ious talent in our Heitu Town, you're even more gifted than your father was. It would be a real shame if you didn't go to school.The news that Zong Bai was going to continue studying for the imperial...After Mu left, Fang Jinshi sorted all the medicinal herbs drying in the courtyard as usual.

Zongyu and Dong'er's relationship made her somewhat absent-minded.

This Dong'er child, at first glance, doesn't look like someone raised in an ordinary family. Although he's only over four years old, his eloquence and knowledge are beyond what a rural child could possess.

Is there anything else hidden about your identity, Master Zong

Just then, Li Muhǎi suddenly arrived.

"Lady Zong, it's wonderful to see you home."

Fang Jinxiu put down what she was holding and poured a bowl of water for Li Muhai, who was sweating profusely.

"Uncle Li, what's the rush What do you need me for"

Li Muhai took the water and drank it with a sigh of relief. When he put down the bowl, however, his face wore an expression that made him reluctant to speak.

Uncle Li, just speak your mind. If it's about the engineering, don't hesitate at all. If you run into any difficulties, just let me know.

Hearing Fang Jinshu say this, Li Muhai felt a lot more at ease.

"Lady Zong, when I was building the villa, I tried my best to use local materials. However, to build such a large villa, wood alone is not enough."

"The stones on the mountain aren't all the right shape or quality for building a house, so we'll still need to spend money transporting some building materials from town, especially bricks and tiles, as well as other stone for the foundation."

It turns out they came to collect the engineering fees from her.

Fang Jinshi nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes, Uncle Li is right. Of course, this money should be spent.”

"Building a manor cannot be done carelessly. You came to me, you must have already calculated the silver needed, right How much will it cost"

Li Muhai muttered the number in his heart. It was a bit frightening, but he had to say it.

"I can't calculate the total cost right now, but to build a foundation of that size, you'd need at least 10,000 taels to get started."

Fang Jinshi's planned mountain lodge wouldn't have many living quarters. Instead, it would primarily consist of cellars and storage warehouses.

Because she needed to store supplies, Fang Jinshiu had high requirements for the materials used in building a cellar warehouse. Even if it couldn't be as good as a cold storage facility, at least the food stored inside could last longer than if it were kept in a normal environment.

Special materials are also expensive, and the ten thousand taels Li Mu quoted is not too high.

Li Muhai felt uneasy when Fang Jinshi remained silent. He was afraid that she would misunderstand his bid and thought he was just shouting randomly. He hurriedly explained.

"Lady Zong, as you know, these days everything is rising in price."

"This budget of 10,000 taels is still according to the price we gave before leaving the city. We don't know what the situation is like in the city now. We have to go and ask personally to find out."

Fang Jinshi said, "Uncle Li, please rest assured, I'm not saying your budget is too much."

"I told you before, I'll give you full authority over the building of the villa. I won't interfere or question your decisions. Don't worry about the money, I'll figure that out. You go back and prepare first. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to the city together to shop."

Li Muhǎi was still a little doubtful, probing again and again, "Is Zong Nǚzi still not trusting me"

Originally, Fang Jinxiu wasn't thinking much about anything else, just the money.

Laying the foundation costs this much, so the later investment probably won't be a small sum either.

Now she only had less than two hundred taels of silver in her hand, she had to find a way to make money!

Not only was the land cleared, but the food was also grown and ready to be stored.

Li Muhai's words made her feel a little strange.

"Didn't Uncle Li forget about the bandits you encountered when you left the city I'm bringing people with me to go with you. One is to try to raise money, and the other is for your safety."

This is another problem; I can't have her tagging along every time I go shopping.

It's a shame she doesn't have someone around who can negotiate business deals and fight to protect the team. It would be great if God sent her someone like that right now.

Fang Jinshi asked Li Muhai to go back and prepare first, and come back to find her early tomorrow morning.

After a day's work, everyone gradually came back. After reporting today's progress, they all went home.

Fang Jinshi had already prepared a large table of dishes with three maidservants. Zong Bo also came back from Mr. Qin's school.

As soon as she stepped inside, she smelled the aroma of dinner and exclaimed, "Wow, dinner smells so good today! I can smell the grilled fish!"

He immediately excitedly ran into the house. Sure enough, there was a hot pot set up on the table. A large, deep-fried fish was placed right in the center, with various kinds of cooked vegetables underneath, just waiting for his sister-in-law to pour the ready-made fish broth over it. The aroma was simply divine.

"Second brother, you're eating snacks again!" Zongbei just arrived at the table and Yulian came back soon after.

The Mus family, along with their maidservants, were busy setting out bowls and chopsticks. As they looked up, they saw that Yulian was accompanied by another person behind her. Their faces immediately lost their smiles.

Zong Bai said with disdain, "How did she come back with us too"to admit it!""I'm telling the truth, it's not a rumor!""Since everyone is here today, why don't we just lay everything out on the table You all owe Hu a proper explanation!"At the time, there was no e...