Qin’s mother couldn’t hide her delight as she spoke. “We bought it, three acres of sloping land to the east. It cost two taels of silver per acre.”

Qin’s grandmother was shocked. “That land is barren! Why buy so much? Even if you’re building a house, you don’t need that much land. Isn’t this wasteful?”

She reasoned that if it were fertile farmland, more land would be useful for growing crops, but this was barren land that didn’t even grow grass.

Yang Haiyan explained, “Grandmother, I thought we should buy a bit more. After we build the house, you, grandfather, and father and mother can all live with us. We’ll need to prepare a few extra small courtyards for everyone. When Shouye and Shoucheng get married, their houses can also be built next to ours. Plus, when my husband and I have children, they’ll need space too when they grow up. Then, for several generations, we can all live together, and every time you open the door, you’ll be able to see your great-grandchildren. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Yang Haiyan wasn’t actually planning on living in the same house with the grandparents or Qin’s parents but was thinking of building small courtyards for each family within a large compound.

This way, they would all be close but still have their own spaces, creating a lively environment.

Qin’s grandmother, recalling what Qin’s mother had said about Yang Haiyan being a blessed woman with a full house of children and grandchildren in her future, smiled warmly, her face full of wrinkles. “You’re the only one who understands my heart. You know I want great-grandchildren. You and Fang better work hard!”

Yang Haiyan nodded obediently. “Don’t worry, grandmother. This year, we were traveling back after my husband completed his military service, so we haven’t started trying for children yet. Once we return to the border, we’ll both see a doctor to take care of our health, and I promise we’ll give you a healthy great-grandson or great-granddaughter.”

This also served as an explanation for why she hadn’t become pregnant since their wedding in August, preventing any unpleasant rumors.

To Qin’s grandmother and mother, this explanation showed the couple’s filial piety.

They had delayed having children to ensure they could return home after completing military service.

In fact, Qin’s grandfather had four grandsons.

The youngest, Tiedan, was only ten, Shoucheng was twelve, and Shouye was fifteen.

With Qin’s father already having three sons, Qin’s grandmother and mother weren’t in a hurry for great-grandchildren.

However, Qin’s second aunt couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Buying land? Mother, sister-in-law, what’s this about buying land to build a house? Do you have that much private money? Does that mean the money you handed over to the public fund before was fake?”

She quickly did the math: if land cost two taels per acre and they bought three acres, that would be six taels of silver.

The first family must have handed over about six taels of silver to the public fund, so did that mean they had faked their contribution?

Qin’s mother had expected her to make a fuss, which was why they had waited until after the wedding feast to discuss buying land.

She snorted, “Sister-in-law, don’t open your mouth without knowing the facts. The money for the land comes from Yanyan’s dowry. It’s her private money.”

Second Aunt Qin looked suspiciously at Yang Haiyan.

But Qin’s mother’s explanation made sense to her.

Yang Haiyan came from a wealthy family, so it wasn’t surprising that she had money on hand.

As a daughter-in-law, even Qin’s mother couldn’t touch her dowry, let alone a mere aunt.

While she was greedy and calculating, Second Aunt Qin wasn’t shameless.

Still, Second Aunt Qin chuckled and asked, “Sister-in-law, when Ah Fang and Yanyan build their house, are you and Brother planning to move in with them? If you do, this house will be empty, won’t it?”

Qin’s mother saw through her intentions and sneered. “We’re not moving. Only Ah Fang and Yanyan will move. We have our own house; what would we look like moving into our daughter-in-law’s house?”

Even if Ah Fang and Yang Haiyan invited them to move in, Qin’s mother wouldn’t do it.

The land was bought with Yang Haiyan’s dowry, and living there would make them feel uncomfortable.

In the old house, they were the masters, but if they moved into their daughter-in-law’s house, they’d become guests.

Even if they had a good relationship with her, they would still feel out of place.

If any conflicts arose, they would have no authority.

It was better to stay in the old house, especially since it was all in the same village.

As for her son moving out, Qin’s mother had no problem with it.

After all, it was his and his wife’s home.

Second Aunt Qin said no more but thought to herself how lucky her sister-in-law was.

She had three sons, the eldest of whom was successful and had married a wealthy bride.

Looking at her own son, Niudan, who was off causing trouble somewhere, she couldn’t help but feel envious.

Third Aunt Qin was also in the courtyard but had no opinions about either the barren land or the new house.

After all, their family’s two rooms were more than enough for them.

The next day, Qin Fang and his father took the land sale document written by the village chief to the county office to register and transfer the land.

Meanwhile, Yang Haiyan stayed at home to draw up plans for the house construction.

Yang Haiyan wasn’t an expert; she could only sketch the framework of the house and the interior design but didn’t understand the specifics of the foundation or other structural details.

So, after she completed the basic outline, she consulted with Qin Fang’s father about the construction, orientation, and other matters.

She would suggest her ideas, and he would provide advice.

Since they were daughter-in-law and father-in-law, Qin Fang and his mother were also involved in these discussions.

