Chapter 117 The head of the Yuan family

Chapter 117 The head of the Yuan family

Chapter 117 The head of the Yuan family
These past few days, Xiao Xia had been busy with housing matters and had no time to attend classes.

The tragic experience on the first day in Chang'an made Xiao Xia have a strong desire for home. He wanted to have a house of his own where no one could drive him out and no one could let him live in a room occupied by others.

The next morning, Xiao Xia rode to Baocheng Shop in Metropolitan City, where a middle-aged man was sitting in the VIP room.

The middle-aged man cupped his fists and said with a smile: "I am Yuan Shizhi, the seller of this house."

Xiao Xia also quickly returned the gift, "Thank you, Lord Yuan, for giving me another thousand strings of cash."

The middle-aged man smiled slightly and said, "I have a nephew named Yuan Shirong, have you met him, sir?"

Xiao Xia nodded and smiled: "Now you should call him County Magistrate Yuan."

"He also wrote back, mentioning Master Xiao. Is the master free this afternoon? Our master would like to invite the master for a cup of tea?"

"In Yuanfu?"

Yuan Shizhi nodded, and Xiao Xia smiled and said, "I'm not familiar with Chang'an, please leave me your address, and I will come to thank you this afternoon!"

Yuan Shizhi immediately left an address to Xiao Xia and left.

After watching Yuan Shizhi's carriage go away, Shopkeeper Ma said with a smile: "Now we will go through the final payment procedures, and then we can get the house."

The old couple who were looking after the house were surnamed Tian. They were from the old Chang'an and were very honest people. Xiao Xia asked them to stay. The couple was paid four strings of cash a month, which was not expensive. Xiao Xia would not be here often, so it would be better if someone could look after the house.

The Sui Dynasty was too martial, and social security was not very good. There were many ruffians who were skilled in martial arts. If a large house was not guarded, these people would smell something and secretly move in, destroying the house beyond recognition in a few days.

"Uncle Tian, ​​is there a stable in the mansion?"

"You can just call me Lao Tian. There is a stable. It is on the left side of the front yard after you enter the gate."

Of course, the house also has a front yard. On the right is the servants' dormitory. The old couple lives in the first room on the right. On the left is the functional area, including the kitchen, warehouse, stable and so on.

"You don't have to worry about me. I will pay you three months' wages in advance when I leave."

"Thank you, sir!"

Xiao Xia walked into the courtyard. He looked up at the jujube tree that was at least several decades old. The trunk was so thick, and it would surely be lush and leafy when spring came. At this moment, he suddenly discovered that there was a bird's nest on the top of the tree, which he had not noticed last time.

After walking around the courtyard, Xiao Xia went to the backyard and crossed the long alley. He had already discovered the intention of this design, which was that one had to pass through the garden before reaching the backyard.

However, he could also open another door at the entrance of the alley and go directly to the back house.

Following a long corridor, Xiao Xia finally arrived at the back house. The back house was very complicated, with at least fifty rooms. If one looks at the overall structure, the back house was actually made up of five interconnected courtyards, one large and four small. Each courtyard was independent and self-contained, but if one did not distinguish between them, they would seem integrated.

Xiao Xia quickly found his bedroom and study in the small courtyard at the northernmost end. Once he closed the door, he realized that this was a very secluded little world.

The Yuan family was not bad. They left behind some fine nanmu furniture, including beds, cabinets, tables, couches, wardrobes, bookcases, and even a copper incense burner.

But what really surprised Xiao Xia was that he found a secret storage space in the study, just behind the bookcase. Pushing the bookcase open, he saw a small wooden door two feet square on the wall. Opening the small wooden door, he saw an iron cabinet made of fine iron inlaid inside, with a thick small iron door, which was not locked at the moment. Opening the small iron door, he saw a space the size of a small refrigerator, which was empty and just the right size for important house deeds and medicines, as well as the Frost Sword.

This is exactly the same as the secret cabinet on the wall of the head of the family, Xiao Cong. Do all the mansions in the Sui Dynasty have such a safe?

