"You Jin? Why did you come to the county city?" A slightly doubtful Mrs. Han looked at You Jin, who was dressed as a boy: "I saw you from a distance and thought I was seeing things. Why did you come to the county city?" It turned out that Han Family's grocery store opened on the same street as the cart shop where You Jin and the others stayed last night. Mrs. Han, who came out to buy breakfast, happened to bump into You Jin.
You Jin looked at Mrs. Han with some embarrassment. She didn't know where to start. So she could only vaguely explained: "I have some important things to do in the county."
It was impossible for Mrs. Han to know so quickly about Mrs. Su and Yue Chang Lu's separation. You Jin was also too lazy to explain. So she wanted to vaguely muddle through it.
"You are a little girl, what can you do in the county city? Come and sit at Third Aunt's house. If there is anything, tell your third uncle. He is well-known in the county city." Mrs. Han felt that it was a bit strange. Her intuition was to not let You Jin leave. She reached out and tightly grabbed her sleeve.
You Jin couldn't break free from Mrs. Han's "claw" and resignedly sighed before telling the truth: "Third Aunt, my mother and Yue Chang Lu have separated. We all followed my mother and left Yue's house. I am to register the household."
"What? Separate!" In a moment of surprise, Mrs. Han's voice unconsciously became a little louder. It attracted frequent glances from the stalls near the two of them: "We have only left home for less than a month, how can a separation happen out of the blue?"
You Jin sighed: "Third Aunt, is it out of the blue? I can't talk anymore. I have to go to the yamen to apply for household registration!"
After that, she wanted to break free from Mrs. Han's grasp.
Mrs. Han hurriedly dragged her back: "You are a little girl. It's not that easy to go to the yamen. The husband of one my maternal family's sister is in the business of brokering. I will take you to find him for help!"
Although Mrs. Han didn't know what happened, she unconsciously opened her mouth to help You Jin.
When You Jin heard what she said, she also felt that it made some sense. So she agreed. Seeing that she wasn't leaving, Mrs. Han hurried back to the shop to instruct the errand boy. Only then, she came out and led You Jin to the broker.
The broker surnamed He saw Mrs. Han bring a relative and didn't ask for much money. Only charged five silver liang. Within an hour, the red-stamped separation note and the household registration with the name written as Su You Jin were brought back: "Little girl, I did what you want. Everything is sorted. Now, keep them safe."
You Jin looked through it carefully before putting them away: "Thank you Uncle He for making this trip for me."
Then she turned around and bowed deeply to Mrs. Han who had been waiting with her: "Thank you Third Aunt."
Mrs. Han smiled and waved her hand: "It's not easy for you, a little girl, run this errand. So I just lend a hand. Now that the matter has been settled, how about you take me to see your mother?"
In the end, Mrs. Han still wanted to know what happened to make Mrs. Su, a person who hadn't resisted for 15 years, to fight back so hard this time.
You Jin considered it before nodding in agreement. After coming out of the brokering shop, she took Mrs. Han back to the cart shop.
***
After hearing Mrs. Su's light-hearted explanation of the cause and result of separation, Mrs. Han trembled slightly despite seeing the having vast horizon: "That's Second Elder Brother's biological children! To actually want to drown them!? Is it that difficult at home?"
While being repulsed by the ruthlessness of everyone in Yue Family, she was relieved that Mrs. Su had jumped out of the fire pit: "But all is good now. You left Yue Family with your children. At least it's a good thing for these two children, isn't it? So what are your plans for the future?"
Mrs. Su pondered for a moment before saying: "We are going to leave Dingyuan County in a few days and move to another place. It can be regarded as burying everything in the past! You have helped us a lot today, but please don't tell old Third one about our encounter. I don't want to affect your life because of our affairs."
Mrs. Han sighed. Looking at the recently sturdier two babies in the swaddles, she nodded slightly: "I know. Since you guys aren't leaving so quickly, I'll come back to you in two days. Get You Jin to come to my family's shop and call for me if anything happens." The two sister-in-laws talked for a while before Mrs. Han absentmindedly left the big cart shop.
Another two days passed. You Jin had went around the county and gathered a lot of news from the shopkeeper of the big cart shop and the visiting merchants. Finally, she decided to go to the south of Dingyuan County with her home to Luohe Prefecture, which was about five or six days away. Dry food was prepared and a heads-up was given to a group of merchants who were going to go to the south the day after. She gave some money to follow behind their convoy, which was considered to be taking care of each other.
The night before their departure, Mrs. Han carried over a large bundle and came to the big cart shop in the dark of night.
After putting the bundle on the kang, she took out a purse from her bosom and stuffed it into You Jin's hand: "You must be short of silver and money now. Though this little money can't help much, there is still some old clothes from your Elder Sister You He and I in the bundle. Although they are a little old, they can worn. Just a thought from me."
You Jin held a heavy purse in her hand. Her eyes were slightly red. Mrs. Han could really be said to be benevolent and righteous toward their family: "Third Aunt, your great kindness, I will definitely repay it when I have the opportunity in the future! "
"This child! We used to be one family, weren't we? No need to something like repay or not!" Mrs. Han scolded her for a few words before bidding farewell with a smile: "Okay, it's late at night. You rest early. Once you settle down in Luohe Prefecture, remember to send me a letter."
The purse given by Mrs. Han contained 13 silver liang. It must have been the private money she had saved over the years. One must know that the 13 silver liang wasn't a small amount for a village family. Mrs. Han knew that there was no return for this money and still given them this much money. It would be a lie to say that they weren't moved.
