This was the crux of why Nan Rui had come to find the Mo Jiuye couple.
In the past few days, the shape of the courtyard Mo Jiuye's family was building could be vaguely made out. The site of the courtyard was chosen to be next to a mountain and water, and its design was the most sensible yet warm one he had seen. If in the future he could live in such a place with his mother, spending his days writing poetry and painting, it would be a comfortable life.
He Zhiran immediately understood Nan Rui's intention upon hearing his words. She first thought that he must have already spoken to Hu Cong.
"Has Brother Nan Rui already asked Brother Hu Cong?"
Hearing this, Nan Rui appeared somewhat embarrassed as he pursed his lips.
"Yes, I did mention this matter to Hu Cong, but he said the building method was researched by Consort De, he only helped with the construction. Whether I could also build such a courtyard would have to be asked after Consort De's opinion."
So that was how it was.
It was never going to be a secret that the quadrangle courtyard was designed by He Zhiran, the structure was very simple, and anyone knowledgeable could understand it at a glance.
Only the water supply, drainage and heating was known to Hu Cong alone, outsiders would not be able to learn even if they saw it.
Hu Cong was a down-to-earth person. He believed these were He Zhiran's property, and if the owner wanted to profit from them, it would be theft for the secret to leak through him.
Therefore, when Nan Rui approached him, he directly referred the matter to the Mo Jiuye couple.
He could help with the construction, but must have the homeowners' consent.
This was why Nan Rui had come to consult with the Mo Jiuye couple.
Xiling Village did not belong to the Mo family, so Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran naturally had no objections to Nan Rui building a house here.
"Have you picked a location to build the house?"
Asked this, Nan Rui smiled awkwardly.
"The place I'm staying now is quite nice, at the foot of the mountain with a clear environment. I heard you bought that land, may I ask if you could transfer it to me?"
He Zhiran rejected this without a second thought.
"I'm afraid not, Nan Rui. I already have plans for that place, selling it to you would foil them."
That was the site He Zhiran had chosen for cattle and sheep pastures, with the haunted house's location being the cattle shed. If not for Consort De recovering her health there, Mo Jiuye would have demolished the building long ago.
They thought there was no hurry to demolish it with many matters at hand, they could bring it up with Nan Rui when the time really came.
They did not expect he had taken a liking to that place and wanted to purchase it.
He Zhiran would not compromise her plans for the sake of propriety.
Nan Rui was not annoyed at the rejection. He felt awkward making the request in the first place, seeing the Mo family's plans.
It would feel odd for an outsider to live amidst the large tract of land they bought.
While he truly liked the place, especially the lush unknown fruit trees on the hill that flowered and bore fruit, giving a sense of carefree joy just from looking at them.
Nan Rui also thought being close to the Mo family would make moving around more convenient in the future.
He never harbored high hopes of succeeding in buying the haunted house, just felt somewhat reluctant to give up without trying.
Since they disagreed, he would naturally not insist.
"In that case, I will go look around the village, to see if there is a suitable place to build a house."
In any case, he was determined to live here from now on.
"Very well, just look for a suitable location in the village. I will let Hu Cong know, if he is willing to help build your house, we have no objections."
He Zhiran did not oppose it herself, but could not make decisions for Hu Cong either.
Hearing He Zhiran say this, Nan Rui also felt somewhat relieved.
Seeing her reject his purchase of the house so decisively, he thought they would not be as accommodating as imagined.
He did not expect they would readily agree to help with the construction.
"Since it is so, I will not disturb you further, and go look around the village right away to see if there is a suitable place."
As for Hu Cong's side, he was confident he could persuade him.
After leaving the Mo family, Nan Rui went straight to the Zhao Family Village Chief's home.
Although he had never lived among the common people, through recent observations, he also understood many matters.
To buy property in the village, asking the Village Chief for help was most appropriate.
Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran did not fret over Nan Rui purchasing a house site, what concerned them most now was their daughter Mo Hanyue's marriage.
It had to be said, Meng Huaining was truly impatient to bring a wife home.
They agreed on three days, yet he came asking for her hand in marriage after only two.
Meng Huaining was not low-key at all this time. Not only did he bring the matchmaker from Yuncheng, he also hired a band with drums and gongs. The thundering sound could be heard clearly from the village entrance.
Villagers came out one after another to watch the spectacle, but did not dare approach too closely, only craning their necks to see.
The County Prefect's face was gleaming with joy, behind him were people carrying chests draped in bright red silk banners, clearly indicating he had come to propose to some young lady.
The villagers went through all the unmarried girls in Xiling Village, but could not think who the County Prefect wanted to marry.
As the matchmaking procession had not gone far, they did not dare discuss loudly, only whispering to those next to them.
"Look, the County Prefect is headed towards the village, in the direction of the Zhou family. Could it be he wants to propose to a Zhou girl?"
"That's impossible. The Zhou family doesn't have any outstanding girls. Look how refined the County Prefect is, which ordinary family could catch his eye?"
"How can you say that? The Zhou family has no special girls, but the Zhao family does?"
Just as the two were on the verge of arguing, someone shouted, "Look quickly, the matchmaking procession is going towards the Zhou family!"
The Zhou family members rushed towards their home upon seeing this.
Their clansman was so tight-lipped, marrying the County Prefect without a word, leaving them anxiously guessing.
The crowd followed Meng Huaining's procession from a distance, eyes fixed on his movements.
Seeing he was close to the Clan Elder's home, someone could no longer restrain their elation.
"Look, the County Prefect is going to the Clan Elder's home. Their granddaughter is sixteen this year."
The Zhao family looked on enviously, thinking the Zhou family's ancestors must be blessed for one of their girls to be chosen by the County Prefect.
But before they could rejoice too long, they saw the procession pass by the Clan Elder's home and stop at the Mo family's door.
Everyone looked at each other in dismay.
"The County Prefect has gone to the Mo family."
"It really is the Mo family."
"Does the Mo family have a daughter of marriageable age?"
"Don't know..."
