I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 55: Chapter 52: The Jiang Family Mystery in Lotus Village

"Big brother, did you go to Lotus Village yesterday morning for a date with Liu Yinghe?"

Jiang Jian Country almost choked on his sister’s question, utterly baffled.

"Yesterday morning? I was with Jian Jun weeding in the field all morning, never left Qingshan Village!"

His expression didn’t seem like a lie, and even though they’ve only been together for a short while, she’s well aware of his basic disposition—he would never lie.

Then it’s really strange.

Shares my surname? That means it’s definitely another Jiang.

Right, the Jiang surname isn’t limited to her eldest brother and second brother; there’s also the eldest cousin, plus those two from the second branch, and other Jiang’s as well.

So, who exactly is it?

Based on the novel’s description of Liu Yinghe, this person is not a simple character.

Since someone in her heart is still trying to lure her big brother, there must be something they want to hide.

Something to be concealed?

Could it be a pregnancy, afraid to be reported for adultery, and thus trying to make her big brother take the fall?

Jiang Mingyue was startled by her own imagination; it’s not that she has a dark mind, but the book portrays Liu Yinghe like that—an improper woman.

No, she needs to meet Liu Yinghe quickly. Once face-to-face, all ghosts and monsters cannot escape her spiritual power.

That afternoon, a mother and daughter pair came to help; it was Aunt Four and Jiang Hui.

This unexpected visit surprised Jiang Mingyue.

Aunt Four, Liang Yan Yan, met Jiang Mingyue with a gift.

"Previously, I was dedicated to being by my parents’ side, and upon returning, I was afraid of possibly spreading illness, so I’ve been avoiding socializing. Little Yue, don’t blame your Aunt Four for visiting only today."

This sudden explanation left Jiang Mingyue unsure how to respond.

"Take it, your Aunt Four can’t do much besides make clothes. If you don’t mind, just accept it."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." How could she refuse such a gesture?

"Thank you, Aunt Four."

"By the way, this is Xiao Hui, who also came to help today."

Jiang Mingyue paused: "No, Aunt Four, neither you nor Xiao Hui are really suited for this. How about letting Xiao Hui play in the yard with Xiao Ran while Aunt Four takes a walk around?"

"Alright, then let Xiao Hui stay and help you with the fire."

Before leaving, Liang Yan Yan winked at her daughter: Keep it up! Your mom has sent you here, whether you can impress Ming Yue is up to you.

Jiang Hui: "..."

The book barely mentioned Jiang Hui, so Jiang Mingyue didn’t know much about the real Jiang Hui and decided to try chatting with her.

Though young Jiang Hui didn’t talk much, she relaxed and opened up when you showed some goodwill.

Through their conversation, Jiang Mingyue realized Jiang Hui had only attended school for one semester and can mainly just write her name and recognize a few characters.

Jiang Mingyue couldn’t quite understand this.

"Xiao Hui, didn’t the eldest cousin give money so you could all go to school?"

Xiao Hui responded softly: "Mom said the eldest cousin was already working hard. If we also started burdening him, his shoulders would eventually collapse."

Jiang Mingyue was momentarily stunned and unsure how to react.

It turns out that even when the eldest cousin was tirelessly supporting the family in the original story, there were those who appreciated his struggles and cherished his sacrifices.

"Let me test you," Jiang Mingyue offered, using her own method to gauge Jiang Hui’s true knowledge.

Actually, she knows much more than she admitted, and she was just being humble.

It turns out Liang Yan Yan knows how to read, and whenever she had spare time, she taught Jiang Hui.

With Jiang Hui’s actual situation in mind, Jiang Mingyue quickly drafted a suitable study plan for her.

Now they just needed the books to arrive.

The eldest cousin has a crew willingly organizing everything, and Aunt Jiao and the family patriarch found people who worked diligently. In just eight days, the house was complete, including the courtyard walls, transformed into a genuine homestead.

For convenience, a side door was specially created near the back door of the third branch’s courtyard.

The house was built with two stories, becoming the first red-brick house in the village.

It stood out, but Yan Jinzhi, their major sponsor, indicated it was no problem.

On the night of completion, Jiang Ming’an specifically brought a few barrels of maize wine for celebration.

With enough drinks and meat to feast heartily, they handed out red envelopes to everyone at the end.

The modest villagers tried to decline, but were reassured by Jiang Ming’an with a few words. Can one refuse the host’s goodwill? Certainly not.

Later, Jiang Mingyue learned the eldest cousin gave each person ten yuan.

She imagined it would shock them.

In Qingshan Village, providing food for workers is standard.

Given the village’s poor conditions, people often didn’t have enough to eat, unlike the Jiang family.

With good food and drinks along with generous red-envelope handouts, it indeed surprised them.

But Jiang Ming’an wasn’t short on money.

The eldest cousin himself said so.

When Aunt Jiao found out, she even came over to point out the eldest cousin’s extravagance, suggesting wages should be two cents per day, not whatever he’s giving.

However, such remarks are just that; how the host manages things is his business.

Since today’s building materials are completely non-toxic, moving in immediately doesn’t pose any issues like formaldehyde.

The eldest cousin is efficient and was bright and early taking a few people to move in.

On Jiang Mingyue’s side, she retained the carpenter—an arrangement made beforehand.

She wanted several wardrobes, desks, dining tables, cabinets, bookshelves, and storage cabinets made.

Moreover, she didn’t like current styles, so she designed her own and provided timber from her special stash to help the carpenter craft them.

Due to space constraints at the Jiang family’s side, Jiang Mingyue had the workers continue at the eldest cousin’s new courtyard.

When the eldest cousin found out, he asked the carpenter to build him a few sets like Jiang Mingyue’s, plus ten beds and numerous chairs.

Jiang Mingyue suspected the eldest cousin might be starting a guesthouse.

The eldest cousin also needs more wood, and Jiang Mingyue discreetly accessed her special stash again, providing enough timber.

In the morning, once the move was complete, Xiao Ran now had his own room, and Jiang Ming’an also reserved a room for Jiang Mingyue, giving her the brightest and most spacious one.

Unexpectedly, Yan Jinzhi and Qiao Mingtang seemed as if they were planning to reside permanently in Qingshan Village, and they moved to the eldest cousin’s house.

Now that little bird and she are neighbors.

Notably, the eldest cousin truly is a talent—every room in the new house is equipped with flushing toilets, water tanks for showering, though they require manual filling.

Is the pit prepared for future use with water pumps and solar energy once they become popular?

Even so, it’s impressive, though Jiang Mingyue doesn’t need it; she has a space with hot springs.

Jiang Ming’an knows what she has in her space, though he can’t enter, he’s left envious.

When Jiang Mingyue came over to deliver breakfast, she felt spontaneous and wandered around her room on the second floor.

She discovered an array of living supplies had been assigned to her.

Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, detergent, towels, washing powder, face creams... Oh! Also several sets of cheerful clothes, there are shoes too.

Later, Jiang Mingyue learned all the building’s living supplies were arranged by Yan Jinzhi, delivered by Qiao Mingtang.

Incidentally, they also sent many to Mrs. Jiang, who particularly appreciated the soap and washing powder. Their family usually relied on hoarded soapberries from over the years to wash, which worked but wasn’t processed, reducing effectiveness.

On moving day, the eldest cousin invited the third and fourth houses’ members, Aunt Jiao’s family, and the family patriarch to share a warm pot meal.