Chapter 947: Chapter 947 Tenants

The Young Master Jiang naturally had no objections; he had originally thought of having the tenants come up to the manor so she could make her selection.

Shu Yu refused, wanting to visit them herself.

Thus, Young Master Jiang led the way, and the group soon left the manor, heading toward the nearby tenants’ dwellings.

There weren’t many houses in the vicinity, and a few even seemed uninhabited.

In addition, the area offered a wide view with sparse population–houses were spaced far apart, unlike the crowded layout of Shangshi Village.

Perhaps because the manor was being sold and the tenants would no longer have land to rent, most of them were staying home.

Some worked in their courtyards, making straw hats and trinkets at their doorsteps, trying in any way to bring in a little extra income for the household.

But these people all appeared dispirited, their eyes filled with confusion and worry about the uncertain future.

Someone suddenly shouted, “The boss Jiang is here!”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately stood up noisily, crowding around and talking over one another. “Boss Jiang, are you really going to sell the manor and the land?”

“Boss Jiang, can’t we try one more year? My cousin from the prefecture said we could buy better seeds there. By then, we’d surely be able to pay our tenancy dues.”

“Exactly, Boss Jiang! If you sell the land, what are we supposed to do?”

Young Master Jiang cleared his throat lightly. “Enough, stop standing around here. You’re seasoned farmers, and even you can’t grow enough crops–what else can I do?”

He looked rather impatient and turned back to Shu Yu, saying, “Lady Lu, let’s head this way.”

As soon as he spoke, the tenants dared not say another word.

While walking, Shu Yu observed them. They all seemed diligent; after all, didn’t they keep working as they spoke to Young Master Jiang, their hands never ceasing?

The most amusing one was a woman who, while embroidering a handkerchief, marched up to cry out her grievances to Young Master Jiang with a sorrowful expression. She would lower her head to stitch one needle, then look up with the same pitiful face, cry out again, and stitch another needle.

This sight genuinely amused Shu Yu.

There were only twenty or thirty households–fewer residents than in Shangshi Village–so the group quickly made their way around.

Just as Shu Yu was about to leave after inspecting the last house, a commotion suddenly erupted inside, followed by an angry female voice.

“You’re really going back to Shangshi Village?”

Shangshi Village??

Shu Yu abruptly halted in her tracks and exchanged glances with Daniu and Lu Sanzhu.

But after that single line, no further sounds emerged from inside.

Either no one spoke again, or their voices were too hushed to be heard.

Yet Shu Yu was certain she hadn’t misheard–someone inside had explicitly mentioned Shangshi Village by name.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Shu Yu asked Young Master Jiang, “Who lives here?”

How would Young Master Jiang know? Even though the manor was his, he had seldom visited these tenants’ homes, preferring instead to summon them when needed.

So he shook his head.

Shu Yu turned her gaze to a woman standing by the door of the neighboring house. By pure coincidence, it was none other than the young woman from earlier, the one embroidering the handkerchief with a sorrowful expression.

She walked a few steps forward. This particular house was at the very edge of the village, with a ten-meter gap of road separating it from its neighbor.

Approaching the woman, Shu Yu smiled and asked, “Sister, may I ask who lives in that house?”

The woman didn’t recognize Shu Yu but could tell she had come with Young Master Jiang. Judging by his attitude toward her, it was clear this young lady’s status wasn’t ordinary.