Arrival in Nanyang
Thinking this, he put aside all his ulterior motives and smiled at the old lady, saying, "You've come from afar, weary from your journey. I've only come to pay my respects to you, Madam. I won't disturb you any longer. Please rest, we'll take our leave."
With that, he led his nephew to his feet, bowed, and took his leave.
"You haven't left the yamen yet, have you? Alright, you go to the yamen too. We don't need you to stay home with us. Go on, go on. Go back to the yamen with Lord Zhang." Seeing Zhang Shun leave, the old lady shooed her son out, completely unlike the kind mother she had been when they first met.
Zhao Yuanxun left helplessly and went back to his office to do his work.
When he returned for dinner, Zhao Ruxi asked him about his situation at the yamen.
In the end, she helplessly realized that her own cheapskate father was probably the male protagonist in the novel; she had completely won without lifting a finger.
Look, he was born into a noble family and became the heir apparent at a young age. After growing up, he married such a good wife Lady Zhu, Lady Zhu managed everything for him perfectly, both at home and outside. When Zhao Ruxi returned, he benefited from Zhao Ruxi's influence and became an official. With Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong protecting him at the Court of Judicial Review, he didn't suffer any hardship at all.
When he was assigned to a post outside the capital, Zhang Shun, in an effort to curry favor with him, took great care of him and thought of everything for him. He was parachuted in to become a local official and had never experienced the hardships that newcomers usually face.
In short, he was incredibly lucky in this life.
Zhao Ruxi had come to Gusu hoping to learn from Zhao Yuanxun, but seeing this, she gave up the idea. She also didn't want to associate with an official like Zhang Shun who loved to study, so she simply took Ma Sheng and wandered around the streets and suburbs.
Zhou Chun rested in Gusu for a day before heading to Nanyang.
Zhao Ruxi not only has a house in Gusu City, but also an estate. This estate was also purchased for her by Xiao Lingyan. It is in an excellent location, consisting entirely of top-quality farmland, and includes an estate with 137 households. It is a place that money cannot buy.
However, this estate has always been managed by one of Xiao Lingyan's secret guards, along with his own estate. The annual revenue sent to the capital is not small, more than Youyu that of the Egret Manor.
Therefore, Zhao Ruxi did not intend to visit the estate. She simply wanted to learn about the economic and agricultural situation in Jiangnan.
Ever since Zhang Shun realized how formidable Zhao Ruxi was, he stopped causing trouble and went to the yamen obediently every day. Madam Zhang used to be very close to Lady Zhu, only came to the Zhao Residence to pay her respects to the old lady. After learning that Zhao Ruxi was not at home, she took her leave and did not dare to do anything more, for fear of displeasing Zhao Ruxi.
"Grandmother, Mother, I want to go to Nanyang as soon as possible," Zhao Ruxi said to the old lady and Lady Zhu.
Lady Zhu paused, her hand holding the teacup still, and looked at Zhao Ruxi in surprise. "Didn't you say you were staying here for ten days? Why are you leaving so early?"
"There's nothing much to do here, so we might as well go sooner so I can learn more about the situation there," Zhao Ruxi said.
"Let her go. She has things on her mind, and she won't feel at ease staying here," the old lady said.
"Alright, I'll have the servants pack our things, and we'll set off the day after tomorrow," Lady Zhu decided.
Zhao Ruxi opened her mouth, but ultimately kept it closed.
Well, one more day won't make a difference. Let Mother take her one day to clean up.
So Zhao Ruxi stayed in Gusu for five days before setting off for Nanyang with her mother.
Nanyang is located between the capital and Gusu, but because they did not need to take care of the old lady, Zhao Ruxi and Lady Zhu had a tight schedule and only traveled for a day and a half. They entered the city gate of Nanyang on the afternoon of the second day after they set off.
"Madam, Miss." Zhou Chun and his wife, Madam Sun, were already waiting at the city gate. Upon seeing Ma Sheng beside the carriage, he quickly came forward and called out to the carriage.
"Lead the way," Zhao Ruxi's voice came from inside the carriage.
"Yes." Zhou Chun quickly walked to the city gate, greeted the guards, and slipped them some silver. Zhao Ruxi and her entourage's carriage entered the city smoothly.
Once inside the city, Zhao Ruxi lifted the carriage curtain and looked out.
Nanyang is a small city located between the provincial capital and a county seat. It is quite close to Gusu and the capital, and is a prosperous place. Shops line both sides of the street, and the streets are bustling with people.
The carriage traveled through the city for the time it takes to eat a meal before finally entering a wide street and stopping in front of an imposing gate.
"Madam, young lady, we've arrived," Zhou Chun said.
When Zhao Ruxi first transmigrated, she thought becoming a landlady was a lucrative career. However, she later discovered that housing prices in ancient times remained unchanged for decades. Except for the capital city, where houses became increasingly expensive due to the influx of people from other places taking up official positions, and many officials rented out houses, making money, housing prices in other places were rather disappointing.
Aside from buying a house in Gusu for her through connections and power, like the one Xiao Lingyan bought for her, and then reselling it to a famous wealthy merchant, she really wouldn't make much money.
Therefore, according to Zhao Ruxi's wishes, she only needed to buy a two-courtyard house in Nanyang.
As a result, she followed Zhou Chun and Madam Sun through two courtyards, but still hadn't reached their lodgings.
She couldn't help but look at Zhou Chun: "How many times?"
Zhou Chun glanced at Lady Zhu: "Uh, fourth entry."
Lady Zhu quickly smiled and said, "You bought such a luxurious house for your father in Gusu, we can't let you live in a small courtyard, can we? So we added some money to buy you a bigger house."
"I live alone, a house that's too big isn't really suitable," Zhao Ruxi said helplessly.
In modern times, she struggled to buy even a small three-bedroom apartment, but in ancient times, she bought mansions one after another, complete with a multitude of servants. Thinking about it, it's hard to say whether this time travel was lucky or unlucky.
"I was thinking that your master and the County Princess of Qingyang would be coming to stay, so the house is too small," said Lady Zhu. "That's why you let your master live in the outer two courtyards, and you and the County Princess of Qingyang live in the inner two. I'll also be staying here occasionally. Maybe your grandmother will get tired of living in Gusu and come here for a visit. So, a house that's too small really won't do."
"Alright then." Zhao Ruxi had nothing more to say.
After choosing a courtyard to stay in, Zhao Ruxi washed up and ate, then sent the other servants away, leaving only Qingfeng and Lady Luo in the room.
She called Zhou Chun over and asked him, "How's the intelligence gathering going?"
Zhao Ruxi is someone who prefers to rely on herself rather than others. Although Xiao Lingyan had already inquired about the situation in Nanyang for her, Zhao Ruxi still wanted to train Zhou Chun and the others' abilities.
After all, her future official position in Nanyang would depend on Zhou Chun and others. Having Zhou Chun personally investigate would provide more convincing firsthand information. Zhao Ruxi also wanted to verify the results of Xiao Lingyan's investigation.
Therefore, she did not show the information Xiao Lingyan gave her to Zhou Chun, but instead sent Zhou Chun to inquire about the situation.