Chapter 19

The Medium-Sized Manor She Fell in Love With

The search for a house, conducted by Ning-ning through her connections and information from Shopkeeper Wen, was completed much faster than expected. In Nihe City, housing prices were not particularly high. This was because the most valuable lands were concentrated in industrial zones that generated significant wealth, particularly the riverside properties along the Nihe River, where docks could be expanded, clay could be excavated for use, or pottery kilns could be established for production and export. The value of land differed depending on its function. Houses in the city center were not particularly popular because those areas were crowded with markets and people, making them unsuitable for relaxation. The residential district for nobility and wealthy merchant families was clustered in the northern part of the city, which bordered forests and several low-lying mountains. Meanwhile, the middle-class and slightly lower-status residents preferred to settle in the western district.

The roads in that area were not paved with stone, but most were made of compacted fired clay bricks, providing a decent level of durability. Although there were no hills behind the houses, as was the preferred practice in home construction of this era, most of the land sat on elevated ground, with no recorded instances of flooding in over a hundred years.

Military patrols in the western district were infrequent, occurring perhaps once or twice a day, but the area was peaceful and pleasant to live in. The price of medium-sized and large estates ranged from three hundred to five hundred taels of gold, which was not particularly high—and well within Lijin’s means.

Even though she did not personally visit the area, the rough maps provided, which marked locations, roads, and house prices, gave her ample information for decision-making. "Eliminate the large estates from consideration. I do not want too much of a burden in the future…" Lijin was already considering hiring servants to manage the Gu family estate in the future, as well as employing mercenaries for additional security. A large estate with more than five buildings was entirely unnecessary. The prestige of a new household did not need to be demonstrated solely through its residence. The reputation she had built through her calligraphy alone should be more than sufficient.

Thus, Lijin focused her attention on medium-sized estates that were still vacant or being sold by their previous owners. She eventually narrowed it down to three properties located along the main road, which provided convenient transportation access and had enclosed fences. "These are excellent choices, madam," Ning-ning commented excitedly. "One of them is a three-building estate recommended by the staff at Taifang Shop as well…" The maid eagerly pointed at a location on the map before explaining the details she had gathered. A medium-sized estate was defined as one with at least three buildings and occupying a minimum of five mu of land. A small estate had less than that, while a large estate required at least ten mu of land and more than five buildings.

The medium-sized estate that Lijin was now listening to Ning-ning describe sat on a five-mu plot. Since the ancient Chinese measurement system differed from what she was familiar with, Lijin visualized the dimensions in her mind.

One rai in her previous world consisted of 4 ngan, equating to 400 square wa or 1,600 square meters. If she remembered correctly, one mu—or a Chinese rai—was 666.67 square meters, significantly smaller than a rai.

In her previous era, housing plots were cramped. A 100-square-wa plot in suburban areas required a person to save nearly half their lifetime just to afford ownership. Thus, in Lijin’s mind, a five-mu estate was enormous... So large, in fact, that she even considered switching to a smaller estate instead.

However, from now on, she should leave space for future expansion—adding new buildings for servants. The inner garden would also need to be redesigned to match her own preferences. The buildings within that estate consisted of a large structure with two interconnected wings, while another separate building stood alone at the back of the property, requiring one to walk through an ancient peach orchard that had been planted by generations of previous owners.

Perhaps it was her vivid imagination or her strong desire to personally landscape a beautiful garden, but Lijin felt an immediate affinity for this estate. She had already decided that the small building at the back would become her study. Her three young siblings would each have separate rooms in the central manor. Meanwhile, the servants’ quarters and the barracks for hired guards who would protect her family would be constructed on the vacant land in front of the estate, which still had plenty of usable space. "How much does it cost, Ning-ning?" The mistress of the household spoke softly, still immersed in thought. The small smile on her lips made it clear that she had already set her heart on this estate.

"Three hundred taels of gold, madam. But I believe we can negotiate a lower price if Shopkeeper Wen helps mediate the purchase…"

"Then we must rely on our business partner from Yanyu Bookstore. But be careful—I do not want to reveal the identity of Yanyi too soon."

"Understood, madam. I will make arrangements tomorrow."

"That’s perfect… I have four books that need to be delivered as well." Lijin smiled, as those four books were an urgent commission requested by the main branch of Yanyu. The scent of silver coins—earned at a rate of five copper per character—brought an even wider grin to the writer’s face. If she secured this payment, she would have almost two hundred seventy taels of gold saved up. "Ning-ning, if that estate can be bargained down to below 250 taels of gold, proceed with the purchase immediately. Set aside five taels on your way back for expenses during the winter."

