Chapter 190

Chapter 190: You ruined my family and still dare to act arrogant?

A teenage boy stepped out of the shadows, his face full of shock and lingering fear.

He stared at Yu Zhi Yi, a strange look flickering across his still baby-fat face. It was like longing mixed with fear, the kind of uneasy feeling you get when you are close to home but somehow even more timid.

Yu Zhi Yi frowned at him: “Who are you, and why are you following me?”

She was surprised that she could not read the boy’s face or fate. [Is he another heaven’s chosen?] She also felt puzzled. For some reason, he looked a little familiar to her.

The boy coughed, embarrassed: “I… I was just passing by.”

Yu Zhi Yi said nothing, but her clear eyes gave away her thought: [Do you think I believe that?] If he was only passing by, why sneak around? And why hide the instant she turned?

He raised his hand and swore to the sky: “I really don’t mean any harm, sister, please don’t misunderstand.”

The word sister made her think of Yu Wulang, and disgust rose at once: “Don’t call me sister.”

Yu Wulang was one year older than her. During the years when he was not in his right mind, he liked to call her sister, and he kept doing it for years no matter how she corrected him. Only after he recovered did he stop using that wrong title. Along with dropping that title, he also let go of the friendship they had built for years.

The boy looked a little hurt, but he yielded: “Alright, miss.”

He wore clothes made of fine but plain cloth. They were not as rich as what the capital’s young masters wore, yet he carried the straightforward spirit of youth and did not cringe like children from ordinary families. He was only a little shy.

Yu Zhi Yi stepped aside: “Since you were just passing by, then you go first.”

The boy froze, glanced at her with reluctance, then walked ahead. Only after his figure disappeared did Yu Zhi Yi look away and continue on.

It was only a small episode, and she did not take it to heart.

She went to the Brokerage Hall. With silver on hand, she quickly found several suitable places.

There were three estates currently listed. The first was a regular courtyard near Golden Scale Street. It faced south with three main rooms, and on the east and west sides stood the woodshed, kitchen, and side rooms. Each room was about a little over twenty square meters. Of the three main rooms, the two on the sides were bedrooms and the middle room was the hall, used for receiving guests or daily activities. Partitions divided the left and right bedrooms into an inner sleeping space and an outer personal area. The woodshed was also split into two parts, one for storing firewood and the other for cooking. The stove base was already built, and it even came with a big iron pot. The side rooms were empty and could be finished to suit different needs. This house sat in an alley near Golden Scale Street. It had once been an official’s private home, but that official needed money urgently, so he lowered the price. It cost one thousand taels. That was not cheap, but the location made it fair. After all, the neighbors around there were all wealthy or noble.

The second estate was farther out on Dark Willow Street. Its size was more than triple the first one. It had a side gate, and all the various rooms together added up to more than twenty. It also came with a small vegetable plot and a small garden. It was close to the main avenue of the Capital City, Zheng Yang Street. Even though it was not as refined as the first one, the price was still high at two thousand taels.

The third estate was not in the busy districts. It was almost at the edge of the city. If not for the city walls, calling it the Capital Outskirts would not be wrong. It was very close to North Outskirts Street and sat by the moat. The grounds were huge, about four to five thousand square meters. Rock gardens, flowing water, pavilions, and towers were all there. The former master clearly loved peach blossoms. A peach grove stood right inside the gate, and peach trees lined both sides of the paths. Winter had already arrived, so the peach trees were bare, and the courtyard looked a bit desolate. Also, the air inside this estate felt much colder than outside. Rumor said this place had been sold several times already, but none of the buyers lasted even a year before selling it again. Those who did not sell after a year either died of illness or met violent ends.

The broker advised her carefully: “Miss, although this North Outskirts Street estate is large and the setting is lovely, we really do not recommend that you buy it. If you ask me, the one on Dark Willow Street fits you better. Of course, if you only want peace and quiet and do not plan to host guests, the house near Golden Scale Street could also work.”

Yu Zhi Yi narrowed her eyes: “Let’s go look at the one on North Outskirts Street.”

She wanted peace and quiet. That was why she’d come out to buy an estate. Otherwise she could simply stay at Yiluan Charity and save the trouble. Most importantly, this North Outskirts Street estate was several thousand square meters and priced at only a thousand taels. It was a steal. As for any curse about not living long in it, that did not apply to her at all.

Seeing that she insisted, the broker did not argue: “Then when shall we go see it?”

“Right now.”

The Brokerage Hall’s service was good. Because it was far, they even provided a carriage. The carriage rattled along, and half an hour later they arrived outside the estate.

Yu Zhi Yi stepped down, looked up, and saw a heavy canopy of yin energy hanging over the estate. [This place has a story.]

The broker had just gotten off the carriage and could not stop himself from shivering. He tightened his coat and muttered: “The sun is so bright, so why doesn’t it feel warm at all? Miss, please.”

Yu Zhi Yi tilted her chin toward the gate: “Has this house been sold already?”

“Huh? No.” The broker was stunned and looked at the gate on reflex.

The plaque over the gate was about to come loose, and the courtyard door stood wide open. The barren yard inside lay in full view.

The broker’s face changed: “What’s going on?”

He hurried forward to rush inside and check. Just then, a man walked out from the yard.

When he saw Yu Zhi Yi and the broker outside, the man paused, then scowled hard. He looked at Yu Zhi Yi with disgust and came toward the gate in quick steps.

The broker blinked in surprise: “Young Master Ji?”

The man was Ji Yi Fei, once one of You Bing Yue’s favored admirers. He glared at Yu Zhi Yi like an enemy met face to face.

“Stop,” Yu Zhi Yi said in a low, cool voice without expression.

That airy yet icy tone made Ji Yi Fei halt for a heartbeat. Then he realized something. Why should he listen to this woman?

“You ruined my family and still dare to act arrogant?” He rushed forward with red-rimmed eyes.

Right then, a sudden change struck.