Chapter 53: River-Viewing Pavilion

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Lin Feng nodded. "If the four of us each have a room, will that be enough space?"

"No problem. One room is enough for me alone, and there are six more rooms available. We can share the hall and kitchen," the woman in plain clothes said. "Come, I'll show you the rooms."

She led them to the main house entrance. "This is the hall, with three side rooms inside. I live in the east side room. The two rooms on the west side are empty and can be used."

Stepping inside, Lin Feng found the layout reasonable. The spacious hall complemented the exquisite bedrooms. Though the furnishings were simple, the neatness made the space feel clean and crisp.

Lin Feng turned to Tian Xier. "Xier and Xiaodie, would you be okay living in these two rooms?"

They both nodded, looking quite pleased.

Lin Feng pointed to the side rooms. "Sixi and I will stay in these two side rooms."

"So, you’re willing to rent it?" she asked.

"How much is the rent?"

"Since there are four of you, I won’t rent to anyone else. You can also use those two rooms to store your things. The monthly rent is two strings of coins in total."

This was Jiangcheng; two strings of coins per month was not expensive.

"Deal."

Lin Feng immediately wrote the rental agreement with the woman. To his surprise, her handwriting was excellent, and her name was quite pleasant.

She was called Bai Yuniang.

Lin Feng suddenly recalled an ancient story from a past life about a Bai Yuniang who endured hardship in marriage—a truly tragic tale.

Afterward, the four returned to the inn to gather their belongings, where they saw Zhang Yuan waiting for them.

"Brother, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you for half a day!"

"We went to rent a place."

"Did you find one?"

"Yes, by the riverbank on the west side of town."

"How much?"

"Two strings of coins a month."

"Not bad. Staying at the inn for three or four days would cost that much. Renting is definitely more economical," Zhang Yuan laughed. "Come, let me help you move your things."

The three carried only a few belongings, though Tian Xier had the most, having been given many supplies by Tian Zhenggen and his wife before they left.

After moving everything and buying some daily necessities in town, their temporary new home was settled.

That evening, Zhang Yuan bought some wine and meat outside, and they all enjoyed a good meal.

They had intended to invite Bai Yuniang, but she said she had already eaten.

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She didn’t want to disturb them, so she closed the door and went to rest.

The recent days of travel had been exhausting; Tian Xier, Xiaodie, and Sixi soon washed up and went to sleep.

Only Lin Feng and Zhang Yuan remained drinking in the courtyard.

Though the yard was small, Bai Yuniang had planted many flowers and greenery, giving it the charm of a southern Jiangnan garden.

"Brother, Bai Yuniang is quite a looker," Zhang Yuan said.

"Shh, keep your voice down. She has a husband."

"What? She’s married?" Zhang Yuan looked disappointed. "Where is he then?"

"She said her husband has been away fighting in the war and hasn’t returned."

"What a waste. How could he leave such a delicate wife at home?" Zhang Yuan remarked. "But there isn’t any fighting in Jiangzhou. Where would he be off to war?"

"How would I know? She didn’t say, and I didn’t want to pry."

"My brother-in-law surely knows," Zhang Yuan said. "He helps the magistrate manage personnel. I’ll ask him to check."

"Why waste time checking on someone’s husband? Do you have designs on her?"

"No, just curious. Soldiers only leave their posts for urgent wars or if they’re reassigned elsewhere. Maybe he’s not from Jiangzhou’s forces or perhaps he’s an officer transferred to another front."

Lin Feng nodded. "That’s possible. But it’s none of our concern. We’re settled here in Jiangcheng now; better to focus on the next business move."

"Brother, did you go to that tavern again today?"

"I did, but it wasn’t open. The waiter from the bookstore next door said it might open tomorrow."

"Looks like you really want to buy that tavern! But is it possible?" Zhang Yuan asked. "How much money do you have on hand?"

"Less than seventy taels."

Zhang Yuan gave Lin Feng a speechless look. "Less than seventy taels and you want to buy that tavern? Even if you go to the bank for a loan, they wouldn’t lend a newcomer several thousand taels."

Lin Feng smiled. "Everything is negotiable. Maybe with seventy taels, I can really buy the tavern—or even less."

Zhang Yuan nearly choked. "If you really buy the tavern tomorrow with seventy taels, don’t call me Brother Zhang anymore. I’ll call you Brother Feng and serve you for life!"

"Is that possible?"

"Of course! A man’s word is his bond."

"Alright, just watch tomorrow then."

The next morning, Lin Feng and the others arrived at the Moon Gazing Pavilion by West Lake.

"It’s open today!" Sixi exclaimed happily.

Zhang Yuan patted Lin Feng’s shoulder. "Brother, let me see how you buy that tavern with seventy taels."

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"Follow me," Lin Feng smiled and headed toward the tavern.

A sign reading "Closed" hung at the door, alongside another sign advertising the tavern for sale.

Inside, a man in his sixties was sweeping the floor.

The tavern was large; the first floor had at least thirty tables spaced far apart. In the center was a wooden stage about one square meter, with a small table on it—likely for storytellers or musicians.

The decor was exquisite and antique.

"Can’t you see? The tavern isn’t open," the old man said without looking up.

"We’re not here to eat. We want to buy the tavern," Lin Feng said, smiling as he took a seat.

The old man glanced at Lin Feng’s clothes, then put down his broom and sat opposite him.

"Young man, you want to buy this tavern?"

"That's right."

The old man studied Lin Feng for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. "Do you know how much I’m asking for it?"

"How much?"

The old man held up four fingers.

"Four hundred taels?" Xiaodie exclaimed.

"Four hundred?" the old man said calmly. "Four thousand taels."

Xiaodie and Tian Xier were shocked; that was far too expensive.

"I knew you couldn’t afford it…" the old man shook his head, smiling.

"I’ll buy it," Lin Feng said. "But can you lower the price a bit?"

"Young man, don’t tease me."

"As long as you can be a bit cheaper, I will definitely buy."

The old owner looked at him curiously. "Alright, even if I drop it to three thousand nine hundred taels, can you afford that?"

"Can you go any lower?" Lin Feng asked.

The old man shook his head. "Then there’s no deal."

Lin Feng smiled. "Owner, your ‘For Sale’ sign has probably been up for some time. No one has come because your price is too high or maybe no one truly wants to buy. But I really want to buy."

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