After finishing up with Gu Jinchen's matters and settling the preparations, the two little ones finally had time to spare.
So after returning from the academy, the whole family got busy making quince paste.
After a day's work, they made a total of 70 pounds of quince paste and quince sugar.
Together with the 20 pounds made yesterday, they had produced 90 pounds in total, half paste and half sugar. Tomorrow they would work hard to make over a hundred pounds for the shopkeeper Li.
"Time to sleep, we need to wake up early tomorrow."
Seeing his little wife's eyes rolling as she pondered something, Gu Jinchen chuckled and ruffled her head.
According to the local customs, they needed to make offerings before breaking ground, by slaughtering a chicken. For the auspicious occasion of building a house, they also had to prepare peanuts and sunflower seeds for villagers to grab.
Tomorrow they would set up the offering table, start working early in the morning, and cook some braised meat porridge to line everyone's stomachs.
As the hosts, Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen couldn't avoid being busy as well when the work started.
So they needed to sleep early tonight.
"...I can't quite sleep." Luo Ge felt a sense of anticipation.
Hearing this, Gu Jinchen turned to hug her and looked down at her.
"Then... shall I tell you a story?"
Gu Jinchen would sometimes tell stories to put the two little ones to sleep when he had time, and it seemed to work well.
Now that she said she couldn't sleep, he thought he could try it too.
Only he might not have as much material in his belly, nor tell stories as well as she did.
Hearing this, Luo Ge raised her brows in surprise. "You can tell stories too?"
"Of course," Gu Jinchen nodded firmly, seeing her surprised look.
Upon hearing this, Luo Ge settled into a comfortable position and closed her eyes. "Then tell me one."
"......"
After a moment of silence, Gu Jinchen couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright."
In fact, he didn't have any novel stories to tell, just sharing some mountain tales he had heard in his childhood.
His deep, gentle voice narrated softly, gradually calming the mind.
Only his voice remained in Luo Ge's ears, as the scenes unfolded in her mind.
Before long, Luo Ge was indeed lulled to sleep.
Looking at her sleeping face, Gu Jinchen smiled and lightly planted a kiss on her soft, tender lips.
Then he too fell into a deep slumber.
....The next day.
"Brother Jinchen, Sister-in-law."
Just as Gu Jinchen had expected, everyone came very early today.
One young man after another was nimble and deft with their hands.
Seeing Luo Ge busy in the kitchen, they took the initiative to set up the tables and other necessary items.
When the porridge Luo Ge cooked was served, they all helped to greet the others, and handed out the peanuts and sunflower seeds at the entrance, saving Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen much trouble.
Although they were all around Gu Jinchen's age, within seven years older or younger, they were all experienced hands at building houses. They were familiar with all these tasks.
"Second Young Master, Second Madam, the offering table is set. Should we start now?"
An elder who helped set up the offering table spoke up when he saw Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen come out.
"Yeah."
Hearing this, Luo Ge placed the cooked chicken and a slab of cooked pork on the offering table, arranged according to the elder's instructions.
Like the dining table, it faced the mountain, as they were supposed to make offerings to the mountain god before breaking ground, following tradition.
Gu Jinchen lit the incense and candles, poured the ceremonial tea and wine three times each. After the family kowtowed, they set off a string of firecrackers, completing the rite.
Then, as the head of the household, Gu Jinchen broke ground first and buried two copper coins underground.
"Start working!"
Gu Yun shouted loudly, officially kicking off the construction work.
With this shout, the construction of their house formally began.
Villagers were also coming one after another to grab peanuts and sunflower seeds, participating in the celebratory custom.
This 'grabbing for blessings' could involve items like glutinous rice dumplings or candies too, depending on what the hosts prepared, but peanuts and sunflower seeds were more common choices.
Because they were more economical.
