Reborn as a Landlord

In vegetable plots like this, it’s common to plant a ring of thorny roses around the outer edge of the fence, which is effective in preventing people, livestock, chickens, ducks, geese, etc., from sneaking into the garden to steal and damage the crops. When these thorny roses bloom, their flowers are not only large and vibrant but also distinctly fragrant.

Lian Manman nodded and went back home with Zhang Caiyun to fetch tools.

Wu Lang spent some time reading and had just come out of the study for a break. When he heard they planned to plant flowers, he helped them carry the water bucket and iron hoe and called Xiao Qi to join them. A few of them left the front gate and bumped into Xiao Tanzhi, who ended up joining in as another helper.

Around Lian Manman’s family estate, some areas had low walls built, while most places were planted with trees. Under the trees grew a kind of wild chrysanthemum commonly called "indestructible."

These wild chrysanthemums bloomed in a variety of colors. Although their blossoms weren’t large and lacked fragrance, they were full of vitality, growing in clusters and still visually pleasing. They’re called "indestructible" because of their incredible resilience. Once planted, they need hardly any care and can grow on their own, producing vibrant flowers. Even when summer storms knock them flat, once the weather clears, they will straighten back up and continue thriving.

To plant thorny roses, which were more fragrant, beautiful, and even useful, Lian Manman still wanted to preserve these ordinary "indestructibles" because their sheer vitality deeply impressed her.

In this season, the "indestructibles" had not yet bloomed, but each plant had grown quite robust.

"Let the ’indestructibles’ stay where they are; we’ll plant the thorny roses in between," Lian Manman suggested.

The children divided up tasks—digging holes, watering, scattering seeds, and covering them with soil. As the estate had irrigation channels built, fetching water was easy, making the flower planting work enjoyable. The children talked, laughed, and carried out the tasks as if they were playing.

"So many fruit trees, blooming and bearing fruit, and so many flowers..." Lian Manman glanced around the estate and thought aloud, "What a waste, we could totally keep a beehive here. If we raised bees ourselves, we’d have honey to eat."

The sweet scent of thorny rose blooms was particularly attractive to bees. The flowers from the fruit trees, lotus, melons, and vegetables around Lian Manman’s estate could also sustain bees.

"That’s true," Zhang Caiyun nodded. "In the mountains near my home, some people keep bees. How about this, when I go back, I’ll ask my dad to find a hive from the mountains, then have someone make a beehive and bring it to you."

"A beehive needs bees too, and that’s not so easy to get. If my uncle gets stung badly, it’ll be trouble. Sister Caiyun, you mentioned there are people who already raise bees, so why not just buy a hive from them, beehive and all?" Lian Manman said.

"Alright, I’ll sort it out for you when I get back," Zhang Caiyun replied with a chuckle.

"Sister Caiyun, hurry up and take care of it for us," Xiao Qi said eagerly, thinking of the honey.

"Don’t worry, as soon as I get back, I’ll make sure to handle this. You’ll have honey to eat soon!" Zhang Caiyun promised, laughing.

The thought of eating homemade honey made Lian Manman delighted. She decided they would first keep one hive to test the waters, and if it worked out, she’d buy another one. None of the resources on the estate should go to waste.

At noon, they finished their work and returned home to see Lady Li, Lady Zhang, and Lady Zhang Wang whispering to each other about something unknown. As soon as the children arrived, they immediately fell silent.

"It’s almost noon; hurry up and prepare lunch."

The trio got up and bustled into the kitchen to start cooking.

The others didn’t think much of it, but Lian Manman felt a lingering doubt. Taking advantage of a moment of solitude, she pulled Lian Zhizhi aside to inquire.

Lian Zhizhi had been home all morning and hadn’t gone out, so Lian Manman figured she might know what Lady Zhang and the others had been discussing. In their eyes, the children were still young, but Lian Zhizhi was engaged and could be considered an adult.

"I don’t know; they kept everything from me too," Lian Zhizhi said with a laugh as she shook her head, claiming ignorance.

But Lian Manman picked up on something in her words.

"Sister, they’ve talked about who knows how many things all morning. How is it, when I ask, you immediately know what I’m asking about? You definitely know. Tell me—I promise I won’t tell anyone," Lian Manman pressed.

"You know they can’t hide anything from you," Lian Zhizhi said with a grin. She glanced around and lowered her voice to tell Lian Manman.

"Is it about matchmaking for Sister Caiyun?" Lian Manman asked, her eyes wide in surprise.

"Shh," Lian Zhizhi hushed her, "It’s not confirmed yet, so don’t talk about it. Don’t let Sister Caiyun find out."

"Oh," Lian Manman nodded, agreeing to keep it a secret.

Lunch that day was unusually lavish, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat aplenty. To top it off, Lady Zhang had fried up some dishes. Everyone ate heartily and left with satisfied smiles.

After the meal, they rested for a while, and Zhang Qingshan’s group prepared to head back. Lian Shouxin had unearthed almost four acres’ worth of sweet potato shoots, which were loaded onto the cart. Lian Manman and Xiao Qi finalized arrangements for the bees and beehive with Zhang Qingshan again.

"Mother, when the hot season comes, bring Sister Caiyun over and bring the little ones too. Stay for a few extra days," Lady Zhang reminded Lady Li as she helped her onto the cart.

...

During the spring plowing, Lian Shouxin went to the fields daily with the long-term workers, while Lian Manman and the others were busy at home. First, they sold corn seeds. Payment for the corn seeds wasn’t collected upfront but documented with agreements to pay in grains during the autumn harvest. Next, they sold sweet potato shoots, which were paid for in cash.

***...***

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