"This house, Steward Hong, I'm not selling it anymore!" Steward Hong shouted loudly, casting a warning glance at the crestfallen Liu Zhongren.
Although unsure why Steward Hong was acting so strangely, Liu Zhongren could only say, "Master He only gave a hundred taels of deposit yesterday, and he hasn't gone to the yamen to re-register the deed. Whether it's sold or not still depends on Master Hong."
Steward Hong snorted smugly, "Those who know better will move out immediately, otherwise don't blame Steward Hong for being impolite to you outsiders!"
"Yes, pay Steward Hong's money before you move out!"
"Five hundred taels of silver! Not a single coin less!"
"In Minhe Prefecture, if you dare to cross Master Hong, you have to ask if we brothers agree!"
A group of local ruffians, puffed up with borrowed power, unleashed their threats, staring menacingly at Zhan Feiyu and the others. The two leading men had already rolled up their sleeves, revealing their well-muscled forearms, ready to resort to violence at the slightest disagreement.
"You can choose not to sell, but return the hundred taels of silver first!" Zhan Feiyu said directly, smiling at the somewhat reluctant Steward Hong. "What, the house isn't for sale anymore, and you still want to pocket this hundred taels? Does the Minhe Prefecture yamen not care?"
If they were poor commoners today, Steward Hong might indeed dare to embezzle the hundred taels deposit. But the Mu Xiang Ju had been priced at three thousand taels, and He Sheng hadn't even haggled. Steward Hong, no matter how foolish, knew that Zhan Feiyu had some background. If it really escalated to the yamen, the deposit would definitely have to be returned.
Moreover, He Sheng was buying the house through a reputable agency, which was regulated by the government. A contract had been signed with Liu Zhongren at the time, in black and white, so it wasn't something Steward Hong could simply embezzle.
Having made up his mind, Steward Hong eyed the smiling Zhan Feiyu suspiciously. "You'll return the money to you, and you'll move out immediately?"
"Of course. My name isn't on the deed for Mu Xiang Ju anyway. If you want to sell, I'll buy. If not, then so be it." Zhan Feiyu stated plainly. She had initially felt that buying the house was too much of a waste, as she would only live there for half a month at most. She hadn't expected such a turn of events, with the seller going back on his word.
Seeing Steward Hong's attitude, Wu Laizi became anxious. If they could extort five hundred taels of silver, they could each get ten to twenty taels to spend.
As for Zhan Feiyu and the other two, a shrewd glint flashed in Wu Laizi's eyes. Weren't they just a young lady with two servants? Once the money was in hand, they could go to a village or a neighboring county to lie low for ten days to half a month. He didn't believe this young lady would stay in the prefectural city forever.
"Master Hong, what refund? Master Hong, your mouth is bleeding. With this hundred taels included, this young lady still owes you four hundred taels," Wu Laizi said with a grin, giving a signal to his companions behind him. The group of ruffians immediately started causing a commotion again.
"Debts must be repaid, it's only natural!"
"Yes, if you don't give the money, we'll take your belongings as compensation!"
The ruffians shouted excitedly, looking at Zhan Feiyu as if she were a fat sheep. It was just three people. They would hold these three down, and then they would rush in. This young lady was adorned with gold and silver, so her luggage likely contained many good things. Missing this opportunity would be a shame.
Liu Zhongren wanted to intervene, but seeing the greedy Wu Laizi and the others, he could only retreat to a corner helplessly, fearing he might get caught in the crossfire.
Seeing the situation escalate, Wu Laizi said triumphantly, "Young lady, are you going to pay the compensation, or should we go in and take it?"
Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but smile. She stepped back and stood beside He Nuan, her clear, melodious voice echoing, "A Sheng, take action!"
"Yes." He Sheng didn't hesitate. With a flash of his figure, he darted into the crowd.
Screams of "Mom, Dad!" erupted one after another. He Sheng's movements were too fast. By the time the onlookers outside the gate reacted, Wu Laizi and the others were already lying on the ground in disarray, groaning in pain.
Uh...
Steward Hong and Liu Zhongren stared in shock at the fallen Wu Laizi and his gang. When they suddenly looked up at He Sheng, they felt a belated sense of terror.
Outside the main gate, the onlookers became happy.
"Serves them right! They've kicked an iron plate this time."
