"Yeah, Dad, you didn’t agree to him, did you?" Lian Manman found it amusing too and asked Lian Shouxin.

"No." Lian Shouxin replied, "He hadn’t even finished his words. What he meant was that our wheat seeds were selling too cheaply. He planned to get wheat seeds from Taicang and then raise the prices to sell. He told me to raise the price of our wheat seeds too and asked how many pounds of seeds we still had left at home. He even said it’s because we’re relatives, so he told me first to let me earn some extra money. If it were someone else, he wouldn’t have said anything."

"How much wheat did we harvest in total? We’ve been selling for days, and we have to keep some for ourselves. Even so, how much can be left? He doesn’t have good intentions, asking us to raise prices so that when he sells at a higher price, others won’t be able to say anything." Lian Manman remarked.

"I hadn’t thought of that." Lian Shouxin said, "I was just thinking, we’ve already set our prices, raising them midway wouldn’t be right. What kind of people would we be then?"

"Right, we won’t raise prices." Lady Zhang added.

"Their family can sell odds and ends, but I wouldn’t dare buy seeds from them if I were to buy some." Lian Manman laughed.

The Zhao family, benefiting from Taicang’s development, had been quite arrogant lately, taking advantage of their backing. They’ve made quite a bit of money, but their reputation has suffered.

"I see him as trying to make a big profit from this deal." Lian Shouxin said disdainfully. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Making a fortune might not be that easy." Lian Manman said, "He saw us selling wheat seeds, and others are not blind to it. Can only he think of this way to make money and not others?"

With competition, given the Zhao family’s reputation, they hold no advantage. To make money, unless they can get goods from Taicang at a lower price than others. But the Zhao family’s connections there won’t be broader than those of the merchants who frequently go there.

Thinking of this, something flashed through Lian Manman’s mind for a moment.

After the Great Heat comes the Beginning of Autumn. Although it’s called Beginning of Autumn, the heat remains oppressive. Wu Lang’s study reached its most critical time, even though he had three meals a day meticulously prepared, with an additional supper. Wu Lang ate quite a lot, but he still noticeably lost a bit of weight.

Lady Zhang felt extremely distressed.

Xiao Qi, eating the same special meals, had gained a bit of weight, but everyone chose to ignore that fact.

Wang Youheng was staying in town to focus on his studies, and he would come every couple of days to consult Mr. Loo for academic guidance, attending lessons with Wu Lang. While they studied at home, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang also enlisted the help of Wu Yugui and others to scout for various materials for the courtyard examination.

The courtyard examination was scheduled for August, but in late July, Wu Lang and Wang Youheng set out for the Prefecture City. Prefecture City, being a hub of information, offered the opportunity to gather more details about the courtyard examination ahead of time.

Mr. Loo accompanied them on the journey. The courtyard examination was different from the county or prefecture exams; Mr. Loo’s presence allowed for last-minute guidance based on any information they could gather. The fact that Mr. Loo could leave the mountain was naturally due to Lian Shouxin’s request through Old Huang for leave.

Of course, this was just on the surface. Lian Shouxin dared to manage this, and the mountain dared to let Mr. Loo leave because of some hints Wu Lang received from his visits to the Shen family.

Wu Lang was expected to be away longer than his previous trips, so the family naturally felt emotional about his departure. Lady Zhang prepared two large bundles of clothes for Wu Lang.

"Will you be back in time for Mid-Autumn?" Lady Zhang asked Wu Lang.

"Yes. Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll definitely be back in time." Wu Lang nodded, "Mom, you don’t need to prepare so many clothes for me; I can’t wear them all."

"At that time, it will be cold in the morning and evening. It wouldn’t do if you don’t prepare a couple more pieces of clothing. With Mom not by your side, remember to add layers when needed." Lady Zhang advised.

Wu Lang nodded in agreement.

Lian Manman also prepared a considerable amount of silver for Wu Lang, including whole silver ingots, loose silver, and strings of copper coins, each serving its purpose.

"Brother, this time when you go to Prefecture City, don’t be stingy with spending. Use the money where necessary. We earn to ensure a good life for the family, but having just silver is not enough. This money is meant to be spent. As long as you spend it wisely, there’s no need to feel distressed." Lian Manman instructed Wu Lang while handing him the money.

"I understand." Wu Lang nodded, carefully putting away the bag of silver.

For the trip of Mr. Loo, Wu Lang, and Wang Youheng to Prefecture City, Lian Shouxin rented two carriages, one for passengers and another for luggage. They also prepared many farm products from their field, primarily three types: lotus seeds, water caltrops, and fox nuts.

This time of year was the harvest season for these, and they carefully selected the best, packed in pound packages with lotus leaves, for Wu Lang to take to Prefecture City as gifts. It also served as the best advertisement for their family’s Lotus Pond.

"Brother, it’s all up to you." As she saw Wu Lang off, Lian Manman smiled and said.

"Hmm." Wu Lang nodded seriously.

...

After sending off Wu Lang and the others, on this day, Lady Zhang was cutting and drying vegetables with Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman when Lady Wu Wang came with Wu Jiayu. The three of them temporarily stopped their work to sit and chat with Lady Wu Wang and Wu Jiayu in the house.

"Zhizhi, Manman, go play in the west room with Jiayu." Lady Wu Wang exchanged a glance with Lady Zhang, and Lady Zhang said.

Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, and Wu Jiayu left the east room. As Lian Manman closed the door, she heard Lady Wu Wang eagerly start speaking.

"Officer Zhou and the others are back."

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Here’s the second update, asking for everyone’s support with pink votes.

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Book Recommendation

"The Glittering Jewel Mirror" by Short-eared Kitty, Book Number: 2075296 — Abandoned by a wealthy fiancé? What’s the big deal, I have my own brilliance!

Worldly treasures, truth and lies, are all at my command! I sell knowledge and supernatural abilities but never regret medicine!

Just that person, why do you keep haunting me like a ghost? — Newly completed! ~(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)