Wang Youfu certainly didn't follow the group to Qian Yaji's shop. Instead, he rushed back to get the money. After all, at the beginning, he hadn't expected today's land purchase to go so smoothly, so he hadn't brought enough silver with him.

After returning, Wang Youfu fetched the money for the land, then considered that perhaps there might be a shop he fancied later on. Consequently, he took an additional one hundred and fifty taels of silver. He then briefly informed his family about the land purchase before hurrying the ox cart toward the town.

The family members were all in high spirits upon hearing they were buying land. Luo Qing, in particular, had been pondering the considerable sum earned from selling flowers, yet hadn't seen the household acquire anything new. She had wondered if her father-in-law and mother-in-law intended to save the money for her younger brother-in-law. Now, seeing the land purchase, a wave of relief washed over her. Though the money was earned by the younger brother-in-law, making it justifiable to save for him, such thoughts were difficult to reconcile with reality. Who could look upon so much silver and remain unmoved? Though she sometimes felt a twinge of shame, she still couldn't resist the pull of wealth.

Meanwhile, Wang Youfu, laden with silver, arrived at Qian Yaji’s shop. Upon his arrival, Qian Yaji had already drafted the deeds of sale, specifying that the official transfer of the land would only take place after the current wheat crop was harvested. All Wang Youtian needed to do was sign.

Afterward, Wang Youfu paid the silver, secured the land deed, and then paid the taxes and commission for Qian Yaji to take the civilian deed to the yamen to exchange for the official one. The elderly couple counted the silver they received, confirmed it was correct, and then tucked it away before heading back.

Qian Yaji, naturally, wasn't heading to the yamen immediately, so he inquired if Wang Youfu still wished to look at shops.

Wang Youfu nodded, and then listened as Qian Yaji introduced several promising establishments. However, Wang Youfu wasn't entirely satisfied after hearing the descriptions. His intention was to purchase a quality shop that would be excellent for renting out or for the family to operate themselves later. But these options either had poor locations or unsuitable sizes. Seeing Wang Youfu frown, Qian Yaji understood he wasn't pleased with any of them. It seemed the shop purchase wouldn't happen today, so he prepared to close the ledger, considering the land deal had already been a major transaction. Yet, just as Qian Yaji was about to close the book, his eye caught a particular area, and his eyes lit up—perhaps this was another possibility.

“Master Wang,” Qian Yaji suggested, “to establish your family assets, you don't necessarily have to fixate only on fields and shops, do you? There are other options, for instance, acquiring a residence in town.”

“A residence?” Wang Youfu repeated.

“Precisely. Securing a fine residence in town means that if your family ever tires of staying in the village, they can come and stay in town for a time, no? Or if you happen to be in town late, you won't need to rush home and can stay at the town house,” Qian Yaji explained.

Wang Youfu didn't immediately consider moving his immediate family there, but he did think about how, if they had a residence in town, his elder son wouldn't have to rush home so late after working at the mill. And his second son, studying in town, wouldn't have to wake up so early, allowing him more time for reading.

Qian Yaji observed Wang Youfu’s contemplative expression and knew he had struck a chord. He went on to elaborate on the benefits of owning a town residence and the sheer convenience of living in the town. Wang Youfu became increasingly pleased the more he listened. He promptly decided that he must acquire a town residence; even if he didn't find a satisfactory one today, it was a necessity for the future.

Thus, Qian Yaji presented several residences he had available. Wang Youfu weighed the needs of his elder and younger sons and presented his requirements to Qian Yaji. For instance, the residence should not be near the bustling market or other noisy areas, as this would disturb the children’s studies. Furthermore, the house needed to be close to a certain location, keeping them near his sons so they wouldn't have to travel far.

Integrating Wang Youfu’s requirements, Qian Yaji finally shortlisted three residences. Wang Youfu felt the descriptions were all quite similar, so he decided to go with Qian Yaji to see the properties firsthand.

All three residences were of the 'three-courtyard' style. The first only had one remaining servant; everyone else had moved out. Presumably, this servant would join the original owners once the house was sold.

Wang Youfu followed Qian Yaji inside. The interior contained numerous rooms, and there was quite a bit of greenery—it was clear the previous owner had resided there for a long time, and the grounds were kept impeccably. The drawback, however, was that the house itself was rather old. The owner was asking one hundred and twenty taels of silver.

