Chapter 138: Buying the Manor

Because Master Zhou had to prepare for the examinations, he could no longer manage the Liu family school as well. Finding another suitable tutor at such short notice would not be easy either, so Master Liu decided to send the children to the public academy run by the prefecture.

Hai and Chao were eight and nearly six respectively, old enough to look after themselves at the academy.

Master Liu was not about to neglect Jiang Li and Fang Nuo. He planned to send them along as well, and had even considered Little Five. The only exception was Liu Qin. As a girl, she could no longer go along and mix with the boys.

When Master Liu announced his plans, no one else objected, but Jiang Li did not want to go. He said that his health was poor and that he needed more time to follow his master in practicing martial arts. This was not entirely a lie, though it was not the complete truth either. Some matters involved his master, such as the miraculous Tianshan snow lotus, and he could hardly speak of them.

Master Liu knew that Jiang Li had been weak since childhood and did not force him. Still, he asked, “A-Li, you will soon be old enough to take the boys’ examination. If you do not enter school, I am afraid your studies will suffer.”

Jiang Li glanced at Liu Qin beside him, lowered his head, and replied, “Uncle, do not worry. I will work hard on my own.”

He had nearly said that he had no intention of pursuing an official career, but at the last moment he swallowed the words. If he said that, his uncle might mistake him for a good-for-nothing who merely wished to depend on the Liu family for food and shelter all his life. That would be bad enough, but if his uncle came to look down on him and refused to marry his younger sister to him, would he not only be making trouble for himself and digging his own grave?

Master Liu nodded and said nothing more.

When Fang Nuo heard this, he immediately decided that if his brother was not going, neither did he want to go. Yet he was somewhat intimidated by Master Liu and did not dare say so. He hurriedly tugged at Jiang Li’s sleeve.

Jiang Li had no choice but to add, “Uncle, let A-Nuo stay with me. After all, he—”

He had said only half the sentence, but Master Liu understood the rest. The public academy was filled with young masters from prominent households. Fang Nuo was merely a distant relative who had been acknowledged by the family. His origins were unclear, and he had no real status. If he entered the academy, he would likely be bullied to death.

Since they had already made up their minds, Master Liu did not force them. Everyone had to walk their own path. He was only their uncle by marriage and could not decide their lives for them.

Master Mu was also informed of the matter, but he politely declined as well.

Thus Liu Qin, who moments earlier had been downcast at the thought of being left alone in the residence, suddenly broke into a delighted grin. Looking at Jiang Li, she felt thoroughly pleased, with a faint trace of smugness besides.

Perhaps he simply cannot bear to be parted from me, she thought.

Jiang Li smiled back at her.

The Old Madam watched the two of them exchange glances and laugh together. Instead of finding their behavior improper, she was secretly delighted. Because of her unconscious partiality toward Jiang Li, she had long harbored the thought of joining the two families as one. Now, seeing the children seated together, both blessed with faces as lovely as paintings, resembling a golden boy and a jade maiden, she found them extraordinarily well matched. Before she knew it, other thoughts had begun to take root.

They were still young, and it was far too early to speak of such things, but the idea had nevertheless been planted in her heart.

Ning Zhiyuan was highly efficient. Once the New Year festivities were over, good news arrived. Near Clear Spring Manor stood another estate whose owner had returned to his ancestral home and wished to sell it. Ning Zhiyuan had gone to inspect it and had already paid a deposit on their behalf.

After Liu Qin and the others visited the estate, they bought it without a second thought.

The estate was now renamed Xiao Family Manor.

Xiao Family Manor was only half the size of Clear Spring Manor, and its location was not particularly good. It was somewhat remote, and the scenery within was merely passable. The buildings were not exactly dilapidated, but they were visibly old and looked as though they had not been maintained for many years.

Ning Zhiyuan had negotiated the price, and it was quite a bargain.

Liu Qin wandered around the estate with a broad smile, completely satisfied. At last, she had a base of her own. Starting from here, she would surely acquire more shops and estates. Perhaps she really could realize her dream of building a paradise beyond the mortal world—a Happy Manor, a Carefree Valley, or something of the sort. Not only would she live freely and happily, she would also be able to bring happiness and contentment to others.

