The Li family matter concerning Li Fang was merely a minor episode in the Li household's daily life, and days continued as usual.
Every ten days, Li Ping'an would return from Yunshui Academy in Yunshui County to Peach Blossom Village for family gatherings.
"Father, mother, younger brother, I'm back."
Dressed in dark green scholar robes, Li Ping'an wore a bright smile on his handsome face. The tassels at his waist swayed gently as he walked, exuding the refined air of a literati.
His smooth academic achievements, teachers' appreciation, and classmates' friendliness had filled this young man with confidence and vitality, brimming with vigorous energy.
"Ping'an, you've grown thinner again," Lady Qin fretted. "Don't neglect your health while studying. Drink more chicken soup later to nourish yourself."
"Mother, I really haven't lost weight. Look carefully - where exactly am I thinner?"
Li Ping'an laughed helplessly and even turned around for his mother's inspection. Though slender and tall, he no longer appeared "frail as a reed" as before. Through persistent physical training with his father and elder brother, he had developed a solid foundation.
Li Rongzhou waved his hand, smiling. "You know how your mother is. Even if you were as strong as an ox calf, she'd still say you're thin."
"Where's elder brother?" Li Ping'an asked.
"Your brother went to the village chief's house," Li Rongzhou explained. "They said there were important matters to discuss."
Not long after, Li Pingfu returned home. Delighted to see his second brother, though his expression remained typically impassive, he expressed his joy by patting his brother's shoulder. "Come, let's spar."
"Please no," Li Ping'an grimaced, suspecting this was his brother's revenge for his past sharp tongue.
How could he possibly defeat his eldest brother, the most skilled martial artist in the family?
Yet he was forcibly dragged into what was called "sparring" but was essentially "getting beaten up," his pained expressions amusing Li Pingcan and Xie Yuan to no end.
After testing his younger brother's skills, Li Pingfu nodded approvingly. "Your energy and spirit are good. Never neglect your health for studying like last time."
Previously, during exam preparations, Li Ping'an had pushed himself to extremes - studying day and night until he turned ashen-faced and nearly collapsed. Since then, the family paid special attention to his health.
Li Ping'an defended his dignity: "Though my martial arts can't compare to yours, my academic achievements are progressing well. The teachers at Yunshui Academy say I can take the imperial exams next year."
"So soon?" The entire family expressed surprise.
Currently a provincial graduate (juren), Li Ping'an was exempt from all corvée labor, taxes, and military service. Passing the metropolitan exams would grant him an official position, making him an assistant to immortal officials. This connection would ensure better treatment for all Li family members, whether they pursued martial arts or immortal cultivation.
The Li family would truly elevate their social status then!
Today's meal was particularly sumptuous, as their standard of living improved year by year.
The Li family had no rule against talking during meals.
After placing a piece of braised pork (three parts lean, three parts fat) in Li Pingcan's bowl, Li Pingfu said, "Father, should we expand our peach orchard?"
After Li Dahu's death, Li Fang had quarreled with relatives over inheritance. In a fit of rage, he murdered several family members under cover of darkness, leaving blood spilled everywhere.
When the truth came to light, he was captured and brought before the old village chief.
Such violent incidents among villagers were tricky - reporting to officials would tarnish Peach Blossom Village's reputation, affecting peach sales.
Li Fang left a remorseful letter and "committed suicide." Part of the disputed assets compensated victims' families, while the rest funded expansion of the Li ancestral hall and maintenance of burial hills.
"The village chief asked if we want to buy several acres of peach trees."
Such disputed land was always sold at discounted prices.
Li Pingcan immediately perked up. Having planted five thousand trees to reach the threshold between Level 3 and Level 4, he understood the hardships of orchard cultivation better than anyone.
Expanding the orchard would mean extra experience points with his father's help.
He calculated: "Father, as a provincial graduate, second brother already qualifies for partial tax exemption on land. If he becomes a metropolitan graduate, we'll get full exemption. Without land taxes, expanding the orchard is guaranteed profit."
Even in bad years, if Li Ping'an didn't pass the metropolitan exams, they'd just earn less.
"We could also hire tenant farmers to maintain the trees."
"And Zhou Yu's herb fields could expand by several acres too."
Zhou Yu had proven himself an exceptional herb cultivator - his plants grew exceptionally vigorous with potent medicinal effects, and he tended them with utmost dedication.
Even Li Pingcan, initially Zhou Yu's harshest critic, had grown to trust him completely.
After lively discussion, the whole family agreed seizing this opportunity to acquire Li Dahu's "legacy" was too good to pass up.
Li Pingfu added, "The old chief also mentioned organizing manpower to clear wasteland and expand the village's peach orchards."
"Let's not rush that," Li Rongzhou shook his head. "Reclaiming wilderness isn't easy - wild animals pose significant threats, possibly even fierce treasure beasts."
With recent favorable weather, not just the Li family but the entire Peach Blossom Village sought to grow and prosper.
Peach orchards normally cost forty taels per acre, but this discounted sale offered thirty acres for just six hundred taels.
This naturally reflected the old chief's favor, but the aging, unproductive trees needing replacement also contributed to the low price.
Now owning forty-two acres of peach orchards, the Li family became major landowners overnight.
"We must hire help to maintain and plant the orchards."
Li Rongzhou employed many villagers as temporary workers, planning to observe who worked diligently versus who slacked, gradually selecting the best for long-term contracts.
The herb fields also expanded by ten acres, with Zhou Yu receiving a substantial raise.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Zhou Yu reflected on his past struggles - paying exorbitant rents and taxes for herb cultivation, enduring bullying from local ruffians when selling his valuable crops.
Now he could focus solely on cultivation, free from financial worries, earning respectable wages, and enjoying villagers' respect. The thought of working for the Li family permanently crossed his mind.
Compared to before, this was truly heavenly living.
"Lady Qin, making so many steamed buns?"
Seeing Lady Qin carrying a basket full of buns, a village woman inquired.
"Yes, for the workers."
Lady Qin treated people fairly - her buns contained proper flour without chaff filler, accompanied by pickles mixed with minced meat as side dishes.
"My, making such a big batch must be tiring. Why not buy a couple of servant girls?"
"Not tiring at all. Yuan helps me."
Lady Qin smiled cheerfully, working efficiently. Thanks to practicing Breath of the Tree to the second level, she enjoyed robust health, steady breathing, and abundant energy despite appearing ordinary.
"How diligent you are!"
The village woman smiled superficially while secretly sneering - even a provincial graduate's mother still toiled in the kitchen like common folk, too poor to afford servants!
Though noticing the mockery, Lady Qin remained unperturbed. Her children valued independence over servants. Having known hardship, she preferred simplicity to mimicking wealthy families' extravagance.
Arriving at the bustling orchard, Lady Qin distributed the buns. Workers were astonished to find meat in their food - scant though it was, meat nonetheless!
Flooded with gratitude, they thanked her profusely.
Moving busily among them, Lady Qin responded graciously to their thanks before secretly giving her husband a bun with extra meat. "Does it taste good?" she asked expectantly.
"How did you know I craved pickles?"
Taking a big bite, Li Rongzhou smiled contentedly. "Perfectly tangy and strong - your cooking is excellent. I've missed this flavor."
"I knew you'd like it. Tired from planting? I'll give you a foot soak and shoulder rub when we get home."
Lady Qin's gentle smile fluttered in the mountain breeze, radiant and charming.