Located in the northwest, Ganzhou Prefecture was not only an important town in the northwest, but also the throat of the northwest for many dynasties. After many years of development, Ganzhou City has become a city with a vast area.

Zhang Zhaoci had never been to Ganzhou before. After entering the city by carriage, she looked around with great curiosity. The streets were bustling with activity, with carriages and people coming and going. Xu Zhi also looked around with curiosity and said to Zhang Zhaoci, "Mother, Ganzhou is so lively!"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Of course, this is the superior city of Hexi County. After so many years of development, it must have some heritage."

Xu Zhi had never been here before and looked at this city built in the desert with great curiosity. Although it did not look as prosperous as the capital, its unique hellish features gave it a distinctive charm.

In the past few days, Xu Di has been busy packing his things and pondering the two imperial edicts issued by Emperor Liang Cheng. He thinks that no more prefects will be sent to Ganzhou. His father, Xu Rao, just lacks the seniority. He should be able to be promoted to prefect of Ganzhou after two years in the position of assistant prefect.

Xu Di hoped that his father could stay in Hexi for a few years and then work his way up to become an official in the south, regardless of the position. He needed a change of environment. The incident happened so suddenly that there was no time for anyone to react. Almost half of the officials in Ganzhou were gone. Comrade Xu Rao was facing an extremely difficult situation.

Zhang Zhaoci said, "I don't know how your father is doing now. I guess he must be very, very busy."

Xu Zhi said, "My father is a capable man. No matter how difficult the task, he can do it well. Mother, we should have faith in my father."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci smiled and said, "You really are your father's good daughter."

Xu Zhi said, "Of course, my dad is a very capable person. Hexi was so dilapidated, but in just a few years, look at how well the city has been built now, and everyone has money. Mom, when my brother and I go to the street to buy things, people always give us extra. I know it's all because of my dad."

Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "Your dad, even though he doesn't talk much, keeps everything to himself."

Xu Bai stood up from Xu Zhi's arms, hugged Zhang Zhaoci's neck, and said, "Mother, Mother, I want to be like my father in the future."

Zhang Zhaoci pinched Xu Bai's nose and said with a smile, "You talk so much, you'll never become a person like your father."

As they were talking, they arrived at the place where the Xu family would live. Next to the Ganzhou Prefecture government office, there was an alley with three or five courtyards. After entering the city gate, someone led Zhang Zhaoci and his party of more than a dozen carriages to stop in front of a rather large house.

There was a man from the government office guarding the house. When he saw Zhang Zhaoci arrive, he quickly came over to bow and said, "Madam, this house used to belong to a magistrate in Ganzhou. That magistrate later went to take up a post in the south, and Lord Xu rented the house."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci asked, "Did you rent the courtyard yourself?"

The man answered very cleverly, "The former prefect and deputy prefect have been escorted to the capital. Their families are still here, and no one has come to tell us what to do with them. Lord Xu said to let them stay here for now, and they can vacate their houses when the imperial decree comes from the capital."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci knew that Xu Rao did not intend to stay in the house they had lived in. He thought that Ganzhou was a big place, and if necessary, he could buy a house here. A rented house was never as comfortable as one's own.

There's no rush to buy a house; just settle down first and make plans gradually.

The house occupies a large area and is exquisitely built inside, with artificial hills and corridors, giving it a touch of the Jiangnan water town style.

Although no one has lived here for many years, the house is well-maintained and has a dedicated caretaker. After Xu Rao arrived, he immediately booked the house. In the past few days, the pillars, corridors, and windows inside the house have all been repainted. The paint is still fresh and smells of paint.

Zhang Zhaoci was taken directly to the main courtyard, a three-courtyard complex with two smaller side courtyards on either side. Upon seeing it, Zhang Zhaoci said to Granny Lu, "Oh my, this courtyard is wonderful! Our whole family can live comfortably here."

Xu Zhi said, "Mother, I want to live in the side courtyard."

Xu Bai also shouted, "Mother, Mother, I want to live in the courtyard too!"

Granny Lu said with a smile, "It's perfect that you two each have a room."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bai asked, "Where does your brother live?"

Granny Lu said, "The eldest young master is getting old. Since he is not married, he will have to live in the outer courtyard. After he gets married, he can live in the back courtyard."

Xu Bai was secretly delighted. This older brother was a shrewd fellow; no matter what little tricks he tried to pull, they wouldn't escape his notice. It was good that he lived far away. He was still young, and it was so easy to hang around in the backyard. His father had been promoted, so he was practically a second-generation rich kid. Why couldn't he be a playboy? Being a playboy was great—eating, drinking, and having fun. That was the only way to truly enjoy life.

With Qingmiao and Qingsui by her side, Granny Lu kept the ten servants busy, and by dinner time, they were all settled in.

It was almost dinner time when Xu Bai pulled on Granny Lu's arm and said, "Granny, Granny, Sister He hasn't come yet. How are we going to have dinner?"

Granny Lu said, "Ninth Miss, you can make it for us. I'll go and ask a cook to come back tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bai sighed and said, "Why didn't Sister He come with us? Sister He is a good cook."

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