The broker has returned. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Mr. Gao says he bought this property from the government for twenty thousand silver coins, and no matter what, it must be sold for at least ten thousand..."

"Fine, let him keep it to raise ghosts then."

Zhao Minghua had examined it, the property was indeed large, and its dilapidated state was of little concern—spending some money would restore it easily.

Thus, he was reassured in his purchase; however, the price... naturally, the lower the better.

He gambled that Mr. Gao wouldn’t resist selling it.

After all, no one wants to buy a haunted mansion.

"Are there other properties? Take me to see them."

"This old man doesn’t have suitable ones, but heard the government will issue a batch." The broker said, "I can accompany you, sir, to inquire at the government’s side."

"That is agreeable."

This broker was recommended by the owner of Ink Book Array Studio in the Capital; he seemed truly honest, revealing everything to Zhao Minghua. Zhao Minghua wouldn’t let him down and would pay him a runner’s fee when the time comes.

It’s easier to do business with acquaintances.

The broker went to the government office and directly sought Mr. Xiao.

"Mr. Xiao, I hope you’re well."

"Old Man Yi, whenever you seek me, it’s surely for something—say, what’s your intent today?"

"Mr. Xiao, it’s like this, this gentleman wishes to acquire property in the Capital, and upon hearing the government has a batch of properties for sale, I wonder if you could show us them?"

"Alright, alright, let’s go, I’ll tell you which properties are up for sale."

Mr. Xiao promptly introduced the properties coming up for sale to Zhao Minghua.

Without exception, they were all confiscated in earlier years due to crimes.

"Xiao Mansion?"

Perhaps because his wife was surnamed Xiao, Zhao Minghua was particularly sensitive to the words Xiao Mansion.

"Strictly speaking, it doesn’t qualify as a mansion, only a residence, because its original owner was an Imperial Physician, Doctor Xiao."

"Doctor Xiao?"

"Yes, Doctor Xiao, a very renowned physician in the Capital, the best among elders, unfortunately..." Mr. Yi paused briefly: "He was beheaded, the male descendants of the Xiao family were exiled to the Northern Desert, while the women returned to their home in Shu City."

Zhao Minghua’s heart skipped half a beat upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, today, while buying property, he encountered the sale of the Xiao family’s mansion.

If it were someone else, surely they’d be thrilled to buy immediately.

But he was Zhao Minghua, how could he reveal his intentions so easily?

"What about the other properties’ circumstances?"

Mr. Xiao introduced them one by one; without exception, their original owners were criminals, some had their families exterminated, others were exiled, and some sent back to their native places.

Among them was the property most recently acquired by the Wu family, where Xiao Chunyu was first wed.

"Speaking of which, the Wu Mansion and Xiao Mansion were connected by marriage, unbeknownst to you..."

Mr. Xiao, a gossipy person, animatedly recounted the two families’ stories.

"Who could have imagined that the eldest granddaughter of the Xiao family, once scorned by the Wu family, would be personally betrothed by the Holy Emperor to a second-rank Great General, and become a second-rank lady; even less imaginable was the wife, discarded by the Wu family for being jealous and unable to bear children, giving General Xia a chubby son, making Mrs. Xia overjoyed beyond measure."

"In contrast, the Wu family, from then on, could only live in the Northern Desert, eating dust and drinking the wind. Truly, one shouldn’t commit too many evil deeds, otherwise even the heavens will deal with them."

If he weren’t a son-in-law of the Xiao family himself, he’d believe those tales; Zhao Minghua thought, this fellow chose the wrong profession, he should be narrating stories in a teahouse.

"How about selling the Wu family’s property?"

"The price is set by the government, based on the mansion’s size and internal decor, not a penny less." Mr. Xiao said, "Because you’re brought by Old Man Yi, I won’t treat you as an outsider and will give you the bottom price directly, if sold externally, the price would be higher."

Those who understand know that’s where they earn their hard effort.

"Can we see the property?"

"Certainly, I’ll send someone to accompany you."

"Thank you, Mr. Xiao."

Zhao Minghua, being sensible, immediately handed over a purse, saying it was for tea.

The delighted Mr. Xiao couldn’t close his mouth.

"No problem, let me know which property you fancy, I’ll assist with the contract procedures."

He dispatched a young government official named Tian to accompany Zhao Minghua and the broker to see the properties.

Firstly, Zhao Minghua went to see the Wu family’s property.

To be honest, the Wu family’s remained just passable; in actuality, it wasn’t better than a dilapidated haunted mansion, quite rudimentary—evidently, back in those days, the Wu family was ostentatious outside but empty within.

"Mr. Zhao, how is this property?"

The broker still contemplated Mr. Gao’s haunted mansion, worried Zhao Minghua might choose the Wu family’s property.

"Let’s have a look at the Xiao Mansion."

"Alright, let’s head to Xiao Mansion."

The property remained sealed, so they couldn’t use the main entrance—only the side entrance.

When Zhao Minghua set foot inside Xiao Mansion, he thought: Didn’t expect to enter the father-in-law’s house via the side door.

"It’s been five years since Doctor Xiao’s incident." The broker sighed with emotion: "Though not luxurious, entering gives a reassuring feeling."

"Indeed, reassuring." The broker affirmed his feeling: "Entering the haunted mansion, my back chills; entering here, I feel warm throughout, indicating no grievances haunt Xiao Mansion, and the Xiao family’s two generations of physicians accumulated virtue—there is blessing where virtue dwells, Xiao Mansion shouldn’t have fallen!"

The greatest grievance surely belonged to Doctor Xiao!

Zhao Minghua silently prayed: Ancestors of the Xiao family, I am the husband of your Xiao family’s granddaughter... Ahem, he now believes in spirits.

"Mr. Zhao, if you intend to purchase, do so quickly. If I guess correctly, once General Xia knows Xiao Mansion is purchasable, he’ll surely act, as he cherishes his wife—who is the Xiao family’s eldest granddaughter..."

He mentioned before, the broker picked the wrong profession; he should narrate stories in teahouses.

Such gossip flows effortlessly.

One thing he said right, once Xia Guangcheng finds out this property’s purchasable, he’ll definitely take action; such a chance for merit shouldn’t be left to him.

On spot, Zhao Minghua proceeded with the transaction at the government office and later rewarded both Mr. Xiao and the broker.

"Mr. Zhao is truly generous." Both were pleased, especially the broker: "Mr. Zhao, do you still want the haunted mansion?"

No, since Mr. Zhao already acquired the Xiao family’s property, the haunted mansion surely isn’t wanted anymore.

Too bad for Mr. Gao, he missed a great chance to sell the haunted mansion.

"If it’s under my stipulated price, I’ll consider." Zhao Minghua’s target remained the haunted mansion, as acquiring the Xiao property was for the Xiao family; he needed another property.

"Alright, I’ll go negotiate with Mr. Gao."