Chapter 117

As the saying goes, “With a deed in hand, all worries vanish.” With the Zhao family’s house deed in hand, Wang Yuan’er had no fear of going to court. No matter what, she could win the case.

As for Madam Hu’s accusation of murder for property, it was simply ridiculous. Just because she said so, does it make it true? There must be evidence and witnesses. Without anything, how could she accuse Wang Yuan’er of murder for property? Even if she brought the case before the emperor, it wouldn’t stand. She might even be charged with slander.

Madam Hu knew this herself, but she was unwilling to give up. How could she let go of such a well-arranged and bright house?

“Accusing someone of murder for property without evidence is too much. Who would believe that?”

“That’s right. Goudan ran away himself. My dad saw him that day, carrying a bundle and leaving at dawn.”

“Really? So, this family is here to deceive and take advantage?”

The crowd discussed, and Hu’s family’s faces turned ugly while Wang Yuan’er remained composed.

“Let’s go,” Madam Hu’s husband tugged at her, looking honest but a bit timid.

“Go? Go where? Back to our poor hole?” Madam Hu shook off his hand, unwillingly saying, “What can that poor mountain hole do for us? This whole family still needs to eat.”

Seeing everyone watching them, the man became annoyed and whispered, “What else do you want? Do you really want to go to court? If we go, we won’t come out unscathed.”

Madam Hu opened her mouth, looked at the people behind her, and angrily said, “Fine, let’s go. We’ll go back and live off potatoes.” She gave Wang Yuan’er and her sisters a fierce glare before leaving with her family, dragging their belongings.

The crowd also dispersed, with some envying Wang Yuan’er for having two well-repaired houses, whether to live in or rent out.

The excitement was over, and the crowd left. The storm seemed to have subsided for now.

In the Zhao family’s yard, Grandma Wang scolded Wang Yuan’er, “I told you! Those two dilapidated houses weren’t worth much, but you insisted on buying them. Now look at what you’ve done. Don’t think this is over. That Hu woman doesn’t seem like someone who will give up easily.”

“Grandma, that family is just trying to take advantage. They’re outsiders. What trouble can they cause?” Wang Qing’er said indifferently.

Grandma Wang sneered, “Yes, but when outsiders want to mess with you, they’ll find any excuse. Just wait and see.” She was also angry but left them alone for now and walked away.

Wang Qing’er pouted and turned to see Wang Yuan’er deep in thought, feeling a bit uneasy. She called softly, “Eldest sister.”

Wang Yuan’er snapped out of her thoughts, seeing her sister’s worried expression, and smiled, “It’s okay. Let’s tidy up.”

No matter what Madam Hu had planned, she would deal with it as it came. Having lived two lives, was she still afraid of this?

After experiencing her previous life, she was no longer the timid girl she once was. With this in mind, Wang Yuan’er picked up a broom and started cleaning with her sisters. Suddenly, she sensed something was wrong and turned around to see a young man standing outside, looking at the yard.

“Who are you looking for?” Wang Yuan’er blinked. This person seemed familiar. Where had she seen him before?

Suddenly, Wang Yuaner’s eyes widened. This was the young man she had bumped into earlier. Could he be here to settle accounts?

Chapter 118

Cui Yuan took out a folding fan from his waist, opened it with a swish, and strolled into the farmhouse courtyard with his hands behind his back, looking around.

Seeing his imposing manner and elegant attire, Wang Qing’er quickly ran to Wang Yuan’er and asked, “Eldest sister, who is this?”

Wang Yuan’er had no idea who he was either.

“Young master, what business do you have here?” Wang Yuan’er swallowed and asked, hoping he wasn’t here to settle scores.

Cui Yuan saw the girl before him wearing a simple old green dress. Her hair was braided and hung to one side, with no accessories, looking like a rustic village girl. En, her skin was fairer, and her eyes brighter.

“Is this house yours?” Cui Yuan withdrew his gaze and pointed to the two houses.

In the yard, there was a big peach tree with some unripe fruits. In spring, the peach tree would be in full bloom. Behind the house, a large bamboo grove swayed in the breeze, and the rustling sound of the bamboo leaves and the murmuring stream made it a good place for a summer retreat. Although the location was a bit remote, it was quiet and elegant, making it a good place for rest.

What interested him more than the house was its owner, Miss Wang.

Yes, Cui Yuan had watched the earlier commotion and knew the girl in front of him was named Wang Yuan’er, if he had heard correctly. A village girl who could use the late emperor and the current emperor to scare people was indeed interesting and daring.

“Young master, are you looking to rent a house?” Wang Qing’er’s eyes lit up.

“Qing’er,” Wang Yuan’er scolded lightly.

“Oh, you want to rent out this house? How much?” Cui Yuan closed his fan with a snap.

“Eldest sister, he really wants to rent the house.” Wang Qing’er’s eyes sparkled. This young master, dressed so well, must be from a wealthy family.

Wang Yuan’er thought the same but wondered why a wealthy family would want to rent a house in such a place.

“If the price is right, I might rent this small courtyard.” Cui Yuan walked to the back of the house, making plans in his mind.

“Young master, if you want to rent it, it’s two taels of silver a month.” Wang Yuan’er followed him and tentatively offered a price.

Cui Yuan stopped in his tracks, and Wang Yuan’er, not noticing, bumped into him, turning her nose red. She gasped but quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Cui Yuan laughed and pointed at her with his fan, “This is the second time you’ve said that to me!”

“Ah?” Wang Yuan’er looked up, blushing as she remembered, “Please forgive me, young master. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

“This time, you didn’t avoid me. I thought you wouldn’t remember.”

Hearing the teasing in his words, Wang Yuaner’s face turned red to her ears. She gritted her teeth and said, “Young master, if you really want to rent this house, it’s one tael and five hundred coins a month.”

She had thought it over. Without the imperial examination, she didn’t know when she could rent out the house. Now that someone was interested, it was better to rent it out and at least recover the money spent on repairs.

“Oh, not two taels?” Cui Yuan looked at her with a faint smile and changed the subject, “Why did you think of using the new emperor’s ascension and rebels to scare people? Do you know about rebels?”

Under his sharp gaze, Wang Yuan’er felt uneasy and lowered her head, mumbling, “I was just guessing. Didn’t the storytellers always say that there are always a few rebels when a new emperor ascends?”

Of course, she made it up. She felt guilty and glanced at him. Who was this person? Wasn’t he here to rent a house?