CHAPTER 1320: CHAPTER 1320: ARRANGEMENTS

The villagers were excited now, getting to exchange a few words with the Lord County Magistrate was something that brought honor.

For so many generations, who has had the fortune to chat casually with the Lord County Magistrate?

Therefore, everyone wanted to crowd around Song Chongjin.

Luckily, the personal soldiers felt uneasy and only distributed half of them to go with the Wang Family Brothers and Yao Da to arrange the accommodation.

The rest stayed behind, blocking the crowd who wanted to squeeze in.

The villagers were still afraid, not daring to be reckless, so just a glance from Song Chongjin or a greeting was enough to satisfy them.

Thus, they walked all the way to the entrance of the Wang Family Courtyard, when Song Chongjin turned back and said: "Thank you, dear villagers, please return home now—"

Alongside, the Lizheng and Clan Leader were quick to say: "Everyone, please go back! Lord Song is not taking office for a while, there will be time to meet in the future, let’s not disturb the Lord’s rest!"

Only then did everyone reluctantly disperse, taking their families with them.

Finally, the family entered the courtyard, and the personal soldiers hurried to close the gate.

Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao had been anxiously waiting at home for news, and finally seeing their men return, followed by a group of burly, fierce-looking men, they were startled.

Lady Jiang, timid, found her legs weak, managing to stand only by holding the door frame.

Liu Xiaoqiao, being braver, forced herself to take another look, and noticed the smiles on the faces of all three men, realizing there was no trouble, she slightly let out a sigh of relief.

Before she could speak, Wang Yonggui opened his mouth: "Gentlemen, our courtyard has four sections, my sister and mother occupy the last section, next to it there is another courtyard belonging to my brother-in-law. How should we arrange the accommodation?"

"If it’s not enough, we still have a few empty rooms in the front courtyard, if you don’t mind squeezing in?"

Yao Da and Shitou looked at the leader among the personal soldiers, having gotten familiar along the way, they were the ones arranging the accommodations without any mishaps.

The leader of the soldiers said: "Steward Yao and Steward Shi, just arrange it, and for labor tasks, just call on our brothers."

Yao Da and Shitou didn’t refuse, smiling broadly at Wang Yonggui: "Then please lead the way, allowing us to first assess if everyone can be accommodated."

The Three Wang Brothers, having been eyed by the soldiers, were quite intimidated.

Seeing Yao Da and Shitou being so amiable, they felt a rush of emotions, almost moved to tears, and eagerly led the group to the rear courtyard.

As they passed through the three front courtyards, Yao Da and Shitou observed their layout, reaching the rear courtyard where everything was clean and tidy.

The garden was well-kept, vibrant blooms near bursting, revealing regular care.

Windows were open for ventilation, the gate to the adjoining courtyard of Song Chongjin was open too.

Wang Yonggui stepped forward for introductions, pointing out which room belonged to his mother, which was his sister’s boudoir.

After a brief look, Yao Da knew what to do, and conferred with Shitou.

As Song Chongjin was now a County Magistrate with his own courtyard, it was unsuitable for him to stay in the Wang Family side.

They arranged rooms for the two leaders in Song Chongjin’s main courtyard, yet left Old Granny Zhang’s room untouched, as she continued to reside there.

Wang Yongzhu’s boudoir, once occupied by the house mistress, naturally wouldn’t be given to anyone else, even if left empty.

Lord Du, being a guest, required an independent room, next to Old Granny Zhang’s.

Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding were arranged in the adjacent side room next to Old Granny Zhang.

The two maids were settled in the side room of Song Chongjin’s courtyard, to serve the mistress at any time.

With plenty of rooms left, all twenty people could easily squeeze in.

Once Yao Da arranged everything, the personal soldiers proceeded to orderly move luggage inside, placing them in the designated rooms.

Old Granny Wu, Old Madam Ding, along with Gu Yu and Li Xia, quickly cleaned the rooms again, opening unpacked luggage to organize.

The Wang Brothers and Lady Jiang, along with Liu Xiaoqiao, had planned to help, but could only watch, having no chance to participate.

They only managed to tidy up Old Granny Zhang’s room, Old Madam Ding pondered the time and withdrew.

After a glance, she stepped forward, bowing low to Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao: "Two honored relatives, may I ask where the kitchen is? Are there firewood and rice flour? It’s late, and time to prepare dinner, otherwise the old mistress may arrive hungry—"

Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao, unfamiliar with such proceedings, fumbled about uncertain whether to return the bow or respond.

After some rushed fumbling, Liu Xiaoqiao, blushing deeply, replied: "We’ve already prepared dinner in the front kitchen, but didn’t expect so many people—"

The last time when sister and brother-in-law came back, they didn’t bring this many people, how could they have thought this time, hearing the numbers, there seemed to be about thirty people.

The preparations weren’t quite sufficient.

Old Madam Ding laughed: "No problem, do we have enough rice, flour, and vegetables at home?"

Lady Jiang hesitated, last year’s harvest was good, and their family was not short of silver, having kept what remained in the warehouse after paying taxes.

With spring harvest approaching, last year’s sold rice and ground flour was eaten up, there might not be enough for all these people now.

Vegetables were plentiful though, and although meat couldn’t be bought at this time, the garden provided enough greens.

If needed, buying eggs and poultry from neighbors would suffice.

Seeing Lady Jiang’s worried face, Old Madam Ding had an understanding.

She needed to inspect the kitchen to know what was available, so, following Liu Xiaoqiao’s direction, she walked towards the kitchen where she found Yao Da and said: "Steward Yao, dinner requires some help, it’s late and inadequately prepared, everyone should have a simple meal tonight, and shopping can wait until tomorrow."

Yao Da, having heard, just laughed: "Don’t worry, Sister-in-law Ding, in town I bought substantial rice, flour, and eggs, yet, the hot weather doesn’t allow for storing meat. I’ve already talked it over, tomorrow morning, I’ll send Shitou to the town to purchase meat, this village sells tofu and fish, and we’ll find people to buy some chickens, you won’t lack ingredients."

Old Madam Ding finally let out a breath of relief.

On the other side, the personal soldiers had already brought down several bags of rice and flour, placing them in the kitchen.

Additionally, various dried vegetables and specialties bought along the journey were brought in.

The kitchen was cold and quiet, the water vat was empty, yet firewood was plentiful.

Last winter, even knowing Wang Yongzhu couldn’t come back for the New Year, the brothers prepared several piles of firewood, enough to burn.

Without needing to be told, a personal soldier found a wooden bucket and pole, asking where the village’s well and river were located?