Reborn as a Landlord

First update, asking for votes.

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Sitting in the study for a while, Lian Manman led Zhang Caiyun outside to check on Zhang Qingnian and his group planting fruit trees. Lian Manman also wanted Xiao Qi to come along, but Xiao Qi shook his head, saying he needed to keep an eye on Da Pang and Second Fatty. It seemed the little puppies were more appealing than going out to play, Lian Manman thought to herself.

As they exited the study, Zhang Caiyun let out a sigh of relief.

Lian Manman glanced at Zhang Caiyun with some confusion.

"Isn’t Fifth Brother studying inside the inner room? I didn’t even dare to speak loudly just now," Zhang Caiyun said with a smile to Lian Manman.

Only then did Lian Manman understand and she laughed as well. When Zhang Qingshan and the others had arrived, Wu Lang had come out to greet them all one by one before returning to the study to prepare for his exams. Zhang Qingshan revered scholars, and judging by Zhang Caiyun’s demeanor, it was clear he often spoke highly of Wu Lang at home.

The two young girls walked slowly, chatting as they went.

"Isn’t Fifth Brother going to the county town for exams in a few days? Will he become a Scholar after this test?" Zhang Caiyun asked Lian Manman.

"He’ll be taking the exam in a few days, but it’s not in the county town; it’s in the Prefecture City. It’s the Prefecture Exam, and if he passes, he’ll be a Tongsheng. He’ll need to take another round of the College Exam, and only after passing that will he become a Scholar," Lian Manman explained to Zhang Caiyun.

"Oh my, test after test—it’s really not easy. No wonder people say it’s so difficult to become a Scholar," Zhang Caiyun remarked.

Lian Manman nodded. Indeed, becoming a Scholar was no easy feat. First, it required the candidate to study diligently, possess talent, and have broad knowledge. Secondly, the financial cost also had to be met.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi attended a private academy for less than two years, and Wu Lang had only taken the County Exam once. Moreover, both brothers were sensible and didn’t spend extravagantly. Mr. Loo didn’t charge tuition and only lodged and ate at Lian Manman’s family house. Even so, money flowed out like water.

After experiencing all this, Lian Manman had come to deeply understand how Old Master Lian’s days became impoverished when he supported Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu’s studies.

It seemed the dramas she had watched in her previous life, where the characters talked about having no funds for the Imperial Exam and needing to scrape together expenses through loans, were not exaggerated at all. For instance, when Wu Lang returned from the County Exam, he shared stories of how many candidates had to sell land, pawn possessions, or borrow money just to afford the travel fees.

It wasn’t just the poor families—many wealthy households also found it challenging to support one of their own to the level of Scholar or Graduate.

However, under normal circumstances, the potential rewards of succeeding made it worth the struggle. Not to mention achieving Graduate status, even just gaining the Scholar rank bore significant benefits.

Scholars with excellent mid-year exam results could become government granary students, receiving monthly allotments of grain. As Scholars, they could continue their studies while also teaching students to earn tuition fees. If hired by a wealthy household, they wouldn’t only be paid but would have their food, clothing, and housing expenses covered. By being thrifty, it was entirely possible to support an entire family.

Take Lian Shouren as an example. During the years he was a Scholar, his family lived quite comfortably in town. Not only did they buy their own house, but they also managed to save a considerable amount of private wealth. Of course, their affluence was also due to Old Master Lian pooling the Lian Family’s financial resources to support them.

"Anyway, my brother loves studying; as long as he can take the exams, let him do so," Lian Manman told Zhang Caiyun. "At home, we barely talk about becoming a Scholar anymore, just so we don’t add pressure on my brother."

"At my house, my grandparents often say that my eldest aunt has finally made it," Zhang Caiyun said.

Leading Zhang Caiyun, Lian Manman showed her the fish pond and the lotus pond before arriving at the spot where Zhang Qingnian and the others were planting trees. Lady Zhang Wang was also helping out. The saplings that were planted last year had already begun blooming this year, with white pear blossoms and pink peach blossoms flourishing brightly. During her free time, Lian Manman enjoyed strolling around her family’s estate. The picturesque scenery and the fresh, fragrant air brought peace and joy to her heart.

This time, the Zhang Family had brought a cart of fruit tree saplings with them. Besides the usual Liaodong varieties like pears, peaches, apricots, dates, and plums, there were also four cherry tree saplings.

"These cherry trees—let’s not have others do it. Your uncle and I will personally plant them in your backyard," Lady Zhang Wang told Lian Manman. "By next year, you’ll be able to enjoy cherries."

"We also brought you seeds for wild roses. Plant them all around the borders of the property," Lady Zhang Wang said, handing a cloth bag to Lian Manman.

"Manman, let’s plant them now," Zhang Caiyun suggested eagerly.

The wild roses from Burner Pot Village were a local variety. These plants were covered in thorns, and their flowers were red. They could be grown from seeds or through propagation methods like division. Since Burner Pot Village was located in a mountainous area, the villagers rarely had large plots of farmland like those in the plains. Instead, they often opened small vegetable plots here and there outside the village. Naturally, these plots were not as well-maintained as the vegetable gardens right behind or in front of their homes.