The peasant woman quickly calculated that the entire village had been preparing for a mass exodus th

Chapter 34 Then she'll grant her wish!

"How can this be? You saved Peach Blossom today, and I specially bought you meat and fish. If you don't eat them, are you looking down on your uncle?"

Zhao Ershu became anxious.

"No!" Shen Ming immediately denied.

The villagers nearby also urged, "Shen Ming, just go. You are Tao Hua's benefactor. Er Shu bought it for you specially. How can you not go?"

After much persuasion, Shen Ming finally agreed.

In the afternoon, bricks and tiles were delivered to the town one after another. Only then did the villagers realize that Zhao Taohua's family was going to build a new house, a house made of bricks and tiles.

"Wow, these blue bricks are really beautiful!"

"Who says otherwise? And these blue tiles, they're so hard and sturdy."

“My house is old too. I’ll save up some more time and build a brick house.”

In no time, a large crowd gathered at Zhao Taohua's house, all coming to see the blue bricks and tiles.

After the first truckload of bricks arrived, the village chief's eldest son, Zhao Guangming, came over. He rolled up his sleeves and, together with Zhao Ershu, built a temporary thatched shed in the southwest corner of the yard, and then moved all the family's belongings inside.

Looking at the tables, chairs, and cupboards that were missing arms or legs, Zhao Guangming said, "Ershu, buy new ones later and cut these down for firewood."

Following closely behind, Zhao Guangzhu also came to help. Zhao Guangzhu was skilled in carpentry and bricklaying.

Gradually, more and more villagers came to help on their own initiative.

Originally, Zhao Taohua, Qian Shi, and Durian Spirit were supposed to be helpers, but in the end they could only cook, and even the three of them couldn't keep up with the cooking.

Everyone was so enthusiastic that they didn't want any wages, so Zhao Taohua and Qian Shi could only provide meals to make sure everyone was well-fed.

Ms. Qian used her best cooking skills, and Zhao Taohua would buy some meat every day when she went grocery shopping, so that the meals she made would have both meat and vegetables.

That day, Zhao Shengxiang came over as usual to help with the cooking. She sighed and said:

“Peach Blossom Sister, my relationship with Yang Fengshou from Yangshu Village didn’t work out. He didn’t like me, but he took a liking to your cousin.”

"Zhao Lianhua?" Zhao Taohua asked as she removed the strings from the cowpeas.

"Yes, Yang Fengshou comes from a well-off family. She'll definitely enjoy a good life after marrying into the family. Your cousin is so lucky."

Zhao Shengxiang said enviously.

Yang Fengshou's family owns eight mu of high-yield fertile land and twenty pigs. The sows are giving birth to piglets, so there will be a steady stream of money in the future.

Crucially, Yang Fengshou not only comes from a well-off family, but he is also good-looking.

At this moment, Zhao Taohua finally understood why Zhao Lianhua had used the fool to spread rumors that Zhao Shengxiang smelled bad – it was all to destroy Zhao Shengxiang, her rival.

In order to win the marriage, he completely disregarded Zhao Shengxiang's reputation.

Furthermore, she even had the fool spread rumors in the village that Shen Ming wiped away her tears, causing Shen Ming to keep a meter's distance from her every time they are together now.

They are like two magnets with the same magnetic poles, never able to get close, always keeping a distance of one meter.

Zhao Taohua was speechless. With such a desperate attempt to avoid suspicion, how could she possibly have any chance of obtaining spiritual energy?

Seeing Zhao Shengxiang pouting so high, like the spout of a teapot, Zhao Taohua asked, "You've taken a liking to him?"

Zhao Shengxiang's face immediately turned red, and she bent down to cover her bright red face.

“Last time I went to town to buy meat, I took a look from afar and it was quite to my liking. Unfortunately, the Yang family ultimately decided on your cousin.”

Zhao Taohua asked, "Are you already engaged?"

"No, but my mother heard that's what it meant from Matchmaker You."

Since they weren't engaged yet, there was still room for maneuver.

Zhao Lianhua has wantonly ruined other people's reputations. Now, if she wants to enter the Yang family, she'll have to ask if she'll agree.

