Chapter 67: Chapter 69 Excuses and Evasions Chapter 67: Chapter 69 Excuses and Evasions “Madam?”
Li Dagui’s address startled Mrs. Wang from her reverie. She looked over composedly, a faint smile on her lips, “I was momentarily lost in thought.”
Li Dagui bowed slightly.
“Chief Li, you’ve been with our Qin family for many years, and we owe much to your whole family for looking after this old residence and taking care of the young miss. You have worked hard.”
Li Dagui bent slightly, respectfully saying, “Madam, you flatter your servant too much. All that we have done is no more than our duty.”
Mrs. Wang nodded, then said, “You know, our Qin family is no longer the third-rank official family it once was. In the capital, we’ve dismissed the servants who needed to be dismissed, and those who should have left have gone. As the saying goes, ‘people reach for higher strata.’ Chief Li, you and your family…”
Li Dagui immediately knelt down and said, “Madam, my family and I have been part of this old residence for many years now, faithfully serving the young miss. We regard her as our master from the bottom of our hearts, and whether in wealth or poverty, life or death, we will remain with the young miss and serve her.”
Mrs. Wang raised an eyebrow.
Following the young miss, not the Qin family.
In demonstrating his loyalty, Li Dagui had also made it clear who his family truly served.
It seemed Qin Liuxi had won over the Li Dagui household completely. No wonder Aunt Li and the others always protected Qin Liuxi, always putting her first in everything.
Mrs. Wang was not displeased. If Qin Liuxi could win over this household, it was a testament to her capability. Whoever could take them would depend on their ability.
Mrs. Wang glanced over the courtyard’s goods and said, “You may rise. Xixi is well aware of your family’s loyalty. That’s why she entrusts you with these matters.”
Li Dagui smiled and got up from the ground.
“However, as the saying goes, ‘one cannot live off stores without replenishing them.’ Even though Xixi is willing, our whole family, with all its members, cannot depend solely on her. Li Dagui, the Old Lady and I have discussed the matter and plan to purchase a few acres of good farmland under your name. Renting them out could yield some grain, so not everything would require spending silver. Do you think this feasible?”
Li Dagui pondered for a while and said, “Qi Huang also mentioned this to your servant. The farmlands near Li City already have owners, and they are not easily sold. Besides, because of their proximity to Li City, the prices are steep, pricing around eleven or twelve silver taels per acre.”
Mrs. Wang was a little surprised, so expensive.
“By contrast, Qinghe County next door, though farther in distance, benefits from a river that flows into the larger river. The farmlands there are fertile and more affordable, averaging around eight or nine silver taels per acre. If a little farther out, even six or seven taels could seal a deal. For an entire small manor of several dozen acres, with a pond, gardens, and farmlands, a few hundred silver taels might suffice.” Li Dagui cautiously added, “Even if we buy it, Qinghe County wouldn’t be as prestigious as Li City.”
A thought struck Mrs. Wang.
That meant if their Qin family bought a small manor, using someone else’s name, without being monitored closely at Li City, it wouldn’t likely cause any trouble.
“You’ve given this careful thought. Find an opportunity to check Qinghe for such small manors up for sale. If you find them and the prices are reasonable, go ahead and buy.” Mrs. Wang immediately made up her mind.
Li Dagui agreed, then hesitated for a moment before adding, “There’s one more thing.”
Li Dagui answered, “You asked your servant to deliver a visiting card to the Ding family at Bali Alley. The gatekeeper there said it was unfortunate timing, as with the autumn festival approaching, the Lord Prefect from Ningzhou Prefecture expressed his longing for Mrs. Ding and has taken the Old Lady to Ningzhou Prefecture for a family reunion. It’s uncertain when she will return.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang put down the cup of tea she had been holding, her fingers curling slightly. This was no coincidence; it was clearly an excuse to decline.