The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

99. Building a Heated Bed

Translator: Iris Guo

“No more dough drop soup!” Just before Zhong Mingwei spoke, A’Chou interrupted him fiercely. “You’ve been having it for three days! If you dare suggest it again, I’ll…I’ll hit you!”

Zhong Mingwei rubbed his nose awkwardly and bargained pathetically: “Can you hit me lightly then? I’m afraid of pain.”

A’Chou’s lips twitched, and she didn’t say anything.

All right. She would make dough drop soup for him again.

Day: The first day of the eighth lunar month, the 32nd year of Jiasheng Reign

Location: NingGuTa

After having breakfast with Zhong Mingwei, A’Chou went downhill to visit Mrs. Chen with the embroidery she finished.

When A’Chou arrived at the Jixian Study, she found there bustling with activity. A lot of mid-aged men went in and out with shovels and pickaxes, so she got confused and wondered if the house was under renovation.

“Hello, miss.” When Chen Qingxuan saw A’Chou, he went out with a smile.

“Hello, Mr. Chen. I come to visit Mrs. Chen.” A’Chou hastened to shake the small package in her hand and explained to him: “I’ve finished the embroidery. Is she here?”

“No. The house is under renovation, so I sent her back to the village. It’s more convenient.” said Chen Qingxuan while looking at the package in A’Chou’s hand. “Why don’t you give it to me, and I’ll pass it to her myself.”

“Sure, thank you very much, Mr. Chen.” A’Chou thanked Chen Qingxuan, looked at the group of workers, paused, and continued to ask: “Well, your house seems fine. Why would you want it repaired?”

Chen Qingxuan answered with a smile: “Nothing serious. There’s just a crack in the heated bed, so I need it repaired soon before it gets cold.”

“They can repair heated beds?” A’Chou’s face lighted up immediately, “Mr. Chen, I was just looking for someone to build a heated bed. Could you ask them if they are available after they finish your house?”

“Of course.” Chen Qingxuan nodded and called for a middle-aged man. “Uncle Chen, my neighbor’s house needs a heated bed. Could you help?”

That man put the shovel aside and rubbed the mud off his hands. Then, he asked while looked A’Chou up and down: “Her house? Where does she live? Is it rush?”

“It’s not far, just two li from here, on the hillside.” answered A’Chou while pointing to the direction. “It’s not rush. You could help build the bed after finishing Mr. Chen’s house.”

Uncle Chen nodded: “Okay. The day after tomorrow then. I’ll bring my people.”

“Good. It’s a deal. I’ll wait for you at home the day after tomorrow.” A’Chou nodded hurriedly, then she thanked Chen Qingxuan: “Thanks a lot, Mr. Chen. I gotta go.”

“No problem. Bye.” answered Chen Qingxuan.

“Well, Mr. Chen…” As soon as A’Chou turned around, she stopped walking and peeked at Chen Qingxuan’s study. It seemed that she bit her lip.

“What? Something wrong?” Chen Qingxuan looked at A’Chou’s dark eyes and couldn’t help smiling.

Somehow, he found her prettier. She used to have disheveled hair and a dirty face, but today her hair was neatly tied into a ponytail. Although the scarlet scar on her neck was revealed, it didn’t seem unpleasant, especially when her big clear eyes looking at him.

“No…nothing. See you, Mr. Chen!” A’Chou shook her head and hastened to turn around and walk down the steps.

“Hehe!” Chen Qingxuan shook his head with a smile and stopped Uncle Chen, “Uncle Chen, how much does it cost to build a heated bed?”

“At least one liang of silver ingot.” Uncle Chen saw A’Chou walk away and smiled at Chen Qingxuan. “I would say one and a half liang if she wasn’t your neighbor. It’s only for your sake.”