“This way, Master Shen.”
A thin man in a green cloth robe led the way with a fawning smile.
This man was named Liang Si.
Shen Xiuhan had already made inquiries beforehand.
This man had the most property listings in the South Market. Moreover, he did business fairly and kept his hands clean, so Shen Xiuhan had gone straight to the brokerage to find him after entering the city.
Over the course of two hours, the two of them had already looked at two properties in a row.
The first was a single courtyard. Pushing open the main gate revealed the courtyard, with the main house connected to three wing rooms on either side—the most common quadrangle layout.
The second was much more spacious and grand, a two-entry courtyard.
Upon entering, there was a small outer courtyard with reversed-facing rooms. Walking forward a few steps and passing through a festooned gate led to the main inner courtyard.
Most well-to-do families in the Inner City had this kind of layout.
As for the grander three-entry courtyards, they naturally had three gates and three courtyards. Not only were they deep and spacious, but they also featured an extra backyard specifically for the female family members to reside in.
The Mei Courtyard was a standard three-entry courtyard.
During a casual chat, Xu Chuan had revealed to Shen Xiuhan that their master had spent over three hundred taels of silver back then just to buy that courtyard to use as a martial arts hall.
Thinking of this, Shen Xiuhan quietly patted his chest through his clothes.
Counting the two silver banknotes he had obtained from Gao Nian, he had currently saved up less than forty taels of silver.
Wanting to buy a two-entry or three-entry grand courtyard was pure fantasy.
The most practical option right now was to choose a quiet, desirable single courtyard.
The first single courtyard they had looked at had a reasonable price, but the street-facing side lacked a small storefront that could be used for a small business.
Over the past few days, Shen Xiuhan had been teaching Madam Zheng how to make noodle dishes, especially Blanket Noodles, and her cooking was already seventy percent as good as his.
If they bought a courtyard with a small storefront after moving into the Inner City, Madam Zheng could open a small eatery to make some money, keeping her from getting bored out of her mind.
Therefore, he had passed on that courtyard.
“Master Shen, we're here!”
Following Liang Si through several twists and turns, a neat and tidy single courtyard suddenly appeared before them.
Liang Si pulled out a ring of copper keys, unlocked the door, and pushed it open with a shove.
“Please have a look, Master Shen. This courtyard comes with a storefront. You can enter it from the side.”
Following Liang Si into the storefront, Shen Xiuhan's eyes lit up slightly.
“The owner originally ran a garment shop here. Now that they've made it big, the whole family has moved over to the North City, leaving this courtyard vacant.”
Liang Si introduced eagerly:
“Look here, although the front shop isn't exceptionally spacious, it's more than enough to set up three to five tables. There's an adjoining side room in the back, which is absolutely perfect for a kitchen.”
Shen Xiuhan looked around and couldn't help but nod repeatedly. “It is indeed not bad.”
“Master Shen, let's go check out the main courtyard.”
Liang Si see his interest, busy in front of the leading way.
Passing through the small door beside the storefront, the view suddenly opened up.
The courtyard was flat and square, paved with sturdy blue bricks, exuding a sense of tranquility.
On the east side grew an old locust tree that would take two people to hug, while the west corner featured a water well lined with green flagstones.
The main eastern room was spacious and bright, quiet and comfortable—perfect for Madam Zheng to rest in.
Of the remaining three wing rooms, Shen Xiuhan and Shen Momo would take one each, leaving the last one for guests.
After checking the kitchen and woodshed behind the courtyard, Shen Xiuhan grew increasingly satisfied.
Both the location and the layout of this courtyard perfectly suited his tastes.
Especially the stone well on the west side, which solved a major hassle.
In the future, when Madam Zheng and Momo needed water, they would no longer have to walk half a mile in the freezing cold to fetch water from the riverbank at Xiaojing Bay.
Most importantly, it was not far from the Mei Courtyard.
If any mishaps occurred in the future, his fellow disciples from the martial arts hall could easily look after them and lend a hand.