He had to buy some things, various daily necessities, bedding, study supplies, a few locks, and two curtains.

But you can ask Grandma Tian to help buy it.

It was almost noon, and Xiao Xia went to the front yard and gave the old Tian couple thirty taels of silver, ten of which were three months' wages, and the other twenty were for them to buy things for him. Xiao Xia then got on his horse and went back to the Imperial College.

Coincidentally, the Yuan family is located in Wubenfang, and the Yuan Mansion is opposite the school district. It is a large house covering an area of ​​about 30 acres. Of course, as the royal family of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Yuan family has many branches and leaves. Yuan Xiaoju is a genuine royal descendant, and his daughter is the Crown Princess. Therefore, he is supported by all the branches of the Yuan family as the head of the family.

Although Yuan Xiaoju is the head of the family, he does not have the final say in the affairs of the Yuan family. There are many heavyweights in the Yuan family, such as Yuan Shou, the Shaoqing of Taifu Temple, Yuan Zhou, the General of the Left Guard, and so on. Important family affairs need to be discussed and decided by everyone together.

Yuan Xiaoju personally welcomed Xiao Xia in the courtyard.

"Welcome Young Master Xiao to visit Yuan Mansion!"

Xiao Xia quickly bowed and said, "Junior is sorry to disturb the Patriarch's rest!"

"Mr. Xiao, you are too polite. Please come to the guest hall for a chat!"

Xiao Xia was invited to the VIP hall, and the two of them sat down as host and guest. A young maid came in and served tea.

Yuan Xiaoju asked with a smile: "Sir, have you visited the new house?"

"I went to see it this morning. To be honest, I am really satisfied and I like it very much. I finally have my own house. I am grateful to the owner for giving it up."

Yuan Xiaoju nodded and said, "I am also very happy that you like it, but it is a pity that it is not finished and the garden is not built."

Xiao Xia smiled slightly and said, "I can use the open space in the garden to practice horse riding and archery."

Yuan Xiaoju shook his head and laughed, "You are a little small for practicing horse riding and archery!"

"You can make the target smaller, the effect should be the same!"

"Although the theory is good, it still lacks the feeling of shooting arrows while running at high speed. The Yuan family does have a horse archery range, if you don't mind, young master..."

Xiao Xia smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior. Actually, the Imperial Academy's martial arts arena is also fine. There is a special riding and archery field there."

Yuan Xiaoju did not force him, and nodded, saying, "If you want to come to the Yuan family to practice riding and archery, we welcome you anytime."

The two drank hot tea, and Yuan Xiaoju pondered for a moment before saying, "Sir, do you know? The emperor's troops will arrive in Chang'an the day after tomorrow."

"It's really not easy to march in such ice and snow!"

"Your father will arrive in Chang'an at the same time."

Xiao Xia didn't know why the head of the Yuan family mentioned his father. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Is there anything the head of the family can do for me?"

Yuan Xiaoju shook his head and said, "I invited you here because I wanted to reach a consensus with you. The transaction of the house is a matter between the Yuan family and you, and has nothing to do with your father. Is that okay?"

So that's how it is. Yuan Xiaoju was afraid that the prince would get suspicious. Xiao Xia nodded and said, "To be honest with you, Patriarch, the money I used to buy the house came from the deal between me and the Xiao family. I got a quota for the dock for the Xiao family and received a reward. Later, I sold the formula of the Heavenly King Pill to the Jinling Xiao family and received another sum of money. This money has nothing to do with my father, so please rest assured, Patriarch!"

Yuan Xiaoju was worried because he was afraid that Xiao Xia's money was given by Prince Jin or the eldest princess. If the prince asked about it, it would be troublesome.

"Thank you for your honesty, sir. I feel completely relieved now."

Yuan Xiaoju certainly didn't care about where Xiao Xia's money came from. He was just looking for an excuse to meet Xiao Xia and establish a good relationship with her.

(End of this chapter)