Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 918 - 469 Early Spring_2

"Manman, are you planning to let Jizu write an IOU for this money?" Lady Zhang asked.

"Not exactly an IOU, just a written agreement," Lian Manman replied while writing down on paper the reasons for giving money to Lian Jizu, along with the amount and the date.

Once the agreement was written, Lian Manman brought the money out.

Holding the silver coins in her hand, Lian Manman first handed the agreement and a red ink pad to Lian Jizu, requesting him to place his fingerprint on the paper.

"An IOU? Once I get home, I’ll definitely pay this back. There’s no need for such a document," Lian Jizu glanced at it and chuckled.

Lady Zhou and Lian Lanlan both looked over.

"Brother Jizu, take a closer look—this is not an IOU. We’re not asking you to repay this money," Lian Manman clarified.

Lian Jizu then took another careful look at the agreement. He was confused—if repayment wasn’t required, why was he being asked to put his fingerprint on it?

"Brother Jizu, all the inflow and outflow of silver coins in our household are recorded. Your fingerprint proves that you received the money, which we then record in our ledger," Lian Manman explained. "It’s not about repayment."

Privately, Lian Manman thought to herself: This document can serve multiple purposes. If Jizu someday wants to repay the funds, then whether or not I return this paper to him will depend on my mood.

Considering her understanding of Lian Jizu’s personality and ways of doing things, Lian Manman decided to be cautious.

Hesitating, Lian Jizu was reluctant to place his fingerprint.

Lian Manman, however, made her stance clear—no fingerprint, no money.

Lady Zhou and Lian Lanlan sat on the heated brick bed silently, tactfully refraining from speaking.

Left with no choice, Lian Jizu finally pressed his fingerprint onto the written agreement.

Only then did Lian Manman hand over the money. In the presence of Lian Lanlan and Lady Zhou, she clearly explained the costs, including how much she had already paid for hiring a cart and detailed the expenses for accommodation and meals. Everything was laid out for Lian Jizu.

Both Lian Jizu and Lady Zhou were eager to return home, and Lian Lanlan also wished to go back as soon as possible. So after receiving the money, the three immediately set off.

As the cart reached the main road and disappeared into the distance, everyone exhaled a sigh of relief—particularly Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye.

Lian Shouli had the morning shift at work and did not come to see Lady Zhou off.

With Lady Zhou gone, Thirty Mile Camp returned to peace. But Taicang might soon get lively, Lian Manman thought to herself as she headed back indoors.

She stored the agreement with Lian Jizu’s fingerprint in a box alongside the household’s land deeds, locked it carefully, and tucked it away in a cabinet.

Lady Zhang saw how much importance Lian Manman placed on this written agreement and couldn’t quite understand.

"Manman, what use is this agreement? Especially if you don’t plan to ask Jizu to repay the money." She asked.

"I don’t know yet," Lian Manman replied. "Either way, the money we spend cannot be wasted. If my brother Jizu genuinely decides to repay someday, then maybe I’ll return the document to him."

"Keeping secrets even from your mother now?" Lady Zhang teased with a laugh.

Lian Manman smiled faintly in return.

Lady Zhang figured that Lian Manman might actually want Jizu to repay the money, but didn’t want to openly label the document as an IOU. Left at that assumption, she didn’t ask anything further.

...

In the evening, a carriage stopped at Lian Manman’s family’s yard. Wu Jiaxing and Wu Lang stepped off and entered the courtyard.

"Brother, Brother Jiaxing!" Xiao Qi, who was in the yard, greeted them with a cheerful smile.

In the kitchen, Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman were busy working. Hearing Xiao Qi’s voice outside greeting Wu Jiaxing and Wu Lang, they all smiled.

"You’ve returned!" Lady Zhang said with a grin as she wiped her hands on her apron and walked out of the kitchen.

"Mother/Aunt!" Wu Lang and Wu Jiaxing quickly greeted her.

"Did you register successfully? Was everything smooth?" Lady Zhang asked.

Wu Lang was planning to participate in the county civil exam this year.

A couple of days ago, the county publicly announced the exam dates: starting on February 20 with five rounds of tests, expected to finish on March 2.

In this era, every examinee needed the recommendations of four local villagers and one scholar to qualify for the county exam. For Wu Lang, Lian Manman’s family secured endorsements from Lizheng, Wu Yuchang, and two other notable figures in Thirty Mile Camp. As for the scholar, it was Wu Lang’s current private tutor, a Mr. Yang.

With these five endorsements secured, Wu Lang went to the county early this morning before dawn, accompanied by Wu Jiaxing for registration.

"We’ve registered," Wu Lang reported. "With Brother Jiaxing accompanying me—he knows his way around people—it was easy to sign up. Brother Jiaxing even arranged someone to show me the examination hall, so I’m back now."

"That’s great, that’s wonderful," Lady Zhang said, smiling.

"Brother, Brother Jiaxing, please sit inside. Dinner will be ready shortly," Lian Manman said, emerging from the house with a smile.

Lian Shouxin heard voices and stepped out from the front hall with Mr. Loo to greet Wu Lang, Wu Jiaxing, and Xiao Qi.

When Lian Manman brought dishes into the house, Wu Lang was recounting the day’s experience with registration.

"... It was at the County Yamen’s ceremonial office where I registered. They checked the recommendation letter and had me fill up forms..."

For the county exam registration, examinees needed to provide their name, age, and a three-generation history. There was no strict age limit for the exam but one’s three-generation record had to be clean, and being in a mourning period disqualified candidates from registering. All such details were clearly written on the recommendation letter, with the endorsers responsible for verifying accuracy. The county yamen then required the registration form to match the details of the recommendation letter precisely.

"Dinner’s ready," Lian Manman announced with a laugh as the dishes were placed on the table.

The household finally gathered at the table to eat.

Tonight’s main dish was a fish hotpot. Bones were removed from the fish, and the head and bones were used to make soup for the hotpot base. Thin slices of fish were cooked in the soup and served at the table, where people could eat the fish freely or dip vegetables into the hotpot as they liked.

In addition to the fish hotpot and several stir-fried dishes, the table featured a plate of stir-fried lamb liver with scallions.

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Second update posted—asking for pink tickets.

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Ruoyan’s completed farming genre novel recommendations:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Main text and extras completed; direct link below)

Synopsis: A woman reborn as a falsely accused, abandoned wife, who—with her little child—finds a sweeter life alongside a practical, dependable man. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support motivates me greatly.)