Wang Qingchen found himself quite agreeable to his family's idea of purchasing a residence in town. Owning a house there would allow the family to spend time in town whenever they tired of the village, and they could always return. Furthermore, living in town would offer greater convenience for both him and Wang Qinghua. Considering they currently had two hundred taels of silver available, buying a three-courtyard residence for that price—especially compared to the exorbitant housing costs in his previous life—was entirely acceptable to Wang Qingchen.

So, Wang Qingchen voiced his approval, "Buying a residence in town is actually a very good idea. If older brother and I have matters in town, we won't have to rush back; we can just stay over there. Plus, if we ever decide we don't want to stay in the village anymore, we can just move to the town house, right?"

Wang Youfu nodded slowly, "Your mother and I have considered this, but the price is steep—two hundred taels of silver."

"Father, if they dare ask for two hundred taels, it’s surely because the house is worth that much; otherwise, who would want to buy it? Father, you saw it today, didn't you? What did you think of the house?" Wang Qingchen inquired.

Wang Youfu recalled the dwelling and nodded repeatedly, "That house is truly excellent. Not only is it spacious, but the interior decoration is also quite beautiful."

"Then it's worth two hundred taels of silver!" Wang Qingchen declared, continuing, "Father, since the house is worth two hundred taels, and you were satisfied after seeing it, and we have the money now, we should just buy it! If we miss this chance and someone else snaps it up, regretting it later will be useless. Besides, if we buy it and later find something we dislike, we can always sell it, can’t we?"

Wang Qingchen’s persuasion made Wang Youfu lean more heavily toward acquiring the residence. Still, he once again turned to Wang Qinghua, "Qinghua, what is your opinion on this?"

Wang Qinghua was momentarily stunned, surprised that his father was asking him again, especially after he’d already stated that he was fine with either buying or not buying.

Luo Qing, standing beside Wang Qinghua, quickly tugged at his sleeve. "Father is asking you a question!"

Wang Qinghua considered the matter and then said, "I also agree we should buy it. We can visit the town house in the future, can’t we? Moreover, just as Qingchen said, if we aren't satisfied, we can always resell it."

Wang Youfu finally nodded with satisfaction. "Then it’s settled. I will go meet with Qian Yaji tomorrow to finalize things."

Since the decision was made to purchase a residence in town, Luo Qing had been in high spirits, feeling so joyful that she had trouble sleeping that night.

Wang Qinghua, lying next to her, asked with some confusion, "Qing'er, it’s so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Luo Qing smiled sweetly, "Isn't it because the family is buying a house in town? I’m simply overjoyed, and I truly want to go see what it looks like. Tell me, will we be able to live in town soon?"

Wang Qinghua nodded, then realizing Luo Qing couldn't see him in the darkness, continued, "Mm, but Mother and Father probably won't move to town immediately; we still have so much farmland here! However, if you really want to see the house, once it's purchased, I’ll take you to town for a visit, and we can check it out then."

Although Luo Qing felt a pang of disappointment that they wouldn't move right away, she knew that once the house was bought, moving to town was only a matter of time. After all, living in town would greatly benefit Qinghua and his younger uncle. She was certain that her in-laws would eventually prioritize their sons' convenience and make the move. So, Luo Qing happily agreed, "Okay, once the house is bought, we'll go take a look. I heard Father and Mother say there’s even a lake and a pavilion inside; it must be beautiful."

"Mm, get some sleep now!" Wang Qinghua said, though his thoughts were occupied with the fact that the house should rightfully belong to Qingchen, as the money for the purchase was earned by him. If they ever divided the assets later, he certainly wouldn't claim that house; it should go to Qingchen and his future wife.

Luo Qing, despite her lingering excitement, forced herself to sleep. It wasn't about herself, after all; she wasn't alone—she was carrying a child. Soon enough, Luo Qing drifted off to sleep.

The very next morning, Wang Youfu did not wait for Wang Qinghua and Wang Qingchen. He took the silver and left early for town alone, fearing someone else might buy the house.

Arriving at Qian Yaji's shop in town, Wang Youfu declared his decision to purchase the residence under Qian Yaji’s knowing gaze.

"Very well, I shall send someone to notify the principal party," Qian Yaji replied unhurriedly.

A short while later, a shop assistant returned, escorting a man who looked like a steward. It turned out the original owners had already left for the county seat, leaving only the steward and two servants behind, waiting only to conclude the sale of the property before returning to the city.

Once both sides confirmed there were no issues, Qian Yaji drafted the deeds of sale, and the exchange was made: money for the house title. The steward then explained that he and the other two servants would return to tidy up and hand over the property to Wang Youfu the following day.

