C30 – Cooked Quite a Lot
Zhao Yuegu carried Xia Guo back to the courtyard, where she continued to sleep soundly.
“It looks like we won’t be able to do any investigating today. I hope it’s not too much to ask, Brother Yuegu, but could we stay in your courtyard for a couple of days?”
“That’s fine by me.”
Zhao Yuegu’s courtyard was spacious, with plenty of rooms to spare, so accommodating two more guests wasn’t an issue.
Then Sun Ying chimed in with a reminder.
“Dad, don’t you have a lot of things to take care of?”
But Sun’s father dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand.
“It’s nothing urgent.”
“This ancient village, a remnant of the Ming Dynasty, is steeped in history.”
“I’ve always had a passion for such places, so naturally, I want to explore the village thoroughly.”
Sun Ying let out a resigned sigh.
In the end, she could only quietly caution Zhao Yuegu.
“Keep an eye on my dad. Otherwise, he might just walk off with the village’s hidden gems.”
Zhao Yuegu was taken aback that Sun Ying would so candidly betray her father’s intentions.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Their relationship was certainly complex.
Worried that Zhao Yuegu might not grasp the full picture, Sun Ying elaborated.
“It’s like how my brother is with cars; my dad has the same fascination with antiques.”
“This village has an untouched quality, and it’s quite possible that some intact relics are still here.”
“Just make sure to keep a close watch.”
No sooner had Sun Ying finished her warning than she saw Sun’s father dash toward a stool.
“Wow! A stool made of yellow rosewood!”
“Judging by the pattern and design, it’s likely from the late Ming period.”
“Brother Yuegu, I’ve got to have this. How much do you want for it?”
Zhao Yuegu’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
To think his home actually contained an antique...
It was just too bad that he wasn’t well-versed in the value of such items.
Furniture from the late Ming Dynasty could be worth a fortune, for all he knew.
But money was the least of his concerns.
“It’s not for sale.”
“What would I use for meals if I sold it?”
“Brother Yuegu, you’re sitting on a fortune! Do you always use this when you eat?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I can replace it with a whole set of modern furniture, any big brand you like.”
However, Zhao Xueman, or little Xueman as she was known, cried out defiantly.
“Don’t take our stuff, you thief!”
“I’m not giving away anything!”
Zhao Yuegu gently ruffled little Xueman’s hair, signaling her to show some courtesy to their guest.
Sun’s father’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Being an ordinary heiress and only slightly less attractive than Ma Yabei meant she was still quite beautiful!
“I think I have a really cool vibe, right? Don’t I?”
Ma Yabei burst into laughter.
It was undeniable.
Sun Ying had a knack for brightening the mood when needed.
“Absolutely cool.”
Basking in Ma Yabei’s direct praise, Sun Ying felt herself floating on air.
“Goddess Yabei, you’re making me blush.”
Clearly...
It didn’t take long for her to hit it off with Ma Yabei.
She even overlooked their underlying rivalry.
Zhao Yuegu was more than happy to witness this camaraderie.
The sight of the two beauties together was a delight to the eyes and added a sparkle to his courtyard.
“Perhaps it’s time to refurbish my courtyard.”
Living with Xueman, Zhao Yuegu hadn’t given it much thought, focusing mainly on the land.
A house that provided shelter from the elements was enough.
But now, with the watermelon harvest complete and the other crops not yet ripe, he had the leisure to spruce up the place.
“This courtyard, after all, is the former home of a top scholar, with three sections.”
“The house needs some upkeep and repairs, especially if we’re to welcome future guests.”
Zhao Yuegu mulled it over and decided to begin with the inner courtyard.
The structures were showing their age, but the foundations were solid—some repairs would make them livable.
The greatest challenge with a wooden house, after all, was ensuring it was well-protected against the elements.
To prevent decay, rot, and fire.
Seizing a moment of leisure, Zhao Yuegu headed straight to the backyard, tools in hand.
Sun’s father naturally came along.
But upon seeing the ramshackle houses, his eyes bulged in disbelief.
“Oh my God!”
“They’re actually...”
“They’re actually all built from rosewood.”
Zhao Yuegu watched as Sun’s father, overwhelmed with excitement, clung protectively to a pillar, his body shaking.
He caressed the wood and examined it closely. Finding a piece of broken wood on the ground, he winced, tenderly picking it up and carefully dusting it off with his expensive, tailor-made suit.
“This is rosewood too!”
“How could such a valuable house be... just... left to waste like this!”
Sun’s father was so upset he nearly choked on his own outrage.
Zhao Yuegu was momentarily baffled.
“This is rosewood?”
“Xueman even burned quite a bit of it for cooking.”
“Gasp...”
Sun’s father clutched at his heart, his eyes wide with shock, the very picture of horror.