Chapter 117: A Courtyard Worth Over One Hundred Million

The man smiled and introduced himself: "My name is Zhang Ke; Minister Zhou sent me to bring you to see the house."

Su Ruo didn't expect Zhou Feng to act so quickly; she had only proposed buying a house yesterday, and today he already arranged someone to take her to view properties.

But since the person had come, Su Ruo didn't stand on ceremony, casually ate something, then brought Li Zhaodi and An'an along to view the house, since it was a house for their family to live in, naturally they should choose it together.

Su Ruo walked to the doorway, saw the boy still standing where he was, and waved at him, saying: "Come over!"

The boy then trotted up to follow; although his facial expression showed no change, Su Ruo still sensed his happiness at the moment.

What an awkward child, Su Ruo shook her head helplessly.

The first courtyard Zhang Ke showed Su Ruo was a street-facing small courtyard; the host had tidied it very clean, asking price five thousand.

Zhang Ke said: If Su Ruo wanted to buy it, the price could be negotiated; the other party was eager to sell, so four thousand should be enough to secure it.

This courtyard's location is fairly good; not far away is a vegetable market, transportation is also convenient, living here would be relatively convenient, only it's a bit small.

Although four rooms would already be enough for Su Ruo and them to live in, Su Ruo still wanted to buy a slightly larger courtyard.

By then she could plant some flowers and grasses in the courtyard, place a stone table and rocking chair; in summer she could sit in the courtyard drinking tea and reading.

In a midsummer night, she would lie on the rocking chair, gazing at the sky full of stars; that leisurely, contented scene, just thinking about it would make Su Ruo feel happy.

Su Ruo now has money, naturally she doesn't want to shortchange herself, so she told Zhang Ke: I'll think about it again.

Zhang Ke brought Su Ruo to see the second courtyard; it was a two‑section courtyard, half again larger than the first, but this courtyard is located in an alley, the road in front of the gate is only two meters wide—passable for pedestrians but not for vehicles.

Now there are relatively few vehicles, but Su Ruo knows that with the development of the times, vehicles will surely become widespread; a courtyard that cannot accommodate parking would be very inconvenient.

Moreover, the residents of the alley are mixed and the scene looks chaotic; therefore, although the courtyard's size was suitable, Su Ruo still passed on it.

Su Ruo asked Zhang Ke: "Is there a larger street‑facing courtyard? Price is not an issue."

After hearing that, Zhang Ke hesitated a moment, then led Su Ruo to a vermilion‑red grand gate.

In front of the gate stood two stone lions; unlike the closed‑off alleys, the road here is a full five to six meters wide, and a ten‑minute walk reaches the commercial center; a few streets away lies the Imperial City of the Imperial Capital, which can also be considered under the emperor's feet.

Only that vermilion‑red grand gate looks somewhat dilapidated, obviously having been smashed and looted.

Su Ruo pushed the door open and entered; the scene before her eyes instantly shocked her.

The courtyard is large, but severely damaged; everywhere are traces of having been scorched by fierce fire, the houses smashed beyond recognition, everywhere are broken walls and ruins, and the air seems to still permeate with a pungent charcoal smell.

Yet even though it was so badly damaged, Su Ruo could still sense its former glory—red bricks and green tiles, pavilions, terraces, towers, small bridges over flowing water—everything one could expect.

Zhang Ke walked up beside Su Ruo and said somewhat embarrassedly: "This is a five‑section large courtyard, five times the size of the first one; behind the courtyard there is still a pond in the rear garden; it is said this place used to be the residence of a certain prince, only……"

Zhang Ke didn't continue, but Su Ruo could easily guess what this courtyard had gone through.

Zhang Ke paused and said: "The homeowner's family now has only a son left; he wants to sell this courtyard and go abroad."

But basically no one buys it; first, the price is too high—the courtyard asks for twenty thousand, which ordinary people simply cannot afford.

Even if someone could afford it, they wouldn't dare to buy, because nowadays everyone fears that something else might happen later; thus this courtyard has remained unsold for a long time."

So this courtyard has become a hot potato—not that people don't want to buy it, but they dare not, because this courtyard is too troublesome.

But Su Ruo has no such concern; she comes from a later era, knows the nation's policies will become increasingly open, and everything will keep improving.

If she bought this courtyard, even if she started from today to lie flat and do nothing, waiting for it to appreciate and then sell, it would be enough for her to never worry about food and drink for the rest of her life.

Most importantly, Su Ruo took a liking to this courtyard at first sight; she could imagine that if it were restored, it would become a magnificent, prosperous scene.

Moreover, within this courtyard there seems to be a strong magnetic field that would give Su Ruo a feeling of mental tranquility and bodily comfort.

001 was initially indifferent, after all, as a system, these mundane objects of ordinary people meant nothing to it.

But at this moment it suddenly became excited: "There is actually a Dragon Vein beneath this courtyard!"

After this discovery, 001 immediately scanned the entire courtyard, instantly becoming even more excited, saying: "Host, host, you must definitely buy this courtyard."

Under 001's excited explanation, Su Ruo learned that this courtyard not only contains a Dragon Vein, it is a rare feng shui treasure land.

Moreover, buried underground are three large chests of treasures: famous calligraphy and paintings, Ru Kiln official ware, Tang Sancai, jewelry, gold agate imperial green—everything one could expect.

These items, in the future, could fetch astronomical prices even if taken out singly; just thinking about them made Su Ruo involuntarily start to feel excited, she struggled to control her emotions so as not to reveal anything.

"I want to buy this courtyard," she said, "I don't know if the price could be lowered a bit."

Although Su Ruo had already tried hard to control herself, her voice still trembled involuntarily.

Zhang Ke was not surprised by Su Ruo's words; after all, who wouldn't want such a courtyard? But few can afford twenty thousand.

Zhang Ke said with some difficulty: "The homeowner is very obstinate; many people have previously inquired about this courtyard, someone once wanted to pay ten thousand to buy it, but the homeowner was very obstinate, directly refused, saying the courtyard costs twenty thousand, not selling for a cent less."

Su Ruo was just asking; after all, in the future this courtyard might not even be obtainable for two hundred million, let alone the fact that underground it still buries so many treasures.

So hearing Zhang Ke's words did not disappoint her; she immediately said: "Okay, I'll buy this courtyard for twenty thousand."

Zhang Ke stared at Su Ruo in shock, doubting whether he had misheard: "What did you say?"

Zhang Ke's eyes were full of doubt and disbelief; he even began to wonder whether Su Ruo knew what twenty thousand meant.

Su Ruo said firmly: "I said I'm buying this courtyard; when can the transfer be completed?"