Chapter 89: Building a Greenhouse

The days passed by one after another, and there was no difference from the past.

It was just that the Duke's Mansion was full of red and colorful celebrations.

The reason was that the Duke Shang Yukuan was going to celebrate his birthday.

A 55-year-old birthday was not a big birthday. If it was on an ordinary day, it would probably be a gathering of family members or a few friends.

But it was different today.

Since Shang Ji came back, the Duke's Mansion had not held any big banquets to invite colleagues to get together.

One reason was that Shang Ji was really busy, basically training soldiers in the military camp, and had no time to take care of them.

The other reason was that everyone wanted to get close to the general of the cavalry, so it was most appropriate to go through the Duke's Mansion to hold a birthday banquet.

Therefore, when Mrs. Wei sent the news out, many people who had little contact with them before sent news that they would come.

This was a good thing for the Duke's Mansion, so naturally Mrs. Wei was happy to send out invitations.

Therefore, everyone from top to bottom was working hard to get this done.

Naturally, no one cared about trivial matters.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Du Jingyi went out twice.

Each time, he went to the General's Mansion to see the repair situation, and then went to the Du family to visit his parents and elder sister.

It must be said that the bricklaying team was indeed very good, and the progress was much faster than Du Jingyi imagined.

Now it has been less than a month, and most of it has been completed.

At this rate, it may be completed in mid-October.

In this way, the gardeners can enter the mansion earlier and take good care of it.

Although the winter in Sui'an City is cold, Du Jingyi has followed his father to the colder place Mobei.

He has seen the greenhouses and gardens built by the local rich families.

Even in the coldest winter, there are still clusters of flowers, like spring breeze.

Mr. Du was happy and took a set of drawings from his old friend for his own use.

It's just quite expensive.

But now, Du Jingyi, or the general's mansion, has no shortage of money.

Therefore, Du Jingyi took the drawings for the greenhouse from the Du family, and after returning to the East Garden, he asked the maid Yingtao to invite Madam Dou.

Madam Dou was not very busy these days, and was basically still working in the East Garden.

So, when Yingtao went there, she happened to meet her.

Madam Dou was delighted, and took two steps forward and asked.

"Why is Miss Yingtao here? Does the young lady have something to tell you?"

Yingtao was sweet-mouthed and looked kind.

So she smiled and bowed to Madam Dou, and said.

"Madam Dou guessed it right, the young lady asked you to go over to discuss the general's mansion."

When she first heard the news, Madam Dou thought it was still asking about the progress.

Without any doubt, she followed Yingtao.

When they entered the door of Xitang Courtyard, they were much more isolated from the cold outside.

It is now the end of September. After a few rounds of autumn wind and rain, it is getting colder.

In the first half of the month, you can still wear thin clothes for two more days due to the heat of autumn, but now you have to change into thicker cloth.

In another month, you have to change into winter jackets.

Therefore, Lu Ju and several embroiderers from the East Garden are working hard.

When Madam Dou entered the room, she saw Du Jingyi sitting on the kang under the bright window. She also changed into a goose yellow jacket embroidered with a vase pattern, which looked warm.

In front of her was an abacus with a gold frame and white jade beads, which was very valuable.

"This servant greets the young lady."

"Madam Dou is here, Lizhu will serve tea."

"Yes."

For Du Jingyi, Steward He and Madam Dou were not ordinary servants, so they would be treated more generously.

Lizhu brought a mahogany round stool for Madam Dou to sit on.

Then another cup of tea was served, which was very polite.

Madam Dou did not shirk her responsibility and asked directly.

"What do you want to tell the young lady? The list of things to be purchased in the general's mansion is almost complete. I brought it here for you to see. Is there anything to add?"

After that, she handed over a booklet.

Du Jingyi took it, looked at it carefully, and said with a smile.

"Madam Dou is very experienced and has purchased everything. Just follow this."

As she said that, she seemed to remember something and told Madam Dou.

"After the warehouse of the general's mansion is repaired, let's send my dowry there. There is a set of rosewood furniture in it, which is very good. Let's put it in the front hall to entertain guests."

"Yes, young lady."

The things of the Du family are not only expensive, but also very elegant.

Madam Dou only needs to look at the furnishings in this room to know.

Therefore, she is happy to save this money and spend it elsewhere.

"By the way, I also brought a set of drawings from my mother's house. It is a greenhouse that rich merchants in Mobei will build at home. Madam Dou, take a look at it and discuss it with the bricklaying team to see if it can be done?"

"If it can be done, build one in the main courtyard, the eldest sister-in-law's courtyard, and the eighth sister's courtyard, so that everyone can have a warm winter."

Madam Dou had never heard of it before, so she was a little curious.

But seeing that the drawings handed over by her wife were very detailed, she took a quick look and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I will take it and discuss with the bricklaying team to see how to build it. If it can be done, it will be a great thing."

However, Madam Dou estimated that they were also in the dark, so they could only do it meticulously according to the drawings.

Seeing this, Du Jingyi also had the idea of ​​making money.

"There are many nobles and wealthy families in Sui'an City. If we can build this greenhouse this time, we can publicize it. This bricklaying team will become a rare commodity. It is reasonable for us to share 30% of the profits."

After hearing this, Dou Ma frowned.

It's not that she doesn't agree with her wife's idea of ​​making money, but she always thinks that this method will be looked down upon by other ladies in the rich courtyards.

So she didn't dare to agree directly.

Du Jingyi saw her stop talking and immediately reacted.

If it was in the Du family, she would naturally get the applause of Du's parents when she proposed this method, but this is in the general's mansion, face and reputation are more important.

So she took a detour and said.

"Then we can take the money to the Enshan Hall to donate porridge, which can be regarded as accumulating blessings for the general."

Shang Ji is a man who fights on the battlefield, so he has a heavy sin of killing.

Therefore, it is not just them, all the military families are very keen on charity and believe in the blessings of gods and Buddhas.

Hearing this, the frown of Dou Mama finally relaxed.

She said to Du Jingyi.

"Young Madam is kind, I will do it right away!"

The two chatted about the arrangement of the general's mansion for a while, and then Dou Mama got up and said goodbye.

After she left, Du Jingyi was going to sleep for a while, but he saw Li Zhu rushing in.