Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Farewell
Qu Fulan thought the house would be hard to find, but she received news in the afternoon.
"It’s just behind the Pei Mansion, one kilometer to the east. There’s a private residence, a two-court house with a yard. The safety in the area around the Pei Mansion is undeniable. Miss Qu might want to go take a look," the person in charge of finding the house came back with the news.
Qu Fulan had never been there, but Hai Xia knew it well and was quite incredulous, "I know the houses over there, they’re all private properties of some noble people. The houses are beautiful from the outside, and many outsiders want to buy them, but they don’t sell. I’ve heard they don’t rent them out either."
The person explained, "They’re renting it out because of the Heir Pei’s connections. Without such relationships, one simply can’t rent it. After all, Miss Qu is alone, and living in such a place ensures her safety."
Indeed, the benefits of personal connections were apparent.
Qu Fulan naturally wanted to go out and see the house.
She still had to take a carriage out. The Pei Mansion is quite large, and it would take a long time to walk out from there without a carriage, which is too time-consuming.
In the end, Hai Xia and Douya also went with her because they often went out with her previously. The steward had relaxed policies for them and immediately agreed, so the three of them set out excitedly.
After the carriage twisted and turned, they finally reached their destination. Qu Fulan was utterly amazed by the house before her eyes.
It couldn’t simply be described as nice; it was extraordinarily good, much better than she had imagined. She couldn’t even dream of such a house.
The two-court house wasn’t particularly large, similar in size to two modern villas, which is why she thought to hire maidservants and elderly women to gain some popularity.
Only a house of this layout would have a higher safety factor in its surroundings. Otherwise, if it was too small, it would be in a mixed area and wouldn’t be safe for a girl like her to live in.
This setup was just right. Unlike the Pei Mansion, where it’s all twists and turns to go somewhere, a house too large comes with its own big troubles.
Here, you can reach anywhere with a casual stroll, and together with the front and back yards, it all felt just right.
She was especially pleased with the yard, which still had a seven-acre plot in the back where she could grow some vegetables later.
"This house is so beautiful," Douya couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Except for being smaller than the Pei Mansion, every other aspect feels on par with it," Hai Xia, with a keener eye, added, "This house must be very expensive, right?"
"If not for the connections, even offering a thousand taels a month, they wouldn’t rent it out," the person showing the house replied.
"Then how is it rented now?" Qu Fulan asked. After seeing the house, she was very satisfied with it.
With a pavilion, a lake, and the two-court house in a courtyard form, it was simply too perfect.
Once she had enough money, she’d also go through some relationships to buy a decent house.
"The other party cooperates with the Pei Family’s business, so regarding rent, just pay a token amount, ten taels a month," the person said.
Qu Fulan was stunned.
She calculated that if they wouldn’t rent for a thousand, they might still expect five or six hundred as a token, which would be a heavy burden, but she would still grit her teeth and rent it, as it would be difficult to find such a suitable place otherwise.
But it directly reduced from a thousand to ten taels? That’s a tenfold discount?
"Is the owner a friend of the Heir Pei? What’s his surname?" Qu Fulan asked. Perhaps she knew them, otherwise, what kind of relationship could offer such a friendly price?
"It’s a kind of cooperative relationship, but I can’t disclose too much. In the future, if Miss Qu is paying rent, contact me directly. After all, with so much property, they can’t tend to this place regularly."
She understood. This arrangement actually saved a lot of trouble.
The person showing the house was Wu, known as Steward Wu, responsible for maintaining various relationships under the Heir Pei.
Heir Pei had many such people, and this one happened to be in charge of real estate.
Qu Fulan immediately signed a contract with him, and regarding the rent, she directly paid a year’s rent, which was one hundred twenty taels.
Initially, Qu Fulan thought it would be five or six hundred a month, and with her current savings, she could only afford a one-payment or two-payment form.
Her monthlies as a maid, plus the rewards from working for the Heir Pei, accumulated just over a thousand in her savings capsule.
If it cost five or six hundred a month, it would just barely suffice for a one-payment or two-payment method, right?
But now, needing just over a hundred taels, really saved her a lot.
The leftover funds were enough to furnish the new house, purchase necessary items, cover travel expenses, start a business, and hire two maids or women.
Otherwise, she’d have to borrow from the Heir Pei.
After signing the contract, a woman carrying a broom came out sweeping.
Qu Fulan had covered the place generally earlier and hadn’t been thorough in seeing every corner, so she was surprised she hadn’t seen someone living there before?
Seeing this, Steward Wu explained, "This is Sister-in-law Chen, responsible for cleaning this house."
"What does this mean?" Qu Fulan was puzzled.
Steward Wu said, "Nobles’ properties all have someone responsible for upkeep, otherwise, with daily dust, it wouldn’t look like a house."
Qu Fulan understood, meaning she rented a house with Sister-in-law Chen to clean.
Hai Xia and Douya were amazed, could such good fortune exist in the world?
But the facts were right before them.
Indeed, the importance of connections was once again proven.
As for how connections are formed? That depends on your own ability; if you have capability, connections naturally follow.
The two maidservants, though envious, understood their limits.
With a good house secured, moving plans were set in motion.
The key was that she didn’t have much in the Pei Mansion.
Just some clothes, jewelry, shoes, all gifted by the Pei Mansion. Gifts were hers to take; otherwise, what’s the use of leaving things she used behind?
These things fit into just two containers.
After packing, Qu Fulan bid farewell to the Third Miss, then the matron, including Hua Hao and Yueyuan, and finally, the Heir Pei.
However, he’s been quite busy lately, so Qu Fulan couldn’t see him.
No rush there. Once she tidies up the new house, she’ll choose an auspicious date to invite the Heir Pei and others with good relationships for a visit, then express her gratitude.
While Qu Fulan busied herself with the new house, Steward Wu was also busy reporting back to his master.
"All was conveyed as instructed by the Heir; Miss Qu suspected nothing. Furthermore, the house is indeed the Heir’s private property; even the matron doesn’t know, let alone others. The Heir can be assured."
After reporting, Steward Wu received further instructions from the Heir and left.