The next morning, as the men were washing up, there was a knock on their door.

The young son of the Wang Family’s butler appeared before them, a pleasing smile on his face. He first greeted everyone and then said, "Gentlemen, my name is Shouquan. I have been sent by my young master today to take you to see some houses. I’ve also brought your breakfast. It’s still hot, so please eat while it is."

He added solicitously, "Our mistress arranged all of this herself. When she found out the young masters didn’t invite you to stay at our home, she gave them a good scolding yesterday. The mistress also said that since you’re away from home, you must come to us if you need anything. Don’t be strangers, or it will break her heart."

The Wang Family’s matriarch was truly hospitable, having prepared a full three food boxes for them.

Mindful that they were young men with hearty appetites, but who had also just finished a long journey and shouldn’t eat anything too greasy, she had prepared a bowl of wonton noodle soup with minced pork and fresh shrimp for each of them. There were also two types of congee, one sweet and one savory, with four small side dishes to accompany them, as well as separate plates of steamed milk buns, bamboo-joint steamed buns, crab roe soup dumplings, and jade shumai.

The magnificent spread filled the table, making it impossible to refuse.

Since the food was already laid out, it would have been improper not to eat. The men thanked the Wang Family’s matriarch and her two sons, then gave special thanks to Shouquan before sitting down to their breakfast.

After breakfast, they changed their clothes again and followed Shouquan out. They were off to see the three "acceptable" houses the Wang Family had found for them.

The Prefecture was laid out with the poor in the east, the noble in the west, the rich in the south, and the commoners in the north.

The west was home to many influential people and scholars. Both the prefectural academy and the examination hall were located in the west.

People of fame and status all gravitated to this area, and the housing prices had been driven up without anyone even noticing.

Shouquan spoke frankly, "Actually, gentlemen, you haven’t arrived all that early. Some of the scholars who passed the county exams set off for the Prefecture the moment the results were posted back home. The rent here wasn’t so high back then. The closer it gets to the examination, the more exorbitant the prices become. It’s already very expensive now."

As they spoke, they arrived at the first courtyard.

This courtyard was very elegant. It was small, with only two rooms, but though small, it had everything one could need.

Not only did it have a kitchen and a well, but even the furniture and the house itself were brand new.

This was a courtyard specifically rented out to examination candidates. Its location was excellent. Not only was it close to the examination hall, but one only had to exit the alley and turn a corner to reach the main street. The street had vendors selling rice, flour, grain, and oil, as well as breakfast and dinner. Buying meals every day was quite cheap.

The only issue was the price: thirty silver a month. For that price, you could buy a small courtyard on the outskirts of a county seat.

But Chu Xun didn’t even haggle. He decided on the spot and paid for three months’ rent upfront.

Seeing his young master’s friend be so decisive was a credit to his own work, and Shouquan couldn’t help but beam with a smile.

He then led the others to see the next courtyard. It was in the same area, just a short walk away.

This courtyard had three rooms, but it was clearly older and more run-down. It also lacked a well, so they would have to buy their water. On the plus side, the yard was large, offering a place to stroll around in their leisure time.

But the price couldn’t be called cheap, at twenty-five silver a month. The absolute minimum was twenty-four silver, a discount given only out of respect for the Wang Family; the owner couldn’t go any lower.

The minimum lease for this courtyard was two months, and Zhao Jing and his friends figured they would also need to stay in the Prefecture for about two months. At forty-eight silver for two months, split three ways, that came to sixteen silver per person for the entire stay. That worked out to eight silver a month per person. Factoring in food and other expenses, each man would need at least twenty silver per month, totaling forty silver for the two months. Adding the cost of travel, socializing, and supplies for the examination hall, the whole trip wouldn’t cost less than sixty or seventy silver.

The men were a bit hesitant, so they went to see the third place.

The third location was a bit far from this area; it was a good fifteen-minute walk to get there.

This house was also in an alley, offering a sense of tranquility amidst the bustle.

The house also had three main rooms, along with east and west wings, a kitchen, and its own well.

The courtyard was neither new nor old, but the landlord had replaced all the furniture inside.

This place was a bit farther from the examination hall, and since it was the landlord’s first time renting it out, the price wasn’t too expensive: eighteen silver a month.

After a brief discussion, Zhao Jing and the other two decided on the spot. They found the landlord, signed a contract, and paid two months’ rent.

Normally, two months would be plenty of time. But Zhao Jing also wanted to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, like if one of them fell ill and needed to recover in the Prefecture for a while.