Chapter 137: Young Master Zhu
Gu Zhang nodded. "I know we can’t afford it, but I’ve spoken with Liu Zhuangtou. I asked him to keep an ear out for me. If someone is willing to buy, he’ll see if they can spare ten or twenty acres for our family."
Gu Fei shook her head. "Someone who can afford to spend two thousand taels of silver won’t care about an extra one or two hundred."
"They wouldn’t bother sparing a few acres for you."
Gu Zhang sighed. "I was just saying. You never know, there might be a chance."
"Oh, and another thing—Liu Zhuangtou said all the manors around here belong to official families or rich merchants. Nobody has a house to rent, and none of the tenants have any empty rooms."
Gu Fei thought for a moment. "Then let’s go into the city tomorrow and have a look. If housing is cheap, we can rent a place there. Staying in someone else’s home isn’t a long-term solution."
Gu Zhang nodded. "Go get some sleep, then. We’re in no rush tomorrow. We’ll head into the city whenever we wake up."
They each went to wash up and go to bed.
The next morning, Gu Fei had just finished washing up and was planning to head into the city after breakfast when Liu Zhuangtou suddenly arrived.
He pulled Gu Zhang aside and whispered, "Someone’s here to look at the manor. I recognize him—he’s a well-known scion of a wealthy family in the city, known as Young Master Zhu. His family owns several restaurants, as well as pawnshops and jeweler’s shops."
"He’s a decent man, generous and just. If you can get on his good side, he might really be willing to spare you ten or twenty acres of land."
Gu Fei’s eyes lit up. She hurried over. "Dad, let’s go have a look."
Gu Zhang called for Gu Qing and Gu Fei, and the three of them followed Liu Zhuangtou outside.
The land of the manor for sale was adjacent to Su Chen’s estate.
As soon as Gu Fei stepped outside, she spotted several horses in the distance, already heading further away.
Gu Fei made a snap decision. "Liu Zhuangtou, where’s the manor? We’ll go there directly."
They couldn’t possibly catch up to horses on foot. Their only chance was to head them off at the manor. Since they had already inspected the land, they would surely want to see the manor house as well.
Liu Zhuangtou pointed ahead. "It’s not far. I’ll lead the way."
It didn’t take them long to reach the manor.
The old gatekeeper at the manor recognized Liu Zhuangtou, exchanged greetings, and invited them all inside to sit down.
Gu Fei looked around.
This manor was quite similar to Young Master Su’s, also a two-courtyard compound. Two osmanthus trees were planted in the front courtyard, one on the left and one on the right.
After waiting in the courtyard for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they heard the neighing of horses at the gate.
Gu Zhang quickly led Gu Qing and Gu Fei outside.
As they reached the manor gate, they ran right into several men who were dismounting.
Gu Fei saw a young master in his early twenties with a square face, large ears, and dignified features.
This young master wore an outer cloak of fox fur lined with pine-green brocade. Beneath it was a leather robe of stone-blue with a floral medallion pattern. On his head sat a small golden crown inlaid with pearls. A single glance was enough to see he was fabulously wealthy.
Gu Zhang stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Young Master Zhu."
Young Master Zhu casually tossed his riding crop to a nearby attendant. "And you are—?"
Gu Zhang quickly replied, "My name is Gu Zhang. I am temporarily staying at Young Master Su’s neighboring estate. I heard that Young Master Zhu is a man of great kindness and generosity, so I came especially to make your acquaintance."
Young Master Zhu raised an eyebrow.
’The manor next door...’ The steward here had just told him about it. It was originally the property of Prince Qi’s family, but was now in the hands of the Prince’s nephew. That young master’s surname was indeed Su.
These stewards had long since privately familiarized themselves with the local goings-on, terrified of accidentally offending someone they couldn’t afford to cross.
East Sea County was Prince Qi’s fiefdom. In this domain, aside from the Emperor, Prince Qi was the one with the most power.