"What's wrong with both of you?" Xuanyuan Xi took a few steps forward.
Feng Qingyi laughed awkwardly, "This house seems to be uninhabited for a very long time."
Everywhere she looked, it was a lush green landscape with wild grass growing taller than a person, and vines covering the walls.
The ground was covered in a thick layer of dust, as if it hadn't been cleaned in years.
There was a massive spiderweb in front of them, still trapping some insects.
Bai Wei dusted off her hands, "Miss Qingyi, maybe you should stay in Qinghuan Courtyard. This place looks a bit scary."
"It's right next door to the General's Mansion. What's there to be afraid of?" Xuanyuan Xi retorted.
Bai Wei replied, "Princess, why don't you come over and look for yourself?"
Xuanyuan Xi walked up to the entrance and peer inside, "Qingyi! I think Bai Wei is right. Qinghuan Courtyard is all cleaned up. If you move over, stay there. This place doesn't seem livable."
"Bai Wei: “I remember the house next to our General’s Mansion has been vacant for many years, left uninhabited for more than ten years.”
"Miss Qingyi, where did you buy this? Haven't you been conned?"
"Can this be salvaged?"
She has spent ten thousand points and got a deserted courtyard that hadn't been occupied for decades. She felt quite droopy knowing her excitement was all for nothing.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Xi offered, "If Qingyi likes it, I can order the people in the mansion to help clean up. However, it might take several days."
Feng Qingyi replied, "That would be too much trouble for them. I should hire some people to help clean up."
"It's no trouble at all. They would be more than happy to help clean up if they know it's for you. Bai Wei, you go inform the mansion."
Upon thinking, Feng Qingyi took out a few gold bars from her pocket, "I can't let them work without pay, let's distribute these among them!"
Seeing the gold, Bai Wei quickly admonished, "Miss Qingyi, you should keep these!"
"...Why?" Feng Qingyi was confused.
Xuanyuan Xi chuckled, "It's too much, they wouldn't dare to accept this!"
"..." She really had no idea about the prices here and didn't even recognize the currency.
Bai Wei reassured, "Miss Qingyi, you can relax. The mansion's people will help clean up this house."
"Next time you come over, you'll see a completely transformed residence."
Feng Qingyi, breaking into a smile, said, "Thank you all then."
Looking at the azure sky, Xuanyuan Xi proposed, "Qingyi, the weather is wonderful today. Since you are here, Bai Wei can accompany you for a walk."
"The peach blossoms are in full bloom in the suburbs, and it's quite lively these days. It's a good opportunity to go take a look."
"Princess, aren't you coming with us?" Bai Wei asked.
Xuanyuan Xi laughed, "I'll sit this one out. Bai Wei, you go accompany Qingyi and take a few guards from the mansion with you."
Feng Qingyi didn't get a word in, "..."
She hadn't expressed any plans of going out, but he already had her day sorted out.
Bai Wei suggested, "Then Miss Qingyi should go back to the mansion first and change her clothes. We'll head out once you're ready!"
"I only came to check on the house today, that shouldn't be necessary!"
Xuanyuan Xi: "Don't worry, Qingyi. The staff in the General's Mansion will help you clean up your room. Be at ease and let Bai Wei take you out for a stroll."
"You rarely come here, so buy anything you want to."
"Don't worry about money. We have plenty at the General's Mansion to buy things for you."
Bai Wei chimed in: "Miss Qingyi, the princess is right. Let's hurry back to the mansion to change clothes."
"There are several new shops opening in Shengjing. They all sell exotic goods that are very sought after."
Feng Qingyi returned to the General's Mansion with Bai Wei and Xuanyuan Xi, changed her clothes, and styled her hair in a new way.
Xue Cha was very happy to see Feng Qingyi. "Miss Qingyi, I really enjoyed the gift you gave me last time. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. I can see that your skills are improving." Feng Qingyi looked at herself in the mirror and was satisfied with her outfit.
Xue Cha asked, "Are you going out, Miss Qingyi?"
"Would you like to come with me?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xue Cha hesitated: "Can I?"
"Of course. Bai Wei is waiting outside. Let's go together!" Feng Qingyi said with a smile.
When Feng Qingyi stepped outside, she saw Bai Wei standing in the courtyard with two guards holding swords.
"Miss Qingyi, let's go. The carriage is ready!"
Feng Qingyi pointed at Xue Cha, "Can I also bring Xue Cha with me?"
"Of course. You can bring whoever you want, Miss Qingyi."
Once again in the carriage, Feng Qingyi wasn't as curious as the first time.
The three women in the carriage chatted casually. Bai Wei occasionally mentioned her happenings at the Guanyuan Temple.
Xue Cha, who spent her days in the mansion, could only entertain them with interesting tales about the mansion, all of which Feng Qingyi found fascinating.
The carriage arrived at Changning Street and suddenly stopped abruptly.
Bai Wei pulled back the curtain in front of her to ask the carriage guard, "What happened? Why did we suddenly stop?"
Before the guard could respond, an argument broke out.
"You must be blind to hit the carriage of the Censor's Mansion!"
"You guys hit us first, and now you're playing victim?"
"The one who doesn't have eyes is you! How dare you not yield to the carriage of the Censor Mansion!"
Feng Qingyi heard the commotion. "Is this Censor very powerful?"
"The Censor is a venerable official, greatly favoured by the Emperor."
"His position is second only to the Prime Minister. He supervises impeachments and investigates official misconduct. So yes, he is very powerful." Bai Wei explained.
"Isn't this bullying? Just because his position is high doesn't mean we have to yield to him. He didn't even pave this road." Feng Qingyi felt she should argue the point.
With Bai Wei's help, Feng Qingyi stepped out of the carriage. The coachman of the other carriage informed someone inside about Feng Qingyi.
In a short while, a young man in ornate robes came out of the carriage.
"Who is this delicate beauty? How about you come back with me?"
His frivolous tone made Feng Qingyi discontented.
He didn't look much like a minister who served through three reigns. He must be the mansion's young master.
Bai Wei stood in protection in front of Feng Qingyi. "Miss Feng Qingyi, rest assured, I will protect you."
Feng Qingyi glanced at the thin arms and legs of Bai Wei. "......Thank you."
Xue Cha whispered, "This must be Xiao Jian'an, the only son of the magistrate, renowned playboy of Shengjing, we should avoid him."
"Bai Wei, we are people from the General's Mansion, we can't just be afraid of him," Xue Cha dismissed.
The passersby seemed used to this scene, all pretending not to notice.
The magistrate's only son has been acting domineering for some time in Shengjing, they were just ordinary people. They wouldn't achieve anything good opposing him and might even drag their families into the trouble.
