Chapter 13: Buying a House “Replying to Madam, how could this servant have the money to buy a house? This place is rented,” Yunxiu answered honestly. She did not know why Hua Ling was asking, and though she was very curious, she still replied truthfully.
“How much is the rent each month?” Hua Ling asked with considerable interest.
“Ten wen.”
“Then let me ask one more thing. Here, how many copper coins can one tael of silver be exchanged for?”
Although Hua Ling’s question was very strange, after Yuechun and Yunxiu exchanged a glance, they still replied, “One tael of silver can be exchanged for one thousand copper wen. Madam, under Master’s reforms, our Bailian Kingdom’s material prosperity has greatly increased. One dou of rice sells for only five wen. Although this little courtyard can be bought for just three taels of silver, this servant’s monthly wages are only thirty wen, so naturally I cannot afford it.”
Hearing Yunxiu’s words, Hua Ling carefully did the math. One tael of silver equaled one thousand copper wen, which could buy two hundred dou of rice. Ten dou made one shi, meaning twenty shi. One shi was about sixty kilograms. Calculated according to today’s rice price of one yuan, seven jiao, and five fen, one tael of silver was equivalent to the purchasing power of 4,130 yuan. In other words, this house could be bought for only 12,390 yuan. What a bargain.
Hua Ling made a prompt decision: she would buy this house and prepare for moving out of the Prime Minister’s Estate in the future. So she asked with a beaming smile, “Yunxiu, does the owner of this house want to sell it?”
“A while ago, I heard the landlord say that not only this place, but even the four houses next to it all belong to her. She really wants to sell them. I heard she wants to return to her hometown, but she hasn’t been able to find a buyer for the time being,” Yunxiu said.
Hua Ling’s eyes flashed. Wonderful. Heaven was treating her well. “Yunxiu, help me handle something. Tell your landlord that I want these houses. I’ll come meet her tomorrow, so have her prepare the deeds.”
“Madam, you want to buy houses? Why?” Yunxiu and Yuechun said in surprise. They could not understand why she would suddenly want to buy houses when everything was perfectly fine.
“You’ll know in the future. Remember to tell her for me. All right, go back and take care of your mother. Yuechun and I are going back. I’ll come again tomorrow.” With a wave of her hand, Hua Ling walked out on her own, unable to keep a sense of smugness from rising in her heart. Yesterday, Mu Yelei had given her a pouch of silver; judging by its weight, there had to be at least twenty or thirty taels. Buying these few houses would be no problem at all, with plenty left over.
As long as she bought the houses tomorrow, she could be considered to have a little property of her own. In the future, even if she moved out of the Prime Minister’s Estate, she would not end up wandering the streets. Hehe, what a beautiful prospect.
It was still very early, so Hua Ling said to Yuechun, “Come on, let’s go eat first. Once our bellies are full, we’ll stroll around.”
“Madam, we’re not going back to the estate?” Yuechun asked worriedly. What would they do if Master asked about it?
“No. I’ll go back once I’ve had enough fun. Yuechun, do you know which restaurant here has the best food?” Hua Ling asked with a smile, in an excellent mood.
“I heard it’s Zui Xiang Lou, but I’m not too sure. After all, with our status, we can’t afford to eat at a place like that. One meal costs several taels of silver,” Yuechun said with a smile, her face full of longing. Even if she could not afford it, she could still think about it!
“Is that so? Then you’re in for a treat today. Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal,” Hua Ling declared loudly. Life was meant to be enjoyed properly. If you had money and didn’t spend it, it would be a waste if you lost it.
Yuechun could hardly believe her ears. Was this real? Was Madam truly inviting her? But she was only a servant. How would she dare eat at the same table as her mistress? She could not help shaking her head.
“Silly girl, we’re outside now, not in the Prime Minister’s Estate. Don’t be so constrained. Come on, I’ll take you to eat something delicious.”
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