The following days were the most comfortable Su Li had experienced since her rebirth. Every few days, she would take a few maids to stroll around her shops and look at the account books.
Sometimes, she would make appointments with Wei Yuanyao and Qu Zhirou to go shopping, enjoy the spring scenery, and appreciate flowers, living a truly carefree life.
During the day, Jun Mo was a well-mannered and refined young gentleman, but at night, he transformed into a lecherous rogue who stole kisses and caresses.
However, both of them maintained their boundaries and never crossed the line.
During this period, there were no significant changes in the capital. The biggest event was that the old Duke of Weiguo Manor, knowing his age, passed his title to his son, Wei Xiyong.
Su Li sat by the window, propping her head up as she watched her mother hum a lullaby while coaxing Yu-ge'er to sleep, a gentle curve forming on her lips.
These days were truly comfortable, but she couldn't stay idle like this.
Thinking about the thousand acres of fertile land bestowed by the Emperor, Su Li decided to follow the old practice: half for planting grain and half for planting medicinal herbs.
This way, Su's Restaurant and Zui Xian Ju (Drunken Immortal Inn) wouldn't need to buy grain anymore. Once the medicinal herbs were cultivated, she would open several Xinglin Tang (Apricot Grove Hall) pharmacies in different locations across the capital.
This would not only ensure the quality and supply of grain and medicinal herbs but also save a significant amount of money.
Su Li was a woman of action. The next day, she took Si Qin and Mo Hua to the western郊 (jiao – outskirts/suburbs).
When she got out of the carriage and saw the boundless farmland, the shock was far greater than when the Emperor had mentioned bestowing the fertile land.
Zhi Shu, stepping off the carriage, exclaimed in surprise, "Heavens! Miss, all of this is yours!"
Even Si Qin, usually composed, widened her eyes.
Su Li's lips curled slightly as she walked inwards.
These farmlands were all cultivated by tenant farmers. Since the Emperor had bestowed them upon her, she didn't want to overly disrupt the lives of these tenants.
Therefore, the first words she spoke to the head of the estate were: "The existing tenant farmers do not need to be removed. Things will remain as they were before; only the owner has changed."
The head of the estate, who had been feeling apprehensive, was immediately filled with gratitude upon hearing this.
"Thank you, Esteemed Owner! This is truly wonderful!"
After all, everyone had been here for a long time. The longest-serving tenants had been there for decades. If they were truly made to leave after this harvest, they really wouldn't know where to go.
With the new owner's words, they could finally set their hearts at ease.
Su Li added, "However, there will be some adjustments. I plan to use some of the land to plant medicinal herbs. Of course, I will leave enough land for you to grow grain. Those of you who wish to grow grain may continue to do so.
And those who are willing to plant medicinal herbs in their spare time will be given extra wages, which will definitely be more profitable than growing grain. Moreover, the tenants who plant medicinal herbs will have their rent reduced. And don't worry about not knowing how to plant medicinal herbs; someone will teach you hands-on."
The tenant farmers looked at each other in surprise. Was there such a good thing?
They could earn wages without having to leave their homes. Planting some grain for sustenance and helping to plant medicinal herbs to earn extra money – wouldn't their lives become more and more prosperous?
The head of the estate was the first to react, saying repeatedly, "This is too good! I thank you on behalf of everyone, Your Grace! It just so happens that this season's vegetable seedlings in the field are ready for harvest. Once the vegetables are harvested, we can start planting medicinal herbs! I'll be the first to sign up!"
"I want to plant medicinal herbs too!"
"Count me in!"
"And me!"
The clever tenant farmers eagerly wanted to plant medicinal herbs while still farming their own land. Some of the tenants who were still observing thought that although they had never planted medicinal herbs before, following the clever ones would surely lead to a better life.
Su Li said loudly, "Alright, it's settled then. I will send the medicinal herb seeds as soon as possible and send people to teach you how to plant them. This county princess guarantees that those who are diligent and hardworking will have increasingly better days. But those who try to be lazy and cheat their way into earning wages, this county princess will not tolerate!"
"Your Grace, please rest assured! We will definitely learn and work diligently!" the head of the estate quickly said.
Su Li nodded and said, "Then, I'll trouble you to re-divide the fields for everyone and also take a census of those who will be planting medicinal herbs. Their rent will be reduced per person starting from this month."
"Yes, yes! I'll take the census right away."
A burst of cheers erupted from the crowd.
The county princess truly kept her word! They hadn't even started planting medicinal herbs yet, and the rent was already being reduced!
Having seen estate owners who squeezed the blood and sweat out of their tenants, this was the first time they had encountered someone so generous. Everyone secretly resolved to learn how to plant medicinal herbs properly so as not to let down the county princess.
They did not expect the changes this decision would bring to their lives in the future.
Years later, when the western郊 of the capital became the wealthiest place in Tian Qi, everyone rejoiced in their choice that day.
Of course, that's a story for later.
After arranging matters in the western suburbs, Su Li went to Xinglin Tang and told Doctor Changchun about her plans.
Doctor Changchun naturally agreed; this was also his original intention.
The current Xinglin Tang had undergone a significant transformation.
Originally the largest medical hall in the capital, it had, after several months of development, bought the shops on both sides. The number of young apprentices had also increased from the initial few to dozens.
Several skilled doctors had also been hired to take turns seeing patients.
Poor people could now afford to see a doctor, and those with mobility issues even had people regularly visiting their homes to provide medical treatment and deliver medicine.
Since the reputation of Xinglin Tang spread within official circles, many officials began to visit Xinglin Tang for medical consultations.
This made many proud and arrogant imperial physicians feel uneasy.
In the past, these officials would greet them politely, but now they had become lukewarm.
Despite their dissatisfaction, they didn't dare to cause trouble at Xinglin Tang.
Who didn't know that behind Xinglin Tang was Changning Junzhu?
Changning Junzhu was already extraordinary, not to mention she had a sharp-tongued Minister father, a killing-god fiancé, and a Duke of Weiguo uncle who would resort to violence at the slightest disagreement backing her. Who would dare to provoke her?
Su Li didn't care about all of that. She only wanted to do the most for the common people with the least amount of money.
Initially, she hadn't thought this way, her mind solely focused on revenge.
But after experiencing so much, she had become a county princess and would later be the Jing Wangfei (Prince Jing's consort).
She enjoyed these honors and the people's favor. She was not a deity; her abilities were limited, but she would try her best to do something for the people.
After going out early and returning late for a period of time, she finally settled on the locations for the new pharmacies.
She had also taken in some orphans and homeless people at the estate, asking Zhi Shu to occasionally look after them.
After dinner, the family sat down for a casual chat.
Su Father sighed, "The people of the capital are all saying that Li'er is indeed my daughter, Su Yi, possessing a benevolent heart."
Su Mother looked at her daughter, who had been going out early and returning late recently, and said with concern, "Look how thin you've become. Eat more."
Su Li smiled and said, "Mother, I haven't gotten thinner, I've grown taller, haven't you noticed?" After speaking, she stood up and spun around.
Su Mother looked and said, "You're right, it seems we need to make new clothes. It just so happens that your cousin will be getting married in a few days."
Su Li was taken aback, only then realizing it was already June.
That meant in another month, she would also be getting married.
Without even needing to embroider a wedding dress, she had forgotten that she was getting married.
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