Yang Haiyan was taken aback by Mother Qin’s words.

Although she had considered this plan and did not intend to let Third Uncle Ding Sanjiu and his son stay here, she honestly had no complaints about keeping Qin Siya and Qin Shoucheng.

These two children were very well-behaved, and since Qin Fang was usually away, it felt too lonely with just her as the hostess.

Besides, Qin Siyah and Qin Shoucheng were Qin Fang’s biological sister and brother, so they were also qualified to stay.

Keeping Qin Shouye would be even simpler.

Not only was Qin Shouye sensible, but Qin Fang also needed him as a trusted right-hand man.

Although the private guards, such as Kunshi, were loyal to Qin Fang, their loyalty was different from the wholehearted trust that Qin Shouye had in him.

As the saying goes, “Brothers united, their strength can cut through metal”—there is truth in that.

Moreover, entrusting the camp’s finances to others is always less reassuring than giving them to Qin Shouye.

As for Qin Qiuya and Niu Dan, both were well-behaved children, and there was no need for her to worry about them, especially with Grandpa and Grandma Qin around.

However, Ding Sanjiu and his son were different.

If they were like Second Uncle Qin and Qin Erya, who had some sense, it would be fine.

But they did not have that sense.

At present, Yang Haiyan was pleased that Mother Qin could take the initiative to take them in.

She just wondered, “Why does Mother think of settling them in the military camp and fields?”

Mother Qin smiled with satisfaction, “I know my third sister-in-law well. If I were to drive my third brother and Tadpole away and send them back home, let alone whether they could make it back safely, even if they did, who knows what kind of trouble my sister-in-law would stir up for them?

Since that’s the case… The hundred acres of land are usually managed by Ah Fang and his father alone.

Now that my third brother has come, I’ll have him share the responsibility. If someone comes to our door, we might as well make use of them.

As for Tadpole, I had previously asked Ah Fang’s maternal grandmother to teach him well, but with my sister-in-law around, Grandma couldn’t teach him at all.

Now that it’s in my hands, I won’t let him go easily. After all, they are my family, and I can’t bear to see them like this. If I can help a little, then I will.”

Yang Haiyan could understand Mother Qin’s thoughts.

It’s not just in ancient times that families and maternal homes are valued; even in modern times, there are many who excessively support their siblings or maternal families.

As for a mother-in-law like Qin’s, who was so clear-minded, Yang Haiyan had no reason to oppose her.

First, Mother Qin was taking in Ding Sanjiu and his son to manage them herself, and second, she wasn’t blindly indulging them but had her own plans.

Moreover, what Mother Qin said was correct.

Given Ding Sanjiu’s wife’s personality, if Ding Sanjiu and his son returned home, there might be other plans waiting for them.

It was better to let them stay than to risk any trouble.

Yang Haiyan said, “Since Mother has a plan, I will definitely support you. If you need my help with anything, just say so. Don’t worry about bothering me.”

Mother Qin smiled, “You won’t believe it, but there is indeed something I need your help with. I want to borrow someone from you.”

Yang Haiyan perked up, “Granny Lian?”

Mother Qin shook her head, “Granny Lian is your right hand. I’m not dealing with anything major here, so why would I need to borrow her? I want to borrow a guard from you. I know my third brother’s personality.

I’m afraid he won’t be able to endure hardship in the military camp and might leave Tadpole behind at midnight. So, I want to borrow a guard to keep an eye on him and also to guide Tadpole in some skills, just like guiding Niu Dan.”

This was one reason.

The other reason was Mother Qin’s selfishness.

Since Third Uncle Qin whole family had come along and Niu Dan had also benefited, why couldn’t she help her maternal family since Qin Fang was her son?

Of course, she wouldn’t say that.

She just wanted to help her maternal family a little, knowing that her own family was ultimately more important.

However, as long as she took good care of her third brother and Tadpole, she wouldn’t worry about the other brothers in her maternal family.

Before coming this time, she had left some emergency silver with Grandma Ding.

She now received a monthly salary of over four taels, and giving Grandma a few taels for safety each year would not raise any eyebrows.

When Yang Haiyan heard this, she couldn’t help but laugh, “Mother, you’re really thoughtful. I truly can’t imagine Third Uncle Sanjiu abandoning Tadpole and running off by himself.”

It was just too funny, and it showed how well her mother-in-law understood Sanjiu’s character.

Most people wouldn’t be so wary.

Seeing her daughter-in-law laugh, Mother Qin also chuckled, realizing how amusing it was. “Yanyan, you don’t know, my third brother is exactly that kind of person. So, for him to beg to send Tadpole here, I’m genuinely impressed. I even thought he might pawn Tadpole at some inn halfway and return to get the money himself.”

Pffft… Yang Haiyan clutched her stomach, “Mother, stop! If you keep going, I’ll burst from laughter!”

Mother Qin patted her back, “Are you okay?”

Yang Haiyan waved her hand, “I’m fine, I’m fine.”

“What are you two talking about? I can hear Yanyan’s laughter from so far away. What’s so funny? Share it with this old woman and let me have a laugh too.” Grandma Qin approached.

