nucmednet Chapter 148 Arrival in Youzhou
Chapter 148 Arrival in Youzhou
The pear blossoms in the courtyard were bathed in the soft moonlight, and willow catkins floated on the pond in a gentle breeze. After traveling for half a month, Shi Wanxia and her group finally arrived in Youzhou. Since leaving Shen Yanchu and his group, they had encountered no danger, although they had occasionally encountered bandits and robbers along the way. However, with Shuyun present, who had prepared a considerable amount of sleeping potions and poisons for self-defense, they had passed through the journey without major incident!
In the vast land of Youzhou, Princess Qingyun's fiefdom shines like a dazzling pearl, exuding a unique charm. It is a gathering place for powerful and influential families, with the Cui clan of Boling and the Lu clan of Fanyang being renowned throughout the land. Princess Qingyun and her husband, a handsome young man from the Cui clan of Qinghe, jointly govern this prosperous region.
Shi Wanxia led Li Qinglan and the others on a long journey, arriving at Xinyang Town in Yaoguang County, Jizhou. Here lay the boundless plains of the north, where the cold wind howled, and the desolate land presented a landscape completely different from that of the south. The group found an inn to stay in, paid their travel expenses, and called the waiter to fetch hot water to wash away their fatigue and grime.
After lunch, they went back to their rooms for a nap. When they woke up, it was already past five in the afternoon. Shi Wanxia knew that staying at an inn was not a long-term solution, so she called everyone to her room and asked them about their plans.
"I'm planning to go to a real estate agency to see if they have any houses for rent. We'd like to rent a house as our place to stay. What about you guys?" Shi Wanxia shared her thoughts.
Shuyun and the others readily agreed. However, it was impossible for everyone to go. Qinglan and Qinghuan, the sisters, were frail and had caught a cold in the past few days, so they didn't want to move.
After discussing it, the group decided to let the sisters rest at the inn, while Shi Wanxia took Shuyun and Shuying to check out the brokerage firm. Qinxin took the incense and some cloth bags that Shi Wanxia had made along the way to assess the local acceptance of them.
Shuyun is calm and composed, while Qinxin is similar in temperament. Although she is also calm, she is more playful and eloquent.
After setting off separately, Shi Wanxia, Shuyun, and Shuying arrived at the brokerage firm. The brokerage firm was bustling with people, a vibrant and lively place. It was a place brimming with life and energy. The constant flow of people made it seem like a bustling marketplace in the martial arts world.
Stepping into the real estate agency, one sees numerous sellers meticulously drawing plans of their properties and hanging them in prominent positions. The rent is clearly stated on the signs, and the sellers sit patiently waiting for inquiries. Their eyes hold both anticipation and a hint of nervousness, as if awaiting a crucial showdown.
The sounds of haggling echoed through the brokerage, rising and falling like a fierce battle. Buyers tried to lower prices, while sellers held firm to their bottom lines, each side going back and forth, neither willing to yield. In this verbal sparring, a contest of wits and eloquence was on full display.
Shi Wanxia, Shuyun, and Shuying stood at the entrance of the brokerage firm, captivated by the bustling scene before them. They looked around, their hearts filled with curiosity as they gazed at the exquisite house designs and the lively trading.
"It's so lively here!" Shuying couldn't help but exclaim.
“Yes, it seems we need to choose carefully,” Shi Wanxia nodded and said.
They began browsing through the real estate agency, carefully examining the plans and rental information for each property. Some properties looked spacious and bright, with good locations, but the rent was prohibitive; others were cheaper, but their locations were remote and the environment wasn't great. Shi Wanxia and her companions fell into deep thought, unsure of which to choose.
Just then, they heard a heated bargaining session. They saw a man in splendid clothes arguing with a seller over a house.
“This price is too high; this is the most I can offer,” the man said, pointing to a number.
"No, this price is too low. I put a lot of effort into making my house." The seller shook his head firmly.
The two argued back and forth, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Shi Wanxia and the others watched from the sidelines, secretly marveling at how challenging the transactions in the brokerage business truly were.
Finally, after a fierce negotiation, the man and the seller reached a compromise, and the house was sold. Those around them cast envious glances, while the man wore a satisfied smile.
Shi Wanxia and her two companions continued their search for a suitable house in the real estate brokerage. They encountered all sorts of people, from chivalrous and generous江湖侠客 (jianghu xidao, a term referring to chivalrous heroes from the martial arts world) to shrewd and calculating merchants.
Through conversations with these people, they not only learned more about the houses, but also felt the vibrant atmosphere of life in this small town.
After some effort, Shi Wanxia and her friends finally found a satisfactory house. The house was conveniently located, in a quiet environment, and the rent was within their budget. After some haggling with the seller, they successfully rented the house.
As Shi Wanxia left the brokerage firm, she glanced back at the bustling place, her heart filled with mixed emotions. The brokerage firm was not just a place of trade; it was a place where people fought for their own interests and strived for their dreams.
Meanwhile, Qin Xin arrived at the market. She set out her incense and cloth bags and began to sell them to passersby.
At first, people weren't interested in her items, but Qin Xin gradually attracted attention with her eloquence. She introduced the effects of aromatherapy and the exquisite beauty of the cloth bags, arousing people's curiosity about these novel items.
After some effort, Qin Xin successfully sold some aromatherapy products and cloth bags, and also learned about the local people's acceptance of these kinds of items. She was secretly pleased, thinking that she could discuss with Shi Wanxia when she got back whether she could start a small business here.
After looking around the real estate agency for a long time, Shi Wanxia and her two companions finally chose a house. The house was conveniently located, in a quiet environment, and the rent was within their budget. They signed a lease agreement with the real estate agent, paid the rent, and then prepared to go back to pick up Qinglan and Qinghuan.
Shi Wanxia stopped by a stall and bought some snacks, dried fruit, and candy to take back to Qinghuan. They were still recovering from their colds and had been taking Chinese medicine for several days.
Unfortunately, she ran out of cold medicine, but she couldn't bear to throw away the box. Although she wasn't a medical professional, she figured if she met a doctor later, she could have him figure out the dosage herself based on the prescription. After all, professionals should do professional things.
Back at the inn, Shi Wanxia shared the good news of renting a house with Qinglan and Qinghuan. The two sisters were also very happy to hear this. After everyone packed their luggage, they headed to the newly rented house.
Although the house was somewhat old, after some cleaning and tidying, it became warm and comfortable. Shi Wanxia and the others settled in here and began a new life.