Mortal Realm: Selling Houses to Pay Off Debts (7)
"No way, I've already grabbed it, why would I give it up?"
"No, if we can only grab one seat, won't the rest be no fun?"
"Each person can bid for a maximum of two seats," Xie Guijin said gently, as if coaxing a child. "Everyone wants to contribute to the court, but if we don't give others any chance, we might not be able to stand out. Why not give others a chance? There will be a lottery later, and I guarantee you will all have a great time."
Xie Guijin's words were met with no objection, and everyone urged her to continue. The scene was lively and exciting. Those who managed to grab a ticket were beaming with joy, while those who didn't were inevitably disappointed. Fortunately, there was a limit to the number of tickets, and in the end, at least all the dignitaries managed to get one.
At such a high price, ordinary people naturally wouldn't participate, but they watched the spectacle and were quite satisfied.
The subsequent lucky draw brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
Xie Guijin ordered someone to bring over a cypress wood turntable, on which six squares were evenly drawn, each representing a different item: three mu of farmland, one ox, a pair of sheep, a set of nanmu wood furniture, two bolts of silk, and one tael of silver.
The rules state that anyone who successfully bids for a house can spin the wheel three times and choose one as a reward.
Those who successfully bid for two houses will have six spins to choose two as a reward.
Someone jokingly asked, "Didn't they say that only those who ultimately pay can enter the lottery? How come the draw has started before the money has even been paid?"
Xie Guijin, supporting the wooden tray, said with a smile, "We're just having some fun, surely you esteemed guests wouldn't renege on your debts, would you?"
This made everyone laugh, and someone else said, "Why go through all that trouble? Just go around to each house once. Whether it's good or bad is up to fate. There's no need to be so picky."
Everyone agreed.
Xie Guijin knew that these people didn't care about such a small thing, so she quickly agreed so as not to spoil their fun.
Princess Lantai was the first to turn the wheel, and she turned to a set of nanmu furniture.
Xie Guijin loudly congratulated her.
Princess Lantai smiled and said, "I have no use for this. I might as well give it to the people. Miss Xie, why don't you think of an interesting way to help me distribute it?"
“This,” Xie Guijin said carefully, “would the princess be willing to turn her back to the people and throw a colored ball? Whoever catches the ball will receive the princess’s reward.”
“Very good,” Princess Lantai nodded.
The old woman beside her wanted to stop it; how could the princess's colorful ball be given to a commoner so casually?
Before she could even offer any advice, Xie Guijin had already ordered someone to bring over some colorful balls. These weren't actually Xie family balls, but rather colorful balls sold by some shrewd vendors who had set up stalls on the outskirts.
Seeing this, the old woman stepped aside, allowing Princess Lantai to move to the middle of the space between the thirty-eight VIP seats and the elm wood stools. With her back to the people, she threw the princess forcefully, and the princess flew over the ordinary seats and landed in the square of onlookers.
A tall, muscular man swiftly snatched it, then knelt and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for the reward, Princess."
Now, the ordinary people who were just watching the spectacle became even more eager.
Other influential figures, not to be outdone, followed suit.
The Great Zhou Dynasty was peaceful and prosperous, and the people were living a decent life. Although the rewards were generous, no one rushed to grab them, which was of course also due to the presence of the Imperial Guards and others.
In short, everything went smoothly and concluded successfully.
Xie Guijin signed a preliminary contract with the influential person who had won the auction.
Then, it was submitted to the government for review.
Since the transaction amount far exceeded the value of the house, Xie Guijin offered to pay the deed tax herself. The dignitaries did not refuse her and all agreed.
Similarly, because the transaction amount far exceeds the value of the house, the authorities need to carefully review it, and it cannot be completed at present.
Xie Guijin meticulously saw off all the dignitaries before returning to the Xie residence to await news.
She leaned back in the pavilion chair by the lotus pond and lazily asked the system, "Is this task completed? Is there a reward for completing it ahead of schedule?"
"The mission is only complete once you receive the payment and complete the handover (transfer of property rights). Please don't let your guard down, host. Maintain a positive attitude and be proactive." The system lectured in a fatherly tone.
Xie Guijin's heart tightened upon hearing this: "There's something behind your words, explain yourself."
The system, however, avoided the topic.
Xie Guijin thought to herself, "Let's deal with whatever comes our way. I'm exhausted, I'll just take a nap first."
Before she could even return to her room to rest, a maid came to report that Xue Linchuan had arrived, saying that there was an urgent matter.
Xie Guijin thought to herself, "Could it be that the system is hinting at a change? It really doesn't even give us a moment to catch our breath."
She rushed to the main hall immediately.
Xue Linchuan stood in the center of the room and said to Xie Guijin as soon as he saw her, "I have some news for you, but don't worry. The Xie family's assets will be seized, including the house that was just auctioned off. If you are willing, I can find a way to postpone the seizure until tomorrow and have the household registration office immediately process the deed. That way, even if the house payment has not been settled, it will not be considered that the Xie family's assets have been seized once the transfer is completed."
Xie Guijin's mind went blank for a moment, and then everything went black. She grabbed Ling Ge's arm and steadied herself, saying, "Tell me in detail, what exactly happened?"
Previously, Xue Linchuan's tireless investigation revealed that Master Xie's case was not caused by human intervention, but rather by a dream ghost possessing a maid, infiltrating the banquet, and absorbing the yang energy of more than ten people. The possessed maid could not withstand it, so the dream ghost left and conveniently framed Master Xie, who was taking a nap in his room.
Those whose energy was absorbed have experienced varying degrees of physical discomfort. They are currently undergoing exorcisms at royal temples and Taoist monasteries, but with little success.
