Even if Jian Xiu hadn’t mentioned it, Zhang Zixuan had never considered buying separately.

“If possible, we’ll take fifty mu of lower-grade land.”

“So much? That land is very barren.”

Before Zhang Zixuan could respond, Zhang Zifu spoke up.

“I know, that’s exactly what I need. Preferably sandy loam, loam, or clay loam—soil with good permeability,” Jian Xiu instructed again.

“Are you planning to grow something?” Zhang Zixuan asked curiously.

Since she could describe the soil types so clearly, she must have already decided what to plant.

Having grown up in Zhangjia Village, he had spent most of his time escorting goods as a bodyguard, but he was still skilled in farming.

So, he wanted to hear if Jian Xiu’s crop choice suited the soil she described.

“Yes, I want to grow medicinal herbs!”

“Medicinal herbs?” Zhang Zixuan, Zhang Zifu, and Wang Xiuying exclaimed in unison.

It wasn’t just them—many landlords had tried using their land for growing medicinal herbs, but none had succeeded.

That was why local pharmacies sourced valuable medicinal herbs from herb gatherers who ventured deep into the mountains, often risking their lives.

If they could grow the herbs themselves, it would solve many problems.

“What? Surprised? You think I can’t grow them?” Jian Xiu asked with amusement.

“It’s not that… Fourth Sister-in-law, do you realize what you’re saying?” Zhang Zifu couldn’t help but ask.

If he had heard correctly, she planned to buy fifty mu of land.

If all of it was used for medicinal herbs, the trial-and-error cost would be enormous!

“I understand. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Jian Xiu reassured them.

Zhang Zixuan trusted Jian Xiu’s abilities and didn’t doubt her words too much.

He nodded, picked up the wild boar meat, and headed toward the village center.

The village head’s house was in the center—a grand five-courtyard, blue-brick mansion that stood out.

Thinking about it, in a while, he too would be able to live in a blue-brick house, and that thought filled him with satisfaction.

At this time, high-quality paddy fields cost about five taels per mu.

But since early spring had passed, prices might have dropped slightly.

Mid-quality fields were a bit cheaper, with good ones still costing nearly three taels per mu.

As for lower-grade land, it was roughly one tael per mu.

However, lower-grade land was usually barren and often consisted of newly reclaimed wasteland, suitable only for growing beans.

As he passed by the old house, loud arguing could be heard from inside.

There was no need to guess—it had to be Fang Miaojun and Chen Sixi.

Ever since the fourth and third branches of the family had separated, only their two households remained.

His eldest sister-in-law, Fang Miaojun, probably saw no need to keep up appearances anymore and had completely dropped the act.

In the past, the eldest and second branches of the family always supported each other.

Now that the eldest branch had stopped pretending, conflicts naturally arose.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zixuan quickened his pace as he passed their house.

He no longer wanted to get involved in their affairs.

Meanwhile, Old Madam Liu and Old Man Zhang sat in the courtyard.

Ever since the family split, the household had known no peace.

Listening to the bickering between the two branches, they felt annoyed but could do little.

If they spoke up too much, they would only become scapegoats.

Neither the eldest nor the second branch were easy to deal with.

The eldest relied on their eldest grandson’s success at the academy, making it impossible to confront them directly.

As for the second branch, they had refused to give silver when their second son was imprisoned, leaving him unable to afford a doctor.

To this day, he still muttered grievances about it.

Most importantly, Chen Sixi had five older brothers.

If she were truly provoked, the consequences wouldn’t be something they could handle.

“Was that Zhang Zixuan just now?” Old Madam Liu suddenly asked Old Man Zhang.

“Him? I doubt it. Would he walk with such vigor?”

“I don’t know about vigor, but that silhouette looked like him.”

Saying that, Old Madam Liu hurried outside and shouted at the figure:

“Zhang Zixuan, stop right there!”

Hearing this, Zhang Zixuan only paused for a moment before continuing forward as if he hadn’t heard.

But that brief hesitation was enough for Old Madam Liu to be sure—it was him.

Zhang Zixuan let out a self-deprecating chuckle. Looking back now, he shouldn’t have taken this shortcut to save time.

“So? It really is that unfilial son?” Old Man Zhang asked.

He had put down his pipe and followed her outside.

“I remind you, Zhang Zixuan, we have already severed ties. There is no such thing as filial or unfilial between us!”

Zhang Zixuan turned around, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“You… You…”

“Unfilial son? Is that the only thing you know how to say? If not, don’t waste my time!”

After speaking, he smirked coldly and strode off.

“No, no, you can’t leave! You can’t leave!” Old Madam Liu hurried after him.

“What now?” Zhang Zixuan turned back, looking at her coldly.

Seeing his expression, Old Madam Liu froze.

What a terrifying gaze… When had the Zhang Zixuan, who used to obey her every command, learned to look at her like that?

But she quickly regained her composure and stiffened her neck.

“Of… Of course, there’s something! When will you return the money you owe us?”

“What money? When did I ever owe you anything?” Zhang Zixuan asked, baffled.

“When? The silver you secretly kept while working as a bodyguard! Without that money, how could you have built a house?”

The more she spoke, the more convinced she became.

“And those two wretched women! How could they afford to send someone to the academy? I’m telling you, you better…”

Before she could finish, she saw Zhang Zixuan approaching her with a dark expression.

“What did you just call them? If you have the guts, say it again.” Zhang Zixuan’s voice was low and menacing.

“I… I just meant… I…”

“You’re trying to change the subject! I’m telling you, you’d better return that silver honestly!”

“Return it? Hahaha… from you?”

“What do you mean, from me?”

“Keep dreaming!”

Throwing out those two cold words, Zhang Zixuan strode directly toward the village head Zhang Wenyuan’s house.

As he turned, Old Madam Liu finally noticed the wild boar meat in his hand.