Upon hearing this, the manager's eyes flickered with understanding. "Hoho, there is indeed a choice. Baichuan Academy is the cultural epicenter of our county, and being able to choose a neighborhood to live in is truly a refined matter. However, recently, the surrounding houses near the academy have become increasingly popular, and their prices have also been on the rise."
Yu Yao nodded gently, "As long as the house is good and the environment is tranquil, the price is not an issue."
The manager smiled upon hearing this.
Then, he led her to sit beside a table with an elaborate map of Lotus County spread out on it, and meticulously explained:
"Madam, look here, this mansion is not directly adjacent to the academy, but it is separated by a quiet alleyway. It's tranquil in the midst of bustling areas, and the backyard has a bamboo grove, which is highly in line with your requirements. However, just that."
"What is it just that?"
Yu Yao's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her gaze following the manager's finger.
"However, this mansion was originally owned by a retired official. The layout is exquisite, and the garden design is unique, which is why the price is not inexpensive."
The manager's gaze fell on her, his words carrying a hint of probing.
She looked up with a sudden realization, smiled, and arched her eyebrows. "The price is not an issue. As long as the house meets my heart's desire, can you arrange for me to take a look?"
Upon hearing this, the manager knew that this madam was not someone to be cheap. However, Xingrong Bank valued reputation, and they wouldn't deceive people casually to avoid tarnishing their own brand.
This is also the reason why they can achieve the top position of a money-changing house in Lotus County.
"Of course, madam, please wait a moment. I'll go prepare the carriage right away."
The manager smiled and agreed.
After speaking, he turned around to arrange the carriage.
After a moment.
After a moment, Yu Yao climbed onto the carriage that the manager had arranged. To avoid any potential misunderstandings, the manager did not sit inside the carriage but instead sat outside.
The carriage clattered along the bustling streets, with a gentle breeze blowing and the fragrance of flowers filling the air.
Before long, they arrived at their destination.
"Madam, we have arrived."
The manager jumped down from the carriage and reminded Yu Yao inside the carriage.
She pulled back the carriage curtain and stepped out slowly, into the mansion, where her view suddenly opened up.
The artificial mountains and flowing water, pavilions and buildings, all revealed the owner's unique craftsmanship.
Especially that bamboo grove, swaying with the wind, producing a rustling sound, as if it could cleanse the dust in one's heart.
She looked around the mansion and found that it was indeed very nice, though not luxurious, it was tranquil and elegant.
The problem is that the house is a bit large, and currently she is living alone, it will feel a bit empty.
The manager followed, speaking up at the right moment: "Madam, this mansion is truly rare. And the layout inside, every detail has its significance..."
Yu Yao nodded slightly and asked, "This mansion is indeed good. What's the price?"
Upon hearing this, the manager stopped in his tracks and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Madam, the original owner of this mansion was a retired official. When he built it, he spent a lot of time and money. The current asking price is three thousand two hundred silver coins. However, considering the quality and location of this mansion, this price is actually not expensive. As you can see, though the house may not be luxurious, it is still exquisite."
She also stopped in her tracks, she did not care about the price, after all, she was not short of money.
There are plenty of valuable items in her space, and she could easily sell a few to have more than enough for her needs.
She did not immediately agree.
She looked at the manager and asked, "Is there any problem with the property of this mansion? I don't want any trouble in the future."
Seeing her concern, the manager let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Madam, please be at ease. The title to this mansion is clear, and all the documents are in order. Our money-changing house always carefully checks all transactions before proceeding to ensure there are no issues."
Yu Yao nodded slightly, "In that case, I want this mansion. Will it be a direct transaction with you, or do I need to meet the owner of this mansion?"
The manager chuckled, "Our money-changing house is only responsible for the sale and collects a certain fee in the middle. For the formal transaction, of course, it would be necessary for madam to meet the owner of the mansion in person."
It seems afraid that she might find it troublesome, the manager quickly continued: "Madam, don't worry, although the retired official has left the Lotus County, there are still people here to handle this matter. If madam is determined to buy it, I will immediately send someone to contact him. We can go back to our money-changing house and wait for a while."
"All right."
Yu Yao nodded gently, showing that she had no objections.
The two quickly left here, climbed back onto the carriage, and headed back to the money-changing house.
She waited for about half an hour at the money-changing house, and then saw a middle-aged man named Liu.
The man was a relative of the retired official, in charge of selling the mansion.
The transaction was smooth, with both parties exchanging money and the deed without any issues.
With the deed in hand, Yu Yao was calculating the layout of the new mansion and what items she needed to purchase.
Her belly was getting larger, and she couldn't do without people around, so she thought of buying a few slaves.
She looked at the manager and asked, "Manager, I want to add more people to take care of the mansion, do you have any suitable recommendations?"
Upon hearing this, the manager's eyes lit up with excitement. He quickly said, "Madam is truly thoughtful and meticulous. We have just a few families in our money-changing house who are honest and hardworking, with nimble hands. I'll take madam over there right away."
"All right, thank you."
Yu Yao thanked him politely and followed the manager to the back yard of the money-changing house.
In the backyard, several men and women were sitting or standing, each with different expressions, but all exuding a bit of unease and anticipation.
Of course, there were also those with expressions of numbness.
"All of you, get your spirits up. Whether you can leave here and be chosen depends entirely on yourselves."
The manager's gaze swept over the people with a fierce look, barking out loudly.
Hearing the manager's words, the people trembled in fear.
Afterwards, they all got their spirits up, but their expressions were nervous and scared.
"Madam, look here. Are you satisfied? If not, I'll go fetch another batch for you."
The manager turned to look at Yu Yao, his attitude turning a complete one hundred and eighty degrees, and said politely.
Yu Yao nodded slightly, her gaze scanning over those people one by one, and finally landing on an elderly couple, with a little boy of about five or six holding their hands.
The little boy was very weak, looking timid and pitiful.
Looking at the elderly couple, although they were old, they were not very old.
The woman had white hair, and she looked to be in her mid-fifties. Her face was kind and gentle, while the man looked honest and trustworthy at a glance.
Their complexion was not very good, and they were all very thin, clearly due to their environment.
It must be that the little boy is the grandson of this elderly couple.
Upon seeing that Yu Yao's gaze was on the elderly couple, the manager timely introduced: "Madam, this couple's hometown suffered a drought, and their son and daughter-in-law died in the escape. So they have been carrying their grandson and selling themselves as slaves here because there is no other way."
Yu Yao heard this and felt moved by pity, "Just them."
The manager looked at her in surprise, "Madam, are you sure you want them?"
At their age, and with a grandson to take care of, it is usually not something that people would want.
She asked, "How much silver?"
The manager was sure she wasn't joking and said, "Madam, you only need to give ten taels of silver in total."
The normal price for a family of three is fifteen taels of silver, but this family is different. The old are old and the young are young, and no one is willing to buy them.
But can't they sell them at a cheaper price?
Yu Yao didn't know the situation, having heard that only ten taels of silver were needed for three people, she couldn't help but sigh and feel sad.
But she didn't say anything, took out ten taels of silver and gave it to the manager, who also handed her the indenture for this family of three.
She tucked away the indenture and then led the elderly couple and their grandson out of the money-changing house.
She gave some silver to the elderly couple to buy furniture and daily necessities, and told them the address of the mansion, then she was about to leave.
Just as they were walking to the main street, the sound of hoofbeats approached from a distance, becoming louder in the bustling market.
Yu Yao looked towards the sound and saw a wealthy young master riding a tall horse, dressed in luxurious robes. His face, handsome beyond compare, wore a mischievous smile, and his deep eyes seemed to be able to perceive one's thoughts.
When she clearly saw the face of the nobleman, she felt a sudden jolt in her heart.
She suddenly rushed over in a frenzy and just stood in front of the nobleman's tall horse, ignoring the danger.
The nobleman was startled and quickly pulled back on the reins, narrowly avoiding trampling over her.
He frowned at the woman standing in front of the horse, and his excellent cultivation allowed him to keep his temper without losing his composure. Instead, he smiled and asked kindly, "May I ask what business this lady is doing blocking my horse?"
Du Guo Ye is the crown prince of the dynasty, bored in the capital, so he disguised his identity and came to Jiangnan for a tour. Lately, he happened to be in Lotus County.
He did not recognize the woman before him and instinctively thought she must have recognized his identity and wanted to seek justice from him.
Yu Yao just stared at Du Guo Ye, her eyes carefully examining his face.
Seeing this face, the memories that had been buried for a long time slowly rose in her mind.
The man in front of her looked extremely similar to Mo Jue, so much so that it could be said they were identical.
Not only did he look like him in appearance, but even his eyes that were filled with a sense of freedom, his lips that were devoid of bloodlust, and the expression that was not really a smile, looked identical to him.