"It is said that dream ghosts can only haunt dreams, so how can there be talk of possession?" Xie Guijin frowned, unwilling to believe what Xue Linchuan said.
Xue Linchuan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and earnestly said, "This matter is of great importance, how could I dare to speak presumptuously? Please believe me, Miss Xie."
Xie Guijin's expression shifted, but she finally said, "Since my father was wronged, just release him. Why then is my family's property being seized?"
This was because the matter was of great importance, so Xue Linchuan naturally reported it to the Empress.
Although the Empress believed in Xue Linchuan's abilities, as an emperor she could not only listen to one side of the story, so she ordered the three judicial departments to conduct a joint trial.
The so-called "Three Offices" refers to the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate, which jointly tried major cases to prevent wrongful convictions. The Prefectural Governor's Office of the Capital was not among them.
The postponement of the seizure mentioned by Xue Linchuan probably refers to the handover of documents, witnesses, physical evidence, and Master Xie, which can be delayed until tomorrow. Such handover work is usually completed in three days and is not considered a violation of regulations.
"Even if the three judicial departments conduct a joint trial, my father is still a suspect, not the murderer. How can they arbitrarily seize the property?"
“According to the law, the assets of a murder suspect can be seized during the investigation to prevent them from being transferred. However, this law is generally used when the murderer has been basically identified or when a major case is being tried by three judicial departments,” Xue Linchuan explained.
He glanced at Xie Guijin's face and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, it's my fault."
"You did what you were supposed to do, and you did nothing wrong," Xie Guijin forced a smile.
Xue Linchuan lowered his head, filled with self-reproach, and spoke with difficulty: "The dream ghost is my deduction. There are only witnesses, but no physical evidence. I'm afraid the three judicial departments will not be able to find any other evidence, and it will be difficult to make a judgment in the future."
"What if I could verify it?" Xie Guijin asked.
"What's your idea?" Xue Linchuan suddenly looked up, his face lighting up with delight.
Xie Guijin adjusted her mindset and said with a smile, "I have a method I'd like to ask for your help with."
"You said I could do it. It's all my fault for making you worry."
“You’re very good. You didn’t act without my consent under the guise of doing what’s best for me. Instead, you asked me first if it was feasible. For that alone, I’m very happy and satisfied.”
The system twitched its lips: "Host, please watch your words and actions. You don't even call him Lord Xue anymore, and you're saying such suggestive things."
Xie Guijin ignored her, a faint smile playing in her eyes, and slowly said, "I want your name cards. Give me thirty-eight, otherwise I won't be able to enter the mansions of the noble and powerful."
"You must personally visit the guests who are auctioning the house."
"Yes, you should stop interfering with the seizure and transfer of ownership. If you are not busy with official duties and have some free time, help me find someone to adapt the case into a play. Write something interesting, and also add a deity that can subdue the dream ghost."
"Okay, come to my house with me first, and I'll get you the name card."
“Alright,” Xie Guijin agreed, while instructing Steward Hao to take a cartload of lavish gifts and wait outside the Lantai Princess’s residence.
Upon receiving the visiting card, Xie Guijin immediately went to visit each household.
She spoke earnestly and truthfully, pleading with the esteemed guests to grant her two days to clear Mr. Xie's name and unseal the house. She requested that payment be made only after the house was unsealed, and that they not break the contract beforehand.
Perhaps due to concerns about the meaning of Xue Linchuan's name card, the desire to investigate the bizarre case, and curiosity about Xie Guijin's next move, everyone readily agreed.
Someone else pressed further, asking, "What are you planning to do, Miss Xie?"
"I have an idea, but I don't know if it's feasible yet. It depends on the arrangements. If the princess/heir/young lady/young master is interested, I will send an invitation later." Xie Guijin said respectfully, keeping everyone in suspense.
No one made things difficult for her; they all urged her to do it quickly.
When Xie Guijin returned to the Xie residence, it was already evening.
As she walked, she asked, "Is Lord Xue still here?"
The maidservant followed Xie Guijin and reported, "Yes, Lord Xue invited some people over earlier. As you instructed, he asked them to go to the outer study. Now everyone else has left."
"Place the meal in the flower hall and invite Lord Xue to dine."
"yes."
Xie Guijin went back to her room to change her clothes, and after a little washing up, she went to the flower hall.
Xue Linchuan had already arrived, carrying several play scripts that he had just finished writing. When he saw her, he said urgently, "Take a look first. If it's not suitable, I'll revise it."
"Let's eat first," Xie Guijin said softly, taking the booklet and placing it on the table beside her. "There's no rush."
Seeing this, Lingge, who was following behind, quickly ordered the maid to serve the dishes.
Soon, the table was piled high with dishes: pickled lotus root slices with plum vinegar, cucumber rolls with mint, shredded chicken with mustard, braised duck breast, steamed sea bass with water shield, crab meat lion's head meatballs, stir-fried asparagus with pine nuts and water chestnuts, stir-fried dried tofu with water celery, a bowl of lotus leaf-wrapped rice for each person, and a bowl of chilled mung bean and licorice soup.
Xie Guijin invited Xue Linchuan to sit down, saying, "I don't know your taste, but please make do with this."
"I won't compromise, I won't compromise, these are all my favorite dishes." At Xie Guijin's prompting, Xue Linchuan picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
The two ate in silence, neither of them speaking.
Xie Guijin was too tired to speak.
Because Xie Guijin remained silent, Xue Linchuan dared not speak freely. He finished his meal in a state of confusion, and found the food rather unappetizing.
He opened his mouth as if to say something.
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