Chapter 209: A Joyful Feast for Host and Guests Alike

Chapter 209: A Joyful Feast for Host and Guests Alike

Mo Jiuye nodded. "Alright, there's no rush with the courtyard. We can discuss it in detail after the Cui family's case is concluded."

Seeing the Mo family purchase so much farmland and courtyards during a single meal, Xie Tianhai and Fang Chuanzhou became anxious.

However, thinking about those dilapidated courtyards at the foot of the mountain, they truly didn't dare to buy them like the Mo family did, with their abundant wealth to rebuild them.

After all, the silver they had was limited. If they were to buy those broken-down courtyards and rebuild them, it would be equivalent to spending twice as much.

Rather than that, they might as well inquire if the courtyards they were currently residing in were for sale. That way, they could at least save some money to purchase farmland.

Since Mo Jiuye brought up the matter of buying houses, the two men took the opportunity to ask.

"Clan Head Zhao, I wonder if the courtyard we're renting now is for sale?"

Clan Head Zhao replied, "The courtyard that the Xie family is renting belongs to our family, so I can make the decision. If the price is suitable, it can naturally be sold. As for the courtyard where the Fang family lives, it belongs to another clan member. I can't decide on their behalf; I have to ask them before I can give you an answer."

Hearing that the courtyard they lived in could be sold, Xie Tianhai felt relieved and asked, "I wonder how much silver the courtyard we live in costs?"

Clan Head Zhao calculated in his mind and said, "My courtyard covers more than one mu. When I bought the land and built the house, it cost me twelve taels of silver in total.

Now that the courtyard is old, I'll sell it to you for twelve taels."

Xie Tianhai thought about it. The courtyard belonging to Clan Head Zhao was sufficient for his family's use. Although twelve taels wasn't a small amount for their family, it was still cheaper than rebuilding from scratch.

Not only that, but they could also avoid the hardship of building a house.

"Since that's the case, my Xie family will buy the courtyard."

With that, Xie Tianhai also took out two pieces of broken silver from his bosom and handed them to Clan Head Zhao.

"This is the deposit, keep it well."

Although Second Sister-in-law didn't know the specific intentions behind her Ninth Brother's decision to buy so many dilapidated courtyards at the foot of the mountain, she knew in her heart that every decision made by her Ninth Brother and his wife was very correct.

She sincerely hoped that her maternal relatives would follow the Mo family's lead and buy houses at the foot of the mountain.

But seeing Old Father already paying the deposit in haste, even if Second Sister-in-law was anxious, she couldn't remind him in front of so many people.

She could only keep winking at her father, but alas, Xie Tianhai didn't look over at the women's table at all.

Second Sister-in-law winked for a long time, only to end up winking into thin air...

For both the Fang and Xie families planning to buy the houses they were currently renting, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran were pleased to see it happen.

It wasn't that they were selfish; they had already made preliminary plans for the utilization of the area at the foot of the mountain.

If the Xie and Fang families imitated them by purchasing land and houses at the foot of the mountain, their plans would have to be readjusted.

This was good. The two families buying houses in the village not only saved money but also fulfilled their plans.

A joyful feast for host and guests alike not only resolved the matters of purchasing house sites and farmland but also made Clan Heads Zhao and Zhou realize the strength of the Mo family through their generous hospitality today.

In the past, those who were exiled to West Ridge Village were sent here because they didn't have the silver to pay tribute to Cui Wen. That's why Cui Wen deliberately arranged for them to come here to be bullied by his clansmen.

The Mo family was different. It wasn't that they didn't have the silver to pay tribute to Cui Wen, but rather that they found it beneath them.

The Xie and Fang families were the same. They followed the Mo family. On the surface, they didn't have the deep roots of the Mo family, but families capable of buying houses and planning to acquire fertile fields wouldn't lack the silver to bribe Cui Wen.

Thinking about the Mo family again, today they bought nearly forty acres of land, and looking at their appearance, it seemed they had plans to continue purchasing fertile fields.

It was obvious that they intended to become local wealthy landlords in West Ridge Village.

The former Cui family was akin to a landlord in West Ridge Village. Not only did they have so much land that they couldn't finish farming it all, but they also made the people of their two clans work for free.

If it were any other reasonable landlord asking villagers for help, they would at least pay ten coins per day as wages.

Hopefully, the Mo family could become a reasonable landlord. When that happened, the people of their two clans could contribute more effort and earn some household expenses.

Thinking this far, the two clan heads felt that it was essential to establish a good relationship with the Mo family in the future.

Today's meal was a great start.

With this idea in mind, the two clan heads stood up in unison, speaking with more courtesy than usual.

"Ninth, thank you for your hospitality today. In the future, if there's anything, just speak up. As long as we can do it, we will spare no effort.

It's getting late, and you've been busy all day, so rest early."

After Clan Head Zhao spoke, the two clan heads got up to take their leave.

Seeing this, Fang Chuanzhou and Xie Tianhai also stood up.

After expressing their gratitude for the Mo family's hospitality, they left together with the two clan heads.

After sending off the guests, the sisters-in-law gathered to clean up the dishes.

Food-loving Eighth Sister-in-law walked towards the kitchen with two empty plates, constantly commenting on today's dinner.

"Ninth Sister-in-law, I really don't know what you have in your head, but you actually came up with such a way of eating. Raw food served directly on the table, cooked on the spot.

The beef and mutton were tender, it was really satisfying to eat. And those stinky innards, at first, I didn't know how to swallow them, but after taking one bite, I couldn't stop.

Sweet potatoes and potatoes were also delicious. I loved that texture.

Also, Ninth Sister-in-law, how could you make those hard-shelled things taste so good? You must teach me when you have time. I want to show off my skills to your Eighth Brother..."

Eighth Sister-in-law rambled on endlessly, saying exactly what the sisters-in-law had in their hearts.

Although the other sisters-in-law didn't express it as openly as the eighth sister-in-law, they indeed harbored similar thoughts in their hearts.

While washing dishes in the kitchen, the sisters-in-law couldn't resist picking up a few potatoes and sweet potatoes to examine them, as if they had stumbled upon some extraordinary treasures.

Seeing their fascination, He Zhiran playfully asked, "Do my sisters-in-law still have room in their bellies for more food?"

"Little ninth sister-in-law, you're not planning to feed us another delicious treat, are you?" Second Sister-in-Law patted her round belly, chuckling, "I can still make some space here, but only for something truly delectable."

Her words amused everyone present.

All agreed that if there was a delicacy to be had, they could manage to eat a bit more.

In response, He Zhiran simply tossed a few sweet potatoes and potatoes into the still-burning hearth.

This kind of hearth was perfect for roasting sweet potatoes and potatoes; the fire wasn't raging, and it wouldn't die down anytime soon.

Upon seeing He Zhiran's action, the sisters-in-law were left speechless with surprise.

"Little ninth sister-in-law, throwing such good things into the hearth to burn isn't a waste?" Eldest Sister-in-Law, holding an iron hook, stepped forward with a pained expression, ready to retrieve the sweet potatoes and potatoes from the hearth.

He Zhiran quickly stopped her. "Eldest Sister-in-Law, I'm actually preparing a dish; I won't be wasting any food."