They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 267 Officially Takes Over
The Qi family is local, and Xu Zhichun doesn't think she can keep the fact that she bought the Zhen family manor a secret forever, but that doesn't mean she's willing to expose everything to Young Master Qi and Zeng Mingzhu right now.

This couple are both cunning and treacherous; if they knew, they would probably do something bad.

Of course, we'll keep it a secret for as long as possible.

Xu Zhichun did not regret buying the Zhen family manor. Such ready-made land and manor were hard to come by, and it was equivalent to an acquisition and restructuring, which was much better than starting from scratch.

As long as she continues to grow and become stronger, one day the Qi family will no longer be a threat to her. Young Master Qi won't even have the chance to bother her, let alone get close to her.

Having shaken off Qi Tong, the group returned to the inn.

Liang Mingxuan followed Xu Zhichun into the room. “Sister-in-law, that young master of the Qi family is up to no good, he’s insidious and despicable. Miss Zeng is foolish but also domineering. I’m afraid you’ll suffer a loss, so I’d like to stay and keep you company for a few more days. Let Xiao Yan and the others go back first. I’ll write a letter and ask them to give it to the teacher so I can ask for a few more days off.”

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I won't fall behind in my studies. I will catch up as soon as I return to the county."

The child's serious expression amused both Xu Zhichun and Granny Qin Qing.

Xu Zhichun was pleased: It's starting to feel like a pillar of support.

"No need. You go back with your sister-in-law Xiaoyan and the others. With Granny Qin Qing here, I'll keep an eye on things. Besides, they have no idea we live here, and I won't let them know. Nothing will happen. Furthermore, Master Zhen still wants sweet potatoes and potatoes and is hoping I'll ask the Zhen family for a favor. If I ask him for help, he'll be more than happy to oblige. Go back with peace of mind!"

"But I'm still worried."

Liang Mingxuan was very stubborn. Like a little adult, he looked up at Xu Zhichun seriously and said, "I'm worried about my sister-in-law."

"I assure you, my sister-in-law will be alright."

“I will only trust my sister-in-law if I stay. Sister-in-law, I don’t want to worry.”

Xu Zhichun was speechless for a moment.

The child was sincere and open, and all promises and analyses seemed to lose their persuasiveness in his presence.

Granny Qin Qing couldn't help but advise, "Madam, this old servant also thinks it's quite good for the Second Master to stay. Why not just agree to his request? Otherwise, I'm afraid he won't feel at ease. Although the Second Master is young, he's well-educated and knows a lot. It'll be good for you to have someone to discuss things with."

Granny Qin Qing can be said to have tried very hard to find a rationale.

Xu Zhichun smiled helplessly and said, "Alright, then stay."

The child immediately beamed with joy: "Then I won't disturb your rest, sister-in-law!"

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "You should go and rest too!"

Fearing another misfortune, everyone ate dinner at the inn, tacitly avoiding mentioning the day's bad luck.

When Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang heard that Liang Mingxuan was going to stay, they also said they would stay.

That was their original plan, but Liang Mingxuan beat them to it.

Xu Zhichun initially disagreed, feeling it would be too much trouble for them.

Liang Mingliang said, "Zhichun, please let us stay. Otherwise, if we go back like this, my parents will definitely scold us to death." "Yeah, yeah!"

The husband and wife always followed each other perfectly; they were always very in sync.

Xu Zhichun had no words to refute, so he decided to back down.

Alright, they're all kept.

After breakfast the next day, we went to the estate first.

The day before yesterday, the Zhen family's steward accompanied them and gave a general introduction. Today, with no outsiders present, they can meet with the tenants and take another look around the place to see what is missing, where repairs are needed, and where renovations are required. They will make a clear list of everything, and in the afternoon, they can go into town to hire people or place orders.

Zeng Xiaoyan smiled and said she wanted to take a walk around the neighborhood, then dragged Liang Mingliang out.

Sister-in-law Zhichun wanted to meet the tenants, but since the couple were outsiders, it wouldn't be appropriate for them to show up as well.

Although Xu Zhichun was young and Liang Mingxuan looked quite young, when they came the day before yesterday, Granny Qin Qing "inadvertently" let the tenants know that their second master was a student who had passed the imperial examination—and that he had ranked third in the examination and was deeply loved by the county magistrate.

Qin Qing, the old woman, didn't say a word about the "master and mistress's" situation. Naturally, she couldn't possibly tell the tenants that the master had passed away. They might think that the master had gone out of town to do business and wasn't home, so she didn't know.

She merely "inadvertently" let everyone know that the Liang family was wealthy and powerful, and that the lady of the house was a master of household management; even the simple task of feeding a farm was easily handled by her.
In addition, Steward Zhen was polite and respectful to Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan. Xu Zhichun was steady and composed, and his words and deeds were impeccable. Although Liang Mingxuan was young, he had a kind of demeanor that made people not dare to underestimate him. How could the tenants dare to have the slightest contempt for him?

They signed another contract the day before yesterday, and were even more respectful.

Upon seeing them again today, Xu Zhichun reassured them that things would remain the same as before. Master Zhen also sold forty oxen to Xu Zhichun for over eight hundred taels of silver. Xu Zhichun then instructed the two tenant households to let them graze for the time being, and that they would no longer be needed once the estate had hired servants in a couple of days.

No farmer doesn't cherish his livestock, so the two tenant farmers readily agreed.

The tenants were completely relieved and happily dispersed. Xu Zhichun, Liang Mingxuan, and Granny Qin Qing toured the estate and were very satisfied. Everything was in perfect condition; all that was needed was to add some large and small pieces of furniture.

He brought pen and ink with him, and Liang Mingxuan wrote them all down.

Tomorrow I will go and buy more people. Once the manor is filled, I will give them instructions and tell them what to do. I will come back in a while to check on things. Then they can live on the manor.

Then check if anything is not suitable and make timely adjustments. If there are no problems, the break-in period will be over after a while.

Xu Zhichun loved the fruit trees scattered around the estate. There were peaches, apricots, persimmons, dates, tangerines, walnuts, pomegranates, loquats, and many other kinds. There were only three or five trees of each kind, scattered in various places. When they were laden with fruit, they were always especially lovely.

The most wonderful thing is that there is a garden in the backyard of the manor, covering an area of ​​about four or five acres. A pond was built with running water and some fish were raised. There are covered bridges and waterside pavilions by the water. There are artificial hills and pavilions in the garden. The trees are shady and the flowers and trees are lush. It is a good place to visit in spring and summer.

Xu Zhichun smiled at Liang Mingxuan and said, "Mingxuan, you can come here for a few days when you are tired from studying. You can go fishing, pick fruit, or go hiking in the nearby mountains to relax."

Liang Mingxuan clearly liked the place too, his eyes sparkling as he nodded hurriedly: "Sister-in-law is right, I'll come with you, and I'll also invite Sister-in-law Xiaoyan and the others."

"Ok!"

You can fish, climb mountains, pick fruits, barbecue, admire flowers, and lie down.
"Sister-in-law Zhichun!"

Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang suddenly arrived. "There's a guy surnamed Mao outside who said he used to be the manager here and wants to meet Sister Zhichun and Mingxuan."