Chapter 424: Chapter 246

Zhao Minghua arrived in the Capital to see his second brother.

He couldn’t be more accurate in calling his brother a bookish fool!

Even though the family had arranged for him to have a servant, a cook, an attendant student, additional staff, and a carriage driver, and had given enough silver for him to rent a house in the Capital.

Unexpectedly, he stayed at an inn with five others.

The cook even gained weight.

Because while living at the inn, they didn’t do anything but accompany him for meals.

“Why don’t you rent a place to live?”

Zhao Minghua couldn’t understand.

“Second Young Master said renting a house is too expensive; the inn is convenient.”

Zhao Minghua… could renting really be more expensive than staying at an inn? It’s his first time hearing such an argument.

Then, after asking carefully, he found out that his bookish second brother was looking at houses with two or three courtyards, which was, of course, expensive.

Indeed… it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality!

In a place where land is worth gold, does this brother who doesn’t understand worldly affairs really need to rent a place with multiple courtyards in the Capital?

He doesn’t understand flexibility at all!

What kind of wife should he marry?

How can he run a household and prop up a family?

He’s studied himself into stupidity.

Zhao Minghua sighed.

There’s no choice but for him to handle this matter personally.

“Has the second brother entered an academy?”

Zhao Minghua discovered another serious issue. Does his brother consider himself a genius or a prodigy, leaving the private school without a teacher to lecture him, and he hasn’t visited a scholar in the Capital or entered any academy?

“It’s easier said than done.” Zhao Minglang sighed: “At home, everything is great, but stepping outside is tough indeed. Entering an academy here requires either talent or wealth. After thinking seriously, I felt I’m not worthy of either, so I decided not to go.”

“Father and elder brother earned money with difficulty. I have to be frugal with the silver they gave me.”

Zhao Minghua… confirmed his suspicion, second brother is indeed a big fool!

What is more important, future prospects or wealth?

The silver father gave was prepared for academy entrance fees and mentorship.

But eventually, second brother wanted to be frugal instead.

One can’t tell if such a person in office would be a blessing or a frustration to the people.

He doesn’t understand how to live daily life, always needing others to worry for him.

What kind of wife should he marry to manage living?

Really is a headache.

Zhao Minghua visited Xia Guangcheng, General Xia, in the Capital and found out Hanwen Academy was recruiting students.

The Mountain Master of Hanwen Academy, surname Tian, had a long-standing relationship with General Xia, so Zhao Minghua shamelessly asked General Xia for a recommendation letter.

“Hanwen Academy?”

Looking at the recommendation letter, Zhao Minglang felt slightly excited: “Can I really enter Hanwen Academy with this letter?”

“Of course it’s true, this is a letter personally signed by General Xia.”

Ah, second brother still has a lot to learn.

Who knows what parents were thinking, believing he would have great fortunes, thinking he’s better than me.

Zhao Minghua thinks it’s because he’s lazy and doesn’t want to strive; otherwise, he’d surely outshine him by several times.

Hmm, this matter must be kept low-key.

“So, I can meet with Master Tian and enter the academy with this letter?”

“You can give it a try.”

Does foolish second brother know he’s doubting General Xia’s abilities?

“Minghua, you don’t know, the neighboring Scholar Wang attempted to enter Hanwen Academy but couldn’t even meet Master Tian because he failed the assessment.”

It’s said that passing Hanwen Academy’s assessment provides a certain level of assurance, and receiving Master Tian’s personal guidance would make one even more formidable.

Many scholars are eager but afraid to move forward.

If rejected at Hanwen Academy, it would mean coming to the Capital was in vain and would be an earlier laughingstock for everyone.

Zhao Minglang wanted to test his skills but was somewhat apprehensive and did not dare to go.

Now, unexpectedly, the most impractical third sibling of the family gave him a recommendation letter that directly allows him to meet Master Tian.

If he meets Master Tian, getting some pointers would be a major blessing.

He must go!

“Second brother, you should try visiting Hanwen Academy, it’s good if you can stay, otherwise getting Master Tian’s guidance is beneficial.”

“I know, I know, I will certainly do my best. I won’t make you lose face.”

Zhao Minghua… my reputation isn’t very valuable, whether it’s lost or not doesn’t matter, I just fear you can’t handle setbacks.

He often thinks, if second brother, so stubborn, doesn’t pass… oh, pi, shouldn’t think recklessly, child’s words are not to be taken seriously, as mother said, my words should be treated like air, never to be taken seriously.

“Then I’ll go to Hanwen Academy tomorrow.”

“Go ahead.”

“And what about them…?”

Academies are different places; at most, he could take one attendant student, what about the cook, servant, additional staff, and carriage driver?

“I will make arrangements.”

Zhao Minghua couldn’t help it; he still had to settle these household staff.

Zhao Minghua had someone look into a large residence with three courtyards for sale, and he deliberately went to check it out on this day.

The residence was large but very desolate and rundown inside.

“This is Hu Mansion; Mr. Hu was convicted of crimes eight years ago, and his property was confiscated. Later, Mr. Gao’s family bought this mansion, but…”

As a competent real estate agent, some things are left unsaid, since business often involves coaxing and deceiving.

But with this particular person, he dared not deceive.

“Speak freely, say what you need to.”

“It’s like this, it’s said Mr. Gao bought it but hasn’t come to repair it. Instead…” The agent felt a chill down his spine, hairs standing on end: “It’s claimed this mansion is haunted, uninhabitable, so it’s been left untouched and is now sold at a reduced price.”

The agent didn’t expect it to be sold, mainly because Mr. Gao promised a big bonus for selling it, and Zhao Minghua requested a large mansion under the royal city at a reasonable price.

The mansion was indeed very large and quite affordable, fitting his requirements.

“Haunted?”

“Yes, haunted.” The agent shrank his neck: “I’ll tell no lie to Mr. Zhao. I rarely come here, each time I open the door, it feels cold and eerie. It’s frightening.”

Cold eerie feeling?

Does it exist?

Zhao Minghua blew lightly on his neck.

“Ah! Ghosts!”

The agent screamed and ran out the door.

Zhao Minghua… indeed, there are ghosts!

“The haunted mansion’s price should be halved, otherwise no one will buy.”

“This matter is beyond my decision.” The agent considered: “If you’re sincere in buying, I’ll ask Mr. Gao.”

“Alright, go ahead, I won’t pay more than eight thousand silver.”

A mansion with three courtyards, near the royal city, would normally fetch no less than thirty thousand silver.

The current offer is twenty thousand, and with word of it being haunted, the price should be pushed further down, eight thousand silver, no more.

The agent hurriedly ran to find Mr. Gao, while Zhao Minghua and Qingsheng wandered around inside.

“Young Master, are you not afraid of ghosts?”

Qingsheng felt scared upon hearing the agent’s words, seeing Zhao Minghua walking boldly inside made him even more terrified.

“You don’t understand, grievances have sources, debts have debtors; even if there’s a ghost, it won’t haunt me.” Zhao Minghua is skeptical of ghosts: “Sometimes people are far scarier than ghosts.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep