Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune-Chapter 511 - : Watching the House (15th Update)

Chapter 511: Chapter 511: Watching the House (15th Update)

Xie Zhinuan raised her eyebrow.

Was it so obvious? She pricked up her ears to listen.

“Shopkeeper Hu…”

“Wonder who they’re going to fleece this time!”

“We can’t really interfere, after all, he’s a relative of the county magistrate. Sigh, we common folk are better off living our lives peacefully and steadily!”

“Indeed, indeed!”

...

Xie Zhinuan lowered the carriage curtain.

Fleece customers, huh?

She wasn’t incapable of bargaining. If the price wasn’t right, surely they couldn’t just force a sale upon her.

The carriage stopped in front of a residence.

Xie Zhinuan alighted from the carriage, and, well, upon seeing the residence, she quite liked it. Every aspect of it seemed just right.

The street was clean and quiet, and the neighbors were quite distant. Instead of facing a grand entrance across the street, there was a garden. One would pass through the garden before reaching the neighbor’s house. However, the garden’s trees were tall enough for someone perched in them to have a clear view of the inside of the residence.

Shopkeeper Hu first opened the main gate and invited Xie Zhinuan to look inside the residence.

Xie Zhinuan slowly entered, passing the screen wall.

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She observed the spacious open hall adorned with redwood chairs and tables, every detail exuding elegance.

The paintings on the walls caught her eye; they seemed to be quite valuable.

Xie Zhinuan said nothing but glanced at the two bodyguards who followed, signaling them to take a careful look as well.

After all, they surely had a better eye than she did.

And certainly, they had seen more of the world.

“Miss Xie, I’ll take you around for a tour!”

“Fine, and please introduce how many main and guest courtyards there are!”

“Alright!”

“This residence occupies roughly twenty acres, perhaps even more. It consists of a front courtyard and a back courtyard. There are three main courtyards and four guest courtyards in the front, and one main courtyard with six smaller courtyards and two guest courtyards in the back. Both front and back courtyards have their own gardens, and all home furnishings are readily available. There are several kitchens as well, including a large kitchen, and each main courtyard in the front and back sections has its own smaller kitchen. Moreover, each of the other courtyards has a kitchen for boiling water, and preparing meals is certainly feasible!”

Shopkeeper Hu provided a thorough introduction.

Xie Zhinuan looked around and, to be honest, she really liked the residence.

There were artificial mountains and flowing water; the garden was well-maintained. Now, in the second month of spring, many flowers were budding. Especially under the osmanthus trees, the orchids were blooming with a fragrance that was simply overwhelming.

“Which is the largest main courtyard?” Xie Zhinuan asked.

“It’s the main courtyard in the front; generally, that is where the head of the family deals with affairs and works. The next largest is the main courtyard at the back, but overall, they’re not that different in size!”

“Hmm!”

Xie Zhinuan followed along on the tour.

Such a fine property would be wasted if turned into a restaurant.

She thought it would be nice to keep it for herself or, eventually, it could serve as an inheritance for Xie Yi.

She continued the tour.

Each courtyard’s walls were high, and every courtyard was meticulously clean. It was clear that someone had been keeping it up.

“Is there anyone still living in this residence?”

“The previous owner was a wealthy merchant who has now moved his business to the capital. Hence the sale of this property. Those who could be brought along were taken, while some of the servants and family members who stayed back in this locale remained.”

“Did they sign an indenture contract?” Xie Zhinuan inquired.

“No, they are temporary workers!”

Xie Zhinuan nodded.

Temporary workers, she wasn’t interested.

“What are the prices for buying servants at the pawnshop?” Xie Zhinuan asked casually.

As if she didn’t care at all.

After a moment of thought, the shopkeeper replied, “Buying a servant is not expensive, at most around eight taels of silver each. Some with martial arts skills were previously from security agencies but were forced to sell themselves due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Xie Zhinuan certainly didn’t believe this story. What were the chances of that being a mere coincidence?

It was probably some spy arranged by someone.

“Hmm, I’ll have a look when the time comes!”