Chapter 33 - 32: Renting a House (Second Update)

Chapter 33: Chapter 32: Renting a House (Second Update)

Xu Jing wanted to move her residence to the county town, a thought that occurred to her the day she returned from the government office.

Although Hutou Village is not far from the county town, and the villagers are mostly honest and kindhearted aside from the Peng Family, the village is ultimately outside the town, and its security is not as good as in the county, so Xu Jing felt uneasy living there.

In fact, these past few nights, she had been sleeping with a dagger hidden under her pillow and one hand gripping the dagger to fall asleep.

There is a curfew in the county; the city gates are closed at night, and there are regular patrols, making it much safer than the village.

Therefore, on the first day of her visit to the county town to inspect the situation, she asked Mrs. Fang to introduce a trustworthy broker to help them find a few safe and comfortable places to live.

These days, apart from inspecting the medical hall, they had been house hunting, but they hadn’t found a satisfactory place yet.

Early this morning, the broker sent them a message saying that there was a two-courtyard residence available in the wealthy area of Anping County. The surrounding residents have considerable means and influence, and petty thieves dare not target families in that area, ensuring great security.

Xu Jing was very intrigued, and she had been looking forward to viewing the house, but now she obviously didn’t have the time.

Seeing Xu Jing only staring out the window, lost in thought for a long time without saying a word, Cheng Xianbai, who had been ignored, suddenly had a moment of clarity. He quickly leaned in front of Xu Jing and said, "Miss Xu, are you rushing to leave the town but still have unfinished business in the county?"

Faced with this suddenly approaching big face, Xu Jing subtly leaned back and replied particularly coldly with a "Hmm."

Realizing that if he didn’t do something to show himself, he would truly be ignored by this woman; Cheng Xianbai quickly and attentively asked, "Miss Xu, where are you living these days?"

Xu Jing didn’t really want to answer, but Chunxiang beside her, unaware of her mistress’s disdain, boldly replied, "We currently live in Hutou Village and came to the county on a villager’s donkey cart. We have to hurry back."

Mrs. Fang and the others usually finished selling pancakes around this time of day, and sometimes earlier if business was good. They couldn’t have them wait around in the county for them to finish their business.

"Hutou Village, huh," Cheng Xianbai’s eyes suddenly lit up and said, "I have a brother living over by Hutou Village. He works in the county and returns home every few days. Today just happens to be one of those days.

Now that it’s summer and it gets dark late, the city gates usually close at 5 p.m. (6 o’clock), and now it’s only 3:00 PM (4 o’clock).

If your villager friend is in a hurry to leave, you could let them go first, and I can have my brother give you a ride."

Xu Jing was slightly stunned and finally looked directly at Cheng Xianbai.

Cheng Xianbai was so excited he was about to burst into tears and immediately became even more attentive, saying, "If Miss Xu doesn’t feel assured, I can escort Miss Xu back with my brother. Anyway, I haven’t got together with that brother in a long time, so I’ll just go to his place and have a good drink tonight!"

Xu Jing was indeed tempted; if possible, she wanted to settle on a place in the county as soon as possible.

However, as she looked at the man in front of her, she suddenly squinted and said, "Did you practice your medical skills today? And you’re still thinking about drinking?"

Cheng Xianbai: "..."

Weren’t they just talking about sending her home? How did it suddenly jump to his medical skills?!

"Although I work with you, you can’t expect to rely solely on me to revive Xinglin Hall, or else, like the previous Doctor Cheng, if I’m not around, Xinglin Hall will collapse."

Xu Jing said calmly, "Furthermore, even if I work tirelessly, the number of patients I can see in a day is limited. If Xinglin Hall wants to grow bigger and stronger, it needs more reliable doctors. You must hone and improve your medical skills to quickly stand on your own. I can teach and help you.

Otherwise, I’m not doing charity work, and if you don’t improve, I will leave at any time.

Moreover, are you willing to always settle for a seventy-thirty split with me? I proposed such a share because currently, I’m the only one who can diagnose and treat patients, but if your medical skills improve, we can certainly renegotiate the terms of cooperation."

Cheng Xianbai: "!!!"

Heavens, one cannot be coerced and enticed like this!

The last one to flog him to hone medical skills like this was his old man at home.

