Chapter 494: Chapter 494 She is Busy

“I know martial arts, I should.” Aware of what Qiao Xiaomai meant, Tong Sanlang patted her hand gently with a smile.

“But you’re just seventeen.”

“The calculations here are different from yours. Many people at seventeen are already married and have children, shouldering the family’s responsibilities.” Tong Sanlang held her hand and said with a smile, “I’m happy about it.”

He was more than willing to contribute to his family.

And he didn’t feel tired at all.

Yet Qiao Xiaomai’s concern for him was very touching.

“Idiot.” Qiao Xiaomai stared at his smiling face and murmured softly.

“I don’t mind being an idiot.”

Qiao Xiaomai rolled her eyes, “Fine, fine, go and sleep. We have to go to town tomorrow.”

If they were to investigate Tingfeng Pavilion, they had to make it look authentic by visiting the County Town.

To make it more convincing, they could even take a trip to the Prefecture City.

Given the hot weather, Qiao Xiaomai wasn’t really interested in going out. At present, she’s primarily focusing on the manor construction project.

Truth be told, compared to other villagers, her house is among the nicer ones.

A house with three sizable, well-lit blue-brick rooms, which do not let in rain or collapse under heavy snow.

Furthermore, the courtyard was paved with blue bricks just like her house. Unlike other houses, the courtyard isn’t all muddy whenever it rains. No muddy shoes, and no thick mud sticking to the sole of your feet.

But even such conditions are insufficient for Qiao Xiaomai.

Take the kitchen, for instance.

The kitchen is too small. Being in the kitchen in summer with the stove blazing, the room instantly turns into a steamer, making her wish she could wear shorts and a sundress.

So, a spacious, well-ventilated kitchen is a must in the manor.

Then there’s bathing.

That’s a big problem too.

She used to love soaking in baths, but after coming here, she stopped enjoying it despite having a bathtub.

Taking a bath is too troublesome.

Collecting firewood, boiling hot water, pouring it into the tub, then getting in to soak. If Qiao Changshun was still awake after she finishes, she had to pretend she couldn’t lift the tub to keep her strength a secret and would haul the tub out with Qiao Changshun. Finally, she had to scrub the tub clean.

After all this fuss, she ends up sweaty again, making the bath pointless.

So, she misses the shower dearly now. There must be a shower room in the manor to survive the summer.

Then there’s the bed.

There’s no cotton here. During winter, the wealthy wear fur and silk to keep warm, while the poor stuff whatever they can find into their clothes for warmth, like wheat straw or animal hair.

As the original owner’s family was poor, their quilts were filled with wheat straw. Both laying in bed and covering oneself with the quilt felt as cold as iron during winter.

Qiao Xiaomai refuses to suffer this way. Therefore, having a heated bed is a vital requirement.

But she had only heard and seen heated beds, never made one, so she’ll need to research this matter thoroughly.

And this is just about the hardware, the tangibles. Then comes the software, the intangibles.

Her old home had a grape vine trellis which she enjoyed lazing under during summer, so she plans on growing one.

She also wants a garden and to plant various flowers and plants.

The fruit tree seedlings that Miao Dali got for her were about to arrive, they needed to be planted too.

She’s also considering the furniture for the rooms, she’s spent a fortune building, so obviously it has to be done to her satisfaction.

Anyway, despite becoming a landlady, she’s pretty busy trying to make her life more comfortable.

Therefore, while Tong Sanlang went out to pretend to investigate Tingfeng Pavilion, Qiao Xiaomai poured her heart into her manor project.

One day, Tong Tiehu rang the village bell to make an announcement: the Tong family vinegar shop has opened. They are also selling maltose and bean sprouts. Everyone is welcome to visit the Tong Family’s new house to shop.