Chapter 242 -239 Dog Skin Plaster_3
Dressed in luxurious clothing, the young master and lady were chattering noisily at a construction site, and though the workers were busy with their tasks, they kept an ear out to listen to their chatter.
It was normal for those inclined towards gossip to be curious, and this provided them with topics to discuss over tea and meals.
The majority of those working on the construction were either peasants with a bit of craft or artisans without the money to afford opera shows, thus had no other forms of entertainment.
The people brought by Housekeeper Tang are certainly the Tang Family’s young master, and another lady who appeared from a carriage made them think of the golden boy and girl, arguing like enemies, though they only looked about five or six years old. Might they become a couple when they grow up?
That was the thought of many, that the children of a wealthy family were likely betrothed from a young age, and that marriage was eventually inevitable.
In most cases, they would end up together, with only a few rare exceptions to the contrary.
Since this pair argued so passionately, it seemed they would be affectionate as a married couple as well.
In the minds of some peasants, many people had arranged marriages, some having never met their partner until the bridal chair arrived for the wedding night.
Such blind marriages were completely embellished by matchmakers, who could depict an ugly woman as a celestial beauty or a short man as handsome.
Only on the wedding night would they realize the beautiful descriptions were lies, the bride was an ugly woman, and by then it was too late to back out, as the ceremonies had been done, a dowry paid, and money spent on the wedding feast.
If the bride was tall and beautiful, but the groom was a short man, making herself a head taller, it felt like a mother with a child, and regretting the marriage wasn’t an option.
They stood there amidst significant dust at that moment. If you paid attention, you could see the dust floating very visibly in the sunlight!
Tang Shunyan was somewhat unwilling as Meng Zhaojun spoke, and at that moment, he also noticed they were being watched, not by passerbys, as this was the countryside and very few would gather around to look.
The looks they received were from others who were working, not that they were loafing but because their quarrel was attracting attention like a spectacle.
Tang Shunyan started to fall silent, not engaging with Meng Zhaojun.
As Meng Zhaojun talked, seeing that he was being ignored, she started to lose interest and followed Tang Shunyan’s gaze to the structural design of the houses being built.
“Tang Shunyan, are they building a separate courtyard here?”
“How do you know?” Tang Shunyan asked, glancing at her.
Meng Zhaojun, looking proud, laughed as she explained:
“It’s not hard to guess. Look at your family’s and other wealthy families’ houses, they’re not built . Looking at the large empty space left, it certainly is meant for a garden. The courtyard seems larger than the house, though it also seems there are plenty of houses, unlike wealthy families like yours, where each person has their own courtyard.”
Tang Shunyan nodded and said, “That’s a bit of sound reasoning. This area is suburban after all, if it were really residential buildings, wouldn’t it be better to build them in the county town?”
“Tang Shunyan, I don’t quite agree. Being built in the county doesn’t necessarily mean it’s luxurious. The air in the suburbs is fresher, and the county is only so big.
If some other rich man wanted to build a house, would he force farmers to demolish their homes and build his own? It would be more beneficial to buy some land in the suburbs to build.”
Tang Shunyan nodded and said:
“You make some good points. In the future, perhaps more people will become wealthy and building homes in the suburbs won’t imply desolation.”
“Yes, if our family continues to live here, I wish my father would buy land in the suburbs to build homes, especially since we’re all grown up. Living continuously in the small courtyard of the government office is too cramped.”
“It’s unlikely you’ll continue to live here as your father won’t stay stationed here forever.”
As they continued chatting, the atmosphere started to improve slightly. Meng Zhaojun, with a question she had long wanted to ask, took the opportunity to look intently at Tang Shunyan and said:
“Yes, Tang Shunyan, if one day we go to the Imperial Capital or somewhere else, would you forget me?”
The casual remark Tang Shunyan made was just meant to express that the girl was clingy yet proud and very clever. His commentary wasn’t without its charm.
He would always remember, even from such a young age, having a girl as fierce as her teaching him musical instruments and competing with him in Qin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting.
Upon hearing these simple words, Meng Zhaojun was thrilled, and nothing could make her happier than knowing he would remember her.
“Tang Shunyan, no matter where I go, when we grow up, I will also remember you, even to ashes.”
“Oh” was all Tang Shunyan used to end the conversation, not thinking much about it at his young age, unaware that alongside him, the thoughts brewing belonged to a mature adult taking his casual words as a promise.