Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 595 - 593: I’m a Small Landowner in Chang’an

Chapter 595: Chapter 593: I’m a Small Landowner in Chang’an

Once out of the city, little Qingyu couldn’t stay in the carriage any longer. Without rubber tires, the carriage was truly something only a few could enjoy; it shook one to pieces.

"Mother, mother, I want to ride a horse!" Little Qingyu fussed to Lin Wanwan.

"Alright, we’ll ride horses!"

Coincidentally, Lin Wanwan couldn’t sit still either. Once out of Chang’an City, the sky was bluer, the clouds whiter, the mountains greener, and the water clearer; even breathing felt more comfortable.

This was the feeling of freedom!

Putting on a hat one for each, Lin Wanwan, under Xiao Yixun’s gentle gaze, held little Qingyu and mounted her large Ferghana horse.

This horse was a gift from Xiao Chong on Chinese New Year’s Eve two years ago. It was a rare steed, unmatched by ordinary horses in both appearance and strength. Lin Wanwan was used to riding it and took it wherever she went, even to Chang’an.

After more than a year of practice, Lin Wanwan’s riding skills were now quite proficient. Although she couldn’t be compared to those who grew up on horseback, she was not to be underestimated—perhaps due to the Space-Time Gate, Lin Wanwan had a certain suppressive effect on animals.

At this moment, Lin Wanwan held little Qingyu as they sat atop the tall horse, a gentle breeze lifting the veil of their hat, watching the roadside scenery along the way. They saw farmers busy with spring plowing in the fields and wildflowers blooming freely in the wind, gradually making her feel relaxed.

From afar, they saw a humble, profound, and reserved manor standing ahead, as sacred and inviolable as a noble lady.

Huaxia’s architecture, regardless of whether in the south or north, always had a grand and majestic feel. Its structure, colors, and groups gave a magnificent, solemn impression.

When Xiao Chong and she came here to view the land last time, the manor had been abandoned by its original owner in the countryside for countless years. Moss climbed the walls, geckos painted pictures, and it looked utterly dilapidated. The two of them didn’t even have the interest to take a closer look.

But today, after extensive renovations and decorations by numerous skilled artisans in Chang’an City, the exterior of the manor was already splendid and imposing.

As they got closer, they felt the extraordinary nature of the place. With gilded and beaded decorations, flying beams, and drooping caissons blending together in harmony, Lin Wanwan couldn’t help but say, "Indeed, Huaxia’s ancient architecture is the most beautiful."

The vines climbing the walls were not brutally removed at Lin Wanwan’s request, but instead were trimmed and left there, adding a touch of literary charm.

Opposite the river from this luxurious manor was a row of half-earthen houses characteristic of the central plains.

The farmers, male and female, had gone to the fields for spring plowing, while curious children hid in various shadowy corners watching Lin Wanwan’s group.

The bridge connecting both banks was already erected, easily allowing a carriage to cross. It was far superior to the previous log bridge, a testament to the power of money.

However, Lin Wanwan had no plans to cross the bridge just yet; she wanted to first inspect her newly renovated manor.

As her group approached, craftsmen and the estate manager, who had been waiting there, came up to flatter her, leading the horses with eagerness.

Lin Wanwan and little Qingyu did not dismount, instead riding through the main entrance on horseback. After touring the estate, Lin Wanwan expressed her great satisfaction and immediately decided to move in.

Xiao Yixun’s Bamboo Garden was quite tranquil, but staying there felt like being under someone else’s roof. Moreover, the people at the Xiao Mansion were neither warm nor cold to her, hardly engaging in interactions, which was rather dull.

This manor, now registered under her name, was different; the quality was secondary, the key was she could decorate it however she liked.

Not only did this manor feature bridges, streams, rock gardens, and fountains, but it also had a natural hot spring pool. Passing by, one could see dense white mist rising from the hot spring surface. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Just imagining bathing in it made Lin Wanwan feel a sense of leisurely longing.

After viewing the estate, Lin Wanwan assigned rooms to several maids, while little Qingyu had already found her happy spot.

Lin Wanwan had already prepared to move today, so much was brought along in the carriage. Once she returned to bid farewell to the Xiao Mansion, she could move in immediately.

Lin Wanwan was merely a civilian-promoted Imperial Physician, responsible only for Empress Zhangsun, so she did not have to report to the Imperial City early each day. Moreover, her duties began at noon, making it unnecessary to live in Chang’an City. She could leisurely commute from outside the city to her work in Chang’an.

For Lin Wanwan, a bit more than an hour’s commute wasn’t much.

After inspecting both inside and outside, Lin Wanwan decided to meet with the estate manager and several manor guest representatives in the main hall.

It turned out the estate manager underestimated Lin Wanwan’s youth. When reporting the land’s yield, he was inaccurate until Lin Wanwan rebuked him, prompting him to wipe his sweat and honestly report.

However, his initial cunning image had already eroded Lin Wanwan’s trust, making him the first casualty of Lin Wanwan’s new tenure.

Removing him from his position was considered lenient; not expelling him outright was an act of Lin Wanwan’s mercy.

After meeting the manor guests and inquiring about the basic situation, learning that the villagers had planted the corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes she provided according to her requirements, Lin Wanwan expressed her satisfaction.

As for the mulberry, hemp, and wheat fields planted according to the plan, Lin Wanwan didn’t give any further instruction.

Simply standing by the river watching the hard-working farmers fetching water for irrigation, Lin Wanwan suddenly thought of something—it was time for the hydraulic chain pump to make an appearance.

But there was no rush for it now.

With hands behind her back, Lin Wanwan led little Qingyu across the river.

Always adept with children his age, little Qingyu, with Rongrong carrying a cloth bag full of snacks, already had the children from the manor gathered around her in a frenzy!

Lin Wanwan supported little Qingyu’s interaction with the manor children, generously sharing snacks and pastries.

The sight of thin and malnourished children was pitiful, and helping them was something Lin Wanwan was glad to see.

Besides the farmland, there was also a newly completed soap workshop ready for Lin Wanwan to teach everyone how to make soap.

The soap workshop’s personnel included managers from Li Lizhi’s industry, Lin Wanwan’s domestic servants (mainly rewarded by Li Shimin), and some wives of the manor guests with children in tow.

Lin Wanwan planned to employ a division of labor to make handmade soap; ingredients like alkali stones, Glauber’s salt, lime, pork fat, soap molds, and other materials had long been prepared by Sun Chuyao. Now everything was ready but the start.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the sun was setting. Lin Wanwan then took little Qingyu and Xiao Yixun on a light carriage for the return trip.

After performing the routine prenatal check-up for Empress Zhangsun tomorrow, she would move house immediately!