Yang Haiyan naturally didn’t know that she had become a topic of conversation for others, but even if she found out, she wouldn’t care.

It was her money, and she could spend it however she wanted.

If she had to live in the midst of other people’s discussions, what would be the point of earning money?

Yang Haiyan looked at the two wild boars at the entrance, feeling a bit troubled: “These two wild boars are too much. If we keep them for ourselves, how long would we have to eat this meat?”

Especially since wild boar meat wasn’t particularly tasty.

Qin Fang was preparing to return to the military camp for duty in early April, so he took his personal guards up the mountain for a hunt while he still had a few days.

Seeing Yang Haiyan’s expression, he said, “You decide.”

He was in charge of the hunt but not of how to deal with the catch.

Yang Haiyan thought for a moment: “Captain Kun, take these two wild boars to the county town to sell, and then buy six hens with the money.”

Captain Kun replied, “Understood.”

Huang Huzi said, “I’ll go get the donkey cart.”

Ever since the horse carts arrived, the status of donkey carts had sharply declined.

Yang Haiyan responded, “Uncle Hong went to the village; he took the donkey cart with him. Can we put these wild boars directly on the horses?”

Qin Fang looked and said, “If we lay them sideways, it’ll be a bit troublesome, but it can work.”

With two horses carrying the wild boars, Captain Kun and Huang Huzi set off for the county town, where the town was small and the two wild boars were too big to fit in.

Half an hour later, Captain Kun and Huang Huzi returned, bringing six clucking hens in a cage.

Captain Kun handed Yang Haiyan the over five taels of silver he earned from selling the wild boar meat: “Madam, here’s the leftover money after buying the six hens.”

Yang Haiyan accepted the silver and said, “Each household can take one hen. You all worked hard on this hunt; each of you will also receive an extra month’s pay. Granny Lian, give the money to Captain Kun.”

Granny Lian took out five bundles of copper coins that had already been prepared: “Captain Kun, this is yours, and the other four bundles are for the remaining four guards.”

Captain Kun hadn’t expected that in addition to receiving one hen per household, they would also get a month’s extra pay.

He hurriedly expressed his thanks: “Thank you, Madam.”

Yang Haiyan didn’t feel anything unusual; she believed this was what they deserved.

Captain Kun then carried the chicken cage back to the servant quarters.

Just as Huang Huzi arrived in the yard, he heard the sound of chickens clucking and stepped outside: “Captain, why did you bring the hens back?”

Captain Kun replied, “The Madam said these hens are a reward for us, one for each household. However, we can’t keep chickens here, so we’ll have to kill them in the next couple of days. Oh, and there’s also a bundle of silver as a reward from the Madam.”

Huang Huzi couldn’t stop smiling; the Madam was just too generous.

Huang Huzi’s wife, Huang Xushi, wasn’t home.

She had gone with Meng Qiushi, Meng An, and Meng Qiu to collect firewood and hadn’t returned yet.

Huang Huzi didn’t know how to handle the hens, so he thought for a moment and just tossed them into a corner.

When Huang Xushi and the others returned and heard the commotion of clucking from the servant quarters, they were puzzled.

Upon returning home, they learned that because two wild boars had been hunted and sold, the Madam rewarded each household with a hen and an extra month’s pay, which delighted them greatly.

In the main courtyard,

Qin Fang asked Qin Shoucheng, “How was the private school today?”

Qin Shoucheng felt more apprehensive in front of his older brother than he did with their father and grandfather: “It was quite good. I went with Dage, and the classmates inside were very friendly.”

Most of the classmates were around six years old, while he was a twelve-year-old young man and could be considered their older brother.

However, he didn’t mention any embarrassing things.

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang didn’t say anything more.

He turned to Qin Siya: “What about Siya? Did you learn ten characters today?”

Qin Siyah was also feeling timid, obediently nodding her head, completely losing the lively spirit she had in front of her sister-in-law: “Yes, I learned ten characters and arithmetic with Grand y Lian in the morning, and in the afternoon, I learned women’s work with sister-in-law.”

Qin Fang nodded: “Good, you should focus on literacy and learn women’s work well. You must understand that both learning to read and mastering women’s work are for your own benefit.

Although your sister-in-law rewards you with silver coins, those rewards are meant to encourage you; you can’t take it for granted. Like your eldest sister, she didn’t have the opportunity to learn to read or master women’s work at your age, not to mention me. I only had the chance to learn to read last year.

When I first arrived at the military camp, I didn’t know a single character. I envied those soldiers who could read, so I wasn’t ashamed to ask questions.

Even if it was embarrassing, and people looked down on me, I would still ask, because I knew that if I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t know anything. But if I did ask, what I learned would belong to me.”

