Shocked as he was, upon hearing that someone wanted to buy land, Third Chen grinned from ear to ear. "Who's the buyer?"
His uncle pointed behind him. "There. Here comes the person."
Third Chen followed the direction of the finger and saw a sedan chair carried by four men approaching majestically.
"Sir, we're almost there."
Hearing this, Fu Chengyi opened his beautiful eyes and stepped out of the sedan chair gracefully.
Zengshou held a black - painted silk umbrella and followed Fu Chengyi respectfully.
At the sight of Fu Chengyi's appearance, Third Chen was momentarily speechless. He thought to himself that this must be a steward from some wealthy family, so imposing and elegant.
Only a few families on good terms with the Pei family knew Fu Chengyi's background. Third Chen had never seen him before, and was awed by his imposing manner. For a moment, he even forgot to speak.
It was his uncle who nudged him hard. "This is the steward of the wealthy Shu family in the city."
Only then did Third Chen step forward to pay his respects.
Fu Chengyi sized him up. He looked honest, but his eyes were constantly darting around. It was obvious at a glance that he had an ulterior motive.
Fu Chengyi lifted his chin slightly, disdaining to talk to Third Chen.
Zengshou, who knew his master's mind like the back of his hand, stepped forward directly and asked, "Our steward has taken a fancy to the land at the foot of Xiaofeng Mountain. Name your price."
Hearing this, Third Chen was both surprised and delighted. "May I ask what the noble one wants to buy the land for?"
Zengshou gave him a disdainful look. "Why do you ask so many questions? Just tell me, do you want to sell it or not?"
Third Chen stammered, "Please allow me to go home and discuss it with my wife."
Zengshou said, "Fine. Our steward will wait for you at the village entrance. Reply quickly. You won't get another chance like this."
Third Chen nodded repeatedly and then ran home.
He briefly told his wife, Li, about it.
Li couldn't hide her joy. "Speak of the devil. We've been worrying about not having enough silver."
Hearing that it was the steward of a wealthy family in the city who wanted to buy the land, the couple whispered to each other for a while. They decided to ask for an exorbitant price and make a fortune.
So Third Chen rushed to the village entrance excitedly.
However, when he got there, he didn't see Fu Chengyi. Only Zengshou was waiting there, looking impatient.
"Our steward is busy and has gone back first. Have you made up your mind? Do you want to sell the land, and if so, what's the price?"
Third Chen smiled and made a gesture.
"Thirty taels?"
Third Chen shook his head and pretended to be serious. "This land was passed down from our ancestors. It has excellent feng shui and was originally intended for my son to build a new house. But since your steward wants to buy it, my wife and I have to part with it reluctantly... Three hundred taels will do."
"Three hundred taels?" Zengshou was instantly angry. " ... Nonsense! Do you think I'm a fool? That land didn't originally belong to your family. The village head said you only spent one gold coin and less than twenty taels of silver when you bought it! You want to ask for an exorbitant price? In your dreams!"
After scolding, Zengshou turned around and was about to leave.
Suddenly, someone behind him called him to stop.
Zengshou turned around and saw Pei Jin, the young lady of the Pei family.
Pei Jin smiled slightly. "I heard that the steward of the Shu family wants to buy land. Coincidentally, my family has two mu of good farmland at the foot of Xiaofeng Mountain. Please convey a message to your steward. Our family has received a lot of kindness from the Shu family. If the steward takes a fancy to it, just give us a few taels of silver."
Zengshou was overjoyed. "That's great! I'll thank the young lady on behalf of our steward first. I'll go back and tell him right away."
Pei Jin nodded. "Then I'll wait for good news from the steward at home."
Seeing them chatting happily, Third Chen beside them was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks, almost wanting to cover Pei Jin's mouth.
It was such a good opportunity to make a fortune. How could he let someone else ruin it?
Third Chen quickly grabbed Zengshou and pleaded, "My lord, how can the Pei family's land compare with mine? Their farmland has nothing good. They can't grow much in a year. I had someone specifically look at my land. It's perfect for building a house or a tomb. It's close to the mountains and rivers. There's no better land in Yinwan."
Pei Jin snorted and turned to Zengshou. "My family's land is not far from his. What he said, my family's land can also meet those requirements."
Zengshou clearly preferred Pei Jin's offer. "The young lady is right. Our steward just had a whim and wants to buy a piece of idle land in the countryside. He won't build a house or a tomb. He doesn't need those conditions."
Pei Jin said, "Then it's settled."
Even on this cool day, Third Chen was sweating. How could he let such a big opportunity slip away?
Third Chen refused to let go of Zengshou and flattered him, "As long as your steward buys my land, I'll surely share the profit with you."
Zengshou raised his eyebrows. "Oh? How much profit are you going to share with me?"
Third Chen gritted his teeth. "We'll only ask for fifty taels for the land. You can add as much as you like on top of that."
There was a hint of satisfaction in Zengshou's eyes. "You're quite smart. But between the fifty - tael land and the Pei family's land which is almost given for free, which one do you think our steward will choose?"
Third Chen was extremely frustrated. He glared at Pei Jin. Damn girl! Why did she have to show up now to be a nuisance?
His heart was in pain. "Thirty taels. Thirty taels will do."
Zengshou shook his head. "To be honest, our steward has seen your land. It has nothing good. There's an abandoned house on it, and we have to find someone to tear it down, which will cost manpower and money."
He offered a fixed price. "Fifteen taels. No more."
Third Chen looked mournful. He could already imagine the scene of being scolded by Li when he got home.
But it was obvious that Zengshou wasn't going to negotiate.
There was also Pei Jin standing beside them, eager to get on good terms with the Shu family.
Third Chen closed his eyes. He thought that by selling the land to the steward of the Shu family, it would be easier to find jobs for his son in the city in the future.
Thinking of this, he felt a bit better. "Fine, fine, fine. Just do as you say."
Zengshou gave him a look that said "you're sensible". "Our steward has condescended to take a fancy to your land. You should cherish this fortune. Some things can't be bought with money."
Third Chen said, "Yes, yes, yes. Please say some good words for me when you go back."
Zengshou said, "Naturally. Since we've settled it, let's go to the village head's house to draw up a contract and let him be a witness. Do you have the land deed with you?"
Third Chen took out the deed from his bosom. There was a hesitation on his face. "It's so soon. Don't you need to go back and report to the steward?"
Zengshou said impatiently, "Our steward has entrusted me to handle this matter entirely. Why are you so talkative? Do you want to sell the land or not?"
Third Chen didn't dare to offend him and quickly handed the land deed to Zengshou.
Zengshou held the flimsy piece of paper and said apologetically to Pei Jin, "The young lady, our steward said that it's better to buy vacant land. He doesn't want to take up your family's good farmland. Anyway, thank you for your kindness."
Pei Jin waved her hand and smiled. "It doesn't matter. It's easy to handle on our side."
Zengshou saw Pei Jin off with a smile, and then dragged Third Chen to the village head's house to quickly transfer the ownership of the land.
**
When Third Chen returned home with fifteen taels of silver, he was inevitably scolded by Li.
Although Third Chen was depressed, he told Li that they had taken a great advantage.
Third Chen mentioned Fu Chengyi and patted his chest. "You didn't see the steward of the Shu family. He was so imposing. Just think about it. By doing him a favor now, won't we get benefits in the future? If you don't think about us, think about our two sons."
The "children" here, of course, referred to the two sons born to Li.
From beginning to end, Third Chen never considered his own daughter, Chen Molian, at all.