Chapter 106 – Moving In

The wagon rumbled all the way toward the county.

The house Shen Li owned in the county was indeed quite large.

It had two courtyards in depth, with expanded wings on both sides.

On the left was an added rock garden, flowerbeds, and a small study. On the right, there was a horse training field and a martial arts hall.

"This place is usually empty. No one lives here, aside from the occasional cleaning. For now, you all can stay here. If you want to buy a new place, I’ll have someone look into it after the New Year.

Don’t be polite—just treat this house like your own. Live however you like. It’s been sitting empty anyway. With you here, at least there’s some life in it.

My master is Lord Zhou’s disciple. A teacher for a day, a father for life. What belongs to the student also belongs to the teacher. It’s only right to be filial."

Uncle Zhong led them in warmly.

Zhou Huaishan had been a marquis in his past life, he’d seen every grand scene imaginable. A mere two-courtyard estate in a county town was like a chicken coop to him. Nothing to fuss over.

But it was a different story for the third household.

From the moment they entered, Zhou Ping’s mouth had been hanging open.

Everywhere he looked, his eyes sparkled as he let out one long "Wooooow~~~"

"This courtyard inside a courtyard… if you walk around too much, wouldn’t you get lost?"

Uncle Zhong affectionately patted his head. "Maybe at first. But walk around a few more times and you’ll get used to it."

After passing through the covered walkway, they reached the rear courtyard.

"Everything here is fully furnished. I’ll send a few servants over later."

Before Uncle Zhong even finished speaking, Zhou Huailin waved his hands in protest.

"No, no, no! Just staying here already feels like we’re taking too much. We don’t need any servants!"

Zhao shi quickly added, "Exactly! We’re not some fancy lords or ladies, what would we need servants for?"

Uncle Zhong thought: You might not be, but Miss Qing is going to be our master’s wife someday!

Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud. Instead, he said, "The house is big. Cleaning it is a lot of work. Better to hire a helper or two."

Zhao shi smiled and said, "But it’s winter, we’re not busy with anything. The house may be big, but we’ve got lots of time. We can handle it ourselves. Really, don’t trouble yourself."

Zhou Qing also smiled and said, "Uncle Zhong, really no need. Having servants around might actually make us uncomfortable. If we need help later on, we’ll let you know."

Since everyone declined, Uncle Zhong didn’t insist.

"Well then, you all get some rest. I’ll have someone bring a table of food over later—no need to cook tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll bring over the rest of your things from the village."

After chatting a bit more, Uncle Zhong left.

The moment he was gone, Zhou Ping burst out like a wild animal from a cage. "Oh yeahhh!" he shouted as he took off running.

Zhou Yao’s eyes were glowing.

This was just like the homes of noble ladies in the storybooks.

In spring, a red dress swaying on the swing.

In summer, a fan chasing butterflies.

In autumn, fallen leaves burying red flowers.

In winter, white snow, warm wine, and poetry.

On New Year’s, the whole courtyard lit with red lanterns, fireworks glowing in the sky above.

Heaven!

Who would’ve thought that one day, she, Zhou Yao, would celebrate New Year’s in a place like this?

She was really living like one of those storybook girls!

It was all thanks to Second Uncle’s great fortune!

"Mama, when New Year comes, can we hang lanterns all over the courtyard?" Zhou Yao asked, eyes full of anticipation, looking at Zhao shi.

"Of course we can."

Zhao shi looked around the courtyard, already planning where to hang the lanterns.

And a few pots of silk flowers to fill the yard with color— Tsk, tsk. Pure enjoyment!

Zhou Huailin stood beside Zhou Huaishan, looking both embarrassed and touched. Scratching his head, he choked up slightly, "Second Brother, we’re really benefiting from your good fortune."

Zhou Huaishan waved him off. "Well, you’re not wrong!"

Zhou Huailin: Wait, huh?

Zhou Qing quickly tugged her father aside and grinned at her third uncle. "Don’t mind my dad—he’s just so happy he’s gotten silly."

Zhou Huailin scratched his head again. "I’m happy too. I get to enjoy life thanks to your dad."

His eyes sparkled, his nose stung with emotion.

What was he doing this time last year?

Probably collecting cow dung, or breaking ice to catch fish in the frozen river...

And now? Look at him.

If it weren’t for Second Brother, he wouldn’t be enjoying any of this.

After this emotional moment, everyone started organizing their rooms.

To give Zhou Huaishan a quiet place to study, Zhou Qing assigned him the main house in the back courtyard, far from noise or interruptions.

She and Zhou Yao took one wing room each on the left and right.

Uncle Zhong had said they could live however they liked. And she and Shen Li weren’t exactly strangers. With so many rooms, they may as well each take one.

In the front courtyard, Zhou Huailin and Zhao shi stayed in the main house, while Zhou Ping got a wing room to himself, conveniently close to the training field and martial arts hall.

Once everything was tidied up, Uncle Zhong sent over a full meal, a box of toiletries, and two guards. He didn’t come himself, he had business at the Ink Pavilion.

These "guards" were actually the shadow protectors Shen Li had left behind for Zhou Qing before he left.

One was named Li Yi, the other Li Er—real-life brothers.

The estate was huge. While the family could still handle the cleaning without servants, living in such a large place naturally made them feel less secure.

Now that the guards had arrived, Zhou Huaishan asked a few basic questions, then accepted them.

There were vacant rooms by the martial arts hall, perfect for the brothers to move in.

As soon as Zhou Ping saw them, his eyes lit up with excitement.

They know martial arts!

Wooooow~~~

Drooling like a waterfall.

Li Er: "Bro, why is Zhou Ping looking at me like he’s starving?"

Li Yi: "You’re overthinking it. He’s not drooling over your body. Just your martial arts skills."

Li Er: "…"

After a long, exhausting day, everyone had dinner and went to rest.

Zhou Ping eagerly pulled out his schedule from his little box and reverently stuck it on the headboard.

"Starting tomorrow, I’ll tie my hair to the rafters, prick myself with needles if I doze off, and study like a madman! Someday I’ll buy a mansion like this for Second Uncle and my parents!"

After his grand declaration, Zhou Ping was too excited to sleep. He lit a lamp and flipped through his military strategy books.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qing was soaking in a large wooden tub, eyes closed in pure bliss.

Shen Li really is a strange man.

Back in Qingyang Village, even though he lived alone in a courtyard, every room had been fully furnished.

Now in the county—

The house was unused, but every corner was clean, and all the furniture perfectly in place.

Even the charcoal and firewood were neatly stocked.

Is this how all rich people live?

Having a family mine really makes a difference.

The city’s fire pits and floor heating were so much better than the village’s clay beds—clean, smokeless, and cozy.

Truly, going from frugal to luxurious was easy… but going back? So hard.

And it had only been one night, she already didn’t want to return to Qingyang Village.

"You spoiled little pleasure-seeker!" she mock-scolded herself, clicking her tongue as she struck a seductive pose like a beauty stepping out of her bath.

Good thing she was alone in the room. Otherwise, she might’ve been reenacting Yang Guifei with nothing but a sheet.

Just as she stepped out of the bath, without even drying her hair yet, Zhou Yao knocked on the door from outside.

"Big Sis, are you asleep?"