to Yun’er and me. Aunt, you can take Xiaomei to go buy groceries,” Big Girl Li completed her tasks and said to Madam Liu.
“Uncle Qin and the others will be coming over at noon, so you have to prepare lunch early.”
...
“That’s right. Then I’ll leave with Xiaomei!” Madam Liu replied.
With that, she turned around to look for Wang Xiaomei.
After that, she had Wang Xiaomei carry the bamboo backpack on her back and led her out of the house.
As they left, they passed by Wang Dashan and Wang Laoshuan sticking red paper banners at the entrance of the courtyard.
Wang Dashan was still civil, and he greeted Madam Liu warmly when he saw Wang Xiaomei walking out with the bamboo backpack on her back.
Wang Laoshuan’s expression was somewhat gloomy.
It was only when they were far away that Wang Dashan realized something was wrong and asked his father what was wrong.
“We’ve agreed before that your little sister will only be a slave after five days. It’s only the third day, and they are already ordering her around,” Wang Laoshuan said with dissatisfaction.
Wang Dashan’s face darkened at once when he heard that.
“They only asked her to carry a bamboo backpack to buy groceries. You call that ordering her around?” He immediately shot back at Wang Laoshuan.
“Then what about those times when you and Mother forced Xiaomei to do the laundry, cook, and go to the fields every day?”
...
Wang Laoshuan’s face froze.
Wang Dashan did not stop and continued, “The Song family is kind enough to help. Now they’re taking in Xiaomei.”
“If she is not allowed to do this or that, then what’s the point of taking her in? To worship her like an ancestor?”
Wang Laoshuan had no answer.
“Hmph! Now you know how to treasure Xiaomei. Why didn’t I see you treasure your daughter before?” Wang Dashan muttered again.
Wang Laoshuan felt a lump in his heart, but he had no way to refute his son.
Madam Liu took Wang Xiaomei to the market on West Street.
Then, she told Wang Xiaomei about the situation in the market on West Street as she bought some vegetables.
Wang Xiaomei rarely went into town. Seeing such a bustling market, she was a little unused to it. She followed Madam Liu closely, afraid that she would get lost.
Fortunately, Madam Liu was very patient and took care of Wang Xiaomei. This was why the two of them had a smooth journey.
When they arrived at the meat stall, Madam Liu looked for Qin Dazhuang straightaway.
After confirming with Qin Dazhuang that he had left all the lard for her, she asked for another four catties of fatty meat and three catties of streaky pork from Qin Dazhuang.
“There’s a lot of lard this time, about 30 catties. I’ll send it to your house when I close the stall later!” Qin Dazhuang raised his voice and said with a smile to Madam Liu.
“Great! Father Qin, you must close up earlier today and not delay your lunch!” Madam Liu responded with a smile.
“Hey! Don’t worry! I’ve already asked my wife and two daughters-in-law to go to your house to help.”
“If you go back now, they’ll probably be there already! At that point, you can simply order them around!”
Madam Liu’s face lit up.
“Father Qin, you’re so thoughtful! I was still worrying that I couldn’t cope with the kitchen chores at home!”
“Then I’ll have to hurry and buy the groceries back, so I’ll take my leave first!”
“Alright!” Qin Dazhuang smiled and agreed.
Madam Liu smiled and left with Wang Xiaomei.
When Wang Xiaomei heard that there were people going to the Song family’s house to help with the cooking, she felt a little more at ease.
At the same time, she had a premonition that there would be many guests at the Song family’s house today, so she was a little worried.
Madam Liu didn’t think so much and continued to buy vegetables with Wang Xiaomei.