Chapter 26: The Unbearable Burden of Sky-High Housing Prices

That night, the Li family finally enjoyed a proper meal. Even the infant, Li Xuwei, who was still nursing, was brought out to join them.

Li Xubai gave a brief account of what had happened at Wanfo Temple, omitting the more terrifying details and the specific words he had exchanged with Zhao Yizhen and the Empress Dowager. He simply claimed that he had helped a person of high status, who had rewarded him with some silver.

"I’ve been thinking that Third Brother’s leg injury cannot be delayed any longer. As for this house," Li Xubai looked up and scanned the room, "let’s give it up. We should move to the area near Zhou Bridge and buy a small courtyard there."

"Buy... buy a house?" Li Xuzhang never dreamed such a day would come—not only could he afford to treat his leg and stand again, but they could actually afford a home.

"Yes, buy a house!" Li Xubai nodded firmly.

From his past life to this one, he had always had an obsession with owning a home. It was a dream unfulfilled in his previous life, and now that he had a chance, even if this life was essentially stolen, he was determined to realize it.

"But, Second Brother, what about the gambling debts? If the people from the casino hear we’ve bought a house, won’t they come to take it?" Li Yunnuan asked timidly.

That was indeed a problem.

Li Xubai and Song Shiyu exchanged glances.

Song Shiyu thought for a moment. "I will handle the matter with the casino. Erlang, you just focus on finding a house."

Li Xubai knew that Song Shiyu had secrets of her own, but they weren't close enough yet to confide in each other. He nodded and said, "That works. Tomorrow, I’ll go ask Manager Su about houses. You can start treating Third Brother’s leg tomorrow morning."

When the adults made a decision, the children had no choice but to listen; they had no right to object. Li Xuzhang and Li Yunnuan looked at each other, feeling a mixture of surprise and anxiety.

The next morning, Li Xubai and Song Shiyu went their separate ways: one to the Lulu Tong Carriage Agency to inquire about property, and the other to the casino to settle the Li family’s debts.

Manager Su was surprised to see Li Xubai, who should have been resting. "Erlang, aren't you off today? Why are you here?"

Li Xubai smiled sheepishly. "Manager, I have a favor to ask."

Manager Su looked serious. "Just tell me, Erlang. If I can help, I certainly will."

Li Xubai said, "I want to buy a house near Zhou Bridge. It doesn't need to be large, just enough for my sister-in-law, my siblings, and me."

"Buy a house?" Manager Su was taken aback, then laughed. "It seems you had quite a harvest at Wanfo Temple, Erlang! Very well, although our carriage agency doesn't deal in real estate, we have our connections. Tell me, what kind of house are you looking for?"

Li Xubai thought about it. He had no real concept of property in this era, so he explained his family's situation: "Manager, it’s just me, my widowed sister-in-law, an eleven-year-old brother, a nine-year-old sister, and a newborn baby brother. I was thinking the house doesn't need to be big—just enough for everyone to have their own room."

Manager Su chuckled. "Your requirements are truly modest, Erlang. A courtyard with five rooms would be quite sufficient."

Li Xubai nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes. That would be enough."

"But you must know, Erlang, land in Bianliang City is worth its weight in gold. Especially near Zhou Bridge, house prices are shockingly high. A decent, modest one-entrance courtyard with two rooms can fetch a sky-high price of two hundred taels."

"How much? Two hundred taels!" Li Xubai held up two fingers, his mouth agape in shock for a long time. "That’s robbery!"

Manager Su was not surprised by Li Xubai’s reaction and sighed. "It is hard to live in the capital. Many government officials are forced to rent, let alone ordinary folk. People without a permanent home are everywhere."

Li Xubai did the math. His one thousand taels seemed like a lot, but upon closer inspection, it wouldn't buy anything with a good location, decent size, and a proper layout. It seemed the high housing prices in Bianliang were even worse than those in his past life! It appeared that exorbitant housing costs were a constant across all eras.

After pondering for a while, Li Xubai reluctantly lowered his standards. "Well, that’s fine. They don't each need a room. Two people to a room is fine, too."

Manager Su laughed. "That won't be necessary."

While Li Xubai was discussing houses with Manager Su, Song Shiyu walked through the streets and alleys until she found the Chengfeng Casino.

The thugs at the entrance didn't recognize her and looked at her with amazement. "Oh? A young lady visiting a casino? That’s rare."

"What young lady? Don't you see her hair is styled in a married woman's bun?" another thug remarked with a smirk. "A young wife looking for some fun? Does your husband know you're here?"

Song Shiyu scanned the two men expressionlessly and said coldly, "Tell Xiong Tianqiang to come out and see me."

The two thugs burst into a simultaneous laugh, so shocked they forgot to continue their insults. Who was this woman, and why was she so brazen? How dared she demand that their boss come out to see her? Could she be the boss's new mistress? That couldn't be right, could it?

Unable to figure out her background but afraid to be rude, they bowed and scraped. "Well... the boss isn't here right now. Would you like to wait at the entrance or inside, mistress?"

Song Shiyu said calmly, "Tell him to meet me on the second floor of the Guanqian Teahouse at the end of the street."

The Guanqian Teahouse was in a prime location, but business had always been slow. There was no other reason than its proximity to the Chengfeng Casino, which was considered bad feng shui. Gamblers with broken arms and legs were constantly being tossed out in front of the teahouse. No decent person dared to drink tea in such a place.

Song Shiyu sat at a table by the window on the second floor, ordered a pot of the cheapest tea leaves, and endured the waiter's disdainful look—she hadn't even dared to order a plate of snacks.

She glanced down at the street from time to time, silently calculating a memory that remained vivid in her mind. At this time in her past life, she had been very young and her memories of many things were blurry, but she had a distinct recollection of an incident at the Chengfeng Casino. She knew it so clearly because her grandfather, Grand Tutor Gu, used to hold her while teaching her calligraphy, and he never avoided discussing official matters with his colleagues in her presence.

She did not have to wait long at the Guanqian Teahouse. Xiong Tianqiang, also curious about this aggressive stranger, arrived on the second floor with only two bodyguards.

Seeing an incredibly beautiful woman sitting by the window, her gaze cool and detached—as if she could see right through him—Xiong Tianqiang felt a jolt in his chest. He treated her with more caution, walked over quickly, and asked in a gruff voice, "Young mistress, are you here looking for your husband, or perhaps a brother?"

Song Shiyu poured a cup of tea for Xiong Tianqiang with measured movements. "I’m not looking for anyone. I’m looking for you."

Xiong Tianqiang chuckled. "Young mistress, although I, Xiong, am a man of appetite, I have no interest in married women. You’ve got the wrong person." He stood up, ready to walk away.

"The Chengfeng Casino captured a man yesterday and broke his leg. The man’s surname is Lu. Didn't you go to check who he was?" Song Shiyu spoke softly behind Xiong Tianqiang, her words catching him off guard.

Xiong Tianqiang turned around slowly, staring at Song Shiyu with a deepening, hostile expression. "What do you mean by that, young mistress?"

Song Shiyu raised an eyebrow. "The man surnamed Lu is the only grandson of Lu Yijian."

"So what?" Upon hearing the name, Xiong Tianqiang’s heart sank, and he dismissed it carelessly. "Bianliang is crawling with high officials and nobles. If I were afraid of one who is currently out of office, I would have had to close my casino long ago."

Song Shiyu replied calmly, "You may not fear him now, but in half a month—no, ten days—you will." She paused before continuing, "The ruin of your entire family. Are you truly not afraid?"