It’s not suitable to eat greasy food first thing in the morning, so Xu Ping’an made a stir-fried beef dish, brewed a pot of osmanthus tea, prepared some small pickles, and sprinkled some toasted sesame seeds on them.
Finally, he placed the cooked black rice porridge on the table.
Afterward, he went to the basin to wash his hands and face, then went to the bedroom to change his outer garment.
After all, cooking in the kitchen always gets some oily smoke on you.
Xu Ping’an adjusted his collar in the mirror, making sure there was nothing impolite about his appearance before walking out of the room.
As he stepped out of the bedroom doorway, he saw Zhao Pingzhi staring intently at the food.
“Brother Zhao, are you hungry?”
“Uh… a little.”
“I brought dry rations. Miss said we’re here to treat an illness, and to try not to trouble the master. I’ll go out now.”
Seeing Zhao Pingzhi turn to leave, Xu Ping’an spoke to keep him.
“Since you’ll be living here for about a year, there’s no need to fuss over this bit of food, but I’ll still need your master to reimburse me for the meal expenses later.”
Xu Ping’an scooped a portion of the dishes from the plate and some porridge, then handed them to Zhao Pingzhi.
“Brother Zhao, just find a place to sit and eat. Also, there’s another portion for Xiao Jing.”
“Thank you, Master, but my young lady…”
“Your young lady cannot eat now; she needs to fast all day today. Just give her some of the ginseng water I brewed earlier.”
“Thank you, Master, for saving my young lady’s life. Zhao Ping is endlessly grateful.”
Zhao Pingzhi, holding the tray, knocked on the door of the west room.
After handing in the porridge and dishes, he didn’t even enter the room.
He picked up a small stool and sat by the door to eat.
Seeing Zhao Pingzhi sitting by the door of the west room like a door god, Xu Ping’an just smiled slightly.
“Wifey, it’s time to eat.”
“Coming~”
The door of the west room creaked open.
Pei Qingxuan was about to come out when she saw Zhao Pingzhi sitting at the door.
“It’s you again?”
In Pei Qingxuan’s clear and bright eyes, the reflection of this person she somewhat disliked appeared.
“Ah~ this…”
Zhao Pingzhi didn’t know what to say.
Just as he was about to bow, Xu Ping’an’s voice came through.
“Alright, he’s also a guest, don’t be impolite. Come and eat.”
“Oh~”
She remembered that last time, it was this guy’s friend who looked down on her husband.
Naturally, she wouldn’t give him a good look.
Zhao Pingzhi also seemed to notice Pei Qingxuan’s gaze and lowered his head, feeling a little ashamed.
Watching this scene, Xu Ping’an just smiled and didn’t express an opinion.
Breakfast was quite good.
The young lady seemed to get along quite well with the person in the west room, so she was particularly happy.
Perhaps it was because she rarely interacted with outsiders.
At least a guest had arrived, and she was also a girl of a similar age, and the other party was kind, which is why she was so happy?
Xu Ping’an’s brow furrowed slightly.
That’s right, Pei Qingxuan was still in the amnesia phase and had almost no opportunities to interact with people her own age and gender.
This was something he seemed to have overlooked.
After all, even though Pei Qingxuan had amnesia, she was a living person, and as long as she was a person, she needed her own small circle.
Watching the young lady finish her meal and hurry off to the west room, Xu Ping’an was happy to see her so joyful and didn’t stop her.
According to his own thoughts, he actually didn’t want the young lady to have too much contact with this princess.
However, given the current situation, this was the only way for now.
Zhao Pingzhi volunteered to wash the dishes, leaving Xu Ping’an free.
“Brother Zhao, I’m going to let the donkey out. If you’re free later, could you help me draw a few buckets of water to water the herb garden?”
“Master, don’t worry, you can leave this small task to me!”
Zhao Pingzhi immediately responded, and Xu Ping’an nodded, then went into the courtyard, untied the rope, and led the little donkey Mumu out of the courtyard.
However, he didn’t go far, just strolled around a few times nearby.
Because he hadn’t forgotten that besides Li Yu’er and her group, there were others coming today.
Speak of the devil, and he appears.
Before he even reached the entrance, he saw rows of carriages.
And Zhao Pingzhi was blocking the entrance, chatting.
“May I ask, are you Master Fang’s disciples?”
The two young men turned their heads at the sound and looked at Xu Ping’an.
Upon seeing him, they immediately showed some joy.
“Mr. Xu, I am Master’s disciple, Fang Kui, and this is my junior brother Fang Jin. We have come at Master’s command to build your house, but your servant blocked us at the door.”
Servant?
Xu Ping’an was slightly startled and involuntarily looked at Zhao Pingzhi.
Zhao Pingzhi didn’t mind at all.
“My apologies, please forgive us. The courtyard is ready. You two can now bring people in to start construction. Aside from the herb garden, which cannot be touched, other areas can be modified as you wish.”
Xu Ping’an walked over, and before he could speak, Zhao Pingzhi stepped forward in the manner of a servant.
“Master.”
“Uh… Zhao…”
“Just call me Old Zhao. While my young lady is staying here, Master can treat me as a servant.”
It seemed this was a strategy to conceal his identity.
Since the other party had already prepared for it, there was no need for him to be too polite.
“Old Zhao… Later, keep an eye on the herb garden, don’t let anyone trample my herbs.”
“Yes, Master.”
Zhao Pingzhi quickly responded, while Xu Ping’an turned to look at the two men.
“Two masters, I’ll trouble you with this courtyard. How long do you think it will take to complete the construction?”
The two exchanged glances, and Fang Kui stepped forward first and bowed:
“We dare not accept the title of master. Since this is Master’s instruction and your request, we will naturally do our best. It depends on what kind of house you want to build. If it’s just a wooden house, it can be done in a day. If it’s a stone house, it might take more than a month.”
“No need for trouble, a wooden house will do. Also, I’ll trouble you two with the fish pond in the courtyard.”
“You’re welcome, Master, please rest assured. Master instructed us to build your courtyard first, and we have already prepared all the materials. We will start work immediately and finish tonight.”
Fang Kui turned to direct the craftsmen: “Wooden house, hip-and-gable roof, stone ground, local floor tiles. Use those nanmu logs we brought for the main beams. Raise the foundation, and start digging the foundation first. Everyone get moving! You young lads go cut the mortises. If there are any deviations or defects, I’ll come after you…”
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