Wang Youfu nodded; he could certainly wait one more day. The steward and servants departed, while Wang Youfu settled the commission fees and the funds required for the transfer process. He then departed, warmly seen off by a pleased Qian Yaji.

Qian Yaji looked at the silver in his hand, augmented by the commission Wang Youfu earned from the land purchase the day before; it amounted to quite a sum. Qian Yaji couldn't help but muse that if he had several more clients like Wang Youfu, he would truly strike it rich.

A few days later, Wang Youfu made another trip to Qian Yaji's shop. Clutching the land and house deeds in his hands, Wang Youfu felt utterly delighted. Upon returning, he handed the documents to Yang Shi, asking her to secure them.

Yang Shi took the deeds from Wang Youfu. Although she couldn't decipher the writing, she stared fixedly at the documents for a long time before carefully placing them away.

"The house has been purchased. I’ve been thinking that even if we don't live there regularly, it still needs someone to manage it. So, I was considering hiring two matrons to look after the place! And we’ll need to find a gatekeeper as well," Wang Youfu mentioned.

Yang Shi pondered this. "Hiring two matrons for upkeep is good, but since the house is in town and we’ll mostly be in the village, how would we know if those two matrons cause trouble? It’s the same for a gatekeeper. In my view, we should seek out a human broker and buy two matrons and one gatekeeper."

Wang Youfu agreed. "That does make sense. Then let’s go find a broker!"

Regarding the purchase of the servants, Wang Qingyun first approached Qian Yaji, who then introduced him to a reputable human broker. As Qian Yaji and the broker were friends, the broker helped Wang Youfu select two honest and diligent matrons and a simple, middle-aged man as a gatekeeper. Wang Youfu was deeply grateful. After paying the silver, he led the trio to the newly acquired residence.

The three followed Wang Youfu to the house and, upon learning their duties, expressed no dissatisfaction. Since the masters wouldn't be visiting often, their main task was just to maintain and guard the property, which was comparatively easy work.

Seeing that there was nothing more to instruct, Wang Youfu returned to Wang Family Village.

With the house secured, Wang Qinghua didn't immediately bring Luo Qing over for a look because the fields had become busy; it was time for seedling preparation. This time, with the family owning more land, the preparations were also more extensive. Wang Youfu hired two temporary laborers to assist, which somewhat eased the burden. Time remained scarce until the wheat harvest.

Because the family's land holdings had increased, Wang Qinghua had been returning frequently to help out, leaving the shop affairs entirely in the hands of Wang Qingshan. As for Wang Qingshan's land, considering his focus on the shop, it wasn't extensive, so Wang Youfu’s family helped with the harvest as well. This sight infuriated Tian Shi.

During the busy farming season, Wang Youliang did return occasionally, but the shop could not be neglected, and the elders didn't want their son overworked on two fronts. Thus, the old residence also hired three temporary hands. With Tian Shi and the old man working alongside them, it was just enough. However, what angered Tian Shi was not the labor itself—she was used to hard work during busy seasons. It was that the Old Man and Old Madam insisted on helping harvest Qingshan’s wheat, yet never suggested calling He Shi to assist. Qingshan was away, but He Shi was present; why should she, the mother-in-law, have to labor on behalf of her daughter-in-law? What made it worse, after she had spent a long time internally wrestling and reluctantly agreeing to the situation, was that Qingshan’s wheat was harvested by the second son's family—meaning all her internal struggle had been for nothing. How could Tian Shi feel content?

He Shi, unaware of Tian Shi's prior internal turmoil, considered it a blessing that her second uncle’s family helped harvest her wheat. Although the second uncle’s explanation was that Qingshan was busy tending the mill and couldn't return for the harvest, the bottom line was that her household had benefited. He Shi took this to heart, resolving to repay the second uncle’s family if the opportunity ever arose.

Once the wheat was gathered, Wang Youfu officially took possession of the over fifty mu of land he had purchased. Realizing the acreage was substantial, Wang Youfu hired even more temporary hands, and they rushed to plant the crops.

Due to the sudden increase in land, the household was busier than ever before. The Dragon Boat Festival preparations were rushed, with little extra effort put into them.

Wang Qingchen took advantage of the break from the academy due to the farming season and participated in the household chores. Having had little involvement previously, he appeared somewhat clumsy at first, but within a few days, he became quite proficient. Onlookers praised him constantly: "Look at that, he’s already a Tongsheng (scholar candidate), yet he’s still helping his family with farm work. If my son could do the same, I’d wake up laughing in my dreams."

Wang Qingchen paid no mind to the comments, merely smiling, but Wang Youfu beamed with pride. In his heart, his son was simply the best.