The second property looked significantly newer than the first. This was because the owner had just completed renovations and hadn't lived there long before the master of the house, through some stroke of luck or fortune, became wealthy and moved his entire family to the county seat. This one was priced at one hundred and fifty taels.

Afterward, Wang Youfu accompanied Qian Yaji to the third residence. As soon as he stepped inside, Wang Youfu was highly satisfied. Why? Although this was also a three-courtyard structure, it was significantly larger than the previous two. Moreover, it boasted a garden, a man-made pond with a small pavilion built upon it, and the arrangement of the flora and rockeries seemed, inexplicably, to put the observer at ease. However, this house demanded two hundred taels of silver.

Wang Youfu considered that although the family could afford two hundred taels, was it worth spending that much on a mere foothold in town? After all, in Wang Youfu’s heart, the residence in Wangjia Village was their true home.

Qian Yaji noticed Wang Youfu’s initial satisfaction quickly give way to a frown, and he cautiously inquired, “Is Master Wang perhaps dissatisfied with something?”

Wang Youfu answered truthfully, “There are no issues with the residence; in fact, I am quite pleased with it. It’s just the price—it’s still too steep.”

Qian Yaji didn't doubt Wang Youfu’s satisfaction with the property, as almost no one who had viewed it previously had expressed dissatisfaction. But upon hearing the price, they invariably found the cost prohibitive.

With this in mind, Qian Yaji stated, “To be frank, Master Wang, no one who has viewed this house has been dissatisfied, but they all balked at the high price, which is why it hasn't sold. If not for the cost, it would have been gone long ago. However, the owner was clear: two hundred taels, not a single coin less.”

Qian Yaji looked at Wang Youfu, then continued, “In my opinion, the price is quite reasonable. After all, this house is much larger than a typical three-courtyard home, and with a lake and a pavilion inside, it’s evident the former owners put considerable effort into maintaining it. Of course, if Master Wang finds the price too high, perhaps you should revisit the first two houses?”

Frankly, having seen the third house, anyone with functional eyesight would find the first two distinctly lacking, and Wang Youfu was no exception. He even felt that if he had to choose between the first two, he might as well spend more for this one.

But this one cost two hundred taels! Thus, the conflicted Wang Youfu said to Qian Yaji, “Perhaps I should go back and consider it first. I will return tomorrow.”

Qian Yaji nodded. As long as there wasn't an outright refusal, there was still hope. Still, the necessary parting shot had to be delivered: “That is certainly no problem, but—if someone else should come along and wish to purchase this residence before then…”

Qian Yaji understood the art of commerce perfectly. By mentioning the possibility of another buyer, he instilled a sense of urgency in Wang Youfu, who was clearly satisfied with the property, making him fear that missing out now meant losing such a fine home.

As expected, Wang Youfu replied, “Could you hold this house for me for one day? Please do not sell it to anyone else before I return tomorrow.”

Qian Yaji inwardly smiled. Since the man named Wang had said this, there was a near certainty he would decide to buy it tomorrow. Despite his assumption, Qian Yaji feigned difficulty on his face: “Very well, Master Wang, you are an established customer here after all. I shall reserve it for you for one day!”

Wang Youfu quickly offered his thanks and rushed home, eager to discuss the matter with his family.

Upon his return, Wang Youfu neglected lunch and immediately spoke with Madam Yang about acquiring a residence in town. Madam Yang had never contemplated buying a town house before; in her view, why spend money on lodging when they already had a home?

However, since Wang Youfu had brought it up and detailed the advantages of owning a town residence, she had no choice but to participate in the deliberation.

Luo Qing, standing nearby, was quite excited by the news of acquiring a town house, but since the matter was still under discussion, she couldn't interject. She merely listened from the side.

Although Wang Youfu and Madam Yang acknowledged the benefits and agreed that buying a house was a good idea, they still couldn't settle on whether to spend two hundred taels on it, as that sum could buy many acres of land.

This matter was brought to the dinner table that evening when Wang Youfu sought the opinions of his two sons, as the primary motivation for buying the residence stemmed from them.

Wang Qinghua stated he had no strong feelings either way—buying it or not was fine—which deeply agitated Luo Qing sitting next to him. Consequently, she could only fix her hopeful gaze upon Wang Qingchen.