"These ruffians deserve a good lesson. They've been doing petty theft and mischief all along."
Ordinary citizens living in the prefectural city had all been bullied by these ruffians to some extent. They could only endure it, as the yamen wouldn't bother with trivial matters. Moreover, if they reported it to the authorities, even the victim would have to bribe the constables.
What's more, these ruffians always banded together. Even if they were beaten a few times by the yamen, they would retaliate later, causing endless trouble for the entire family. That's why, seeing He Sheng take action, the onlookers felt immensely satisfied.
"Don't they realize that if the young lady dares to travel with two children, she must have some backing?" An old man stroked his white beard and smiled. He really thought the young lady was easy to bully.
Zhan Feiyu ignored the Wu Laizi and the others on the ground and looked at the terrified Steward Hong. "Later, you can send the money to the Dongsheng Inn. We'll be staying there temporarily."
"Yes." Steward Hong nodded repeatedly. If he had known He Sheng's skills beforehand, he probably wouldn't have dared to break the contract.
A quarter of an hour later, two carriages drove out of Mu Xiang Ju and headed straight for the nearby Dongsheng Inn.
Steward Hong wiped his face fiercely. "They just left so readily?"
"Do you want them to stay and beat you up?" Liu Zhongren retorted impatiently. His heart finally settled, but he looked at Steward Hong with a stern, displeased expression. "What were you thinking? Mu Xiang Ju was finally sold, but you broke the contract. Aren't you going to sell it anymore?"
Although he was a bit embarrassed by He Sheng's display of martial prowess, Steward Hong became smug again at the thought of the money he was about to make, displaying a conceited and arrogant demeanor.
"Sell it, of course, I'll sell it! But not for three thousand taels. Steward Hong has found a god of wealth." Steward Hong chuckled, shaking his right hand and saying to the stunned Liu Zhongren, "You're not mistaken, it's five thousand taels!"
Mu Xiang Ju was the Hong family's property. However, the main family had returned to their hometown many years ago, and Steward Hong was left to manage the house. Unfortunately, it hadn't been sold for years.
Before, Steward Hong could pocket a hundred taels of benefit by selling it for three thousand taels. But now it was different. By selling it for five thousand taels, Steward Hong could directly pocket two thousand taels.
"How is that possible?" It wasn't surprising that Liu Zhongren was shocked. He had been working in the agency for over ten years. Where in Minhe Prefecture could they find such a foolish buyer? He wasn't being deceived, and everything would end up empty-handed.
Seeing Liu Zhongren's expression, Steward Hong knew what he was thinking and scoffed dismissively. "If you sell it for five thousand taels, your commission will also double. Madam Cao herself said so."
"Yuan Manor?" Liu Zhongren was shocked again. While Madam Cao was an old嬷嬷, a servant, she held some prestige in Minhe Prefecture because she came from the palace. It was said that she had served a consort in her youth.
Also, the second young mistress of the Yuan family held a noble status. Her maternal grandfather had been enfeoffed as a county prince by the late emperor. Therefore, by blood relation, the second young mistress was a grandniece of the current emperor. It was normal for her to have a palace-trained嬷嬷 serving her.
The Dongsheng Inn was not far from Mu Xiang Ju, just across one street. Therefore, the inn staff also knew about the commotion at Mu Xiang Ju early in the morning. They were now excitedly telling the innkeeper.
"Innkeeper, do you think Steward Hong drank too much horse urine? Mu Xiang Ju has been for sale for so many years, and now that it can finally be sold, he actually went back on his word and went to make trouble with Wu Laizi and his gang early this morning."
"We have guests!" The胖掌柜 glared at the talkative waiter. Seeing the two carriages parked at the entrance of the inn, he immediately went forward with a solicitous smile. "Are you guests looking for accommodation? We still have five or six superior rooms available."
A moment later.
Zhan Feiyu and her party settled into their rooms on the second floor of the inn. "A Sheng, go and find out what's going on with that Steward Hong."
"Yes." He Sheng handed the luggage he had brought down to He Nuan. Even if the young lady hadn't instructed him, he would have gone to investigate.
He Nuan first took out the brushes and ink from the book box and arranged them on the table, not wanting to delay Zhan Feiyu's studies. "Miss, I'll ask the waiter to bring up some hot water. What do you want for lunch?"