Fan Jihua knew that the Qiao family had just arrived and had many matters to attend to.

After helping them unload their belongings, he tactfully bid farewell.

Qiao Xin didn’t urge him to stay but personally escorted them back to the city.

Before parting, she handed each of them a red envelope containing one or two taels of silver, an unexpected generosity.

Fan Jihua felt it was too much and wanted to decline, but Qiao Xin raised her hand to stop him. “One should not refuse a gift from a senior. You all traveled a long way in this freezing weather and didn’t even get a cup of hot tea. If you don’t accept this token of appreciation, I’ll feel guilty. And if you refuse, I won’t dare ask for your help again in the future!”

Only then did Fan Jihua nod and signal for everyone to accept the gift.

Deep down, he started considering whether they should invest in more properties in Laohu Town.

After all, with Qiao Xin there, the town’s problems didn’t seem to be problems anymore.

Just then, a gust of cold wind blew in, carrying snowflakes and ice pellets that stung their faces.

The biting cold made everyone squint their eyes and shiver in the snow.

They silently cursed the heavens—how could the weather be so unforgiving?

Seeing the snowstorm intensify, Qiao Xin didn’t want to delay their return any further.

Before parting, she reminded them, “Stock up on grain when you get back. This snow won’t stop anytime soon.”

Fan Jihua’s expression changed, and his heart sank.

He had already witnessed Qiao Xin’s uncanny ability to predict the weather on their journey back.

Her accuracy was almost frightening. Now, hearing her warning again, he knew things were serious.

If this snowstorm turned into a disaster, it would be catastrophic.

Fan Jihua understood how valuable this warning was—it made the entire trip worthwhile.

His family was not as wealthy as before, and if they were caught unprepared by a snow disaster, they might not recover for a long time.

He immediately turned to Qiao Xin and gave a deep bow. “Thank you, Madam, for the warning. I am deeply grateful!”

Qiao Xin quickly helped him up and smiled. “There’s no need for such formality. Even I am not completely certain, so please don’t spread the news too widely to avoid unnecessary panic. Just make your preparations and take care. Until we meet again!”

Watching Qiao Xin leave, Fan Jihua turned to his companions and said sternly, “You all heard her. Go back and prepare, but don’t spread rumors. If anyone causes trouble, I won’t forgive them!”

“Yes, sir!”

Fan Jihua wasted no time.

As soon as he returned home, he went straight to the study to see his father and elder brother.

After relaying Qiao Xin’s warning, both men were shocked.

His father, Fan Huairen, had already been exhausted from the journey, and this news only worsened his condition.

His face turned pale, and his body wavered.

“Father, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. But just in case, we must prepare early. The Qiao family’s words must not be taken lightly. It’s better to be overprepared than caught off guard,” Fan Huairen said with a cough, his old face grim. “Eldest son, subtly inform the clan about this. Close our shops for now and send unfamiliar faces to buy grain in small batches. Keep it low-key.”

“They might not believe us,” Fan Boqing scoffed.

Ever since their father had resigned from office in disgrace, the clan had been restless.

Some people, especially those from the Sixth Uncle’s branch, were eyeing the position of clan leader.

Two of their cousins even held minor government positions, enough to give them some authority.

Illegitimate branches will always be short-sighted!

“Things are different now. Whether they believe it or not is up to them, but not telling them would be our fault,” Fan Huairen sighed.

“Father, should we submit a memorial to the Emperor?”

“Boqing, favor or disgrace—it’s all the Emperor’s will. Sometimes, taking a step back is not a bad thing. Our family has been away from the capital for too long.”

Fan Boqing fell silent.

Yes, in politics, out of sight meant out of mind. The same applied within their own clan. He was just unwilling to accept it.

Fan Jihua, however, didn’t care much about political struggles.

He had grown up on the border and never experienced the Fan family’s peak glory.

Without comparison, there was no sense of loss.

To him, life was already much better than before.

Taking the opportunity, he brought up another matter. “Father, most of our land has been sold, and we can’t buy it back now. Should we consider purchasing some estates in Laohu Town? The land there may be barren now, but if the Qiao family settles down, it’ll be much easier for us to develop it.”

“You trust them that much?”

“If the Qiao family stays, Laohu Town’s revival is only a matter of time. I asked their younger generation, and they plan to start clearing land in the spring.”

“So you want to follow their lead? Aren’t you afraid they have ulterior motives?” Fan Boqing was surprised.

They had only known the Qiao family for a few days, yet his younger brother trusted them so completely.

“I can’t explain it, but I just feel that Madam Qiao is trustworthy. If they had any grand ambitions, wouldn’t it be better for them to ally with the powerful Dingbian Marquis? Yet, they haven’t done so.”

Fan Huairen recalled the Qiao family’s matriarch and her remarkable skills. “Tell Housekeeper Fang to check with the land brokers. If the Qiao family buys more properties, we should seize the opportunity to buy some too.”

Barely half an hour later, Housekeeper Fang returned with a report. “Madam Qiao spent one thousand taels today to buy three more estates, similar in size to the last ones. She paid on the spot, completed the paperwork, took the keys, and left immediately.”

The Fan family members were shocked. “That fast? They’re really planning to establish themselves there? They have that much faith in Laohu Town?”

“They’ve only been in Weizhou for a few days, and they already own land and houses?”

The Qiao family’s swift and decisive actions caught them off guard.

“Aren’t they afraid of attracting unwanted attention?” Fan Boqing asked in confusion.

Fan Huairen, however, was confident. “For now, their wealth is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. No one will care.”

“Should we buy a few estates too?” Fan Jihua suggested.

“Good idea. The cost is still low, and Laohu Town has solid foundations. After all, Qingyang Academy was once built there…” Fan Jihua trailed off, suddenly realizing his own absurdity.

He laughed at himself.

Was he crazy?

Why did he think a single woman could restore Qingyang Academy’s former glory?

Meanwhile, others in Weizhou also noticed the Qiao family’s movements.

But unlike the Fan family, they knew little about Qiao Xin’s capabilities.

Seeing an ordinary family buying up property in Laohu Town, they scoffed.

“Another fool who couldn’t survive in Weizhou City!”

They dismissed the Qiao family as insignificant country bumpkins, not worth their attention.

Thus, one by one, they ordered their subordinates to ignore the Qiao family and stop investigating them.