After bidding farewell to the Huang family, Lin Xue gave up her seat in the carriage to Mo Bai, while she and Huang Dehai sat in the carriage.
"Husband, I was too hasty just now. You're not upset, are you?"
It wasn't until she sat in the carriage that Lin Xue remembered that she hadn't just brought Old Man Huang and the honest Huang Degui with her on this trip.
There was also a scholar who was present. When she bought the person, she didn't even think about asking Huang Dehai's opinion and made the decision directly.
"My dear wife, please don't worry. You've always been in charge of things at home!"
"From now on, I'll take care of external affairs and you'll take care of internal affairs. We'll have a clear division of labor as husband and wife, and work together to make our family life better!"
Huang Dehai didn't expect Lin Xue to ask him this; he had never thought about this question before Lin Xue asked it.
"Yes, as long as my husband has no objections!"
Lin Xue is used to being in charge, and she has been in charge of the overall direction and making decisions in many places. Therefore, she inevitably tends to be somewhat autocratic in her actions.
However, if Huang Dehai objects, she can make some changes.
Their journey was far from peaceful; sometimes they encountered bandits, sometimes they faced heavy rain, and sometimes they encountered packs of wolves.
Fortunately, Lin Xue is highly skilled in martial arts, and with Mo Bai, who is also skilled in martial arts, protecting Huang Dehai, Lin Xue can perform even better.
When they saw the city walls of the capital, the two people besides Lin Xue couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Young Master and Young Madam, we have arrived in the capital. Where shall we stay?"
While queuing at the city gate, Mo Bai couldn't help but ask a question into the carriage.
Although he had worked for the government before, this was his first time in the capital.
"Let's go to the dental clinic and rent a small courtyard to stay in. Staying in a guesthouse is expensive, the food is bad, and we can't concentrate on studying for the exam!"
Lin Xue thought about it for a moment, then made a decision, and she didn't need to ask about the rest.
Mo Bai was very efficient; after paying the fee, he immediately drove the carriage into the capital.
After asking around along the way, Mo Bai found the best-reputed brokerage firm. He parked the carriage and then informed the two people inside.
"Young master and young mistress, we have arrived. After much inquiry, I have found that this brokerage firm has the best reputation!"
"Moreover, compared to other dental clinics, this one has lower fees, and the owner is quite honest!"
Lin Xue didn't care who Mo Bai had asked for the information from, and led Huang Dehai and the other two off the carriage and into the brokerage firm.
"Gentlemen, what services would you like?"
They were greeted by a young man, presumably a worker here.
"We'd like to rent a small courtyard house, preferably somewhere close to the northern part of the city!"
Lin Xue stated her requirements, and the young man immediately understood.
"This must be the scholar who passed the imperial examination. Recently, there have been many people like you two bringing your families to participate in the palace examination. The small courtyards in the north of the city are almost all rented out!"
"If you two don't mind, there are a few courtyard houses available for rent in locations relatively close to the north of the city, but the prices will be 30% higher than usual!"
The young man's mouth was like a machine gun, rattling off a whole story about what had recently happened in Beijing.
What? Housing shortage caused by a large number of candidates coming to Beijing to participate in the palace examination?
Why are all the inns in the northern part of the city fully booked?
There were more family members accompanying the candidates to the imperial examination than the candidates themselves!
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Lin Xue and Huang Dehai had learned most of what was going on in the circle of scholars in the capital.
The prices of courtyards and inns near the north of the city have increased by 30% compared to the original prices.
Housing prices in the northern part of the city are even more outrageous, rising by as much as 50%.
If this weren't the capital city, with the emperor watching over it, these merchants might have done even more outrageous things.
"Boss, after hearing what you say, I think the two courtyards in Liulin Lane and Yuhua Lane better meet my needs!"
"Why don't you take us all to see them, boss? We'll rent whichever one we like!"
With more than half a month to go before the imperial examination, renting an inn would be too uneconomical.
Many people shared the same idea and arrived early.
Renting a place in Beijing is still cheaper at this time of year, but if it's just a few days before the exam, you really can't find a place even if you have the money.
Finally, the young man simply took a bunch of keys, greeted the people inside, and led Lin Xue and the other person to the two places.
Lin Xue spent 12 taels of silver to rent a courtyard in Liulin Lane.
The transportation here is more developed, and in addition to the main road, there are many side roads leading to the examination venue where the palace examination is held!
On the day of the exam, the main roads will definitely be congested, and if there aren't enough side roads to choose from, they are very likely to be late.
Alternatively, you can go to the place early and wait outside.
The imperial examination was not held in the palace, but in a separate courtyard near the palace.
On the day of the examination, the emperor would come with his ministers to supervise the candidates, which put a lot of pressure on them.
Once inside this imperial city, every inch of land is truly precious.
Lin Xue spent several dozen taels of silver just by renting a courtyard and buying some daily necessities.
This set off alarm bells in her mind.
She no longer spends all her time going out to play; instead, she stays home every day and diligently does her embroidery.
Huang Dehai also stayed indoors, focusing on reviewing his lessons.
Only Mo Bai would occasionally go outside, and he was always the one doing the grocery shopping and cooking.
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