Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: Buying A Mountain

Chapter 201: Buying A Mountain

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Rong Yan knew that he would not be very happy at this moment, so Xiaoxiao did not disturb him anymore.

As soon as she walked out of the kitchen, she met the guards who were poking their heads out. She blinked strangely. “You guys are not full?”

As the representative, Yun San chuckled. “Miss Ning, our master seemed to have gone to look for you just now.”

Xiaoxiao showed the coral bead in her hand and replied naturally, “Yes, I dropped my beads. He picked it up and gave it to me.”

Ah, so that was how it was.

After taking a few steps forward, Xiaoxiao stopped and asked, “By the way, will you guys follow Little Big Brother to the academy?”

The few of them shook their heads. “The Bowen Academy has a rule. Students have to do everything themselves. They are not allowed to bring their page boys.”

Of course, the rules were dead, and the method was alive. There were many page boys who were allowed to enter as students. They were called students, but they were actually there to take care of their masters.

After all, the academy’s assessment did not have high requirements for the overall knowledge of the students. This was a loophole.

However, Rong Yan did not do such a thing. He already had ulterior motives for going to the academy. Wouldn’t it be too eye-catching if he was accompanied by a page boy?

Xiaoxiao touched her chin. “How about this? I’ll prepare his lunch. You don’t have to worry about him.”

They already had dinner together to begin with. With so many people in the Ning Family watching, even if there was something wrong with any of the guards, they did not have the chance to do anything.

Rong Yan happened to hear this when he walked out. He did not reject Xiaoxiao’s good intentions and only asked, “Can you handle it?”

Xiaoxiao reassured him. “To put it bluntly, I can cook for the few of us with one hand. It’s just that it’s definitely not as sumptuous as when we’re at home. Can you get used to it?”

Rong Yan nodded. “You can also buy some simple dishes from time to time.

Xiaoxiao noticed that when he said the last few words, the guards revealed an expression as if they had heard a peerless joke but did not dare to react.

Rong Yan saw it and gave them a response that made them regret it. “We plan to buy a mountain. Prepare to explore it.”

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck their heads, especially Yun Er, who had tried farming. He seemed to have experienced the feeling of facing the yellow soil with his back to the sky and the sickle shovel not letting him rest.

It was not that they were afraid of suffering, but with their hands, they could kill and hunt, but they could not differentiate between weeds and vegetable seedlings! They did not know which vegetables to dig and which to keep!

The last time, a piece of land almost killed him. This time, it was actually a mountain?

When did Master start to be interested in exploring mountains? Could it be that he was used to living in a mountain village and was really affected and fell in love with farm work?

Xiaoxiao could see their despair and fear. With a benevolent heart, she went forward to comfort them. “Don’t worry. Exploring mountains is different from farming. There’s no need for you to go through so much trouble.”

Yun Er heaved a sigh of relief. He wiped the non-existent cold sweat on his forehead and asked studiously, “Then what are we going to do?”

Xiaoxiao’s eyes curved. “Planting trees.”

The guards froze collectively.

Miss Ning was unkind! No matter how ignorant they were about farming, they knew that planting trees on the mountain was definitely not easier than farming!

As it was already late when they returned today, they went to the village chief’s house the next day. Everything went smoothly. The two of them quickly explained their intentions to the village chief. The other party also patiently took out the map and explained the pros and cons to them. However, there was a small interlude when they paid to sign the contract.

In Xiaoxiao’s opinion, since Little Big Brother Ah Yan’s “family” was in decline, and even the milk tea shop that he invested in could only be offset by jade pendants, he definitely did not have much savings left. Hence, she planned to pay for the entire mountain this time and let the guards work hard.

Unexpectedly, Rong Yan paid for it in full before she could take out the money.

The village chief asked naturally, “Is Xiaoxiao here to buy land with Ah Yan? Then shall we write Ah Yan’s name on this contract?”

The mountain was not as cheap as the best quality land. However, because of its large area, the mountain they chose cost 300 taels of silver. This was not a small amount, but according to the documents issued by the county office, buying the mountain could exempt them from taxes for five years. The wasteland at the foot of the mountain was also given to them.

Rong Yan shook his head and said straightforwardly, “It’s ours.”

He actually felt his heart beat faster when he said “ours”.

Actually, in principle, this mountain only belonged to Xiaoxiao because the identity of “Zhao Yan” was purely fictional. After he left, he would explain the whole story. Xiaoxiao was the only owner of the barren mountain in the contract. This logic also applied to the milk tea shop in the county.

The village chief repeatedly explained to them that the barren mountains could not compare to the fields. The terrain and soil were not suitable for farming. The rice and wheat could not grow well. After confirming that they had understood, he gave them the contract and stamped it.

“Then I’ll go to the government office to create the record. From tomorrow onwards, that mountain will belong to the two of you.”

“In addition, there are ten acres of sand at the foot of the mountain. Other than tax exemption for five years, that wasteland is also a reward from the Imperial Court for your reclamation.”

After all, many people were watching. No matter how good County Magistrate Shen’s conditions were and how cost-effective the price was, the decree could not continue if no one responded.

For County Magistrate Shen, the population of Xijiang County and the people’s livelihood were all related to his political achievements, so he paid a lot of attention to it. It was not a big deal to give them a few acres of sand field.

Rong Yan instructed Yun Yi to escort the village chief to the government office to register while he went home with Xiaoxiao.

Yun Yi thought that they would not encounter any danger in Fortune Village. Moreover, Ying Zi was with them at all times, so he agreed obediently.

Before he left, he saw Rong Yan take out another banknote and hand it to Xiaoxiao.

“I wanted to give it to you after you set a time for the opening. I’ll make it today. Just accept it.”

“If you don’t have enough manpower, get Yun Yi and the others to bring you to buy a few suitable servants.”

Since she relied on her skills to open a shop, it was not convenient for others to secretly learn it. It was better to have their own servants.

“I can’t help with the shop. I can’t spare any time when I go to the academy later. Don’t worry and order Yun Yi and the others around. You can leave the matter of reclaiming the land and transporting the saplings to them to save them from being idle all day and causing trouble.”

Yun Yi was speechless.

Incredible, incredible. The child had grown up, and his temper had also grown bigger. He had only laughed at him once with his eyes, but he had already thought that he was making trouble for nothing without saying anything?

Moreover, his master, who usually spoke the least, suddenly opened his mouth without his explanation today? Lets go, let’s go, let’s go. This is a strange thing. I have to talk to my buddies when I get back.

Xiaoxiao looked at the banknote in confusion. “Are you that rich?”

Rong Yan paused and suddenly realized that he might have gone overboard. Just as he was thinking about how to smooth things over, he saw this girl clap her hands. “Oh, I understand. This is for your wife, right?”

Second Brother kept nagging that the things he had hidden from his parents in the past were for his future wife. She and Big Brother asked him a few times, but he refused to let them look at it and mention it. Every time he opened a stall and earned money, he would secretly save it. This accumulation was probably enough to make him a rich young man in Fortune Village.

Hence, Little Big Brother Ah Yan’s money was probably of this use.. Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a heavy burden on her shoulders, so she promised him solemnly, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely open our shop wide!” I guarantee that you’ll have a bright future when you get married!