Upon hearing this, Zhang Zixuan immediately stopped and looked at Jian Xiu with a serious expression.

“Actually, you don’t have to accommodate me by choosing to buy land first. I know there are many things you want to buy. As for the land, we can wait a little longer.”

Zhang Zixuan had his reasons for saying this.

Spring had already passed, and the seeds had been sown. Buying land this year wouldn’t make much of a difference.

“I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not buying the land just for you. I want to buy it for myself too.”

“You want to buy land? Do you have something you want to grow?” Zhang Zixuan asked curiously.

“Yes, I want to grow medicinal herbs.”

“In that case, I’ll go ask the village head tomorrow. What kind of land do you need, and how much?”

In the courtyard, three children were reciting their lessons.

Jian Ming and Zhang Zifu were still busy with woodworking.

When Jian Xiu and the others entered, Jian’s mother and the other women had just returned from digging Smilax glabra (a medicinal herb).

This scene was something Jian Xiu had never experienced before.

The dim glow of the oil lamp illuminated the warm atmosphere, as if allowing Jian Xiu to glimpse her future.

“Father, Mother, you’re back?” Zhang Feilan was the first to notice them and called out sweetly.

“Yes, we’re back. I’ll make dinner for you all,” her mother replied.

“No need, you go rest. I’ll do it.” Zhang Zixuan said to Jian Xiu, then headed straight for the kitchen.

Seeing this, Jian Xiu could only shake her head helplessly.

She thought about what Shopkeeper Qin had said today at Renhetang (the herbal medicine shop).

Jian Xiu casually picked up two pieces of Smilax glabra and turned to her mother and the others.

“Mother, come over here. I’ll teach you how to dry this herb properly.”

“Does it need to be dried?” Lin Chunzhi asked curiously.

“Yes. If dried well, it can be sold for dozens of copper coins per pound. I did the calculations—compared to selling it fresh, drying it first is more profitable. This way, our income will increase.”

“Oh, that sounds like a great idea! If that’s the case, then we should definitely dry them before selling. Come on, teach us!”

“Exactly! We should be done digging in a few more days, so we can start drying them right after.”

“Yes, the timing works out perfectly,” Qian Hongmei, the eldest sister-in-law, agreed while tidying up the courtyard.

They had been living at Jian Xiu’s house for a while now, eating and staying there.

Even though Jian Xiu never mentioned it, Qian Hongmei felt a little guilty about it.

She tried to help out whenever she could.

“It’s actually quite simple. Just wash the Smilax glabra, peel them, then cut them into small square pieces about the size of a pinky finger, and finally, let them dry in the sun.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes, but dried herbs are graded by quality. The whiter and drier they are, the better they are processed, and the higher the price.”

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in understanding.

Jian Xiu then took out some silver pieces and handed them to Zhang Zifu and Jian Ming.

“This is the money from selling the wheelchair today—six taels in total. Your share is 70%, which is four taels and two maces. Here, take it.”

Jian Ming hesitated for a moment before accepting it, but Zhang Zifu refused, no matter what Jian Xiu said.

“Not to mention the tuition fees for Fei Mo at the academy, just the cost of food and lodging here is already more than two taels of silver,” Zhang Zifu said seriously.

Wang Xiuying, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and pushed the silver back into Jian Xiu’s hands.

“We really can’t accept this. We owe you far more than just this money.”

“Take it,” Jian Xiu said firmly, stuffing the silver into Wang Xiuying’s hand.

“You can’t just stay in this small courtyard forever. If possible, buy a piece of land in the village and build a house of your own.”

Hearing this, Zhang Zifu and Wang Xiuying fell silent.

In the past, they wouldn’t have dared to dream of such a thing, but now things were different.

With this silver in hand, it seemed… possible.

Before, they thought that as long as Feimo could go to the academy, they could manage with just a thatched hut.

Thinking of this, Wang Xiuying looked at Jian Xiu again. “Jian Xiu, third sister-in-law, thank you, I…”

“Enough. If you really want to thank me, just dry more Smilax glabra,” Jian Xiu interrupted with a smile before heading toward the kitchen.

She hadn’t forgotten about the soybeans she had set aside to make soy sauce.

There was no soy sauce here yet, but she was certain that once it was introduced, it would cause a stir.

Most importantly, the cost of making soy sauce was low.

That meant it wouldn’t be too expensive, and ordinary families could afford it.

After everyone left, Jian Xiu carefully took out the jar.

“What’s this?” Wang Xiuying asked curiously.

“It’s something good,” Jian Xiu said mysteriously.

She wouldn’t reveal the method for making soy sauce just yet.

But judging by its appearance, it should be ready in a few days.

“Ah? Aren’t these soybeans? They’ve already gone bad. You definitely can’t eat them now!” Wang Xiuying said with concern.

“Not bad at all. Sister-in-law, just help me steam them again.”

“Wait, Jian Xiu, you’re not really planning to eat these, are you?” Wang Xiuying couldn’t help but ask.

The beans had already turned moldy. Eating them would surely cause stomach trouble.

Besides, they weren’t at the point where they needed to eat spoiled food.

“Don’t worry, just follow my instructions. This won’t make anyone sick, and the final product will be delicious.”

“Really? Then I’ll steam them right away.”

After spending time with Jian Xiu, Wang Xiuying had come to understand her a little.

Jian Xiu must have thought of some new kind of food.

Since she spoke with such confidence, it must be something good.

So, without further hesitation, she followed Jian Xiu’s instructions, putting the moldy soybeans into the steamer and starting the fire.

Meanwhile, Zhang Zixuan, after hearing Jian Xiu’s suggestion, took a two-pound piece of wild boar meat and headed to the village head’s house.

Here, buying land had to go through the village head.

“Zixuan, if you’re buying, it’s best to buy a large plot,” the village head advised.

“Alright, I understand,” Zhang Zixuan replied softly.