Chapter 21: Hua House is No Longer for Sale

Entering Fan Hua Town, a strange phenomenon could be seen. Many of the villagers were heading to the east side of the town while mouthing the words, "there's (a) show, a show to watch!"

Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao exchanged questioning looks as they were puzzle to what was going on. Just as they were about to ask someone, a cry was heard, "Aiya, girl! Girl you came just in time!"

"Aunt Lao! Did something happen?" Su Shuilian could not help but ask as she looked at Madam Lao who was heavily catching her breath.

"Aiya, bad news." Madam Lao said as she patted her chest. Just as she finally caught her breath, she pulled Su Shuilian and headed east as she continued, "Let's talk as we walk, this thing ah, it's also related to you."

As she listen to Madam Lao talk, Su Shuilian acknowledged that this really was related to her. Su Shuilian shook her head and sighed. Feeling Lin Si Yao's warm hand on the back of her hand, brought her mind back to tranquility.

Originally, when Su Shuilian and Liu s.h.i.+ signed the contract and payment of forty-two silver, they were suppose to go to the city to inform the eldest son. However, they soon found out that the resident that they had wanted to purchase for fifty-six tael was already sold off to another person.

So now, the Hua House was in a uproar. The contract was signed, the payment was received, and was set to move out today, but now they had no house. After looking around the city, they found out that the cheapest house for sale was seventy-five taels, but this house did not include any furniture.

Because of this, Madam Hua was put in a difficult position and the eldest daughter-in-law got a large scolding leaving her nothing to say other than crying, "We won't be able to live like this, unless we do not sell the house!"

Hearing that lives were at stake, the town elder/head, w.a.n.g Gengfa, was led to preside over this situation by the Madam of Tian House that had lived closest to Hua House. And soon, all of the villagers caught of this news and quickly ran over to watch the commotion.

"Ai, don't worry miss, even if the Hua House were to regret, the town elder will pa.s.s judgement. To only do things that benefit them, and when they found out that there was no longer a gain, wanting to go back like that? Hmph, it won't be easy. And no matter how they react, we will give justice to you." While criticizing Hua House's irresponsible actions, Madam Lao also took the opportunity to rea.s.sure Su Shuilian.

Su Shuilian let out a sigh. If the Hua House were to want to go back on their agreement, she will not make it difficult for them. After all, it was originally their house, to push them out would be robbery. It seems that they have to go back to looking for another house now.

"Do not worry, at worst, we would just need to stay at an inn for a few more days." Seeing her depressed state, Lin Si Yao lightly said as he started to think about the idea of just living in the city.

As for the money, when he was accompanying Su Shuilian around the city, he had noticed a wanted posted with a reward. It just to capture a few measly thieves.

But, with his reputation as one of the top a.s.sa.s.sins of Feng Yao Court, to catch these thieves in clear daylight… And with that reputation, if Feng Yao Court were to track him down, he would be afraid they would hurt this little woman by him.

Su Shuilian looked up at Lin Si Yao's frowning face full of worry. How sweet, he was worrying about her. In his frost eyes, she see can clearly see the worry in his eyes.

"I'm fine now, even if Aunt Hua decides not to sell, we won't be losing anything." Su Shuilian smiled as she confronted him, reversing their roles.

Aunt Lao who was on her other side, secretly praised her. n.o.bles ladies are generous ah, if it were her eldest daughter-in-law, she would have long caused an uproar. Even if the house was not sold, they would at least have to pay a fee for wasting their time. Ai, watching them walk everyday from the city to this town, and even had the dogs help them carry house related luggages -that all cost money ah. Thinking of this, Madam Lao turned around to take a closer look at the luggages on the dogs.  Don't know if they are carrying her gift. But then again, with the contract canceled, doubt she would get it.

—

"They came, they came. It's them right?"

"It must be them. They look quite polite, so they won't possibly continue to push through with the contract, right?"

"It's hard to say. The more gentle they look, the harder they are to deal with."

"I don't think they look like unreasonable people. I mean, just look at how pretty that girl is. Too bad the flower already has an owner, or else I would invite her to our house to become our son's wife, hehe."

"You dare want beauty? Compared to your son, Daniu, the man behind that girl is much more handsome. And for Daniu, I think he's only fated to marry that ol' Wen House's Chunbo."

"You… what is your filthy monkey-of-a-mouth saying ah! Pei!"

—

As Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao entered the Hua house, following behind Madam Lao, they heard whispers of various reactions.

Just as Madam Lao entered the yard, she was pulled by several familiar gossiping women.

"Wa! How about I just kill myself ah! Don't you know that I just did it for the future of our family? How was I supposed to know that they were to go back on their words? I only just found out yesterday when I went to settle with the house! I was doing this for the own good of our family, yet you are so cold-hearted to even dare hit me!? Woowoo…"

When Su Shuilian heard the conversation from outside the door, she rethought her decision to enter the Hua house. From their current situation, they still seem to be taking about private matters, and stepping into such an…intense conversation would be rude.

"Ah! Miss Su, you're here! Come on in!" Just as she had decided to wait until the situation calmed down before entering, the door was opened by Hua House's eldest daughter-in-law, Fangs.h.i.+. But from her outward display, it was different from her emotional outburst from just a few seconds ago.

Without any additional words, Fangs.h.i.+ pulled Su Shuilian into the house. Looking at her rough actions, Lin Si Yao frowned. He looked at Su Shuilian's wrist, and sure enough, it had turned red from that boorish peasant woman's actions. He shot a cold glare at Fangs.h.i.+ before he walked toward Su Shuilian, placing her in his protective circle/embrace, and not allowing anyone else to pull her again.

"You must be Miss Su, who had signed the contract with Hua House right? I am the village head, you can call me Mister (or Uncle) w.a.n.g. " A certain elderly man said. He was dressed more formally compared to the other villagers and was holding a long (smoke) pipe. He asked with a clear understanding when he saw Su Shuilian being dragged in by the Hua House's eldest daughter-in-law.

"Nn, Mister w.a.n.g." When Su Shuilian heard, she respectfully greeted the village head and nodded of her head.

"Girl, do you really intend to live in Fan Hua Town?" the village head took a deep breath in of smoke before he looked up and asked Su Shuilian.

Su Shuilian nodded.

Honestly, she could settle in another town. However, she was unfamiliar with the area, and as for Lin Si Yao, she knew without even asking. Him, who was being chased down by that group, how could he have the time to explore this area? Since anyplace would do, why not just stay here, after all, this was the first town that she had visited since making it out of the forest.

"Ai!" Seeing this, the village head shook his head as he pulled out a chair on the side and sat down. It was unclear what he was thinking as he glanced at Hua An. Fangs.h.i.+ reacted by loudy crying once again, leaving Su Shuilian without any word to say.

"That, uh… big sis, I have already heard from Aunt Lao, if you no longer want to sell your house, that is no problem. I'll give you back the signed contracts ok?" So please stop crying, it is difficult to take (painful to the ears).

Taking the bag from Lin Si Yao's hands, Su Shuilian took out the papers, ready to exchange back the silvers with Hua House.

Seeing that Su Shuilian had so easily agreed, Hua House's eldest daughter-in-law was stunned and longer tried to maintain her aggrieved expression. The village head and Hua An were also surprised at her reaction. They looked at each other and thought that's it? All of their hard thought countermeasures had yet to be put to use.