After returning, Su Fan began to arrange accommodation for Cheng Yaoyin and the others.
The previous small courtyard was too small to house so many people, so a larger one needed to be purchased.
Su Fan searched for a long time but couldn't find any suitable courtyards.
"Young Master, I've seen you looking at many residences. Are you planning to buy a mansion?"
A man with a sharp mouth and a monkey-like face approached Su Fan, bowing and asking.
He had been observing Su Fan for a while, as Su Fan had scoured the streets and alleys of the southern city, inquiring about any residences for sale nearby.
So, he paid attention and found an opportunity to ask Su Fan.
"Yes, and you are?"
Su Fan's eyes lit up.
Since the other party had come to ask, he must have some information. He likely wanted to earn some money from Su Fan by providing information or acting as an intermediary.
Su Fan wasn't afraid of spending money.
"I am Li Xiaoyuan. I know of a residence that is for sale. I wonder if Young Master is interested."
Li Xiaoyuan said humbly to Su Fan.
"Take me to see it."
Su Fan was quite interested. He had been looking for so long without success, and now that there was a lead, he naturally had to go and see it.
"Of course, that's no problem. However, I've been running errands for you, so..."
Li Xiaoyuan rubbed his hands awkwardly.
Su Fan immediately understood what the other party meant.
"Naturally, I won't let you run errands for nothing. This is your consultation fee. You'll receive more benefits once this is settled."
Su Fan directly handed the man a silver ingot.
"Young Master, please follow me."
Li Xiaoyuan's face immediately lit up with excitement.
Su Fan followed him to the entrance of a residence.
The house was very large, but it looked like it hadn't been lived in for a long time.
"Young Master, this is it. Although it looks like it's been abandoned for a long time, the previous owner was a high official, and the environment is very good. With a little tidying up, it will be a luxurious residence,"
Li Xiaoyuan introduced to Su Fan.
"Where is the owner of this house?"
Su Fan wasn't afraid of tidying up; he could find people to do it quickly. The main thing was why the owner had abandoned the residence.
"This house has no owner. The property has been confiscated and needs to be purchased from the Ministry of Revenue."
Li Xiaoyuan was well-informed about such matters and answered fluently.
"Oh? Then what crime did the owner commit? Why was the property confiscated?"
Su Fan became curious.
Generally, confiscated properties were due to serious crimes, such as the execution of the entire family. If there were no descendants to inherit the property, it would be confiscated.
"It's clear that Young Master is not from Tianlong City. This used to be the Qi residence. It seems they were executed for embezzling military supplies, and no one has lived here for several years. Is Young Master interested? If you're not satisfied, I know another place. It's a bit smaller than this, but it's also a good place."
Li Xiaoyuan explained to Su Fan.
Su Fan's heart stirred.
Qi residence? Qi Ling's home!
"This is it. Please take me to the Ministry of Revenue to handle the procedures."
Su Fan decided to buy the mansion without any hesitation.
Qi Ling must want to go home. This place must hold many cherished memories from her childhood.
"Yes, Young Master, please follow me."
Li Xiaoyuan took Su Fan to the Ministry of Revenue.
Although Li Xiaoyuan was a commoner, he knew people from all walks of life. With Li Xiaoyuan's assistance, Su Fan quickly completed the land deed and other procedures, and the cost was much less than expected.
The main reason was that the Qi residence was difficult to sell. Since people had died there, it was considered a haunted house in ancient times. Who would want to buy a haunted house?
Except for Su Fan.
"Thank you for your trouble. This is your consultation fee."
Su Fan gave Li Xiaoyuan another ten taels of silver as thanks.
After all, without Li Xiaoyuan, he wouldn't have completed the procedures so quickly.
"Young Master is too kind. It was just a small effort on my part."
Li Xiaoyuan said politely while unceremoniously pocketing the silver.
"If Young Master needs anything else, you can come to me anytime. I don't have many other skills, but I'm quite well-informed in this area of Tianlong City."
Li Xiaoyuan saw that Su Fan was a big client and immediately said to him.
He wanted to keep such a big client firmly in his grasp.
"I'll definitely look for you if I need anything."
Su Fan didn't refuse. People like this were indeed well-informed, and he might need him in the future.
Su Fan arrived at the gate of the Qi residence again. Seeing the long-rotted seal on the gate, he directly pushed open the door.
Inside, weeds grew everywhere, making it impossible to walk.
Su Fan shook his head. He would find some laborers to clean the place up before going in.
Su Fan went to the labor market, paid a hefty sum to hire several strong laborers, and ordered them to clean the courtyard within a day.
Then he returned home and told Qi Ling about it.
Qi Ling was slightly stunned.
Upon learning that Su Fan had bought the Qi residence, she didn't know what to say.
"Thank you."
Finally, Qi Ling thanked Su Fan with sign language.
She didn't say much.
Su Fan could see that her mood was complicated at the moment.
Su Fan didn't think too much about it.
Unbeknownst to him, Su Fan's act of purchasing the Qi residence had attracted the attention of the Grand Commandant's mansion.
In the Grand Commandant's mansion, Xu Mu received news from his subordinate.
His face was somewhat grim.
"Su Fan bought the Qi residence?"
Su Fan was still Xu Mu's adopted son in name, although Su Fan had never visited him, his adopted father.
"What is Su Fan's connection to the Qi residence? Have you found out?"
Xu Mu had never dismissed his suspicion of Su Fan.
It was only later that Su Fan became involved with the prince, and then there were rumors that Su Fan might become a consort, which made Xu Mu hesitant to act rashly against Su Fan.
"We've investigated. Su Fan comes from a remote town, and his background is clean. He has no connection to the Qi residence."
The subordinate reported to Xu Mu.
This made Xu Mu even more confused.
If Su Fan had no connection to the Qi residence, then why did he buy their mansion?
"Continue investigating! Find out Su Fan's background thoroughly. Investigate every detail from his origin to the present!"
Xu Mu didn't believe that his son's death had nothing to do with Su Fan.
At that time, Su Fan was the closest person. It couldn't be a coincidence!
"My Lord, people from the Ministry of War have come again. Should we turn them away?"
The subordinate suddenly said to Xu Mu.
Xu Mu frowned and pondered for a moment.
The Minister of War had sent people to try and win him over more than once, but he dared not accept the Ministry of War's overtures.
Forming factions in the imperial court was a major taboo, let alone with the Ministry of War, which held military power. If they attracted the Emperor's attention, they would all be finished.
"Turn them away, turn them away. Tell him not to come again."
Xu Mu didn't want to get involved in this muddy water and waved his hand at his subordinate.
"Yes!"
The subordinate immediately left.
Xu Mu was not a good person. For the sake of promotion and advancement, he could frame the Qi family, who had achieved military exploits and served for three generations. However, he also knew what he could and could not do.
Getting involved with the Ministry of War, and if accused of rebellion, he would become the next Fang Shijie.
Now, his only lingering concern was the youngest surviving daughter of the Qi family. As long as she was alive, Xu Mu would not feel at ease.