Chapter 20: A Woman of Sorrowful Fate

The broker hurriedly came over to greet them, leading Liu Xie and his companion inside. It had to be said, real estate agents of this era were quite impressive. Everything one could need was available, even if not as technologically advanced as in the twenty-first century. Yet, it possessed a unique charm of its own.

The walls were lined with information about various properties.

“Gentlemen, what kind of residence are you looking for?” the broker inquired politely.

Liu Xie glanced around before speaking softly, “Find me a large house. Don’t worry about the price—you’ll be well compensated.”

At that moment, Liu Xie carried himself with the air of a nouveau riche. Indeed, he had left the palace with a considerable fortune; to call him newly wealthy was no exaggeration.

“You’ve come at just the right time. We do have such a house,” the broker replied eagerly. “This residence was built several years ago. Its former owner was a merchant. Business was good during the peaceful years, but with recent turmoil and constant warfare, times have become hard. The owner was unfortunate—he went out to trade and was killed in the war. He left behind a family of women and children. Life’s been difficult for them. Lacking funds, they’ve decided to sell their home.”

As the broker described the property, he recounted the tragic circumstances.

Listening, Liu Xie felt a wave of helplessness. Indeed, a few years ago, these lands were peaceful and business thrived. But now, with war raging everywhere, even a merchant’s journey could end in disaster. The result: widows and orphans left behind.

Truth be told, Liu Xie found himself pitying the people of this era. Unlike the twenty-first century, peace was a rare luxury. Many warlords fought across the land for their own honor, paying little heed to the lives of common folk. It was said that war exhausts the people and drains resources; nothing could be truer.

“If the owner was a merchant, the family must have been well off. Why sell the house? And even if her husband died, couldn’t she remarry?” Liu Xie asked.

As soon as he voiced the question, he realized his own ignorance. This was the Three Kingdoms, not the modern world. In ancient Long Country, women’s status was exceedingly low.

Often, a woman who lost her husband could not remarry, or if she could, rarely found a respectable match. Chastity was held in the highest regard—should a woman find someone willing to marry her, it was likely only for her looks. A true and comfortable life was nearly impossible. In this era, women had little standing, and most chose widowhood not by their own will, but because the times left them no choice.

“Young man, you may not know this,” the broker said, “but she did remarry once. Someone took her as his wife, but not for love or companionship. He saw her beauty and the family’s wealth, took both, then discarded her heartlessly. The poor woman was left with only this house and now hopes to sell it for something more modest.”

Thus, though Liu Xie and the broker spoke little of the house itself, they discussed the woman’s fate at length.

“Enough—take me to see the place,” Liu Xie said quietly. “If it suits us, we’ll buy it.”

“Very well, sir! Right this way,” the broker replied briskly, leading Lin Xiao and the others out of the agency.

After nearly half an hour’s walk, Liu Xie, Fu Shou, and the broker finally reached the residence in question. Even at the gate, Liu Xie could see it was a fine house. The entrance alone suggested a spacious interior—perhaps not as grand as a noble’s estate, but far larger than the homes of ordinary folk.

“Jiayu, are you home? Some gentlemen have come to see the house,” the broker called, knocking at the door.

Soon, the gates opened slowly, and a gentle, graceful woman appeared in Liu Xie’s view. One glance revealed her virtuous nature, yet her face also bore signs of weariness. Clearly, she was fragile yet resilient—life had not been kind to her.

“Jiayu, these two gentlemen are here to see your house. Show them around and give a proper introduction. And don’t worry, they’re not short on money—you can name your price,” the broker whispered discreetly to her.

Although his words were hushed, Liu Xie heard them clearly. Even the broker seemed to pity her.

“Please, sirs, come in,” the woman said, casting a quick glance at Liu Xie and Fu Shou before leading them into the courtyard.

As Lin Xiao entered, he saw his suspicions confirmed: the house was indeed quite nice. The layout and arrangement of its rooms and facilities were all well considered. Though not enormous, it featured over thirty chambers. Behind the house was a small garden—not vast, but everything essential was present, with a touch of elegance and artistry.

“Madam, what do you think of this place?” Liu Xie asked Fu Shou with a smile.

She returned his smile gently. “I will leave the decision to you, husband.”

For Fu Shou, it no longer mattered what she ate or where she lived. What mattered was how much joy she could find in daily life—pleasures she had never known in the palace.

“Yes, this is a fine place. Miss, how much are you asking for the house?” Liu Xie said, turning to the woman.

At his question, the woman slowly raised five fingers, then four, finally holding up two. “Twenty taels will suffice,” she said softly.

“How much?” Liu Xie was momentarily stunned by the price.

“If… if that’s too much, then ten, fifteen taels is fine,” she stammered, frightened by his reaction, believing she had asked too much.

Liu Xie drew a deep breath, but before he could reply, a little girl of about five or six rushed out from one of the rooms.

“Mother, I’m so hungry,” the child pleaded, clinging to her mother’s leg, her face full of longing.

“Don’t worry, Niuniu. We’ll have something to eat very soon,” her mother reassured her.