Although Liu Qin was an idealistic young woman, she understood that food had to be eaten one bite at a time and water drunk one sip at a time. No one could become fat from eating a single meal. For now, the most important thing was to accumulate wealth and build up her strength. Only by making herself powerful could she do the things she loved and obtain what she desired.

Now that the estate had been purchased, the next matter was the construction of the dyehouse.

The dyehouse had to be built, and the estate itself needed repairs. They also needed someone to take charge.

The people closest to Liu Qin could not remain there permanently. Who, then, should become the steward of her first estate? She thought about it for a long while. Then her eyes suddenly lit up as she remembered someone.

“Wei San.”

Liu Qin and Jiang Li spoke almost at the same time.

They looked at each other and smiled. Truly, they were of one mind.

When Wei San and his mother had been secretly sent out of the city, they had been settled at the Liu family estate outside the southern gate. A year had passed since then, and the Fang family had probably long since forgotten him. To them, Wei San was only a minor figure, not someone whose every move they would continue watching.

There was also Bai Rong’er’s family.

They were all her people, and she could trust them at her side.

Once the decision was made, Wei San and Aunt Wei, Bai Rong’er, Bai Lingfeng, and his grandmother were soon brought to Xiao Family Manor.

When Aunt Wei learned that the young master before her was her son’s true lifesaver, tears immediately filled her eyes. She was about to kneel and kowtow when Liu Qin hurriedly helped her up.

She did not dare accept such a gesture. Aunt Wei was an elderly woman, and Liu Qin had no desire to shorten her own life. Besides, she did not possess the rigid sense of rank and status common to people of the past. So long as Wei San served her loyally, everything else could be discussed.

Bai Rong’er and Bai Lingfeng were delighted to see Liu Qin as well. Bai Lingfeng’s eyes seemed practically glued to her.

This greatly displeased the several boys nearby. Fang Nuo, for one, was especially indignant. He could not outdo his own brother, and he could not beat Little Five, but surely he was still better than this brat with the surname Bai. Even he did not dare stare at a young lady so openly. What gave this fellow the right to keep his eyes fixed on her without blinking?

Just wait until I gouge those eyes out.

Fang Nuo cursed inwardly, glaring at Bai Lingfeng twice for good measure. Unfortunately, he had directed his expression at the wrong person. Bai Lingfeng did not notice him at all; his eyes held only the young Liu Qin.

Fang Nuo was so furious he nearly spat blood. He could only suppress his anger for the moment and wait for an opportunity to teach the boy a proper lesson.

Liu Qin invited everyone to sit down and, without beating around the bush, stated her intentions.

“From now on, I am entrusting the estate to Brother Wei. Brother Wei, this estate is not large, and there is not much farmland nearby. Do not think the position of steward here is too dull.”

Hearing her teasing remark, Wei San sprang to his feet and bowed somewhat nervously.

“What are you saying, Young Master? That you are willing to entrust me with such an important responsibility shows that you think highly of me. Rest assured, Young Master. I, Wei San, will do everything in my power to fulfill my duties.”

Wei San would never have dared treat the young master before him like a child, much less act presumptuously in his presence.

Aunt Wei also rose to offer her tearful thanks. Her son not only had a respectable livelihood, he had also earned the young master’s trust and become an estate steward. The unexpected honor filled her with boundless gratitude toward Liu Qin.

Liu Qin nodded. She was quite satisfied with Wei San. A person who had made his way in the outside world, once won over and sincerely devoted to her service, was far more useful than an ordinary servant. Such people understood the ways of the world, knew how to read a situation, and were skilled at handling affairs. They also acted decisively instead of hesitating at every turn. Liu Qin needed bold people who also understood where to draw the line.

“Aunt Wei, Brother Wei, please sit down. We will be seeing one another often from now on, so there is no need to be so formal.”

Knowing the rules was a good thing, but taking them too seriously was truly troublesome.

Whether in her previous life or this one, Liu Qin had always been accustomed to doing things casually. What she feared most was unnecessary trouble.

To be continued.