Chapter 123 All the Documents Have Been Brought

In the end, after much coaxing and cajoling from Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi, Madam Luo finally gave up on asking to borrow money. She tacitly agreed to let them support the children in the family through school.

That night, once Da Tou had fallen asleep, the family of three gathered to discuss their plans. On the table in front of them lay a pile of seeds: chili peppers, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and a bag of mint seeds.

For now, Wen Yao believed that getting these things sorted out was the first step toward solving many of their current problems.

Wen Xiuyi rummaged through the seeds for a while. “Where are the sweet potatoes? Those are wonderful—filling, good for making sugar, and useful in many ways.”

Wen Yao gave the pile a push, and a dozen sweet potatoes appeared on the table.

“No more than these for now. Let’s take it slow. We can’t have everything all at once,” she said. Otherwise, how would they explain the origin of all these things?

Wen Xiuyi surveyed the table and seemed satisfied. “Let’s start with these. You’re right, we can’t attract too much attention. But why did you bring out sunflower seeds?” He grabbed a few and started cracking them open.

“They’re for planting,” Wen Yao quickly shielded the bag. “I noticed Grandpa really enjoys eating sunflower seeds, but pumpkin seeds just aren’t as tasty. Besides, if we scatter them along the courtyard wall, they’ll be beautiful and edible. Perfect.”

Wen Xiuyi grabbed the bag back. “Why not buy another bag?”

Wen Yao rolled her eyes and conjured up another bag.

“In another month, our house over there should be finished. When the time comes, we’ll plant tomatoes and chili peppers in the backyard. Potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes will go in the fields. As for the sunflower seeds, Yao Yao, scatter them along the base of our courtyard wall,” Wen Xiuyi said as he continued cracking seeds.

“Fine,” Wen Yao replied, fiercely protecting her seeds.

Wen Xiuyi asked, “How much money do we have left?”

Wen Yao brought out all their savings and laid them on the table. Wen Xiuyi counted it and set aside thirty taels of silver.

“This money is for your grandmother tomorrow.” As for which children would go to school and how the money would be divided, he would leave that for the old lady to worry about.

The rest of the money would be more than enough to finish building the house. As for furniture and other things, Wen Yao could always earn more in the meantime.

The next day, Wen Xiuyi handed the money to the old lady and slipped away to work in the fields before she could refuse. Wen Jun went off to the Benevolence Hall early in the morning, and Wen Yao was taken away by Qiao Yan.

Madam Luo looked at the money and, after some thought, finally steeled herself. She called her two remaining sons and their wives into the room.

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Wen Yao traveled by carriage with Qiao Yan all the way to Qiu Rongrong’s manor. Upon arrival, she was struck by the beauty of the place—verdant hills, clear water, and in the distance, many people working the fields. Noticing her curiosity, Qiao Yan began acting as her guide.

“All this land belongs to the manor,” explained Qiao Yan. “It’s part of Miss’s dowry. Old Madam Xie once tried to have the steward replaced with a relative of hers, but Miss refused, and the old lady showed her displeasure.”

Wen Yao clicked her tongue. That was just the sort of thing the lofty old matron would do.

At the manor gate, Wen Yao got off the carriage and saw people unloading goods from another wagon nearby. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

Qiao Yan noticed her looking and glanced over as well. The people there noticed them too, and a middle-aged man came over to greet Qiao Yan.

“Back already, Qiao Yan?”

Qiao Yan gave a slight curtsey. “Uncle Zhong.”

“And who is this?” Uncle Zhong looked at Wen Yao, noting her village attire, and wondered how she knew Qiao Yan.

Qiao Yan quickly introduced them. “Uncle Zhong, this is Miss Wen, a friend of Miss Qiu.”

Uncle Zhong was momentarily startled, then hurried to bow. “Greetings, Miss Wen.”

“No need for formality, sir. I see you’re moving things—what are those?” Wen Yao asked, recognizing the items instantly.

Uncle Zhong smiled. “Those are new plows we just bought for the manor. They work very well, so we ordered several more. They arrived just today.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone called out from nearby.

“Yao Yao?”

They turned to see a young man running over to Wen Yao. “Yao Yao, it really is you! What are you doing here? I thought I was mistaken.”

Uncle Zhong raised an eyebrow. “You two know each other?”

Liuzi scratched his head sheepishly and grinned. “Uncle, the plow you bought from my family was designed by Yao Yao’s father, Uncle Wen.”

At that, not only Uncle Zhong, but even Qiao Yan looked surprised.

Wen Yao simply smiled, keeping her accomplishments hidden.

“Business is going well, I see, Brother Liuzi,” Wen Yao said with a smile.

Liuzi was deeply grateful to the Wen family and nodded repeatedly. “A lot of people are placing orders. Several manors have come to us. It’s all thanks to Uncle Wen. My father said that after the spring plowing, he’ll go thank Uncle Wen in person.”

If it weren’t for Uncle Wen, their family would never have earned so much from the curved-beam plow, nor would he have had the chance to study. Their family owed Uncle Wen a great deal.

“All right, Brother Liuzi, you go on with your work. I still have to find Sister Qiu,” Wen Yao said. Only then did Qiao Yan snap out of her reverie and prepare to lead Wen Yao inside.

Liuzi waved his farewell with a broad, honest smile before following Uncle Zhong to continue checking the goods.

On the way, Qiao Yan kept sneaking glances at Wen Yao. Wen Yao noticed, but walked calmly beside her, taking in the scenery. The classical gardens and landscapes of old times were charming in their own right.

Upon reaching Qiu Rongrong’s courtyard, Qiao Yan immediately went in to announce her arrival and relayed the events at the gate.

Though Qiu Rongrong usually didn’t concern herself with manor affairs, she’d heard about the new batch of plows and how much more efficient they were. She hadn’t expected them to be made by the Wen family, which piqued her curiosity about them even more.

She came out to greet Wen Yao, who was seated on the veranda, swinging her feet and curiously surveying the courtyard.

Seeing her, Qiu Rongrong felt her spirits lift.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, sister,” she said, and then instructed Qiao Yan and the others, “In the future, if Yao Yao comes, there’s no need to announce her—just bring her in directly.” With that, she took Wen Yao by the hand and led her inside.

Qiao Yan and the others answered in unison and followed them in.

Qiu Rongrong seated Wen Yao on the soft couch beside the brazier, filling the room with warmth.

Wen Yao glanced around; indeed, the wealthy knew how to enjoy life.

“Yesterday everything happened so suddenly that there are still many things we haven’t settled. We have plenty of time today, and no one will disturb us. Sister Yao Yao, let’s finalize our partnership today. You see, I’ve even brought the contract.” As she spoke, Qiao Yan placed a stack of documents on the tea table between them.