My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 92 Part 2

Ji Yangzong had set up a table in the courtyard, holding a brush to record the names of the farming tools. Facing familiar faces and doing familiar tasks, for a moment it made him feel that this was no different from being in Tongzhou village.

"Since everyone is building houses, us brothers from the Ji clan have already divided our households. Now each of us has a large family, and it’s not very convenient to all squeeze together living in one place. We will also build new houses along with everyone."

Ji Yangkai said: "It’s just starting over from the beginning. Anyway, this is my line of work, so it’s not really a difficult task."

Along the journey, they had heard much about the changing situation in Tongzhou. No matter how much the eldest uncle, Ji Yangkai, and the second uncle, Ji Yangming, missed everything about Tongzhou, they knew they had to accept the reality before them.

As men over forty, they had their own responsibilities. They understood clearly that now was the time to rebuild with their own hands. If they did nothing but mourn their homeland, they, who were once top families in the village, might end up as the least successful.

While they were still young and strong, what couldn’t be regained?

Seeing that both his eldest and second brothers had said so, Ji Yangzong did not try to persuade them to stay.

Although this compound was quite large, Huo Shu also had many people. Accommodating all his brothers and their large families would require expansion..

Since building was necessary anyway, why not separate? This way, everyone would be more comfortable.

Moreover, having left their homeland, everyone was inevitably filled with sorrow and melancholy. Only by staying busy all day, having work to do, could they ease the sadness in their hearts.

By then, they would have houses and farmland—what more could farming families ask for? There wasn’t much difference between being in Tongzhou and being here.

In the warm spring light of the fourth lunar month, everyone enthusiastically took their tools to the mountains to cut down trees.

Huo Shu arranged tasks for everyone before returning to the house. Ji Taoyu was still asleep.

Seeing that the sun had climbed higher than the mountains, if he didn’t get up soon, it would be almost noon soon. Given Ji Taoyu’s habits, he would need an afternoon nap, meaning most of the day would be spent sleeping.

He pulled him out from the blankets. The bedding was soft, and Ji Taoyu, nestled inside, was warm all over.

"You need to eat something."

Ji Taoyu leaned on Huo Shu, noticing the room was already bright. He knew it was probably quite late, but his whole body still felt weak and limp.

During the journey, his heart had been constantly anxious, his nerves taut. Now that they were settled, his whole body relaxed, and it seemed all the rest he hadn’t gotten before rushed to make up for itself all at once.

Huo Shu held Ji Taoyu by the waist, seeing he still hadn’t slept enough.

He took clothes and dressed him: "The sun is nice today. Walk around the courtyard and get some sun. You don’t need to do anything else."

Ji Taoyu agreed.

"Does your stomach hurt?"

As Huo Shu tied Ji Taoyu’s clothes, he couldn’t help but ask. Although the bed wasn’t high, falling off was still dangerous for someone pregnant.

But there didn’t seem to be any issues last night.

Ji Taoyu, more awake now, shook his head: "It doesn’t hurt. My knees hit the ground."

"Then I’ll apply some ointment for you."

"Okay."

Ji Taoyu watched as Huo Shu knelt by his knees to apply the medicine. He touched his hair and casually asked: "What was there to eat this morning?"

"Porridge."

"Oh."

Huo Shu looked up at Ji Taoyu, remembering he didn’t much like porridge and preferred steamed buns, noodles, or dumplings, so he said softly:

"Supplies are a bit short here. We’ll go shopping after things settle."

"It’s fine, I was just asking."

Ji Taoyu said: "I can eat anything."

Huo Shu pinched his cheek.

The two took their time, and by the time they left the room, it was almost the end of the Sishi (around 11 AM).

The quicker farmers had already cut twenty or thirty logs. The livestock carried them load by load to the open ground—quite efficient.

From the courtyard, Ji Taoyu could see the villagers busy working near the surrounding mountains.

There was no distinction between public and private mountains here. Everyone could source timber for building houses nearby without having to climb deep into the mountains. Moreover, everyone was eager to get their homes built quickly, so morale was high.

Ji Yangzong led some people in dividing the homestead plots and marking foundation sites. It wouldn’t do for households to be too far apart for mutual support, nor too close for convenience. Selecting the sites in advance also prevented disputes after construction began.

After the land was divided, the women and gers didn’t idle either. They used sickle to cut down the wild grass.

The tender new grass could be used to feed livestock, while the old roots and weeds were piled together, burned to ash, and could be composted into fertilizer.

What was once a quiet piece of land instantly became lively with these hundred or so people, just like a village.

Huo Shu now had plenty of people under his command. He had A-Yu, Shi Yi, and the others expand the house to add more rooms.

Since they had moved here, it was better to have Yuan Huiru move in. There was no need to build a separate house for her elsewhere, as it would be inconvenient to care for her.

And Huang Yinsheng would also need a place to stay.

In time, it would be like a large household, living in one large compound, usually eating in their own courtyards, and gathering together for meals on special occasions.

This way, they could better take care of each other while still having their own space.

As for the people they had bought, they had already built shed dwellings earlier. Since they no longer worried about shelter, they could immediately focus on farming the land.

Seeing this thriving scene, Ji Taoyu felt very secure.

"Eat this too."

Hearing the voice, Ji Taoyu turned his head to see Huo Shu coming out of the kitchen, holding a boiled egg with its shell already cracked in places.

As he took it over, he noticed a quiver full of arrows strapped to Huo Shu's back and asked: "Where are you going?"