Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 59: Buying the Estate at a Low Price

Yun Chu had someone bring Lady Dou in.

As the wife of a merchant, Lady Dou belonged to a class with extremely low status in the current dynasty, rarely having the opportunity to set foot in an official's residence.

After entering the estate, Lady Dou kept her head down, not daring to look around. She passed through several gates before arriving at the main hall of Shengju.

"Greetings, Lady Xie."

Lady Dou bowed deeply, offering her respects respectfully.

"Lady Dou, you're too kind. Please, have a seat. Ting Xue, serve the tea."

After drinking the tea, Lady Dou felt much more at ease and said with a smile, "I came without sending a formal request beforehand. I hope I haven't disturbed you, Lady Xie."

Yun Chu replied gently, "Last time, I entered your Dou family's estate without permission, and you didn't hold it against me, did you?"

Lady Dou felt that Lady Xie was amiable and easy to get along with. She got straight to the point: "Last time, Lady Xie mentioned three thousand taels of silver. After discussing it with my husband, we think it might be acceptable."

Yun Chu said, "Lady Dou, you must be aware that my son has just become the top candidate in the imperial examination. Our Xie family is currently riding a wave of great luck, and I'm truly concerned that the estate might affect our fortune, so..."

Lady Dou was filled with regret.

If only she had agreed when Lady Xie offered three thousand taels that day. Though the amount wasn't large, in a way, it would have minimized their losses. Otherwise, holding onto the estate would only lead to greater losses.

However, since Lady Xie had allowed her to visit, it surely meant she still had some interest in the estate.

She tentatively suggested, "How about two thousand taels, then?"

Yun Chu pondered.

Lady Dou grew increasingly restless.

After a long while, Yun Chu finally spoke: "Business transactions should be based on mutual consent. Two thousand taels would clearly be a loss for the Dou family. If you were to regret it later, it would reflect poorly on our Xie family. Let's stick with three thousand taels. I'll have someone accompany you to the property office to complete the deed. However, I must ask you to keep this matter confidential."

Lady Dou was overjoyed. Yun Chu instructed Chen Defu to go with the Dou family to handle the formalities.

After finishing these matters, Yun Chu took the Xie family's invitation and personally returned to the Yun residence to invite her family to the banquet.

"An Ge'er's future prospects are limitless," Yun Ze remarked with admiration. "In the entire capital, there isn't a second child as outstanding as him."

Lin Shi added, "After all, this child isn't your own. You've raised him for four years, and he isn't particularly close to our Yun family. Although Xie Jingyu is a scoundrel, An Ge'er isn't to blame. You should put more effort into him—you'll have to rely on him in your later years."

Yun Chu tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.

In her previous life, her mother, elder brother, and sister-in-law had urged her in the same way, encouraging her to devote herself wholeheartedly to the Xie family's children. They hoped these children would provide for her in her old age.

But the children she had raised with all her heart ultimately led her and the Yun family to ruin.

"Last time, I found two potential matches for Ran Jie'er. Mother chose the Dai family. This time, I've specifically invited Lady Dai and Young Master Dai to the Xie residence. When the time comes, you can chat with Lady Dai, and I'll take Ran Jie'er to meet Young Master Dai," Yun Chu said with a smile. "Only if Ran Jie'er agrees can the marriage be considered settled."

Yun Ran, standing nearby, blushed deeply.

Yun Chu changed the subject: "There's one more thing. A renowned physician has arrived in the capital and is currently staying in the palace to treat the Empress. I wonder if Mother could help arrange for the physician to come out for half a day?"

Lin Shi's face lit up with joy: "Chu'er, you've finally come around! As long as you're willing to seek treatment, no matter how much effort it takes, I will help you bring the physician here."She dreamed of Yun Chu having a child of her own.

Yun Chu didn’t deny it.

Let her mother be happy for now, so she wouldn’t constantly worry and fret over her matters.

By the time they returned from the Yun residence to the Xie residence, the sky had already darkened. Instead of heading back to Shengju, Yun Chu made a round to the kitchen to ensure all preparations were in order before returning to her courtyard for dinner.

Back in her room, she sighed at the sight of the wooden carving on the windowsill. It had been quite some time since she last saw the little one, and she found herself inexplicably missing him.

And then there was the Little Commandery Princess who had gone missing that night. She remembered Prince Pingxi calling out "Changsheng"—was it Chu Changsheng? A fine name indeed.