Just then, Zhao Lianhua walked over with a basket on her shoulder and a smile on her face. She greeted each villager who was helping with the work in the yard with a smile.

After several days of help from everyone, the framework of the Zhao family's four rooms has been completed, and the roof beam can be raised tomorrow.

Zhao Lianhua looked at the house built of blue bricks with some envy, and even a little jealousy. However, when she thought that she would soon marry into the Yang family and live in a house with blue bricks and tiles, her emotions calmed down a lot.

According to Matchmaker You, the Yang family is more satisfied with her and is just waiting for the formal engagement process to be completed before the marriage is finalized.

Right now, she needs to do more things that will improve her reputation so that she can expedite the engagement process with the Yang family.

"Second Aunt, I brought some eggplants with me. Let me help you cook!"

After taking the eggplants out of the basket, Zhao Lianhua rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

Zhao Taohua looked closely and realized that the basket was the one she had lost in town a few days ago.

"Lotus, what brings you here? It's the time to dig for medicinal herbs now. Don't waste your time at your second aunt's house, or you'll lose a lot of money."

It must be said that Qian was happy to see Zhao Lianhua arrive.

It's not that Qian Shi necessarily needs Zhao Lianhua's help, but as long as she has the intention, she'll be happy.

This is the first time anyone has come to the old house since they started building their new one.

"Second Aunt, look at what you're saying. I'm here to help, why are you even calculating money? We're family, no need to stand on ceremony."

Zhao Taohua watched Zhao Lianhua smile from afar, her smile appearing incredibly sensible and innocent. However, she sensed an even stronger aura of malice emanating from Zhao Lianhua than before.

That layer of gray, malicious aura almost enveloped her entirely.

A sly glint flashed in Zhao Taohua's eyes as she secretly made a hand seal and struck Zhao Lianhua.

Since it was so close, she would grant her wish!

Seeing this, Zhao Taohua finally looked away with satisfaction.

"Hmph, hypocrite, they only come to help when the roof beams are almost up."

What do you mean, "We're family, so let's not talk like strangers"? You're trying to fool us!

Zhao Shengxiang glanced disapprovingly at Zhao Lianhua's retreating figure.

Her mother only received the news from Matchmaker You this morning that the Yang family was more satisfied with Zhao Lianhua. She suspected that Zhao Lianhua's visit to Taohua's house was just a show for others.

The Yang family was overjoyed when they took a liking to Zhao Lianhua. The Zhao family's old residence was ecstatic; it was a rare find for Lianhua to marry into such a good family.

Grandma Sun pondered, "Other families give five taels of betrothal gifts when their daughters marry, but if Lianhua marries into the Yang family, she'll need at least ten taels."

Zhou Shufang nodded repeatedly, saying that once Lianhua was married off, she could start arranging Xiaofeng's marriage.

Xiao Feng is already sixteen. If he doesn't get married soon, people will laugh at him.

Unfortunately, Xiao Feng didn't like most girls, but instead took a fancy to the village beauty from the next village, whose bride price was ten taels of silver.

With one going in and one going out, both Xiaofeng and Lianhua now have a place to stay.

The Zhao family was making plans at their old residence, but unexpectedly, when the Yang family sent Matchmaker You to propose marriage, the usually gentle and obedient Zhao Lianhua suddenly seemed like a completely different person.

That day, Matchmaker You entered the door with a big smile on her face. Old Mrs. Sun and Mrs. Zhou also received her politely. Everyone knew what was about to happen.

The matchmaker praised, "These two children are a match made in heaven. After they get married, their lives will surely be prosperous."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou's face lit up with a broad smile. With her daughter marrying well, she, as the mother, would also be able to enjoy a life of happiness and receive more filial piety in the future.

"We are so grateful for your help," Zhou said.

Suddenly, Zhao Lianhua, who had been sitting quietly to the side, raised her chin slightly and said:

"You said Yang Fengshou is honest and simple, but if this honesty and simpleness goes too far, wouldn't it become stupidity?"

"Am I going to have to worry about everything at home from now on?"

Matchmaker You was taken aback, clearly not expecting Zhao Lianhua to react in this way.