The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 539 - 528: House Hunting

Chapter 539: Chapter 528: House Hunting

Chapter Five Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Supernatural Beings

Having traveled for two days, the horse-drawn carriage finally entered the territory of Yizhou, reaching the main road where travelers and vehicles began to abound.

As their carriage moved, it kicked up countless plumes of dust, causing Mr. Zhuang to lower the curtains, while the three occupants of the vehicle behind them didn’t mind at all, eagerly peering out of the windows at the outside world.

Yet the passersby were in a hurry, and their interest waned after a short while, finding that the passing vehicles were more intriguing to watch.

Outskirts of Yizhou City, minor gates on both sides allowed pedestrian entry, while the center gate took care of the incoming and outgoing vehicles. The pedestrians were simply inspected, but the vehicles underwent detailed checks.

Their belongings being few, and being three young youngsters, they were promptly allowed to pass.

Upon entering Yizhou City, Bai Shanbao and Bai Erlang began chattering to Manbao, excited to share their knowledge of the city, having visited Yizhou City once before.

"However," Bai Shanbao looked around before speaking, "Yizhou City seems much busier than the last time."

"That’s right, last time we came, there were loads of refugees outside Yizhou City, and many beggars inside it. It was busy, but it felt strange. Now, it’s much better." Bai Erlang expressed with delight, "We only stayed for two days during our last visit and didn’t get to explore much. This time, we’ll have a proper adventure."

Zhou Silang was also excited, seeing such a bustling city for the first time in his life.

The group located an inn to stop at, but Mr. Zhuang did not let them unload their luggage, saying instead, "Let’s eat first, and after lunch, we’ll find a place to stay."

Manbao asked, "Sir, aren’t we staying at the inn?"

"We are going to be here for quite a long time, and with so many people, staying in an inn would cost a fortune," Mr. Zhuang replied. "We’ll rent a small courtyard to live in."

Mr. Zhuang had previously spent some time in Yizhou and, though it had been many years since his last visit, the streets and alleys of Yizhou had not changed much.

After their meal, leaving Zhou Si to watch their belongings, Mr. Zhuang led the rest into a little house after making several turns. Manbao lifted her gaze and noticed the flag of an agency hung beside.

Mr. Zhuang was already in conversation with an agent, making a request, "Near the official school, and not beyond Kangxue Street, I’m looking for a house with four to six rooms, preferably with a small courtyard."

Mr. Zhuang’s eyes glanced over the wooden sign above the agency’s entrance, "Monthly rent should not exceed one and a half taels of silver."

The agent quickly responded, "Sir, your requirements are quite strict. Houses near the official school are always in high demand. The size you’re asking for is precisely the most sought-after. One and a half taels is just too little."

Mr. Zhuang with his hands clasped behind his back inquired, "Has the rent in Yizhou City risen?"

"Well, if you could be a little more generous, it would be easier for us to find a house, wouldn’t it?"

"Then in your opinion, how much rent would make it easier to find such a house?"

"An upper limit of two taels, what do you say?"

Mr. Zhuang wasn’t very good at bargaining, and Bai Shanbao quickly came forward, "Just show us all the houses that meet our requirements, regardless of whether they are expensive or cheap, and we’ll decide."

"Oh dear, that won’t be easy, there are so many houses..."

"Only those near the official school, no further than these two streets, with about five rooms and a courtyard," said Bai Shanbao, then asking Manbao, "Anything else to add?"

"Preferably quiet. We would rather walk a bit further to the market than be too close to the noisy streets."

The agent’s eyes spun as he inquired, "So something more secluded will do?"

Manbao knew by his look that he had something suitable in mind, "The carriage must be able to come and go conveniently."

"Convenient, convenient, I hadn’t even thought about quiet until you mentioned it. There’s actually a perfect house on Kangxue Street. One with two side chambers, two main rooms, and a spacious hall. The courtyard is quite large too. The monthly rent is cheap, just one tael of silver—it’s the lowest price in the vicinity."

Mr. Zhuang asked, "Are there any taboos?"

The agent seemed a bit embarrassed as he responded, "Well, there is a little issue."

The government had regulations for agencies: should a client ask, agents are obliged not to withhold information; otherwise, if discovered, they could be prosecuted for fraud.

Not only would they lose their qualification as agents, but the agency itself might also be implicated.

So when Mr. Zhuang asked, the agent reluctantly shared, "The house next door belongs to the former inspector Yan Family. Since their property was confiscated, the house has been deserted for over two years now. People often say they hear a woman and children crying next door, which is unsettling. As a result, the houses nearby have been hard to let."

Manbao was curious, "Why are so many houses for rent on Kangxue Street? Don’t their owners live there?"

"Of course, some do live there, but many are for rent. That house has been rented out for almost ten years. Before, the location was very desirable; not only was it convenient for going in and out, it was quiet, and next door was the inspector’s residence. They wouldn’t rent it out for less than two taels a month."

Erlang was curious, "Are there really ghosts?"

"Who knows? But the people living nearby all say they’ve heard the crying of a woman and children."

They all looked at Mr. Zhuang, asking, "Sir, shall we rent it?"

Mr. Zhuang said, "No, let’s look for another place."

However, Manbao and Bai Shan were quite tempted, mainly because, "We’ve never seen a ghost before."

Mr. Zhuang: "...and you wish to see one?"

Youth know little of fear, especially Manbao, who said, "There’s a saying, ’All beings in the world can be viewed as energy forms.’ If there really are ghosts in this world, they should also be a form of energy, yet invisible to us. Is this because their energy is unique, or because it’s too faint for us to see, or too intense?"

"I think it’s the second," Manbao continued, "If it’s true that people turn into ghosts after death, then most likely they can’t do much to harm the living. Otherwise, with so many who have died unjustly or been wronged, wouldn’t it be easy for them to seek revenge upon their enemies?"

Bai Erlang commented, "But you were saying the other day that what goes around comes around."

"That’s not vengeance from a ghost," Bai Shan considered, "When people do bad things, they must be punished, that’s the law and morality. Plus, a secret is only kept if oneself does not reveal it, so evil deeds are bound to come to light sooner or later, leading to legal consequences. People then attribute it to karma, but that’s not the case."

Manbao nodded emphatically, "Yes, exactly. That’s why I don’t think we should be afraid of ghosts. If they were real, seeing them would be great. We might even be able to talk to them and hear many stories."

Mr. Zhuang: ...

Agent: ...

Erlang was both curious and excited but also afraid, struggling to say, "Isn’t that a bad idea though? What if they are powerful and harm us?"

"Most harmful beings are humans," Bai Shan implored eagerly at Mr. Zhuang, "Sir, why don’t we just take a look? If it’s suitable, we can settle down there."

"Yeah, yeah, I think those are just scary stories made up by people. Didn’t you also say, ’One should not speak of strange events, spirits, or chaos’?"

"I did say that, but I also said people ought to respect and fear the supernatural," Mr. Zhuang pointed at them, "That doesn’t mean you should go looking for ghosts on purpose."

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