Ghosts?
On the very first night, something like this happened. It was quite interesting.
As a modern person, Li Yao was very curious what ghosts looked like.
But with the panicked family before her, it was not appropriate for her to go upstairs now. Even if she did, the mischief-maker on the roof would surely have already slipped away.
"What's there to panic about? Everyone quiet!"
When Li Yao spoke, everyone shut their mouths.
But on everyone's faces was clearly written shock and fright.
Especially Da Zhuang and He Xiaoya, who clung tightly to Little Yanran, afraid she would be snatched away by ghosts.
"Mother," even Wang Xiao Si was scared to tears, "What exactly is going on? Should we just give up this house and go home?"
"You're a boy, don't be scared!"
Wang Xiao Si thought: I'm a boy, but still a child!
Aren't children supposed to be afraid of ghosts?
"Mother," said Wang Er, "This matter is indeed a bit strange."
"What do you think?"
"Can't say for sure yet," Wang Er said, "We'll have to go out and ask around tomorrow before making a conclusion."
"You still need to study tomorrow, don't go," Li Yao looked at the shivering Anna and Alice, "You two go instead."
"Y-yes..."
"Mother, then what about tonight?" Da Zhuang asked worriedly, "Should we go stay at an inn?"
"No need, go back and sleep at ease. I'm here." Seeing everyone still shaken, Li Yao added: "If you're scared, some of you can squeeze together in one room. He Xiaoya and Little Yanran come sleep in my room. Anna and Alice can also lay mattresses in my room."
"Yes mother."
He Xiaoya herself wasn't too afraid, but she was worried about Little Yanran, so she went to sleep in Li Yao's room.
The two servant girls didn't, and squeezed into a room with Chun Ning instead.
Even so, no one could fall asleep until exhaustion overtook them, and they managed a short rest.
The next morning when everyone got up, they almost all had panda eyes, without an ounce of spirit.
To allow Wang Er to study at ease, Li Yao still had him and Song Zhe go out to find a place, while Anna and Alice also went out to ask around the situation.
It was peaceful when left unasked, but became serious once asked.
It turned out this area was really haunted.
"They said, in total five houses around here, many years ago a group of villains killed over a hundred people!"
"And and," Alice chimed in, "Many people have bought these houses before, but all moved away shortly after, because they were haunted!"
Hearing the information the two found out, Li Yao sank into thought.
"Mother," Da Zhuang said, "Should we ask the property agent to rescind the purchase?"
"Alright, let's go now."
Hearing she was willing to rescind the purchase, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
How could they dare live in a haunted house!
But unexpectedly, the passionate property agent from yesterday seemed to have become a different person today.
"Mistress Li, black and white written clear, the contract is signed. How can you rescind just like that?"
"But you didn't tell us the house was haunted either!" Du Xiao Hui said, "If you told us, we wouldn't have bought it."
"What ghosts? Young miss, don't speak nonsense."
"I'm not speaking nonsense!" Du Xiao Hui said, "Last night, we clearly heard ghost voices. So frightening!"
The property agent laughed and shook his head. "That's just your one-sided claim. Do you have any evidence? Even if you sue to the county court, it is impossible to rescind the purchase of this house."
Du Xiao Hui's face was red, but she was unable to refute.
And this wasn't He Wan village. Mother's words didn't hold much sway here either.
"Mother, what should we do?"
"Can we really not rescind it?" Li Yao asked.
"Can't rescind," the property agent said. "But if you want to sell it, I can help find a buyer."
"How much can we sell for?"
"Well," the property agent smiled, "eight thousand taels."
"How much?"
Everyone was furious.
Just overnight, and it dropped two thousand taels?
"You're simply scamming people!"
"Esteemed guests, you can't say that," the property agent said. "Actually, you shouldn't have gone around asking everywhere. If you didn't bring it up, no one would've known. Then it would've been easy to sell the house. But now you've asked everywhere, many people think this house is haunted. So naturally it's hard to sell now!"
Everyone looked to Li Yao again, waiting for her decision.
Actually, Li Yao already knew this would be the result. Her intention in coming here to rescind was precisely to make the property agent think she was really afraid.
This property agent actually had quite a few sinister ideas in his mind. No telling how many people he had scammed using this method.
Since it was so, Li Yao felt no need to be polite with him.
And the best way to deal with villains was to repay them in kind.
"I'll think it over some more."
"Go ahead," the property agent said. "Let me know once decided."
Li Yao brought her family and left the agency.
"Da Zhuang, bring everyone to find an inn to stay first."
"Mother, what about you?"
"Don't worry about me, just go do what you need to do," Li Yao said. "Don't go back to the house if you don't want to. The stuff inside isn't worth anything either."
After Da Zhuang brought everyone away, Li Yao went straight to the biggest marketplace.
After some asking around, she located Wang Yuanguo, who purchased pig lard here.
"Sister-in-law, I was just thinking of going over to find you."
"Let's find a quiet place. I need you to help me with something."
Wang Yuanguo nodded and brought Li Yao to a small house. He had rented this house in order to conveniently purchase materials. Several people lived here to help him work.
After chasing those people out, Wang Yuanguo asked: "What is it, sister-in-law?"
"I need you to help me buy a few houses."
...
"Boss," the two assistants at the property agency fawned flatteringly at their boss, "Who knows where that woman is from. She's truly a silly rich person!"
"Hmph, where she's from isn't important," the property agent said coldly. "Clearly not someone important, probably suddenly came into some money, and wanted to buy property at Yizhou. As if this Yizhou is some place average people can come!"
"Of course." One assistant said, "Thanks to her, we're making a fortune again!"
"Work hard!" the property agent said. "If they don't sell today, scare them again tonight until they do! We'll still get a good share of the money!"
"Thanks boss!"
At this time, a tall man with two others walked in.
"Boss," Wang Yuanguo was speaking in coarse Mandarin. "I want to buy houses. Do you have any good ones?"
Hearing the foreign accent, the three of them were delighted again.
Luck has arrived today. Even walls aren't enough to stop it!
"Of course. Esteemed guest, what kind are you looking for?"
"Best is a three-courtyard house. My household is big, one house can't fit. Will need to buy at least four." Four? Buy four houses in one go? The shopkeeper hadn't ever seen something like this even after doing business for so many years. Must be immensely wealthy!
Because he was splurging so unrestrained, he must have a strong background. The shopkeeper still felt it prudent to find out clearly: "May I ask where the esteemed guests are from?"
"From Beijing over there."
"A noble from Beijing!" the shopkeeper flattered. "Then sir must be a high official from the capital!"
"No no, just a businessman." Wang Yuanguo said. "Why do you ask so much? Do you have good houses or not? I don't like noise, so you must pick a quiet place for me."
"Yes! As luck would have it, there are four very fine, quiet houses. Let me bring you to take a look!"