She had timed her arrival to coincide with Mother Qin but hadn’t expected to hear Yang Haiyan laughing before she even came in.

Mother Qin replied, “Mother, let Yanyan tell you; I’m too embarrassed to say it myself.”

Yang Haiyan went over to support Grandma Qin, “Grandma, let me explain slowly. Then she turned back to Mother Qin, saying, “Mother, I’ll go pick out some guards. I’ll choose two for you; they can take turns watching him.”

Mother Qin was both amused and helpless, “You little clever girl.”

Yang Haiyan helped Grandma Qin walk, animatedly discussing the matter of Sanjiu, and when they talked about how Mother Qin wanted to borrow guards to prevent Sanjiu from running away, Grandma Qin couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Mother Qin then entered the room where Sanjiu and Tadpole had finished eating.

They were sitting there, waiting for Mother Qin to lecture them.

Mother Qin said, “Get your things in order; come with me.”

San Jiu blinked, “Sister, we don’t have anything.”

They had discarded their beggar clothes by now. “Where are we going?”

Mother Qin replied, “Of course, you’ll be living with me and your brother-in-law. What do you think? Do you still want to stay with Ah Fang and his wife?”

San Jiu hesitated, “I…”

That was indeed what he meant.

Mother Qin continued, “Ah Fang and his wife are living with their grandparents; this place is managed by Ah Fang’s grandmother.”

Ding Sanjiu’s heart skipped a beat, “Then where will you and brother-in-law live?”

Mother Qin said, “We’ll live in the farmhouse at the military camp. Just the two of us, along with a serving woman.

There’ll be meat dishes every day. Are you going or not? If you go, you’ll have a servant to take care of you, and I can find you a light job to earn some money. It won’t tire you out.”

Ding Sanjiu hadn’t wanted to live with Grandma Qin anyway, and the thought of living in a general’s household terrified him.

After hearing Mother Qin talk about an easy job to earn money, he had no reason to refuse. “Okay, but what about Tadpole?”

Mother Qin replied, “Tadpole is already twelve years old; he’s not a child anymore. Do you expect him to do nothing all day?

When we get to the countryside, I’ll have someone teach him to read. Only by learning can he earn big money, just like Niu Dan from Ah Fang’s second uncle’s family. You should know that this is an opportunity. Some people wish they could learn but don’t have this chance.”

Ding Sanjiu said, “Okay, I’ll go.” Even he, no matter how clueless, knew that learning to read was beneficial. “Sister, we don’t have luggage; there’s no need to organize anything. Let’s go right now.”

Mother Qin shot him a glance, truly unable to bear it, “You two sit for a while and have a cup of tea. I’ll go say goodbye to Ah Fang’s wife.”

Ding Sanjiu replied, “Oh.”

In reality, Mother Qin went to check if Yang Haiyan had selected the guards.

After leaving, Yang Haiyan went to choose the guards along with Grandma Qin.

By the time Mother Qin came to inquire, she had already brought the guards over. “Mother, this guard is called Yao Tao, and that one is called Lin Tieshu. These two will go with you.”

Yao Tao and Lin Tieshu replied, “We’ve met, madam.”

They knew what they were going to do; the local lord had already informed them. Watching over a man and a child was a piece of cake for them.

They promised to keep a close eye on them, even while they relieved themselves.

Mother Qin was quite satisfied with their tall, robust appearances, thinking that one hand could lift her third brother, preventing him from jumping around. “Okay, it’s them. You two wait here; I’ll go call someone.”

Before long, Mother Qin returned with Ding Sanjiu and Tadpole.

When they came, they were in a set of beggar clothes, and now they had nothing.

Yang Haiyan said, “Mother, since Third Uncle Sanjiu and Tadpole don’t have any change of clothes, why don’t we buy them a couple of outfits at the tailor shop?”

Mother Qin waved her hand, “I’ll take them there; don’t worry.” After a moment, she added, “If the Ding family sends someone, just send them over to us.”

Since Sanjiu and his son had been away from home for so long, she figured her father and mother would have known the situation.

Her sister-in-law couldn’t keep them in the dark forever.

If that were the case, she thought her father and mother might ask her elder brother to look for them along the way.

Therefore, it was very likely that someone from the Ding family would come looking for them.

Yang Haiyan replied, “Mother, don’t worry; I’ll listen to you.”

Mother Qin didn’t say much more.

She took Sanjiu and his son away.

They traveled by horse-drawn carriage, and Mother Qin also took them to the tailor shop to buy two sets of clothes.

The clothes weren’t of good quality; they weren’t made of the same fabric the Qin family’s children wore but were suitable for the Ding family’s economic situation—basically, the kind of fabric that country folks would wear.

Ding Sanjiu and his son had no complaints; they were from the countryside and had yet to adjust.

When they lived back home, it was a great year if they had one new outfit, so why would they complain about the quality?

Mother Qin took Ding Sanjiu and his son to the military camp fields, where they gazed at the vast expanse of green fields.

Ding Sanjiu’s eyes widened, “Sister, does all this belong to brother-in-law?”

Mother Qin smiled kindly, “From now on, it will be managed by you and your brother-in-law together.”