With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Yun Chu drifted off to sleep. The next day, while the sky was still dim, Ting Shuang entered and gently woke her.

She put on a slightly more formal dress, styled her hair into a cloud-like bun, adorned it with a gold-inlaid pearl hairpin, and applied a light touch of makeup.

Once fully dressed, Xie Ping was the first to come and pay her respects, as Yun Chu had instructed her to rise early. Since the banquet had been arranged somewhat hastily, there were bound to be oversights. Rising early would allow them to address any potential issues one by one.

Following behind Yun Chu, Xie Ping watched as she entered the kitchen, summoned all the matrons, personally inquired about every detail, and even tasted the ingredients to check for freshness...

Xie Ping couldn’t help but feel ashamed.

When she had been in charge of Old Madam’s birthday banquet, she had never handled such matters herself, merely ordering the maids and matrons to take care of everything.

No wonder her mother managed the household so well—there was so much she still needed to learn.

By the time Yun Chu finished her rounds in the courtyard, the sky had brightened considerably. The Xie family members gradually gathered in the front courtyard, yet Xie Shiwei was nowhere to be seen.

Xie Jingyu frowned and said, "It seems I didn’t hit him hard enough last time."

"Husband, today is a joyous occasion. Don’t be angry," Yun Chu interjected. "I’ll go wake Wei Ge’er."

She walked to Xie Shiwei’s courtyard and saw Jiu’er standing at the door to his bedroom. "Go in and wake the Second Young Master," she instructed.

Jiu’er lowered her eyes and replied meekly, "The Second Young Master drank quite a bit last night. When he woke up half an hour ago, he complained of a headache. I’m afraid he might not—"

Yun Chu glanced at her. "Is this what you call revenge?"

Jiu’er’s face stiffened. How did the Madam know she had deliberately encouraged the Second Young Master to drink?

She had hoped his absence from the Eldest Young Master’s banquet would anger the Master, leading to another beating for the Second Young Master.

"Half-hearted efforts are worse than doing nothing," Yun Chu shook her head. "Many distinguished guests will visit the Xie residence today. As the legitimate son of the Xie family, he must go out to greet them. No matter what method you use, ensure the Second Young Master is awake within a quarter of an hour."

Jiu’er hurried inside to rouse him.

Not long after, Xie Shiwei emerged in new clothes, though his face was slightly swollen from the previous night’s drinking.

Yun Chu spoke calmly, "You’re only eight years old, yet you’re already drinking to the point of a hangover. If your father finds out, he’ll make you kneel in the ancestral hall. Since today is your elder brother’s celebration banquet, I’ll let it slide. Pull yourself together and greet the guests properly. Many nobles will bring their sons along. You’ll need to accompany them, converse, and entertain them. Remember, these are people of high status—be careful not to offend anyone."

Standing nearby, Jiu’er’s brow twitched.

She suddenly seemed to understand what the Madam had meant...

Yun Chu brought Xie Shiwei to the front courtyard.

Old Madam and Yuan Shi waited in the rear courtyard for the female guests to arrive.Xie Zhongcheng was in the front courtyard receiving male guests.

Yun Chu and Xie Jingyu stood at the main gate of the Xie residence with their children, respectfully welcoming arriving guests.

The first to arrive were Yuan Daren, his wife, and their son—a family of three stepping neatly down from their carriage.

"Congratulations, Lord Xie," Yuan Daren approached with a cupped-hand salute. "I've specially brought my son to attend the banquet today, hoping he may learn from Young Master Xie. We don't aspire for him to be the top candidate—if he can just pass the Cultivated Talent examination, it would be as if our Yuan ancestors had manifested their divine favor."

Although the title of Cultivated Talent wasn't particularly remarkable, obtaining it represented the first step into officialdom, making it exceptionally important.

Xie Jingyu made an inviting gesture: "Lord Yuan, please come inside. Shi'an, escort Lord Yuan and Young Master Yuan in."

Yun Chu instructed Xie Ping to accompany Madam Yuan inside.

After the Yuan family of three had entered, Xie Jingyu quietly instructed the servant beside him: "Keep close watch on this family. Report to me immediately if they make any unusual moves."

Last time, it was the Yuan family who had caused trouble, making the Xie family lose face completely. If the Yuans dared make another move this time, he would show no mercy.