Yang Haiyan felt a pang in her heart.

This man was perceptive and saw everything clearly.

He was ambitious and responsible, but he was born into a poor family that didn’t allow him to have big dreams, because they couldn’t provide for his aspirations.

However, he did not give up.

He walked out of the village and, through his own efforts, step by step, reached where he is now.

For some reason, Yang Haiyan suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

At twenty-one in modern times, young people were still enjoying the happy times of university, while Qin Fang…

Qin Siyu lowered her head. “I… I know.”

In fact, she didn’t know anything.

Qin Shoucheng tightened his grip on the chopsticks; his sister might not know, but he did.

Qin Fang didn’t say much either. He wouldn’t bring up this topic again in the future.

Seeing the atmosphere a bit gloomy, Yang Haiyan planned to lighten the mood. “Husband, are you going hunting tomorrow?”

Qin Fang looked at her. “Not going. Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

Yang Haiyan nodded. “I bought some vegetable and fruit seeds, as well as fruit tree saplings, from the traveling merchants at the market today. I had Uncle Hong take them to the countryside to plant. Shall we go see them tomorrow? Uncle Hong said the house in the field is almost built. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen it yet.”

Qin Fang replied, “Okay. If we don’t have enough manpower, let Kunshi and the others help.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Hmm.”

The next day, Uncle Hong drove the cart to the countryside.

Since it was the nearest village to town, the cart ride took less than half an hour.

The group included Yang Haiyan, Qin Fang, Kunshi, Chen Dash, Tao Shan, and Aunt Fan.

While driving the cart, Uncle Hong said, “Madam, you can see it there, it’s the house in that piece of land. The yard is right there.”

Yang Haiyan lifted the curtain of the cart and looked out.

There was a lot of land, but only this one yard. Since the landowners were villagers, they wouldn’t build houses on the land.

Next to that yard, many people were busy—some were building the yard, and others were farming, making it quite lively.

Yang Haiyan said, “I see it.”

When the cart reached the entrance of the village, Uncle Hong said, “Sir, Madam, the road is narrow in the field, so the horse and cart can’t go through. We’ll have to walk.”

Some villagers looked over curiously; some recognized Uncle Hong, as he had come to buy land, build houses, and hire people for farming.

So everyone recognized him and knew he was likely a steward of a wealthy family.

They had secretly inquired about his identity, but Uncle Hong kept tight-lipped; they couldn’t get a word out of him.

At this time, Uncle Hong brought along a few people, some on horseback and some in carts, and everyone guessed that these might be Uncle Hong’s employers.

Qin Fang dismounted and came to the cart, just as Yang Haiyan stepped out. He supported her.

Qin Fang said, “Tao Shan, stay here. Uncle Hong will take us to have a look.”

Uncle Hong said, “Yes, Lord and madam, be careful on the road.”

Uncle Hong led the way, with Yang Haiyan and the others following behind.

After they walked a while, the people at the village entrance began to whisper.

“Did you hear? This Uncle Hong is calling them Lord.”

“I heard, I heard. This Lord looks like an official; it’s a bit scary.”

“Isn’t it? This is an official; he’s not just some merchant.”

In the fields, the lead farmer was called Niu Da.

Uncle Hong had learned that Niu Da was the best planter in the village, so he had put him in charge of this planting project.

The workers in the field were also sourced by Niu Da; they were all skilled in farming.

When Niu Da saw Uncle Hong arrive, he hurried over to pay his respects. “Uncle Hong.”

Uncle Hong nodded. “How is it going?”

Niu Da replied, “The yard can be finished today, but for the land…”

After listening to Niu Da, Uncle Hong nodded. “Okay, you go back to work.”

Niu Da responded, “Yes.”

Uncle Hong returned to Yang Haiyan’s side. “Lord, Madam, currently, the plan for the five acres of land is as follows: in the corner here, we’ll set up pig pens, chicken coops, and duck pens to prevent the smell from the yard, which is why we’re separating them.”

“The remaining two hundred fruit tree saplings (apple and pear trees) will occupy one acre. Of the remaining land, half an acre will be used to plant this fruit seed (watermelon seeds), half an acre will be used to plant corn, half an acre will be for red bag seeds (cauliflower), half an acre for white bag seeds (broccoli), half an acre for blue bag seeds (tomatoes), and the remaining acre will have some sweet potatoes and potatoes planted.”

Yang Haiyan nodded. “Okay, you manage it. Is this all arranged by that old farmer just now?”

Uncle Hong replied, “Yes, he’s the best farmer in the village. I’ve inquired about him and seen his fields; he’s indeed quite good.”