"Understood, madam." Ning-ning was overjoyed that her mistress had decided to acquire the estate, even she had been captivated by it. Due to Shopkeeper Wen’s influence—which was neither too great nor too small within Nihe’s business circles—but more importantly, due to Yanyu’s powerful reputation in the capital, even Taifang’s branch store, which was an ally in the imperial city, had to show respect. As a result, their expected profits were reduced by eighty percent to demonstrate goodwill.

Ning-ning knew she should not negotiate any further. Once the owner of Taifang Shop received a letter from Shopkeeper Wen, the price of the medium-sized estate her mistress desired dropped to two hundred twenty taels of gold. "It seems someone influential has lent you a hand. Glad to have done business with Yanyu’s partner." The elderly man bowed slightly to the maid after receiving the full payment. He then handed her the purchase contract to this maid in order to bring it back for her mistress to sign, officially making her the owner. Afterward, it would be returned for processing at Nihe’s city administration office.

Houses and land were substantial assets to be passed down through generations. Lijin was extremely satisfied with the reduced price of the estate. Even if it turned out to be more rundown than described, she had no regrets. The new owner’s name of the estate was now officially Gu Lijin—the sole remaining bearer of the Gu family name in the northern region. Unfortunately, the quiet freedom she secretly enjoyed at the rear of the Wei family’s manor was about to be stripped away. The master of that household was set to return in just five days. Dozens of servants had already begun cleaning every corner of the estate, ensuring that not a single blade of grass was out of place. Most notably, the rear manor of the Wei family’s first wife, who was still bedridden, had been left to deteriorate. However, now craftsmen had been called in to replace the roof tiles, giving the structure a slightly fresher look. The once-overgrown bamboo grove had been trimmed, making the area feel more open and airy. Even the rock garden behind the estate’s rear courtyard had been redecorated. It was, at best, a surface-level renovation—but a decent one nonetheless.

The small rear kitchen had been cleaned. Firewood and fuel—sufficient to last for over four months of winter—were stacked until there was no space left behind the building. Dried food and rice were packed so tightly into the storage room adjacent to the kitchen that it was nearly overflowing. In just three days, the power held by Second Furen Ningjian and Meiying had transformed this dilapidated residence into a palace—even though Lijin had expected them to send poisoned food instead. As soon as the carpenters and laborers who had transported the goods departed, the owner of this little palace rose from her bed and immediately asked: "Any news?"

"I inquired with the kitchen maids, Madam. They said Second Furens received an urgent letter four days ago. After that, the main residence became highly unsettled. It seems even the Elder Madam’s treatment improved drastically."

"How strange... Aside from Second Furens, no one else knows the contents of the letter?"

"The personal maids of both concubines are tight-lipped and power-hungry. No one dared to ask."

"I see..." One of her personal enemies was a sharp-tongued, gossiping maid who followed Meiying and had played a role in planning the murder of this body in the past.

"According to schedule, Wei Yongjian will return in two days. Tomorrow, you should head to the city and inform Shopkeeper Wen that I will be taking a break for the winter to 'preserve the health of my hands.' I believe he will understand."

"Understood, Mistress. Shall I purchase any additional necessities?" The maid asked with concern. Though a large supply of food and firewood had been delivered, furnishings and clothing for the Mistress and the three young heirs had been completely neglected. It was as if such items were deemed unnecessary. Or perhaps… the central household was simply too preoccupied to remember.

"No need. Whether intentional or not, I will use this excuse to slap Meiying and Ningjian right across the face—hahaha." No matter how many times she had seen Mistress Lijin's wicked grin, Ning-ning still found herself unable to get used to it. After receiving orders to withdraw twenty more taels of gold and purchase a large set of high-quality paper and ink for winter use, the trusted maid departed to handle her errands.

Meanwhile, Lijin picked up her brush as always. In just a few more days, her comprehensive economic codex on the four kingdoms would be completed. Then she could begin planning the content for her next book series. At this moment, her desire for revenge against the two venomous vipers—right in front of that lecherous man—was consuming her mind.

Lijin was completely unaware that a certain power was gradually seeping into her body from the four brushes she had been rotating between for months.

She failed to notice that she no longer felt the cold wind when she held the warm Black Pine Brush in her hand. The surrounding chill was being absorbed and converted into pure energy by the white jade brush, which continuously transferred it to its new master.

Otherwise...how could a dying patient who had lain in a coma for three years have recovered so miraculously?