Chapter 930: Prepared

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The thought of such a venture seemed unimaginable to them.

Many low-ranking officers would spend their entire lives renting a house in the capital.

Shao Yunduan smiled and addressed Lu Min and Gu Zhiyou, “Brother Lu, Brother Gu, are you planning to move to a different hostel? We will get in touch with you once we’ve settled.”

Although their current hostel was not cheap, it fell within an acceptable range for the couple.

Staying in the hostel would provide them with better access to information and resources, which was crucial for them, considering their limited knowledge about the capital.

Lu Min and Gu Zhiyou a.s.sured them that they would not be moving out. This way, they could maintain contact with one another.

The following day, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan set out to find a suitable house.

With nearly 280,000 liang in her possession, Qiao Xuan felt confident in their search.

Finding a suitable house proved to be not too difficult.

Moreover, they were not overly particular. As long as the house was of intermediate size and had a good environment, st.u.r.dy structure, and cleanliness, they could move in after a simple cleaning.

They visited three properties on the same day and settled on purchasing a courtyard house in the intermediate section of an alley near the southern moat.

The brick wall surrounding the property stood over two meters tall. Upon pushing open the door, they were greeted by a square courtyard. The patio was neither too large nor too small, and there was a small open s.p.a.ce at the back with a few planted trees. Sunlight flooded the courtyard, making every room bright and airy.

Most importantly, the house was clean and well-maintained. With a little dusting and the addition of some furniture purchased from an old goods market a couple of streets away, they could move in.

Each household in the alley appeared tidy and well-kept, inhabited by respectable families.

Not far to the north of the alley lay Longtan Lake, which boasted a large and irregular shape.

The lakeside was adorned with flourishing gra.s.s and trees, with reeds and lotus flowers dotting the shallow water. On pleasant weather days, it was a popular spot for boat tours, boasting picturesque scenery.

Qiao Xuan was particularly fond of this location. Despite being the most expensive option among the three, they decided to make the purchase.

They spent a total of 5,000 liang on the property.

In the province, that amount of money would be sufficient to buy an area of approximately seven or eight mu.

Qiao Xuan hired a land agent to a.s.sist with the cleaning, using some additional funds for the task. The following day, they furnished the main room, east and west wing rooms, and the kitchen, moving into their new home by the afternoon.

The kitchen was equipped with pots, pans, oil, salt, sauces, vinegar, and a cart of firewood. Tables, chairs, beds, cabinets, and other furniture items were added to the rooms, along with curtains, draperies, cushions, and bedrolls. The remaining furnishings could be added gradually over time.

During this era, all furniture was original and environmentally friendly. There was no need to wait for the house to air out. They could settle in without worry.

Now, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan had a home of their own in the capital’s intermediate section.

Shao Yunduan invited Lu Min and Gu Zhiyou to visit, sharing a meal and awaiting the spring examination.

Occasionally, Shao Yunduan and Lu Min would venture out to the gathering place of the examination candidates to catch up, chat, and gather news.

Many aspiring scholars were filled with anxiety and worry. Some formed groups and pooled their money to purchase gifts, hoping to visit n.o.bles or influential families and seek their guidance. They believed that receiving such guidance would be more beneficial than studying for ten years..