Chapter 82: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 82: Planting Watermelons
Early the next morning, under Yan Zhiqiang's guidance, Daohua and Old Madam Yan set off for their newly purchased estate.
Yan Wenxiu and the other boys had to study and couldn't join even if they wanted to. Meanwhile, Yan Yihuan and her two sisters stayed behind as Madam Li wanted to meet a matchmaker. Since the old madam couldn't manage so many people alone, they also didn’t go.
Although Sun shi had free time, she had grown up in the countryside, accustomed to farm work, and had no interest in visiting the estate. Instead of going, she preferred spending her time thinking about her wardrobe and appearance.
Wu shi needed to care for Yan Wenhui and had recently been confirmed pregnant a month ago. Though she wanted to visit the estate, she was worried the jolts of the carriage might harm the baby, so she decided against it.
The estate was located just outside the city, and the journey took less than an hour.
Yan Zhiqiang first led Old Madam Yan and Daohua to the larger part of the estate.
Upon arrival, the old lady followed Yan Zhiqiang to meet the tenant farmers, while Daohua, accompanied by Wang Man’er, went to inspect the fields.
Close to noon, Daohua returned to the estate.
Seeing sweat on Daohua’s forehead, Old Madam Yan immediately beckoned her over and personally wiped her sweat with a handkerchief. “Although it’s already April, the weather is still a bit chilly. After running around outside, be careful not to catch a cold.”
Daohua smiled and acknowledged her concern before saying, “Grandmother, I took a look. The fields on our estate are quite good; the soil seems very fertile.”
The old lady chuckled in mock annoyance. “Your third uncle is an experienced farmer. Could there be anything wrong with the estate he personally inspected?”
Daohua quickly shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to say that Third Uncle made an excellent choice.” Then, she turned to Yan Zhiqiang and playfully gave him two thumbs up.
Yan Zhiqiang shook his head, smiling, but then sighed. “We still bought the estate too late. I had originally planned to use our own seeds, but unfortunately, the spring planting has already been sown.”
Daohua’s eyes lit up. “Grandmother, Third Uncle, I noticed that many of the dry fields are still empty. Last year, I saved some watermelon seeds. Why don’t we plant watermelons in those fields?”
Ever since the Yan family moved to Xingzhou, their expenses had significantly increased. Daohua had seen Madam Li sighing over the account books multiple times and had even noticed Ping Tong taking Madam Li’s dowry jewelry out, likely to pawn it.
Watermelons were considered a rare fruit in ancient times and sold at high prices. Once harvested, they could alleviate the Yan family’s financial difficulties. Moreover, her uncle’s family had sales channels in the capital, so there wouldn’t be any issue selling them.
Yan Zhiqiang hesitated. “Isn’t it too late to plant them now?”
Daohua reassured him, “It’s not too late. We’re only ten days behind schedule, so it won’t be a problem.” The watermelon seeds she had were from her spatial stash, and their quality was guaranteed.
Unsure of what to do, Yan Zhiqiang looked toward Old Madam Yan.
The old lady thought about last year’s lush watermelon fields, remained silent for a moment, and then decisively said, “Plant them!”
Although Madam Li was officially managing the household, Old Madam Yan had a general understanding of the family’s finances. Over the years, the family had relied on Madam Li’s dowry to sustain themselves.
Now, with the children growing up and facing future marriages, dowries, and bride prices, the family would need more money. If they didn’t find ways to save now, arranging marriages for the grandchildren in the future would be challenging.
With the old lady making the decision, Yan Zhiqiang no longer hesitated.
In his mind, whatever the old matron said, he would do.
Afterward, Old Madam Yan and a few others had lunch at the manor and later in the afternoon visited Daohua's smaller estate.
The previous large manor belonged to the Yan family, so Daohua couldn’t make decisions freely. However, the smaller estate was hers. Once the property was handed over, Daohua immediately called for the steward.
The steward, a man in his forties with a dark complexion, appeared honest and straightforward. Yet, from his proactive manner of reporting the estate's various situations to Old Madam Yan, it was clear that he was quite astute.
Most notably, when facing nine-year-old Daohua, he showed no sign of dismissiveness. Regardless of her questions, he answered each one in great detail.
Daohua: "Uncle Zheng, how much unused land is left on the estate right now?"
Steward Zheng Xinghe responded earnestly, not daring to withhold any information: "Miss, the tenant farmers are diligent. Currently, only 20 mu of land remains unplanted. But don't worry, I'll notify the tenants shortly to plant it quickly to avoid missing the spring farming season."
Daohua: "There's no need. I have other plans for those 20 mu. Shortly, I’ll provide you with some watermelon seeds, and that land will be used for growing watermelons."
In ancient times, it was unheard of for a girl not to marry. Daohua had no power to change this. With too many children in the Yan family and not enough wealth, she needed to save up more dowry for herself to live well in her future husband's home.
Steward Zheng hesitated for a moment before saying, "Miss, watermelons are delicate plants. Neither I nor the tenant farmers know how to grow them!"
Daohua: "It’s fine. I know how to grow them, and I'll teach you."
Steward Zheng was visibly stunned. He had done his homework and knew that the estate's new owner was the family of the newly appointed prefect magistrate of Xingzhou. This young lady must be the prefect magistrate’s daughter.
An official's daughter knew how to farm?
Steward Zheng's surprise was obvious, even to Yan Zhiqiang, who chuckled and explained, "Our Yan family has a tradition of farming and studying. The children in our family have been working with the land since they were young and can handle most farm work."
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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Hearing this, Steward Zheng visibly relaxed. Having land-savvy owners who understood the hard work of farming meant better days ahead for the estate workers.
Daohua: "Uncle Zheng, I want to use the barren hill behind the estate for planting medicinal herbs and fruit trees. Can you source some mature fruit saplings?"
Steward Zheng nodded. "The Shunning Temple outside the city has planted many fruit trees, and they sell saplings every year."
Daohua: "Go and buy a batch of saplings for me. I want one of every type of fruit tree, as quickly as possible."
Steward Zheng glanced at Old Madam Yan and Yan Zhiqiang. Seeing neither objected, he agreed.
After he left, Daohua took Old Madam Yan’s arm and said, "Grandmother, I checked, and the estate is in good shape. Why don’t we stay here for a few days?"
Seeing Old Madam Yan about to refuse, Daohua quickly added, "Grandmother, we’ve already missed the optimal time for spring planting. If I don’t oversee things here, I won’t feel at ease. You wouldn’t want the watermelon seeds I painstakingly collected to be wasted by tenant farmers who don’t know how to plant them, would you?"
Old Madam Yan hesitated. "If we don’t return, your parents will worry."
Daohua: "That’s not a problem. We have Third Uncle with us. We can send someone back to inform Mother."
Unable to resist Daohua’s persistence, Old Madam Yan inspected the estate’s rooms. Seeing they were tidy and clean, she finally agreed.
(End of Chapter)
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