When the new shop in Jincheng Ward opened, Shen Shaoguang and Shao Jie spent a day there together. The new manager was capable, requiring little oversight from them. The manager was more concerned about them, sending tea and pastries to the back.
While eating chestnut pastries, Shao Jie asked Shen Shaoguang: “Are you still buying that residence? I inquired about it—Lady Qu is asking for 500,000.”
Shen Shaoguang looked at him: “Young Lord Shao, do you perhaps know Lady Qu?” Having investigated the house, Shen Shaoguang knew such a three-courtyard residence would normally cost around a million. Due to its “haunted” reputation, Lady Qu had only asked for 700,000, so why was it now reduced by another 200,000?
Shao Jie laughed: “How would I know any woman!” Then hastily corrected himself, “You’re not an ordinary woman.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled: “No need to explain, just tell me what’s going on!”
“I know Lady Qu’s elder brother, who’s also in the grain trade. We occasionally transport grain south together. I hinted at wanting to buy, and after two days, he sent word.”
Shen Shaoguang nodded—indeed, it was a relationship price.
“You should find time to look at it. If you like it, I’ll have someone contact them, sign the contract in person, and get it ready—you could spend New Year in the new residence.”
Shen Shaoguang calculated her assets—putting everything together would about cover it, then with New Year’s profits reinvested in new shops… moving money around like this, she could manage it. Getting the residence at half price was truly a bargain; missing it would likely lead to long-term regret—just like those houses she’d missed in her previous life.
Shao Jie shared this concern, saying bluntly: “Short on funds? You can borrow from rich people like me, and repay with various foods as interest—roast chicken, braised chicken, stewed chicken, white-cut chicken, fried chicken, hegemon’s farewell chicken; soy sauce duck, roast duck, braised duck, wine lees duck, prosperity fat duck…”
Shen Shaoguang laughed, “Didn’t you say you couldn’t even afford a precious sword? Since when do you have private wealth?”
Shao Jie laughed: “I don’t, but my mother does. One morning of combing the elder’s hair would get you half a courtyard’s worth.”
Rich second generation! Shen Shaoguang grumbled, “Fortunately, my own money is enough, unlike someone who can’t even afford a sword.”
Shao Jie: “…”
Shen Shaoguang raised her eyebrows and smiled smugly again.
Shao Jie: “Hmph—”
The next day, Shen Shaoguang went to view the house. The servant showing the residence had clearly been instructed, pleasantly guiding her through everything.
It truly was a fine residence. Not long vacated, and being relatively new, it showed none of the decay of old houses. Three courtyards front to back, several small side courts, a bright front court, an exquisite back garden—the taste wasn’t ostentatious, even showing some elegance.
Entering the main house, Shen Shaoguang smiled—a room full of bright red-lacquered furniture in this residence looked like Lin Daiyu wearing a head full of gold hairpins.
The servant smiled apologetically: “The lady left in a hurry, and since the residence has been vacant, some large pieces weren’t taken away.”
Shen Shaoguang nodded, thinking they must have been hesitant when leaving, thus leaving behind the harder-to-move items.
After touring everything, Shen Shaoguang increasingly felt the 500,000 should be spent. She then asked Shao Jie to mediate, met with Lady Qu and her elder brother, exchanged pleasantries, signed contracts, paid money, registered at the government office, and efficiently completed the purchase.
Since the residence was quite new, it didn’t need renovation—just whitewashing the main house, clearing dead grass from the front court and back garden, repairing broken flagstones on the path, sweeping cobwebs and dust from each courtyard, and arranging furniture before moving in.
Shen Shaoguang was pleased—good, saved on renovation costs.
Hearing that Shen Shaoguang had also bought a “haunted house,” Princess Fuhui was delighted: “No wonder we get along so well!”
Shen Shaoguang said: “It was truly a bargain! Otherwise, such a three-courtyard residence would cost around a million.”
Princess Fuhui snorted: “Same here—if my garden didn’t have a bad reputation, it wouldn’t have easily fallen into my hands.”
Shen Shaoguang felt that indeed, such a famous garden wouldn’t likely sit vacant, belonging to a not particularly favored princess.
The two bargain haunted house buyers spent time criticizing those “superstitious ones” while promoting new ways of thinking.
