The sickly son died young? After the marriage exchange, I will bring prosperity to his entire clan f

“This is the important matter. Besides, with so many people in the family, who would treat him badly? It’s not like we’re not coming back. I can also use the excuse of taking a stroll during the day to come out.”

"Okay, let's do it."

He would never admit that he actually wanted some alone time with his wife, which is why he agreed to this pretense.

Since they were going to move out, the two told their families. Ling's father and mother naturally agreed, but since these two were the backbone of the family, no one felt at ease without them at home.

“We will come back when we have time. It’s not that we won’t come back at all. Besides, we’re all in the capital. If anything happens, Chunfeng and the others can come and let me know.”

Once those words were spoken, the matter was settled.

The next day, Ling Silang and Du Mingxian stayed at home all day, only telling their families that they would leave that night and that they could sleep peacefully without worrying about them.

In the middle of the night, Ling Silang was acting as a pendant in the space. Du Mingxian's figure moved like a ghost as she quickly left home, found a secluded alley, and turned around to enter the space herself.

The two slept in the space at night and got up very early in the morning. After a simple disguise, they had a lot more things on them.

Du Mingxian carried two large bundles, while Ling Silang carried a book box on his back and another bundle slung across his shoulder.

Although their clothes had no patches, they were faded from washing, and overall they looked poor and destitute.

Yesterday, Ling Silang sent someone to inquire, and it was found that the west of the city was a gathering place for poor scholars.

Since everyone was traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations and didn't have enough money to stay in inns, it was natural to rent rooms in advance until the exams were over.

However, the western part of the city is also known as a mixed bag, with poor public security, a large population, poverty, and low prices.

The two walked forward with an air of naiveté, and not long after entering the western part of the city, they encountered a slave trader who was squatting there looking for poor scholars.

Upon seeing Ling Silang's scholarly attire, he quickly approached, "Young master, are you on your way to the capital for the imperial examinations?"

"Yes, are you?"

"My name is Feng Si, I'm a broker in this area. Have you found a place to stay?"

"Not yet." Ling Silang acted very honestly, perfectly portraying the bookishness of a scholar.

Du Mingxian stood nervously behind Ling Silang, acting as if she were the master of the house, her eyes darting around, looking like a spineless woman.

Feng Sixi raised an eyebrow. "How about I help you find a place? Don't worry, the houses I recommend will definitely be good. But I also need to support my family. If I find a place for you, you can give me a referral fee."

Ling Silang immediately looked troubled, and Du Mingxian stepped forward and whispered, "We don't have much money, and my husband is preparing for the imperial examinations. I wonder... I wonder if you could help us find a house for free?"

"Young lady, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Every profession has its rules, but... seeing that you two have it tough, I can ask for less."

"Then... how much less?" Du Mingxian asked, mustering her courage.

Ling Silang remained silent.

Feng Si said, "Originally, we charge 100 coins for introducing someone, but I can only charge you 80 coins."

"Eighty coins? That's too expensive! We...we could buy eighty steamed buns with that money."

Feng Si laughed, "In the capital, there are only one-coin steamed buns. Tell me, and I'll go and buy them all for him every day."

Du Mingxian showed a surprised expression at the right moment, then lowered her eyes in disappointment and remained silent, while gently poking Ling Silang's lower back with her hand.

"How about this, I... I'll give you sixty coins, and you introduce me to someone," Ling Silang said.

Feng Si shook his head, "That won't do. Sixty coins won't be enough. Eighty coins is already a discounted price for you, and that's only because you're a candidate."

Ling Silang continued, "Let's consider this sixty coins as a token of goodwill. We're unfamiliar with the capital, and we might need your help with many things. We'll ask you for help again then, and you'll be rewarded in return."

Feng Si hesitated for a moment, but considering that the other party was a scholar, he finally gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright, I'll take you to see the house. If you like it, then we'll do it this way."

"it is good."

The two followed behind Feng Si and walked forward.

The streets in the west of the city are a bit chaotic, and the shops are generally smaller. There are some larger shops, but they are mainly casinos, brothels, and restaurants; the rest are all very small.

Feng Si led them across the street and into an alley. After turning two corners, he pointed to the first house on the left side of the alley and said, "There are two empty rooms in this courtyard that are available for rent."

Then he pointed ahead and said, "There are two companies up ahead. You can take a look at both and then choose the one that suits you."

Ling Silang nodded slightly and followed Feng Si into the courtyard.

This courtyard is a square siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), but both the east wing and the main hall have people living in their rooms. Only the west wing has three rooms, with one in the middle occupied and one on each side empty.

Feng Si showed them around and said, "There are only these two rooms; you can take a look."

Ling Silang and his companion went inside and took a look. In winter... this room was really cold. If there was no charcoal, they probably wouldn't be able to get through the winter.

“Who lives in this courtyard? My husband is here to take the exam, so he can’t stay with those shady characters. It’s too noisy and will affect his studies,” Du Mingxian said, stepping forward.

Feng Si didn't say anything, only saying, "Then let's go and take a look at the two courtyards in the back. Anyway, you can take a look before making a decision. There's no rush."

The three of them then went to the other two courtyards that Feng Si had mentioned.

Several children were running around wildly in the courtyard, which was also very dilapidated and not very clean. Du Mingxian didn't like it at all. Although the house was a cover, they couldn't possibly live in the house. They would definitely sleep in the space at night.

But on the surface, it is still necessary, as having children running around does not meet the requirements for a scholar to rent a room.

She immediately showed her displeasure, "That won't do. There are children in this yard, and my husband needs to study. It's too noisy."

"Then let's go check out another one." Feng Si wasn't in a hurry and led them away directly.

Another home... has a large, clean yard, but it's mostly inhabited by elderly people.

It was a mixed courtyard, quite chaotic, with children and the elderly. When they arrived, there were two old ladies sitting together chatting, and they were talking very loudly.

"Could you please keep your voices down? It's too noisy."

The old lady immediately objected, "We'll talk, what right do you have to tell us what to do? We have mouths, we can say whatever we want. We're talking in our own front door, what's it to you? If you think it's noisy, then move out."