Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

41

After walking around the yard and house, he stood in the main room and praised, "Master Lei, Master Song, your craftsmanship is truly impeccable, the work is superb!" After handing over the final payment, he said to Carpenter Song, "The house is now repaired, but I'd like to trouble you to make a few sets of furniture."

After receiving their wages, Master Lei clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for appreciating our skills. If you need anything in the future, just come to Labaying Hutong to find me. All the neighbors know me."

"I'll take my leave now. You and Lao Song can discuss the furniture details at your leisure." With that, he turned and left.

"What kind of furniture do you need? If you don't mind using old items, I have a few fine antique pieces here," said Carpenter Song.

"These rooms are all empty right now, so we need to get some tables and chairs so that guests will have a place to sit when they come."

What kind of old items are you referring to?

"Since the fall of the previous dynasty, I have collected some furniture made of huanghuali and zitan wood from those impoverished Manchu bannermen."

I think if you don't mind, these pieces of furniture, combined with the layout of this house, will make it look even more grand.

"Where are all these things? Can you take me to see them?" He Yuzhu became very interested when he heard that there was furniture made of huanghuali and zitan wood.

"They're all at my house. If you have time, you can come with me to see them now." Although Old Song saw that He Yuzhu was not very old, he saw that He Yuzhu's words and actions revealed a mature and steady demeanor. In addition, He Yuzhu was only half a head shorter than himself, so he did not treat him as a child.

Upon arriving at the Song family's courtyard, Old Song asked He Yuzhu to wait a moment while he went inside to retrieve the key.

Not long after, he opened the door to the back room with a bunch of keys and said, "I've had this furniture for almost twenty years."

Originally, he intended to resell it to make some money, but unexpectedly, just a few years after he acquired it, the dynasty changed.

They had hoped to sell it for a good price after the world was at peace, but then the Japanese started a war.

After finally getting the ghost to surrender, life became even more difficult after Bald Dang returned.

"It looks like another war is about to break out..." Old Song suddenly stopped talking. "Look at my mouth, always spouting useless things. I hope you'll forgive me."

The room was furnished with a canopy bed and desk made of rosewood, a cabinet and box made of huanghuali wood, a set of armchairs with an eight-immortal table, a screen and shelf made of rosewood, and twelve round stools made of rosewood with different shapes.

He Yuzhu carefully examined the furniture and, seeing that each piece was in excellent condition, couldn't help but admire it: "Master Song, I want all of these pieces."

Please name a fair price.

"Since you really want it, I won't beat around the bush with you."

When I acquired this furniture years ago, it didn't cost me much, but silver dollars aren't worth as much as they used to be.

"A flat price of five hundred silver dollars. I'll deliver and assemble this furniture to your residence."

"Okay, let's go with the price Master Song said."

This is my house key. You can just deliver and install it tomorrow. I'll wait for you at home when I get back to settle the bill.

The bed will be placed in the west wing, the cabinet in the east wing, and the rest of the furniture can be arranged however you see fit.

If you ever come across anything like this again, please remember to let me know first.

The following evening, He Yuzhu handed the prepared silver dollars to Old Song.