Liu Jin had arrived at the estate ahead of them and was waiting at the entrance with the farmstead manager as Wufu and her family arrived. Upon seeing the carriage stop, he quickly came forward to greet them.
Hongyu lifted the carriage curtain and was the first to jump out, followed by Qiu Xiang. The two women, one on each side, assisted Madam Zhou out of the carriage.
Wufu, naturally, did not need their help and lightly hopped down.
Madam Zhou scolded, "Look at you. You don’t have the slightest bit of a young lady’s demureness."
Wufu replied with a smile, "Mother, we’re not the kind of sheltered noble ladies who never step outside the inner chamber."
Madam Zhou’s smile briefly faded as she remembered something, but it quickly returned brighter than before.
"Madam, the wind is strong near the mountain. It would be wise to wear a cloak," Qiu Xiang suggested as she draped an embroidered cloak lined with rat fur over Madam Zhou.
Madam Zhou felt a wave of warmth envelop her and didn’t forget to turn to Wufu, "Wufu, you..."
Anticipating what she was about to say, Wufu replied, "Mother, I practice martial arts. My body is strong, and I don’t feel cold."
Because of her consistent martial arts practice, Wufu’s agility had greatly increased, as well as her physical strength. What she lacked was actual combat experience to improve her skills.
Knowing that Wufu wasn’t deceiving her, Madam Zhou said no more.
At that moment, Liu Jin approached with the farmstead manager.
The manager, surnamed Tan, seemed very honest and simple, with dark skin and slightly thick lips—a person who didn’t appear to be deceitful. Upon seeing Wufu and the others, he quickly kneeled with his family members, "Tan Datie pays his respects to Madam and the young lady."
"Rise," Wufu gestured with her hand.
Tan Datie stood up and glanced cautiously at Wufu. He had heard from Young Master Liu Jin that the new owner who truly made the decisions was actually this young lady.
Though she appeared to be just of marriageable age, the moment her eyes swept over him, her gaze was so sharp and scrutinizing that it commanded respect.
"Mother, the weather is pleasant, and the paths through the estate seem easy to traverse. Shall we walk in?" Wufu asked Madam Zhou with a smile.
Madam Zhou was not borne of a grand household herself, but grew up in a farmer’s family. Far from being frail, she readily agreed.
Tan Datie quickly stepped aside to lead them into the estate, all the while providing an introduction to the surroundings.
As Wufu walked along the field paths, she saw the golden sheen of the ripe late-season rice, ready for harvest, and felt a surge of happiness.
Acquiring the estate meant grains for the storehouse, a true treasure found.
Continuing inward, they spotted a fish pond with lotuses planted. It was already October, and only a few remnant lotus flowers remained. A breeze stirred the water’s surface and the leftover leaves, carrying a refreshingly crisp scent. Wufu could not help but pause.
Madam Zhou was equally delighted, "The lotus roots beneath the pond must be delicious."
"Replying to the young lady and Madam, the water in our estate’s fish pond is fresh and flowing. Not only does it produce sweet fish, but the lotus roots are also very tender and tasty," Tan Datie said, eager to please.
Wufu asked, "Do we have any lotus roots available now?"
"Then dig up a couple. Let’s cook some to taste today," Wufu said, revealing her passion for food.
Madam Zhou chuckled and playfully pointed at her.
They then turned towards the mountainside, where the orchard bore apples, pears, pomegranates, and chestnut trees. Wufu looked around and saw scarecrows standing among them. Upon inquiry, she learned they were to scare away animals from the mountains; hearing that traps were also dug to prevent larger wild animals from damaging the crops, she felt reassured.
After touring the various areas, they finally arrived at the residence to rest. The modest three-section compound had only been built a few years before and was still quite new. Wufu felt increasingly that purchasing the estate for seven hundred taels was a steal.
Even Madam Zhou, who had initially thought the price steep, now felt convinced of its worth after touring the estate, especially upon seeing such golden, abundant crops, and she heaved a sigh of relief.