After discussing houses, they talked about men—even when Shen Shaoguang thanked her, the Princess didn’t mention giving hotpots to both the Empress Dowager and Emperor, instead rambling about the peaceful prosperity of common people.
Princess Fuhui’s relationship with Pei Fei had grown increasingly awkward lately. Looking at Shen Shaoguang enviously, she asked: “Have you slept with Assistant Magistrate Lin yet?”
Shen Shaoguang did not doubt that if she said yes, the Princess might ask for details.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—no.
Princess Fuhui strongly disapproved of Shen Shaoguang’s uselessness. Shen Shaoguang was helpless: “The Winter Solstice is coming, then New Year’s, all government offices are busy…”
“No matter how busy, there’s always time for sleep.”
Shen Shaoguang: “…”
With her head full of “sleeping” from Princess Fuhui, when Shen Shaoguang returned to Chongxian Ward and saw Assistant Magistrate Lin waiting for her, that was her first thought.
Perhaps due to recent busyness, his eyes were slightly bloodshot, his jaw and lips showed stubble, and his robes weren’t as neat as usual—compared to his usual cultured elegance, he looked more masculine.
Shen Shaoguang invited him to sit in the back residence. Lin Yan nodded, and A Yuan brought in a charcoal brazier.
Sitting on the edge of the couch, Shen Shaoguang used fire tongs to stir the ashes, smiling: “Some glutton roasted sweet potatoes here—lucky for us.”
Lin Yan smiled slightly.
Shen Shaoguang said: “There’s a kind of sweet potato similar to this but sweeter, especially the red ones—perfect for roasting. When the outside is charred black, break it open, and the orange-yellow flesh releases steaming heat. Eat it while hot—it’s scalding, fragrant, and sweet. I especially love the part near the skin, oozing sugar oil, particularly delicious, though one careless bite leaves your mouth black.”
Imagining her greedy appearance, Lin Yan’s lips curved up slightly more, and after a moment he said: “Hearing you describe it makes me want to eat it.”
Shen Shaoguang squinted and smiled—that’s right, everyone has their specialty, and describing food is my expertise.
Shen Shaoguang used the fire tongs to poke at the sweet potato again.
Before she could get her hands and mouth black from eating, Lin Yan pulled a paper from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow and smiled: “What’s this?”
Opening it—a property deed!
Yesterday when A Yuan said she’d met Assistant Magistrate Lin at the new residence’s gate and repeated their conversation to Shen Shaoguang, she had a premonition, but who knew Lin Yan’s jealousy would cost this much?
“I just told Assistant Magistrate Lin that Young Lady bought this residence, Young Lord Shao helped with the purchase and saved quite a bit of money. Nothing else,” A Yuan had said.
Shen Shaoguang: “…”
Shen Shaoguang carefully observed Lin Yan’s expression—still that gentle smile, revealing nothing.
“You scared me—I thought you were going to give me the deed to the large residence in the ward,” Shen Shaoguang joked.
“It’s our own home, what’s there to give?”
Shen Shaoguang: “…” These words carried heavy double meaning.
“What about this one?” Shen Shaoguang pointed to the deed for the Zhongnan Mountain villa.
Lin Yan pressed his lips together: “Bought it in summer to make you happy.”
Shen Shaoguang was completely speechless.
“I was thoughtless…” Lin Yan said softly.
Lin Yan retained the habits of a noble family’s son, with a scholar’s detachment, having no obsession with buying property. With spare money, he’d rather buy fine horses, famous swords, ancient zithers, or rare books. Compared to those who fought chickens, raced dogs, or bought beautiful serving girls, though his taste was slightly higher, he was equally impractical.
Regarding Shen Shaoguang’s love of buying property, Lin Yan hadn’t thought deeply about it before—like some people love collecting precious swords, perhaps she just loved buying houses? Until he saw her buy the haunted house in the same ward, Lin Yan realized this might be because she had no home anymore… and thus particularly loved buying houses in Chongxian Ward.
As for jealousy, there was naturally some, but more than that was heartache.
Lin Yan gently coaxed her: “After receiving the New Year’s salary, I’ll buy a few rooms by the Wei River. They might not be large, but enough for us to stay occasionally when fishing.”
Author’s Note: Applause for Assistant Magistrate Lin who handed over his salary card and property deed to his wife.