Rural families buying houses or acquiring land is always a significant event. Lian Shouxin wanted Old Master Lian to be involved too, which was only reasonable. Lian Manman believed that Old Master Lian was understanding and reasonable. However, telling Old Master Lian about it now would mean they couldn’t keep it a secret from the other Lian Family members.

The money they used to buy the land was all earned after the family split. Nobody else had a say in it. But considering the temperament of the other Lian Family members, Manman felt it was best to avoid any unnecessary complications. It would not be too late to tell Old Master Lian after everything was settled.

"Dad, just now, Uncle seemed to have some other ideas when he learned that our family is buying land," Manman thought for a moment and said to Shouxin, "Let’s not let Grandpa feel troubled."

Shouxin naturally understood the meaning behind Manman’s words. He knew she was right, but his expression still fell slightly.

"Dad, we don’t need Grandpa to worry at all. Once we buy the land, we’ll give him a surprise. Then we can invite Grandpa to town and have a drink with Elder Woo, Shopkeeper Wu, and Third Uncle Wu," Manman continued, seeking Shouxin’s opinion at the end, "Wouldn’t that be better?"

Usually, after such a transaction, a banquet would be arranged for both the buying and selling parties, the brokers, and the mediators to sit down, eat, drink, and celebrate. Inviting Old Master Lian to this occasion not only demonstrated the Fourth Household’s respect and filial piety towards him but also informed him about the land purchase.

"That would work," Shouxin immediately nodded in agreement upon hearing Manman’s words. He deeply respected his father and also knew that informing him about the land purchase now might bring trouble. Such an arrangement could be considered comprehensive and appropriate.

"Dad, then you go to Zhao Family Village with Third Uncle Wu, and Mom and I will bring the money over," said Manman.

"Bro, Xiao Qi, I can go back alone, you guys follow Dad," Manman said in a low voice to Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, who had also gotten out of the carriage. "When measuring the land and such, it’s better to have more eyes on things, so we don’t get taken advantage of."

The three kids whispered among themselves for a while, and Wu Lang and Xiao Qi happily got back into the carriage with Shouxin to head for Zhao Family Village.

Manman quickly walked back home by herself.

The rain had gradually stopped, but the sky was still not clear. Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi were not sitting inside the house; they sat at the doorway of the outer room, working on something while occasionally glancing towards the main entrance. They left the door wide open for better light and to keep an eye on any activity at the door.

As soon as Zhizhi saw Manman return, she quickly put down her work and greeted her.

"Manman, you’re back. Did you sell all the peanuts? Why hasn’t Dad come back, and also..." Zhizhi asked in succession.

"Sis, let’s talk inside," Manman whispered.

Seeing Manman’s secretive manner, Zhizhi knew something was up and stopped asking questions. The two entered the West Wing Room and, along with Lady Zhang, returned inside to talk.

"The peanuts are sold," Manman began with what she knew would be most concerning to Lady Zhang and Zhizhi, "here’s the money from the sale."

Manman took the strings of small change out of the basket she was carrying and placed them on the kang. More than half of this money was for the sold peanuts, which belonged to Old Master Lian.

"That’s good. Your grandmother sent your aunt over to ask twice," Lady Zhang said with a sigh of relief, "Let’s send the money over right away."

"Mom, not so fast. I have something important to tell you," Manman hurriedly spoke in a low voice, and briefly explained to Lady Zhang how she had sold the peanut recipe for eighty taels of silver and how she, along with Wu Yugui, had gone to look at the land.

Lady Zhang and Zhizhi were both shocked and overjoyed.

"A recipe can sell for eighty taels of silver!"

"We’re going to buy land!"

Seeing their reaction, Manman also felt happy and smiled.

"Dad, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi went to measure the land," Manman said, "We’ve decided to buy those twenty-five mu of land in Zhao Family Village."

"Twenty-five mu of land, plus the six mu we got when we split, make thirty-one mu. That’s one mu more than when we hadn’t split up," Lady Zhang was elated. With just thirty mu of land for the whole Lian Family before and now thirty-one mu for just the six of them, how could they not live a good life?

"Do we have enough money?" Lady Zhang and Zhizhi, after their initial joy, quickly thought about the silver coins.

"We have the eighty taels from selling the recipe. That land costs four taels per mu. Third Uncle Wu helped us negotiate a five-tael discount, so it’s ninety-five taels in total," Manman explained.