Volume One, Chapter 19: Hidden Truths Behind the Scenes

“This house is reasonably priced, just two thousand taels of silver. You can buy it outright. The property deeds and land certificates are all complete here at our pawnshop. It’s a straightforward, transparent transaction—payment and deed exchanged simultaneously. Our pawnshop is the largest in the entire Daqian, officially certified. If you don’t believe me, you can check with the government. It’s absolutely trustworthy!” the pawnbroker hurriedly explained.

It seemed the young master before him was quite interested in the house.

Hearing the price of two thousand taels, Li Xian was startled and exclaimed in shock, “That expensive? Are you guys trying to rip me off? There’s no way a house costs that much—it’s outrageous!”

By Daqian’s conversion rates, two thousand taels equated to about twenty million yuan in his previous life’s world—a terrifying sum.

His family owned a hundred acres of land, and with his father running some small businesses, they had scrimped and saved for years to accumulate just over a thousand taels.

And now, just to purchase a single house, it was two thousand taels?

How could he possibly afford that?

With two maids and an elderly sweeper, how was he supposed to support them?

Immediately, Li Xian grabbed Xiao An and prepared to leave.

No purchase!

What purchase?

Even if he sold his underwear, he couldn’t afford this house!

All his money combined, even if he sold off the hundred acres, still wouldn’t suffice. This was beyond his reach.

A three-entry, three-exit mansion like this was simply unaffordable for him, especially in this prime location—no point even dreaming.

Looks like he’d have to make do and compromise with his wife.

If push came to shove, he could buy a smaller two-entry, two-exit house in a decent location. It didn’t have to be three-entry, three-exit on Chang’an Street. No need to pretend to be wealthy.

He still needed to save money to raise his daughter!

He couldn’t possibly spend all his money on housing and starve.

After today, he’d inquire more about the housing market near the imperial city to have a better idea. Otherwise, he could easily get scammed, and then there’d be nothing to do but cry.

“Please wait, sir!”

Seeing Li Xian about to leave, the pawnbroker hurried over anxiously, grabbing him as if afraid he would slip away.

Li Xian eyed him suspiciously and said bluntly, “If you want travel expenses, I won’t give you any. You brought me to see the house voluntarily. I plan to look at other houses now. This one is far too expensive—I really can’t afford it!”

“Sir, it’s not about travel expenses. I just want to ask: Do you sincerely want this house?” the pawnbroker quickly replied.

He looked at Li Xian and thought this young man might have a chance today.

If this deal went through, he’d get a handsome cut from the pawnshop.

Plus, he’d be rid of a troublesome case. The profit might cover several years’ earnings—this was a very lucrative deal.

“If there’s no problem, naturally I want it. This house is indeed nice, but it’s too expensive. Who can afford two thousand taels?” Li Xian shook his head. “Take me to see other places. Even if this Liu Mansion is worth that price, I can’t buy it. The most I’d pay is a thousand taels, and I guess you wouldn’t agree. So let’s look elsewhere.”

With that, Li Xian reluctantly withdrew his gaze and prepared to leave the courtyard.

This house was indeed very good—how could he not like it?

But he simply didn’t have enough money.

There was always a gap between ideal and reality.

His wife had given him a few gold ingots, but Li Xian didn’t intend to use them. Those were for emergencies, the “milk money” for the child, not to be spent lightly.

“Sir, if you truly want it, a thousand taels isn’t impossible. But I’d have to apply for approval first. I think there’s a chance. You’d have to wait for news tomorrow,” the pawnbroker wiped the cold sweat from his brow, gritting his teeth as he offered a heavy discount.

This young man was about to leave without hearing the full story. He hadn’t said it was unsellable. Since he brought him here, there must be a very tempting price; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come.

Initial quotes are usually higher.

He could tell this young man wanted to buy, just found it too expensive.

Price can be negotiated; everyone can talk it over.

Li Xian frowned and looked at the pawnbroker suspiciously. “Really? Half price?”

The pawnbroker hurriedly said, “We’re eager to recoup funds. Once approved, we can definitely provide the property and land deeds. You can rest assured. Our pawnshop’s word is our bond.”

Li Xian was intrigued again.

A three-entry, three-exit mansion near Chang’an Street.

Only a thousand taels?

He must have heard wrong.

Li Xian asked cautiously, “Has anyone died here?”

In his understanding, a prime location house sold at a steep discount must have some problem—more than a minor one.

Perhaps it was a haunted house.

The pawnbroker wiped a nonexistent sweat from his brow and quickly said, “Sir, you jest. Any old mansion standing for decades must have had deaths. Of course people have died here. If you want a new house, you can look elsewhere. But those aren’t in such prime locations. This one is close to the city outskirts, and there’s nothing inside. You’d have to renovate. If you want, we can find houses with four or five entries, entirely up to you.”

Li Xian nodded. That much was true.

But honestly, he wasn’t keen on houses further away, near the city gates.

The Daqian imperial city was no small place. If it was too far, his thrifty wife might not like it when she arrived.

Location mattered more than size.

“Then why the half-price discount? Is there some hidden issue?” Li Xian pressed.

This was a crucial question.

He had to know the truth!