It took more than ten days to finalize the house plans, including the details for the bathroom and toilet.

By then, Qin Fang’s vacation was almost over.

Since Jin Tian County was a bit far from the border, they had to leave early.

They had also arranged to meet Kun Shi, who would bring his wife to Jin Tian County to meet them before they all returned to the border together.

Qin Fang’s mother felt uncomfortable as her son and daughter-in-law were leaving the next day.

She was reluctant to see them go, but she knew she couldn’t stop them.

That evening, after more than ten days of separation, the Qin family gathered for a meal to see Qin Fang and Yang Haiyan off.

The next morning, it was time for Yang Haiyan and Qin Fang to leave.

Qin Fang rode a horse, and Qin’s father drove a carriage.

Except for Qin Shouye, everyone else came to see them off.

At the county gate, Kun Shi and his family were already waiting.

Kun Shi, now 27, had been away for five or six years and had a ten-year-old son.

Seeing Qin Fang on horseback, Kun Shi said to his wife, Kun Zhangshi, “The officer is here. You and the child wait for a moment; I’ll go over.”

Kun Zhangshi was a little nervous. “Okay.”

Although Kun Shi had told her that the officer was usually at the military camp and his wife managed their household, and that the officer’s wife was a kind person, she still felt anxious.

Kun Shi ran up to greet him, “My lord.”

Qin Fang dismounted from the horse. “Have you been waiting long?”

Kun Shi quickly replied, “No, not at all. We just arrived.”

In reality, they had arrived the night before and stayed at an inn.

They preferred to spend extra money on lodging rather than make the officer wait.

Qin’s father and mother, sitting outside the carriage, overheard Kun Shi call their son “my lord.” Both stared intently.

Previously, they knew their son had become an official, but now, they were truly experiencing it firsthand.

After Qin Fang and Kun Shi chatted for a while, Qin’s father spoke up. “Ah Fang, your mother and I will only see you off this far.”

Qin’s mother turned her head to the carriage and said to Yang Haiyan, “Yanyan, I’m leaving Siya and Shoucheng in your care. If they misbehave, feel free to discipline them.”

Yang Haiyan reassured her, “Don’t worry, Mother.”

Living at the Qin family home for the past few days had been pleasant, especially after the family split.

Now, they dined separately from Grandpa and Grandma Qin, so there were no more issues of fighting over food at the table.

During her free time, she would go to the mountains to dig up spring bamboo shoots or cook in the kitchen.

But no matter how comfortable it was, it still didn’t feel as free as living at the border.

While the family claimed they were all seeing off Qin Fang and Yang Haiyan, in reality, they were also sending off Qin Siya and Qin Shoucheng, who would be going to the border with them.

Qin’s mother reminded Qin Siya and Shoucheng again, “Make sure you listen to your sister-in-law, okay?”

Qin Siya happily replied, “Got it!”

Qin Shoucheng, however, looked downcast.

He was reluctant to leave home. “I understand.”

Qin’s mother said, “Good, as long as you understand. We’ll be going now.”

Then she and Qin’s father left, not looking back, afraid they would change their minds and not want to part from the children.

After they left, Yang Haiyan asked, “Captain Kun, has your family arrived?”

Kun Shi replied, “Yes, ma’am. Please wait a moment.”

He waved for Kun Zhangshi to come over.

Kun Zhangshi brought their son Kun Daying over. “Madam, this is my wife, Zhangshi Taohua, and this is my son, Daying.”

Kun Zhangshi and Kun Daying greeted her, “Greetings, madam.”

Yang Haiyan stifled a laugh. “No need for formalities, Sister Kun. Bring the child up. By the way, is ‘Daying’ from ‘eagle’ like the bird?” A lion and an eagle — the father and son’s names were quite amusing.

Kun Shi caught on to her meaning and explained, “My father chose the name.”

Still, it sounded much better than names like ‘Cow Egg’ or ‘Iron Egg.’

Once Kun Zhangshi and Daying got into the carriage, Kun Shi took the reins.

Inside the carriage were also Qin Siya and Qin Shoucheng.

Yang Haiyan introduced them, “This is my brother-in-law, Shoucheng, and this is my sister-in-law, Siyah.” The name Qin Siya sounded a bit rustic, so they would use “Siyah” when introducing her to others in the future.

Kun Zhangshi, still feeling uneasy, greeted them nervously, “Greetings, Second Brother, and Miss.”

Qin Siya and Qin Shoucheng looked at Yang Haiyan, feeling a bit reserved as well.

Yang Haiyan smiled. “You can just call her Sister Kun. This is her son, Daying. He can be a playmate for Shoucheng.”

Since Kun Shi’s family wasn’t of servant status, Daying and Shoucheng could be playmates.

If they had been of servant status, that would be different.

Qin Shoucheng muttered, “Okay.”

As the carriage left the county, Qin’s father and mother returned home, where only Grandma Qin was left, as both she and Grandpa Qin were in on the family’s plans.