Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 346 - 345: Holding One’s Head High

"Liu Ji!"

A sudden shout interrupted all of Liu Ji’s thoughts.

"Called you twice, didn’t respond. What are you thinking about?" Qin Yao asked.

Liu Ji answered seriously, "I was thinking about the riddle in the book."

"Leaving?" She asked knowingly.

Seeing Qin Yao impatiently waving, he immediately put down the book in his hand, stood up, patted his already changed robe, and joyfully ran towards her.

Qin Yao handed him a steamed bun, thwarting Liu Ji’s little plan to dine in the county town, and nodded outside the courtyard, "Let’s go."

Liu Ji nibbled on the tasteless bun, feeling lifeless as he got on the carriage.

This luxurious cabin of Wang Mawu was spacious enough for all six family members to sit inside without feeling cramped.

Liu Ji climbed in and just got comfortable when Sanlang found his way into his embrace to nap again.

Gritting his teeth, Liu Ji poked Third Lang’s innocent and worry-free face fiercely, feeling both envious and jealous.

"Truly, youth knows no sorrow~" He remarked suddenly, then finished off the bun in his hand and closed his eyes for a nap too.

However, once they picked up Jinbao, the cabin sounded like hundreds of ducks quacking at once, making Liu Ji as awake as ever.

Listening to Jinbao and Second Lang chattering nonstop, Liu Ji made up his mind, since there was no stopping it, he might as well join them!

Qin Yao caught the cotton earplugs passed by Ah Wang, gave him a surprised look.

She realized that’s how Ah Wang managed not to go crazy while picking up and dropping off these five little buggers every day – he had little gadgets!

Happily blocking her ears, she closed her eyes, and the world was quiet again.

When they arrived in the county, a bit of sun peeped out; after days of light rain and cloudy skies, today finally brought clear weather, making Qin Yao firmly believe it was going to be a lucky day.

The couple went to the county government and smoothly completed the registration.

It was only noon, so Qin Yao decided to go to the field to check on their land.

Liu Ji was very excited; when he arrived at the field and saw the white banners used to ward off evil spirits on the ground, he immediately pulled them out and told Ah Wang to throw them far away, calling them unlucky things.

Other people’s lands had already been cultivated quite a bit. Liu Ji, who usually didn’t worry about farming, for once felt a bit anxious. After running through all 100 mu of land, he was breathless as he asked Qin Yao:

"Dear, we need to rent out the land quickly, otherwise we’ll miss another crop of wheat."

Qin Yao knew this matter was urgent and planned to go and see Mrs. Ding again to transfer the tenants over.

They had been busy with paperwork yesterday and forgot about this matter.

So, they asked Ah Wang to drive, and the couple went together to Scholar Ding’s home.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were already packing their belongings, apparently ready to leave Ding Family Manor in a few days to join Scholar Ding in the Prefecture.

The courtyard was filled with various furniture to be taken away, and Liu Ji tiptoed to barely keep up with Qin Yao’s nimble steps.

In the main hall, it was Scholar Ding’s mother who received them. Upon learning that Qin Yao was there about the tenants, the old lady slapped her knee, "I was so busy I forgot to mention, that 100 mu of land we usually keep for our own cultivation, there are no tenants."

But the old lady enthusiastically offered to help bridge the gap, saying she could ask the Ding Clan members for Qin Yao.

The land was fertile, and if Qin Yao wanted to rent it, there would be plenty of farmers eager to speak with her.

Sure enough, just after Qin Yao and her husband left Scholar Ding’s house, a well-informed Ding Clan member came over with a smile, asking Qin Yao about the rent percentage.

"Same as the market rate, land 20%, fields 40%." Liu Ji said seriously with hands behind his back.

The Ding Clan member was delighted and cautiously asked, "Mr. Liu, can my family take all the 20 mu of fields in the southeast corner?"

Liu Ji first looked at Qin Yao, and upon receiving her nod, he nodded at the person, continuing to speak seriously:

"All hundred mu of our land is to be rented out; if you have other relatives who want to rent, they can visit Scholar Ding’s home and inform the old lady."

Before they left, Qin Yao had already instructed the old lady to agree on her behalf if anyone wanted to rent the land, saving the tenants the long trip to Liu Family Village to find her.

Hearing Liu Ji’s words, the Ding Clan member expressed his gratitude with a clasp of hands and turned to notify his relatives.

Their family had little land and often needed to rent land from large households for farming, but those lands were not good, and the rent was 40%, so there wasn’t much profit at the end of the year.

But Qin Yao’s land was excellent, and the rent was still 40%. Such a great deal had to be kept within the family first.

Liu Ji watched the tenant walk away happily and then glanced at their land next to the official road, exclaiming, "Truly, fortunes turn; who would’ve thought I, Liu Ji, would become a landowner."

Haha, let’s see how Liu Dafu can show off in front of him now!

Qin Yao gave him a sidelong glance, seeing him grinning foolishly, and decided to give him a task.

"Liu Ji, here’s a chance to show off, you take care of renting the land, and if you do a good job..."

Before she finished speaking, Liu Ji eagerly asked, "What happens if I do a good job? Is there a silver reward?"

Qin Yao chuckled, "There’s no silver reward; do it well, and you can continue handling the rent collection next year."

Liu Ji immediately let out a low "tch", muttering softly, "Doing hard labor for free again."

Qin Yao: "Since you’re unwilling, then forget it..."

"No, no, no!" Liu Ji quickly changed his tune, grinning, "I’m willing, dear, don’t worry, I’ll make sure all the rent is handed to you without missing a single cent."

After all, there were some benefits to be had, although they were trivial, they were still something.

Qin Yao gave a cold laugh, not rescinding her words, and the couple watched the land a bit longer.

Liu Ji fondly grabbed a handful of soil, then felt the mud, with tears in his eyes.

For no other reason than his deep love for this land!

As for the murder that had happened on this land, the couple didn’t even give it a thought.

Qin Yao went to those two small houses. Mrs. Ding had already given her the keys, and as she unlocked the door, a spacious room appeared.

One room had a long bench and wooden boards arranged as bunks, where Scholar Ding’s laborers stayed.

All bedding and necessary items had been removed, leaving a completely empty room with small windows, making it dimly lit.

The other was a shed for farm tools, with two wooden barrels and a few old wicker baskets inside, likely abandoned.

Farmers liked renting land from large households because they could use the tools and livestock provided by them. To enhance the value of their land, Qin Yao instructed Liu Ji, who was wandering around the empty room:

"Remember to bring over some farming tools for the farmers to borrow."

Liu Ji quickly agreed, then pointed to the empty bunk room and tentatively asked, "Dear, how about we tidy up this room and rent it out?"

Seeing Qin Yao didn’t object, Liu Ji eagerly pulled her into the room and excitedly pointed at the bunks, saying:

"We are just a quarter-hour’s walk from the town’s street, and only two quarters from the Ding Family School, it’s perfect for renting to students coming to study."

"Dear, see, the beds are ready-made, kids don’t need much space, just a place to lie down and sleep. If we partition the bunks with straw mats into small compartments, we can accommodate over a dozen students. Rent can be affordable, and those who find the mountain path too far and can’t afford proper houses would love it!"

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow in surprise, she actually thought it wasn’t a bad idea.

Liu Ji’s eyes were full of enthusiasm, "Dear, shall we try it?"

After a moment’s consideration, Qin Yao lightly nodded, "Let’s give it a try then."

Liu Ji put his hands on his hips, "Great!"

For the first time, a suggestion of his was accepted smoothly, giving Liu Ji a sense of pride and satisfaction.

One word: Awesome!