By the side, Cheng Qingqing was full of excitement, nodding repeatedly, "Miss Xu is right. Xinglin Hall has fallen to this point also partly because we were too complacent before. We always thought Father would always be around to support Xinglin Hall, never considering he might not be there one day.

After Father passed away, we were frantic about the management situation of Xinglin Hall, but we neglected the most crucial thing — improving our own medical skills.

Miss Xu has awakened the dreamer with a single remark. I used to think I had no talent for medical skills; that’s why I only learned the surface after studying with Father for so long. But diligence can make up for lack of talent; how can we lightly give up when we haven’t even tried?"

Saying this, she turned around and went into the room. When she came back out, she was carrying a big stack of medical books, which she unceremoniously stuffed into Cheng Xianbai’s hands, declaring forcefully, "Brother, you can send Miss Xu home tonight, but you can’t just focus on drinking. You also have to read these medical books!

Don’t think about slacking off; I’ll be reading tonight too. I’ll test you tomorrow."

Cheng Xianbai: "..."

Actually, he didn’t have to make the trip, after all...

But in front of his sister, Cheng Xianbai had never had much say, not to mention now his sister had a strong ally.

In the end, Cheng Xianbai carrying a bundle of medical books, with a dejected look, went out with Xu Jing.

Xu Jing sent Chunyang to explain the situation to Mrs. Fang and the others, and then went to the place she had agreed with the broker to meet in the morning.

The house they were to view was in the east of the city. The broker was already waiting there and enthusiastically started explaining the condition of the house upon seeing them. Finally, he rubbed his hands and said, "This house was bought by a rich merchant in Sui Province for his mother. His mother’s hometown is in Anping County, and she would come back to live for a while each year. But a few days ago, his mother passed away, so the house is no longer needed and is now considered for rent.

The merchant isn’t short on money; he wants to find someone to rent the house mainly to help look after the place and have a bit of income in the process. This way, he can still visit the place whenever he misses his mother, so he didn’t set a high rent, only one tael of silver per month.

There aren’t many houses in this area with such a low rent. I’m telling you first because Old Song introduced you to me, so if Miss Xu is interested in renting it, it’s best to decide quickly. Once the renting information is released, it will be snapped up within days!"

Chunxiang’s eyes widened immediately.

This house costs one tael of silver a month! The courtyard owned by Shen in Hutou Village is only two hundred wen a month!

Although the size and location of this house are incomparable to that small courtyard of Shen’s, but... but it’s just too expensive!

They also had to give the broker half a month’s rent as a commission.

This way, their twenty taels of silver would quickly deplete!

Xu Jing couldn’t help but feel a pinch, but in every other aspect, this house indeed met her requirements, so she gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, I’ll rent it."

Money is not to be saved but earned back.

It’s time to put some pressure on herself.

The broker was most pleased with such straightforward clients, and immediately agreed, nodding repeatedly, "Miss Xu has a great eye. I’ll go back and convey it to the steward sent by the merchant, and after signing the contract tomorrow, Miss Xu can move in.

I have an appointment with others to view another house later. I’m not sure if Miss Xu wants to leave now, or would like to have another look here?"

Seeing that it was still early, Xu Jing thought she might as well familiarize herself with the surroundings and consider what furniture to buy since she would have to start moving in after signing the contract tomorrow, so she said, "We’ll have another look."

"All right! Miss Xu, take your time; just close the door for me when you leave. I’ll be back to lock up after showing the house to others."

Saying so, he left with a smile.

Seeing her mistress set on renting the house, Chunxiang was indeed heartbroken but thrilled to live in such a large house. She immediately began to inspect all around, thinking about how to decorate the new home.

Xu Jing wandered through the house again, and seeing Chunxiang engrossed, she said nothing, slowly walking to the front door, gazing at the street scene outside.

It’s indeed the wealthy area; the street outside is wide and clean, and very quiet, with hardly anyone passing by. The surrounding houses have tall walls and imposing gates.

This house, compared to the others around, is rather inconspicuous.

Xu Jing was deep in thought when she suddenly felt as if someone was watching her from not far away.

She raised her eyebrow subtly, suddenly turned her head, and immediately locked eyes with a pair of eyes more clear and pure than seawater.

The owner of those eyes seemed very nervous to have been spotted, widening their eyes like a startled rabbit, quickly retreating into the alley, leaving only a small hand clutching the wall visible.

Xu Jing was momentarily stunned.

A child?

Could it be the offspring of one of the families around here?