After putting away the things that Mrs. Han had gifted, Su Family's ten members turned off the lights and slept early. After all, they had to spend five to six days journey starting tomorrow. They got to recharge their batteries.
***
Mrs. Su's body was already weak. What's more, she wasn't out of post-natal confinement. The torment of continuous travel, Mrs. Su fell ill before You Jin's family of ten reach Luohe Prefecture. Even the weakest, Kang-r also became sickly. Sitting on the bumpy mule cart as she leaned on the baggage, pale-faced Mrs. Su guiltily smiled: "It's all Mother's fault. Always causing trouble for you."
The few younger ones were so anxious that they were teary-eyed; not knowing what to do. You Jin was also very worried. Right now, they were in middle of nowhere. They can't find a doctor even if she wanted to! She could only keep comforting Mrs. Su and the few children. Mrs. Su forced herself to endure for another two days. Only then the convoy entered Luohe Prefecture.
Finally after entering Luohe Prefecture, You Jin directly asked the driver to send everyone to the door of the medical center. Although Mrs. Su's body was weak, fortunately there was no lasting damage for now. The medical center prescribed medicine. After consuming the medicine at the medical center, they found a big cart shop and rented a large room. Everyone in Su Family temporarily rest their feet ato Luohe Prefecture.
After the experience in Dingyuan County, You Jin had learned from experience. She inquired with the shopkeeper of the big cart stop about the nearby broker. If she wants to settle down in Luohe Prefecture, she must first settle the household registration. Afterward, they must have a house.
Luohe Prefecture was a major town. The urban area, population and prosperity were more than several times that of Dingyuan County. Naturally, the expense will be larger than that of Dingyuan County. Sorting the household only cost 2 silver liang. But buying a house was something that You Jin can't afford even when scour her entire body.
Seeing her hesitant face, the broker spoke, "Little girl, my price is absolutely fair. Even the smallest house in Luohe Prefecture with only one room in a small courtyard cost at least forty liang."
You Jin shook her head: "Uncle Chen, this price is too high. I won't buy houses in the city. Buying house outside the city is fine. Just one point, can't be too far from Luohe Prefecture."
"Not too far from Luohe Prefecture. I do happen to know one place. t's only five miles away from the west city gate. The price isn't expensive. It got a large yard with an acre of wasteland outside and three rooms. In total, ten liang. How about it?" Broker Chen thought about it and actually came up such a house.
"How come it's so cheap?" Even in Cuifeng Village, ten silver liangs wouldn't be able to build three houses with a compound; not to mention one mu of wasteland! You Jin took a wild guess: "Is there something wrong with the house?"
Seeing that it was just a little girl, the broker thought she would immediately nabbed it due to its cheap price. Never thought she could be so sharp. So he falteringly responded: "It's not a big problem. It's just that, that the original family owner had a daughter and wanted to find a son-in-law to marry into the house. That son-in-law was messing around outside and was stabbed to death by that miss. The miss then swiped her neck..."
The house in Wuliqiao had been vacant for a few years. It was a big deal at the time. Anyone who wanted to inquire can find out. Broker Chen can't hide it: "But little girl, let me tell you, that is a blue brick and tile house. Although it has been empty for a few years, but it's top-notch. After some cleaning, it's livable. If you don't dislike it, the price can be negotiated, right..."
"Then let's go and have a look!" You Jin didn't believe in ghosts and gods before; However, after she transmigrated, these things was not implausible. That miss can kill the heartless man, so she must be a fierce person. She probably won't make it difficult for them of family of old and young.
Broker Chen still wanted to continue to use his long tongue to persuade You Jin. Unexpectedly, she nodded and agreed to see it. Immediately, he broke into wide grin: "Oh! Okay, let's go and see it now!"
That house was on the edge of a village called Wuliqiao. Just separated by a river. On the east side of the river was where most of the villagers of Wuliqiao Village live together. On the west side of the river was only this house that was separated from Wuliqiao Village by about three or four hundred meters away. Although it was a house where people had died, Broker Chen wasn't coaxing her. The size was similar to that of Yue Family's house. Although it was empty for two or three years and the yard was full of weeds, the main structure of the house was still intact and sturdy.
After a few laps behind Broker Chen, You Jin nodded with satisfaction. Although there had been deaths, the house wasn't bad. It was surrounded by mountains and rivers. The house was also big enough and got land. With a cheap price, it was certainly the best choice.
Seeing that she was quite satisfied, Broker Chen jollily asked, "Miss Su, I didn't coax you, right? This house is really nice."
He had taken in this house by mistake back then. After a few years, no one enquired about it. Now there was a fool knocking at the door, he can be free of it as long as he doesn't lose money.
"Uncle Chen, this house hasn't been lived in for a few years. I have to spend a lot of money to clean it up. Besides, this house is somewhat unlucky..." You Jin looked around the house and showed a hint of hesitation.
Seeing that she hesitated, Broker Chen hurriedly spoke: "How about this, Miss Su? If you really want it, eight silver liang then? It really can't be any less. I have to go to the yamen to exchange for a red deed. Just the deed tax alone is a liang or two!"
"Seven liangs. If you think it's feasible, I'll buy it." With the mentality of saving a penny is a penny, You Jin pressed down the price by another liang.
Broker Chen could see that she sincerely wanted it. Afraid that no one would buy this haunted house if he missed this opportunity and ruined it, he rigidly nodded. The two returned to the city again. They exchanged the red deeds in the afternoon. In just one day, You Jin sorted out Su Family's ten members' accommodation.