The Blessed Farm Girl Has a Spatial Storage

Liu Baixue mentioned that her hair-washing products were specially prepared by her servants and offered to give Zhao Zhitong some. She then immediately instructed a servant to fetch them.

Zhao Zhitong thought, It isn't right to just take someone's things for free. So, she took out a large handful of candy and chocolates from her backpack and handed them to Liu Baixue. "You're giving me hair products, so I'll give you some candy. These are delicious." She then enthusiastically introduced her favorite chocolate.

The servant tried to prevent their young lady from eating the treats. Zhao Zhitong and her father clearly look like farmers, the servant reasoned. How good could their food be? What if it upsets the Young Lady's stomach?

The servant's attitude made Zhao Dong, who was standing nearby, a little uncomfortable. "Don't worry," he said. "These are clean. My daughter eats them often."

The servant desperately wanted to retort, Can your daughter even compare to our young lady? But before they could speak, a glance from their young lady silenced them, and they obediently closed their mouths.

Liu Baixue didn't mind at all and popped a chocolate into her mouth. Her eyes instantly lit up. "Delicious! It was a little bitter at first, but after the bitterness comes a light sweetness, and there's a wonderful fragrance too."

"Right? Right? I love them!" Zhao Zhitong exclaimed, feeling as if she had found a kindred spirit. She happily gave Liu Baixue a few more pieces of chocolate.

Liu Baixue was also happy; this was the first time she had chatted so much with someone.

And so, the two young ladies stood in the garden, talking about everything under the sun. They chatted about their favorite foods, then moved on to reading and writing, and eventually, the conversation turned to the reason for Zhao Zhitong's visit.

By now, Zhao Dong was growing anxious from waiting. He coughed softly. "Tongtong, we should be going."

Only then did Zhao Zhitong realize her father had finished selling the medicinal herb. She reluctantly said farewell to Liu Baixue.

"When will you come to the county town next time?" Liu Baixue asked. "Come visit me again!"

Zhao Zhitong agreed. She had also learned that Master Liu bought the polygonum multiflorum to treat Liu Baixue's white hair.

Liu Baixue looks uniquely beautiful with her white hair, Zhao Zhitong mused, but people in this era don't see it that way. I still hope her hair can turn black.

Therefore, as she was leaving, she added, "Take your medicine on time. When you run out, I'll bring you more."

The servants thought, Zhao Zhitong is truly audacious! That hundred-year-old polygonum multiflorum isn't so easy to obtain.

Liu Baixue, however, believed Zhao Zhitong was telling the truth. Once they reached the gate, the two waved goodbye.

***

Sun Mei and the others had been waiting outside. They were growing so worried about Zhao Dong and Zhao Zhitong not returning that they were on the verge of barging into Lingjian Villa. Just then, they saw the father and daughter emerge from the main gate.

The group hurried over, their faces etched with concern.

Zhao Dong said helplessly, "Not only are we fine, but your daughter also made a new friend. Look, they even exchanged gifts before parting."

Sun Mei and the others all turned to look at Zhao Zhitong.

Zhao Zhitong grinned. "Mom, the tea residue Dad bought isn't very good. Little Snow gave me her specially made hair-washing product! My hair will definitely be smooth after I use it at home." She then showed the product to Sun Mei as if it were a treasure.

Sun Mei was quite baffled. "Wait, you were only in there for a short while and just met her. How did you end up talking about washing hair?"

Zhao Dong shrugged. "Who knew your daughter was such a social butterfly?"

Regardless, the polygonum multiflorum had sold for 2,000 taels of silver, instantly making their family wealthy.

With grain in their space and money in their pockets, the family left happily for the Peony Flower Shop.

The boss recognized Zhao Dong and knew why he had come. He told them he had already arranged for the fruit saplings and asked them to return in ten days to collect them.

Zhao Dong thanked him and was about to leave when he noticed Zhao Zhitong's feet seemed rooted to the spot. Finally, after her cute pleading and pestering, he bought two more peony plants of different colors—one yellow and one purple—before they finally climbed onto the cart.

This time, on their way home, they were more vigilant, constantly watching for anyone following them. Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, and they arrived home safely.

Since the fruit saplings hadn't arrived yet and the busy farming season was over, Zhao Dong began to plan the construction of a new house. He had previously spoken to the Village Chief of Zhao Village about building one. They didn't intend to build on their original foundation, as the plot was too small.

So, he planned to buy two mu of land at the edge of the village and build a large courtyard compound. Ideally, each child would have their own room, and there would be a large backyard for growing vegetables and raising chickens and ducks.

The next day, holding the document prepared by the Village Chief, he went to find the village chief who administered their area to have the land demarcated. The village chief resided in Zhang Clan Village and managed five villages: Zhao Village, Xiaoyi Village, Sunzhuang Village, Zhang Clan Village, and Liu Mansion.

Upon reaching Zhang Clan Village, Zhao Dong headed east until he reached the center of the village, where he found the village chief's residence—a courtyard with buildings of green brick and large tile roofs. At its entrance, they saw double doors, and the Liuhe door knockers on them were damaged.

In ancient times, door knockers were very particular, Zhao Dong knew. One's status determined the type of knocker used. Ordinary farming households like ours could only use simple round ones.

Zhao Dong knocked. After a short while, the door was opened by a young man, apparently the village chief's son. After hearing Zhao Dong's purpose, the young man led him inside.

Upon entering the main hall, Zhao Dong quickly presented the gift he had brought and carefully explained his reason for visiting.

The village chief glanced at the gift box on the table, his expression unchanging. He took the document and, after examining it for a few moments, stood up and went into an inner room. He soon returned holding a small register.

Zhao Dong described the plot of land he wished to purchase. The village chief, seeing no issues, marked the area Zhao Dong indicated in the register and stamped the document.

The price for residential land was 10 taels of silver per mu, so two mu cost 20 taels of silver.

After paying the money, Zhao Dong took the land deed and returned home.

That afternoon, Zhao Dong and Sun Mei began to plan the layout of their new house. He had bought a brush in the county town and was now sketching on paper. He had participated in designing their previous house. Recalling ancient architectural styles and discussing it with Sun Mei, he didn't find the task too difficult.

First, Zhao Dong stated that each person must have their own room, meaning five rooms in total. They would also need two guest rooms for visitors and a spacious, well-lit study. This brought the total to eight rooms. Additionally, they would need a kitchen, a dining hall, a washroom, a woodshed, and a storeroom.

Once they had a rough idea of the number of rooms, he began to sketch.

The main gate will be on the east side, he planned. The west side will feature the 'inverted-seating rooms' (daozuo fang), also known as the south rooms; this row of buildings will directly serve as guest rooms. From the main gate, one will pass through an Ornamental Gate and a covered walkway into the main courtyard.

I won't bother with an entrance screen, Zhao Dong decided. I'll design a small garden in the middle of the courtyard instead. I'll add a rockery with stones, plant some trees, and place a stone table and benches beneath them. It will be pleasant for enjoying the summer shade.

Two wing rooms (xiangfang) would flank each side of the courtyard. To the north would be the passage hall (guoting), itself flanked by smaller ear rooms (erfang). Passing through the passage hall would lead to a second courtyard, designed much like the first.

Finally, the backyard would be enclosed by a wall, perfect for planting vegetables and raising chickens and ducks.