Chapter 40: Buying Land

Before setting off for the neighbouring county, Shen Chengyao decided to inform the village chief about his intention to buy land. So, he took a basket of fruit to the village chief's house early in the morning to discuss the matter.

In the west wing, Jingrui and Jinghao had been practicing calligraphy for two hours every morning since they got their brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The weather had become quite cold, causing their hands to turn red from the chill each morning after practicing. Despite the hardship, they seemed to enjoy it. Mrs. Liu, moved by their shared commitment, thought about making mittens for them. Yet they claimed that wearing mittens would inconvenience their writing and make it harder to improve.