5.

The afternoon sun spilled across the wide courtyard as Li Sining, Li Siming, and Li Siyuan sat around a low wooden table, several sheets of parchment and a rough map of the land spread out before them.

The ink was still drying on some lines, hastily drawn but precise enough.

Li Siming tapped a brush against a marked patch. "This lower area by the creek—these fifty acres, flat and with good water access, should be our main farmland."

Li Siyuan, quiet and methodical, adjusted his robe and leaned forward, studying the map. His long fingers traced a boundary line as he asked, "And what about this northern edge? It slopes toward the mountain. Rocks are shallow. Not ideal for grains."

"I was thinking," Li Sining said, glancing at the map, "we leave ten acres aside there. For fruit trees."

Li Siyuan looked up. "You mean… to sell fruit?"

Li Sining shook his head. "No. Not for profit. Just for our people. Our family. The guards."

He tapped his finger gently over the ten-acre mark. "We're not just feeding ourselves. We're feeding eighty shadow guards who crossed fire and blood to bring us here. We owe them more than coin. Fruits—especially the kind we'll plant—are nourishing, good for health, especially for the girls and brothers."

Li Siming nodded, the seriousness returning to his otherwise relaxed face. "We should grow long-term. Roots. Strength. Not trade."

Li Siyuan offered a rare smile. "Agreed. But… how about chickens?"

"Chickens?" Siming raised a brow.

Siyuan shrugged modestly. "For eggs. They're nutritious. Easy to raise. And I don't want to eat pickled vegetables every morning."

Li Sining chuckled. "You're more practical than you look."

He dipped his brush into ink and scribbled into the margins: 'Set up chicken coop – 20 hens, 2 roosters'

The three brothers sat back, satisfied.

"Now, the rest of the thirty acres," Sining mused. "Wheat, rice, and vegetables. We'll divide it seasonally."

"I recommend allocating fifteen acres to wheat and eight to rice," Siyuan said. "The remaining seven can rotate vegetables depending on yield."

Siming nodded. "We'll need someone to help with irrigation plans too."

Just then, the door creaked open and Li Sitao peeked in, grinning like a fox with a stolen bun.

"I brought juice!" he announced, carrying a wooden tray with three simple cups.

"Juice?" Siming raised an eyebrow.

Sitao proudly poured three portions of watery pear and goji berry juice into ceramic cups and handed them out.

"I boiled it myself, then strained it twice! I even added wild mint! Isn't it amazing?"

Li Sining raised the cup to his lips, took a careful sip, and paused.

"…It tastes like wet grass," he said flatly.

Siming laughed aloud.

Li Siyuan coughed politely but managed to drink half of his.

Sitao's smile faltered, but then he grinned again. "Still counts! I learned! I'm useful now, right?"

All three brothers laughed.

Siming reached out and gave him a light pat on the head. "You're trying. That's more than most nobles would ever do."

Sining nodded and added, "Next time, less grass, more fruit."

The peaceful mood was broken a few minutes later when Li Sichen slipped into the room, looking awkward. His robes were still neat, but his eyes were uncertain.

"…Um," he began, "there's a situation."

All three heads turned at once.

Li Sining raised an eyebrow. "What kind of situation?"

Li Sichen cleared his throat. "The village chief… and an old woman came to visit. They're in the front room. Li Sijun is attending them for now."

Siyuan straightened, curious. "Why are they here?"

Sichen hesitated. "Well… apparently, the old lady is a matchmaker."

The room froze.

Sichen pressed on reluctantly. "And… she's here for Li Siming's hand in marriage."

Siming blinked. "What."

Sichen nodded seriously. "They're proposing a girl from town. Modest background. Quiet temperament. Strong fertility. That sort of thing."

Siming turned to Li Sining in complete disbelief. "Me?!"

Sining sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well… you are nineteen."

"Exactly!" Siming barked. "That's not old!"

"In this era?" Sining muttered. "It might as well be retirement age."

Siyuan, who had been sipping the rest of the grass-juice in quiet contemplation, simply sighed. "Another crisis to handle."

Sining stood up. "Let's go. Before Sijun accidentally accepts the proposal just to be polite."

The four of them made their way through the central courtyard and into the smaller front hall.

Inside, Li Sijun was seated respectfully, hands in his lap, quietly enduring the endless praise being spoken by the plump old woman in colorful robes. She was explaining how the girl in question had strong arms and pure intentions.

Beside her sat the village chief, a thin man with a wiry beard and a straw hat resting beside him. He bowed respectfully the moment he saw them.

"Ah! The elder brothers have arrived," he said warmly.

The matchmaker beamed. "You must be Master Siming?"

Siming bowed politely but firmly. "I am. You flatter me, madam."

"Oh, no, no," she said, her bracelets clinking as she clasped her hands. "I only speak what is true. A fine young man such as yourself—tall, steady, sharp-eyed—you'd make any girl happy."

She opened a pouch and presented a folded portrait of a round-faced girl with downcast eyes.

Siming took the portrait awkwardly, gave it a glance, then passed it to Sining without comment.

The village chief chuckled. "We know times are difficult. But it's precisely in hard times that good unions are forged. This girl is well-raised. Knows how to cook, weave, and clean. She won't ask for gold or land. Just an honest husband."

Siming opened his mouth.

Li Sining raised a hand subtly.

He stepped forward.

"We're grateful," he said diplomatically. "Your kindness honors us. But… our household is currently focused on building land and surviving. We're not in a position to welcome daughters-in-law."

The matchmaker looked mildly disappointed but nodded.

"I see. I see. That's very responsible of you."

Siming offered her a respectful bow. "Please thank the family for their consideration."

Sijun, who had remained quiet throughout, exhaled deeply.

The matchmaker and village chief were escorted out shortly after. Sichen handed them a small pouch of tea as a token of respect.

Once the door closed, the four brothers stood silently for a moment.

Then Sijun muttered, "She called you 'tall and steady.'"

Siming rubbed his temples. "It's not like I'm the only tall one."

Sining smirked. "You're the only one who looks like a proper adult."

Li Sichen, who was usually shy, added with a rare smirk, "You do give off a 'reliable husband' vibe."

Siyuan looked at the portrait again, then shook his head and said, "Eyes too round. Not your type."

Siming groaned. "Can we please go back to talking about farmland?"

The afternoon light stretched across the mountains as they returned to their courtyard, laughter lingering in the air.