The environment is quiet and peaceful in the midst of hustle and bustle.
It is rare to have such a villa by the West Lake.
Xu Yan was very satisfied.
The old shopkeeper offered five hundred taels. Perhaps because Xu Yan's bargaining had left such a deep impression on him, he seemed a little nervous.
To be honest, the price was not expensive. Although there was still room for further bargaining, Xu Yan did not do so.
After all, villas on the east and south banks of Hangzhou cost over a thousand taels. Although this location was a bit remote, five hundred taels was not expensive at all.
Others have to make money too, so the extra money can be considered as compensation for the old shopkeeper who had a basin of foot washing water splashed on him for no reason.
The old shopkeeper obviously didn't expect Xu Yan to agree so readily, and was stunned for a moment.
It was not until Xu Yanming Shuangxi took out a banknote and paid him a deposit that he exclaimed in ecstasy, "Sir, you are so generous! When we return to the city, I will take the house deed and hand it over to you."
Xu Yan nodded: "No problem."
The group returned by boat. Although the West Lake was still tranquil and beautiful, everyone had lost their elegance after the incident with the Hong family's pleasure boat. At most, they would occasionally chat and laugh, but no one would recite poetry anymore.
The cruise ship sailed into Yongjin Gate. The old shopkeeper paid the money and the group jumped off the boat one after another.
The old shopkeeper pointed to a house not far to the south and said, "Sir, do you see that house?"
Xu Yanqi asked, "What's so special about this house?"
"This is the Liangfeng Academy founded by Minister Hong."
Xu Yan thought this also involved the Hong family. It seemed that the Hong family had considerable influence in Hangzhou.
He had certainly heard of Liangfeng Academy, whose founder was Hong Zhong, the Minister of Justice and Prince Taibao during the Hongzhi reign. This Minister, who styled himself "Liangfeng Jushi," had retired to his hometown in the seventh year of the Zhengde reign and founded the academy south of Yongjin Gate to teach his descendants.
A careful calculation shows that Shangshu Hong should have died in the second year of Jiajing, and Wang Shouren even wrote a memorial for him titled "A Memorial to Lord Hong Xianghui".
Judging from this, this person should be a good person.
Hong Zhong has two sons, Hong Cheng and Hong Tao.
I have the impression that Hong Cheng was a minor official, but he did not leave much record in history books.
Xu Yan shook his head and said, "He runs his own academy, it has nothing to do with me."
The old shopkeeper felt embarrassed and just smiled and said nothing more.
The group returned to the pawnshop, and Xu Yan ordered Shuangxi to make up the difference with 800 taels of silver notes. The old shopkeeper then handed over the deeds to the shop and the villa to Xu Yan.
The money and the deed between the two parties are settled, and neither owes the other anything.
After leaving the dental clinic, Xu Wei seemed a little excited.
"Sir, I think it would be better to buy all the necessary items for opening a bookshop at once. If everything goes well, this branch store can be opened in no time."
At present, Xu Wei's attention is focused on the bookstore. In his opinion, as long as the branch in Hangzhou can be opened, it will definitely make a lot of money.
Xu Yan smiled and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Brother Wen, you don't have to worry about Ningbo. You can stay in Hangzhou for the time being and take care of the branch's affairs."
Shuangxi continued, "Master, you won't live in this house for the time being. It will get damp if you keep it for too long. Why don't you..."
"Why don't you help me look after the house?"
It was obvious what Shuangxi was thinking, so Xu Yan pointed it out directly.
"You should stay there for the time being."
"Thank you, Master."
Shuangxi was overjoyed when he heard this. He really didn't like his life at Gushan Academy. Old Master Qian didn't seem to like him very much, so he should stay away from him.
Anyway, the young master is studying behind closed doors in the academy, and someone is taking care of his food and drink expenses, so he doesn't need much help.
He took advantage of this time to buy all the furniture and study supplies the young master needed. When the young master wanted to move into another house, he could move in at any time.
......
......
Xixi Hongyuan.
Hong Miaoyun sat alone in her boudoir, but her brow was frowning.
Today she and her brother were boating on the West Lake, listening to the actors singing Kunshan opera, and she was in a very good mood.
Unexpectedly, the maid Cuiyun spilled a basin of foot washing water into the West Lake, causing trouble.
Cuiwen had no intention of doing so, but unexpectedly a small boat happened to be coming towards her.
This caused a misunderstanding.
Hong Miaoyun originally wanted to invite the young man on the cruise ship to the pleasure boat to apologize, but the man just made sarcastic remarks and then left on the boat.
This made Hong Miaoyun very anxious.
The Qiantang Hong family has a very strict family tradition.
The Hong family motto says, "Be filial to your parents, be righteous to maintain family harmony, be respectful to yourself, and be forgiving to others. Only when you can establish yourself can your family be in order."
The Hong family rules also have strict provisions on "no traveling", "no gambling", "no drinking", "no fighting", "no sex" and "no idleness".
No matter how you look at it, Hong Miaoyun has lost face for the Hong family today, and she would feel really bad if she couldn't make up for it in time.
Cuiwen knelt outside the house and cried, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have thrown that basin of foot washing water, causing the young lady to be misunderstood. Young lady, please don't blame yourself anymore."
Hong Miaoyun sighed and said, "Come in."
Cuiwen then stood up. Her knees were very sore from kneeling for too long and she rubbed them for a long time before they felt better.
She pushed the door open, wiped her eyes and said, "It's all my fault. Miss, please don't blame yourself. You must eat this meal."
Hong Miaoyun could only mutter, "I wonder if I'll ever meet that young master again. If I could explain everything to him in person, I'd be relieved."
"Miss, there are so many people here, where can I find you?"
"Never mind, you didn't mean it. Be more careful next time."
After all, she was her personal maid, so Hong Miaoyun couldn't blame Cuiwen too much.
"I'll remember this. There won't be a next time."
Cuiwen bit her lip and said.
After a moment's silence, she cautiously asked, "Miss, are you going to the poetry gathering tomorrow?"
Hong Miaoyun nodded slightly. "Of course I have to go. Tomorrow is the Autumn Gathering. Mr. Xushan is hosting a poetry gathering at Gushan Academy. I heard that Shen Mingchen, who lives here, will also be there."
After a short pause, Hong Miaoyun chanted:
"A young man in fur coats rides on a spring outing, pointing his golden whip straight at the five marquises.
Green water and peach blossoms border the wide bank, and painted railings and willow trees overshadow the brothel."
"This poem 'Youthful Travel' is really well written. I wonder if he can write such a good poem tomorrow."
Cuiwen laughed and said, "Miss, are you still going in the name of the Second Young Master? Aren't you afraid of being discovered and punished by the Master if you disguise yourself as a man?"
Hong Miaoyun feigned anger and said, "You little bitch, you're getting bolder and bolder."
After saying that, he gently patted Cuiwen on the shoulder.
Cuiwen took two exaggerated steps forward and said, "Oh, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me, young lady."
Hong Miaoyun shook her head and smiled bitterly: "You!"
Seeing the young lady finally smile, Cuiwen felt relieved.
......
......
P.S.: Ahhh, I finally wrote it. Now I can prove that this book is not a monk novel, right? Please vote for it!
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