In just a couple of days, Lin He knew her paternal aunt and uncle would be arriving, and the newly constructed courtyard would certainly need furnishing. At the very least, basic items like beds, tables, stools, and cabinets were necessary. However, Er Niu had already invited Uncle Li to help out with other tasks, so Lin He went directly to Aunt Xu's house to see if Uncle Li had any availability to craft some furniture for her home.

When Uncle Li heard what Lin He had to say, he chuckled and replied, "If anyone else asked, I’d say I was busy. But since it’s He'r asking, I certainly have time. It’s just a small courtyard, so the furniture won't be excessive. I can start early in the morning and work a bit in the evening, guaranteeing that by the time your house is finished, the furniture will be ready too."

Lin He worried that Uncle Li would overwork himself, so she interjected, "Perhaps, Uncle Li, you shouldn't help with the construction work at our place. I'll ask my father to hire someone else to assist. You can focus solely on the furniture; you'll be too exhausted otherwise."

Seeing how sensible Lin He was, Uncle Li felt a pang of envy toward Er Niu's family for raising such an understanding and thoughtful daughter, unlike his own household which only had a mischievous boy who was perpetually up to no good.

Uncle Li smiled and said, "He'r, it’s alright, Uncle Li can manage. I can ask my brother-in-law to lend a hand with some of the carpentry here. My brother-in-law is quite skilled with wood, so neither side will be delayed."

Lin He felt relieved when Uncle Li explained this. She trusted Uncle Li's craftsmanship completely, and since he spoke so highly of his brother-in-law, she was sure his work wouldn't be lacking either. She then listed the items she wanted made and asked Uncle Li to prioritize crafting the bed first.

Lin He instructed Uncle Li to build a simple bed, akin to those from her previous life: no side rails, just a thick wooden base supported by four legs. For the head of the bed where the pillow would rest, Lin He asked Uncle Li to carve some simple patterns into the wood. This type of bed was straightforward to construct, and the thickened base boards ensured it would be sturdy and durable.

However, Uncle Li found the design somewhat peculiar, lacking conventional style. Lin He, on the other hand, preferred it. It was nothing like the beds of this era, which were often complex, incredibly heavy, and required troublesome carving and lacquering.

Uncle Li agreed to build the bed exactly as Lin He described. As for the tables and chairs, they could be made according to the typical furniture styles of the time. For now, no other pieces were needed. It should be sufficient for the aunt and uncle's initial stay, and they could discuss anything missing later if needed.

Lin He stressed to Uncle Li that the bed needed to be finished quickly as they might need it in a couple of days, but the rest wasn't urgent. Uncle Li gave his assurance, claiming that such a simple bed wouldn't take much effort and he'd have it done in two days. Satisfied, Lin He concluded their discussion and headed back home.

Meanwhile, on Hong Yun's side, she and Li Da Sheng had finally finished the strenuous work in their own fields after several days of hard labor. They planned to start helping Er Niu the very next day. Hong Yun was genuinely thrilled by the prospect of working at her second brother's place; she would have gladly gone even without wages, and ideally, she wouldn't have to return home often.

However, the main concern for the couple when going to work there was their two young daughters. Leaving the girls in the care of her mother-in-law truly weighed heavily on Hong Yun’s mind. Due to her mother-in-law's pronounced preference for sons, she rarely showed any affection toward Hong Yun's two daughters.

Since their birth, the grandmother had never been fond of her granddaughters. While she might occasionally oversee them during the busy farming season, it was strictly limited to providing food; there was never any genuine love shown. Since both she and Da Sheng would be working away and wouldn't return daily, her worry intensified.

Thinking this, Hong Yun paused her packing, sat down on the heated brick bed (kang), and sighed deeply. Da Sheng asked her what was wrong. Hong Yun replied, "It’s good that we can go help Second Brother, but what about Da Yuan and Xiao Fang? Who will look after them? Da Yuan is sensible, but she's only four or five; I really don't feel secure leaving them here alone."

Hearing this, Da Sheng frowned, "What are you saying? Who said no one would look after them? My mother and my sister are both home; surely they will take care of Da Yuan and the other one?"

"Look at how your mother treats Da Yuan normally, and there's no need to even mention your sister. I just don't trust leaving them at home," Hong Yun admitted, clearly having little faith in her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Li Da Sheng knew how his mother usually treated Da Yuan and the other girl. While it wasn't outright abuse, it certainly wasn't kindness either. He could only let out a helpless sigh, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Hong Yun thought for a moment and said, "How about this: later we tell your mother that only you are going to help out, and I’m going back to my parents’ home for a visit. Then, once I’m at Second Brother’s, I can discuss with him whether we can bring the two girls along so they can play with Chen'er and Xiao Bao. We can send money for their food and provisions monthly. What do you think of that arrangement?"

Li Da Sheng considered it and found the plan workable. Keeping his wife's daughters close would ease her constant worry, and it would reassure him as well.

Once they had settled on a plan, the final hurdle was figuring out how to present it to his mother. Hong Yun had resolved internally that if she could bring the girls along, she was going, even if her mother-in-law objected. Her mother-in-law could do as she pleased; for once, Hong Yun felt a rare surge of strength inside.

Unexpectedly, Li Da Sheng's mother reacted with enthusiastic approval when Da Sheng brought up the idea of him going to help Er Niu. Hong Yun's mother-in-law had her own calculations. She was aware that Er Niu’s family had recently accumulated some wealth, and she knew Er Niu had always treated Hong Yun well. If Da Sheng worked there, he would receive a monthly wage, and they could manage their own fields simultaneously.

If Da Sheng could bring back several hundred dà qián a month, that was no small sum; it could significantly augment the dowry for her own daughter when she married. While their family owned a few acres of land, it only covered their daily food supply, and very little surplus money was saved annually.

If Da Sheng could earn wages by working, the money earned each month could all be saved. With this thought, she eagerly pressed Da Sheng, "How many dà qián a month does Da Yuan’s second uncle say he will pay?"

Da Sheng relayed exactly what Hong Yun had instructed: "It’s just the beginning now, and we don't know if the fish farming will be successful yet, but surely it will be around three to four hundred dà qián a month."

Da Sheng's mother thought three or four hundred was quite substantial, and since her son wouldn't be far and could return if anything urgent arose at home, earning extra money was excellent. Seeing his mother in a seemingly good mood, Da Sheng didn't stick to Hong Yun’s initial story about just visiting her parents. He mentioned that Hong Yun might also go to help, that she would likely stay there long-term and not return daily, and that they might bring Da Yuan and Xiao Fang along.

When Da Sheng’s mother heard that Hong Yun would also be working and receiving a monthly allowance, she instantly rejoiced internally. Now their household finances would improve; having nearly one to two liǎng of silver in income monthly was wonderful. As for Da Yuan and Xiao Fang, they were just two little girls; letting them be taken along was fine by her.

Da Sheng’s mother’s surprisingly swift agreement caught Hong Yun somewhat off guard. She asked, "Da Sheng, did you tell your mother how much Second Brother said he would pay us monthly?"

Da Sheng recounted his conversation with his mother again. Hong Yun felt Da Sheng’s approach was acceptable. If they hadn't mentioned the monthly pay, Da Sheng’s mother certainly wouldn't have agreed to them leaving. In the worst case, they could just give her more money next month—anything was better than not being allowed to go.

The two chatted for a while longer before drifting off to sleep.