Chapter 69: Xu Nian inspects private properties and first hears about Master Huifeng

After Wang Pingting left, Xu Nian continued to practice martial arts, attend classes, and grow medicinal herbs every day.

Yesterday, Xu Jian, who had returned home from a ten-day holiday, learned that she had learned martial arts and insisted on entering the county school's martial arts hall. There was a lot of commotion last night, and the second aunt lost her composure for the first time in a long time, chasing Xu Jian all over the yard.

Xu Nian was still a little tired after breakfast because she slept too late last night. She forced herself to pay her respects at Shouzhuyuan, only to find that she was the last one to arrive.

Wang called her over with a smile.

"You didn't sleep well, okay? Grandma has something that will definitely make you more energetic."

Xu Nian looked over curiously and saw Wang took out a land deed, which Xu Nian happily took.

"Second Uncle finally bought the right one?"

This was something Xu Nian asked her second uncle to do some time ago. She had some savings, so she thought of buying a small farm to grow medicinal herbs, which would also bring in more income.

"This estate is not big, only 128 acres of mountain land, but the price was in line with our expectations, so I bought it."

"Thank you for your hard work, uncle. I thought I couldn't buy anything suitable with that much money."

Xu Nian was somewhat surprised to see that her name was signed on the land deed.

Wang smiled and said, "If your own money is not registered in your name, then whose name should it be registered in? Don't worry, no one in your family has any objection. Just think of it as your dowry in advance."

Xu Nian was not hypocritical. Of course, she wanted to have a private property of her own, but after all, the Xu family was a big family and she had to consider everyone's feelings.

After dinner, Xu Nian couldn't wait to go see the farm.

The three Xu Ji brothers happened to have nothing to do, so they accompanied Xu Nian. Xu Ling and Xiao Liuzi also clamored to go, but were finally suppressed by Zheng.

"You are small and short-armed. If you go, you will cause trouble. Stay at home and do needlework if you need to do needlework or practice calligraphy if you need to practice calligraphy."

Xu Nian looked at the two reluctant people and coaxed them, "Just stay at home and I'll take you out for roasted lamb chops tomorrow."

When they heard that they could go out for a walk tomorrow, the two of them started to smile and even kindly saw the group off, which made the adults unable to hold back their laughter.

Xu Nian's small village is fifteen kilometers outside the county. It is a pure mountain area and also has a master courtyard. However, it is much smaller than the courtyard in Lingshan County. Fortunately, no one lives here often.

There were only five tenant households on this farm, and they lived in a few thatched houses at the foot of the mountain. When they learned that the owner was coming to visit the farm, they all ran over.

Xu Fugui introduced Xu Nian as the person who bought the manor. Everyone looked at the elegantly dressed young lady and greeted her politely, holding the corner of her clothes.

"I wonder what crops were grown on this farm in the past? How was the harvest?"

An old man bravely said, "This mountain is barren and can only grow soybeans. In good times, the yield is about one dan per mu, but most of the time, it's less than one dan."

Xu Nian nodded in understanding. She did some calculations and it meant that the amount of grain these tenants could get each year was less than ten stone. Not only was this grain enough for their survival, but some of it had to be sold for silver in case of an emergency.

No wonder the tenants in this manor are dressed even more shabbily than those in Lingshan County.

"We will change this farm to grow medicinal herbs in the future. I will teach you how to grow them."

Xu Nian was very satisfied to see that everyone listened attentively and did not make any comments, so he continued:

"Every year I will give each of your households ten shi of fine grain plus five taels of silver, but the prerequisite is that you carefully take care of the medicinal herbs on this mountain."

The tenants opened their mouths in disbelief. This was such a good deal. That was ten stone of fine grain. If they switched to coarse grain, they would be able to have a full meal every day, not to mention that they would get money too.

Everyone promised that they would grow the herbs well. They were not afraid of hard work or fatigue, but they were afraid that their children would go hungry or their parents would get sick, so they had to endure it. Now that such a good opportunity was in front of them, they would of course seize it.

"The herbs will be delivered in two days. My second uncle will teach you how to grow them. Here are ten taels of silver. I will give you two taels in advance. I will send someone to deliver the remaining silver and food when the herbs are harvested."

The tenants felt more at ease after receiving the silver. No matter whether the herbs were easy to grow or not, they would definitely learn how to grow them, as this was related to the livelihood of their entire family.

When Xu Nian led his people away, he also took a look around and found that there were many manors owned by wealthy families nearby. When Xu Fugui came to buy a manor before, the agent had introduced it to him, so he knew who the owners of most of the manors were.

"The largest manor belongs to Master Huifeng. I heard from the broker that Master Huifeng has a great background and is very knowledgeable and talented."

Xu Nian looked over curiously, and saw that the entire courtyard was surrounded by a high wall, and he could only vaguely see a patch of green tiles.

Xu Ji, on the contrary, was very interested in this Master Huifeng. He had heard this name from the teacher more than once.

"Uncle, have you heard anything else about this Master Huifeng?"

Xu Nian looked at his brother in surprise for several times. He didn't expect that this boy could be so gossipy.

Xu Fugui shook his head. "Agents are very strict. They will say what they can say, but they will not say what they cannot say."

Xu Ji looked somewhat disappointed.

"Why are you so curious about him?" Xu Nian asked the question in his mind.

At this time Xu Jian started talking loudly.

"The teacher mentions this Master Huifeng almost every three days. I'm almost tired of hearing this. But my eldest brother is very curious about him and always says he wants to see him."

"Third brother, Master Huifeng is a man of great talent."

Xu Jian curled his lips and muttered, "You haven't seen it with your own eyes."

“…”

Although Xu Nian was happy that his taciturn brother could be so energetic, the quarrel between the two was really too noisy, so he could only shout "shut up".

"If you don't know, you might think that this Master Huifeng is a beautiful lady, which is why you two are arguing over her so fiercely."

The two brothers, who had calmed down, shouted "Big Sister" in unison, and then their ears turned red, which made Xu Nian laugh uncontrollably.

At this time, low laughter could be heard from the carriage that passed by them.

"Jinzhi, when did you become a beautiful lady? You are still such a beauty, haha..."

The young man named Jinzhi was wearing a scholar's robe, with a pair of peach blossom eyes that were bent without smiling. He was drinking leisurely, as if he didn't hear his friends' jokes.

"It's really boring, but seriously, aren't you planning to go back to Shengdu? Aren't you afraid that your father will give your position as the crown prince to that brat?"

Shang Jinzhi raised the corner of his mouth, and the originally elegant young man inexplicably had a hint of evil.

"Why don't we make a bet to see if my good brother has this destiny."

Yu Guan shook his head and moved some distance away from Shang Jin.

"I don't have anything good to lose to you anymore, are you willing to return it..."