Having made up his mind, Shen Xiuhan turned to Liang Si and said decisively:
“The house is good, I'm very satisfied. Let's be straightforward—give me your real price.”
“Master Shen is indeed straightforward!”
Seeing that the deal was about to close, Liang Si's eyes crinkled with laughter as he immediately said, “The owner's reserve price is twenty-two taels of silver.”
“Twenty-two taels...”
Shen Xiuhan raised an eyebrow slightly.
This price was one or two taels higher than the market rate for properties in the South Market.
Seeing Shen Xiuhan fall silent in contemplation, Liang Si feared the deal would fall through and quickly explained:
“Master Shen, the price is indeed a bit high. Over the past few months, other buyers have taken a liking to it and made offers, but the owner has steadfastly held onto their price. Ultimately, it's because the owner has made it big and is in no hurry to sell for quick cash.”
“If you truly want it, you might as well leave him hanging for a while. I can make a few more trips on your behalf to haggle the price down. Perhaps we can get it a bit cheaper...”
“Forget it.”
Shen Xiuhan raised a hand to interrupt him.
Tian Ping'an could return to Changyun County at any moment. Facing such a formidable enemy, his time was more precious than gold. How could he have the leisure to waste energy squabbling over this bit of silver?
“Twenty-two taels it is. I'll take this house. But I have one requirement.”
“Please speak, Master Shen!”
“All deeds and transfer procedures must be fully completed within two days.”
“Master Shen is truly generous! A man of action!”
Liang Si was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly in excitement.
If this property was successfully transferred, the commission from both sides alone would be at least four to five hundred copper coins, which was equivalent to half a month of his running-around fees.
“Rest assured, Master Shen!”
Liang Si immediately guaranteed with absolute certainty, “I will go get the property deed tonight and make sure the official deed is drafted clearly. When the time comes, we will exchange the money and the deed on the spot!”
“Alright, it's a deal.”
Shen Xiuhan nodded slightly, looking around the courtyard as a sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
Though this courtyard was not large, and lacked carved beams, painted rafters, rockeries, or flowing water, it was more than enough to shelter their family of three from the wind and rain.
...
Evening.
Shen Xiuhan walked out of a clothing shop.
Since they were about to move into the Inner City and settle down, they had to dress somewhat respectably.
Thus, he bought two sets of fine cloth clothes each for Madam Zheng and Momo, and also had a few feet of fabric cut.
Thinking of how the little girl had grown up running around in the mud in straw sandals all day, Shen Xiuhan also picked out two pairs of tiger-head shoes, and bought some pastries and snacks along the way to bring back to celebrate their relocation.
The sky gradually darkened.
As Shen Xiuhan made his way toward the city gate, he ran head-on into a familiar figure.
“Xiao Wen!”
Xiao Wen was dressed in crisp, dark practice robes with a steel saber hanging at his waist.
Upon recognizing Shen Xiuhan, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face, and he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.
“Senior Brother Shen!”
Shen Xiuhan sized him up and patted his shoulder. “Not bad. You're starting to look like a true martial artist.”
“Hehe...”
Xiao Wen rubbed his head sheepishly and let out a couple of silly laughs. Then, as if remembering something, he quickly stepped aside. “Senior Brother, let me introduce you. This is the fourth young master of the Han family.”
Shen Xiuhan looked over.
A plain-looking young man in a green robe was standing behind Xiao Wen.
Meeting Shen Xiuhan's gaze, he seemed slightly helpless, but his tone remained polite:
“I am Han Li. Greetings, Brother Shen.”
Han Li?
The Han family was one of the Five Great Families of Changyun, but Shen Xiuhan had never heard of a young master named Han Li in their family.
Could he be a concubine's son?
Though he pondered this in his heart, his expression remained unchanged as he politely cupped his hands in return:
“So it is Brother Han. I am Shen Xiuhan. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine. Xiao Wen has mentioned your great name to me many times,” Han Li smiled, before shifting the topic. “However, I have other urgent matters to attend to in the city today. Let us have a long talk another day.”
“Of course. Safe travels, Brother Han.”
The three of them clasped their hands and parted ways.
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