Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 216 - 215: Let’s Not Beat Around the Bush

Qin Yao prepared a basin of warm water and washed the little hands of the Dragon and Phoenix twins. Only then did the family start their meal.

Sanlang was still a bit reluctant, glancing back at the basin of muddy water by the kitchen door while eating, contemplating whether to sneakily reshape the mud dumplings and buns when Mother wasn’t looking.

But as soon as this dangerous thought surfaced, Qin Yao’s sharp gaze swept over, and Sanlang quickly turned his head back, concentrating on eating his meal earnestly.

Recently, every household in the village has cut back considerably. The two daily meals of mixed-grain rice have been changed to mixed-grain porridge. As soon as wild vegetables sprout by the field ridges, they are harvested, mainly depending on vegetables to fill the gap in food supplies.

They’ve lived like this before, so it doesn’t seem too difficult. After all, it’s not as bad as some who have less than the residents of the Liu Family Village.

Even under such frugal circumstances, Qin Yao’s family still maintained their routine of having meat every three to five days, and all three meals a day were either white rice or millet porridge.

Or they ground fine flour to make pancakes, dumplings, buns, and other tasty snacks.

Although Qin Yao’s cooking skills were not great, with frequent practice, these common meals were still palatable.

Using the best ingredients added to the flavor, and each of the four Da Lang Brothers and Sisters ate a large bowl of rice, leaving their mouths full of lingering fragrance.

After dinner, it was Da Lang and Si Niang’s turn on household duty, so they voluntarily cleaned up the dishes.

Feeling full, Qin Yao was just about to lean back in the chair to digest when someone came to the door.

"Grandpa Fu!"

Da Lang and Si Niang, who were washing dishes in the yard, were the first to recognize the visitor and called out to him.

Liu Dafu responded with an "aye," smiled at the siblings, and looked towards the main hall, "Miss Qin, just finished eating?"

Qin Yao stood up to greet him, asking if he had eaten.

Liu Dafu nodded, saying he had, and entered the main hall. Qin Yao invited him to sit down, turning to get a cup to pour him some water.

"Miss Qin, there’s no need to be so polite. I’m not thirsty. Please sit; I have something to discuss with you."

Qin Yao still poured the water, then sat opposite Liu Dafu, gesturing for him to speak.

Liu Dafu sipped the water lightly and cautiously asked, "Are you still thinking about buying land?"

Qin Yao nodded, a bit puzzled, "Why? Planning to sell?"

Liu Dafu sighed, not directly answering Qin Yao’s question, with a worried look, he slowly expressed:

"Suddenly, there’s been pest harm, making everyone’s life harder. And now, amid the growing chaos outside, what if it coincides with the Prefecture exam in May?"

"The civil examination is the most crucial matter, affecting a lifetime. Any hiccup delaying the exam would mean a ruined life."

Speaking up to here, Liu Dafu sighed again, showing an extremely concerned expression.

Qin Yao’s lips twitched before suppressing them. He clearly came seeking protection for his son.

However, if land is involved in the exchange, this deal is indeed quite decent.

It seems Liu Dafu also realized their relationship wasn’t close enough to just verbally convince her to help.

Besides, when she wanted to buy land at the end of last year, he didn’t extend any courtesy in selling it to her.

Qin Yao remembered that she even asked the Clan Leader to act as a middleman at that time.

But ultimately, they couldn’t reach an agreement.

Qin Yao met Liu Dafu’s gaze for two seconds, ignored the anticipation in his eyes, and shifted her gaze to the yard where Da Lang and Si Niang were washing dishes, uncertainly asking, "Is it chaotic outside?"

Liu Dafu nodded vigorously, "Yes, chaotic. Spring plowing hasn’t even ended, and beggars are everywhere, with people all over the village moving out."

His family doesn’t run any businesses and mainly relies on crops from the fields, so they sometimes deliver seasonal fruits and vegetables to county restaurants.

On his last return from the county, he encountered a begging family that blocked his path, forcibly demanding food.

The vegetable delivery was done by Liu Gong alone, unable to act tough.

Ultimately, he had to part with a package of snacks he intended to bring home for the children to escape.

Upon returning home and telling the family, Liu Dafu immediately thought of his second son, Liu Li, who would soon be attending the official exam in the Prefecture in May.

If anything happened on the way to the exam, with him being a scholar unable to handle relentless begging, wouldn’t that lead to disaster?

Currently, those begging are still quite polite, but given time, they might not remain so.

How do robbers come to be?

Having lived most of his life, Liu Dafu certainly knew.

Right then, he thought of finding a protective talisman for Liu Li.

And it so happened Liu Ji also needed to go for the Prefecture exam; wasn’t this just a convenient coincidence?

Liu Dafu was certain that Qin Yao planned to accompany Liu Ji to the Prefecture, so as soon as there was spare time, he came seeking to have her also take Liu Li along.

In any case, taking one or two wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Given her strength, safe and sound!

Qin Yao thought to herself, "You sure know the market well."

Not mincing words, Qin Yao straightforwardly asked, "What’s the price?"

Liu Dafu: "Friendly price."

Qin Yao lowered her eyelids, "What exactly?"

Liu Dafu reached into his pocket, took out a complete land contract, and placed it lightly on the table, "Ten acres, ninety taels."

Qin Yao’s heart leapt with joy, and she reached for it, but Liu Dafu suddenly pressed down on the contract, hastily adding:

"You must ensure my Liu Li enters the examination hall intact and returns home safely."

"You must not favor one over the other, only ensuring Liu Ji’s safety and ignoring the life and death of my Liu Li."

Qin Yao removed his hand from the contract, lifted it, examined it multiple times to confirm its authenticity, and then gave a faint smile, "You can trust me to handle matters; it’ll be safe."

Then, she returned the contract to him, "Tomorrow, when I take the kids to school, we’ll stop by the county town to change the land contract ownership."

Since land transactions need to be registered with the government, Liu Dafu readily agreed.

They exchanged smiles, both feeling satisfied.

After seeing Liu Dafu off, Qin Yao shut the gate. Turning around, she found Da Lang Brothers and Sisters standing in a line by height before her.

Da Lang, in disbelief, asked, "Aunt Yao, did Grandpa Fu agree to sell the land to us?"

Second Lang was concerned about the price he overheard, "Was it ninety taels for ten acres? So only nine taels per acre?"

Sanlang and Si Niang only cared about one thing, frowning with identical furry brows asking, "Mother, are you going to be away for a long time again?"

Qin Yao answered the first two questions, then smiled and shrugged, "Yes, I’m going on a long trip."

"Your Father needs to attend the official exam in the Prefecture. The journey is long and possibly hazardous, so I must escort him."

Liu Dafu guessed correctly; she indeed planned to personally escort Liu Ji to the Prefecture.

Liu Ji was her investment stock; before recouping costs, it required maintenance.

The Dragon and Phoenix twins immediately each grabbed one of Qin Yao’s arms, indicating they didn’t wish for her to be gone that long.

However, they also understood the importance of their Father’s matter and happily accepted a big kiss from Qin Yao, feeling better instantly.

Qin Yao carried Si Niang in one arm and held Sanlang’s hand in the other, escorting them to their room, coaxing them to sleep.

The tiny pair nestled against Mother’s shoulders, listening to her recount a supernatural tale of a mutated tiger battling a giant man-eating flower.

At the eerie and gruesome parts, Da Lang and Second Lang, who were eavesdropping, froze, eyes wide open.

No sleeping, absolutely no sleeping!