Transmigrated into a fat wife, farming, raising children, and picking up husbands

Master Mei looked up, squinting at the newcomer, a hint of surprise flashing across his face: "You are... Fatty Lin? What are you doing here?"

His tone unconsciously carried a hint of wariness.

The Black Fish Gang incident caused quite a stir, and he, the advisor who almost became an accomplice, had a deep impression of Lin Xiuer.

Lin Xiuer smiled and got straight to the point: "Master Mei, I'd like to inquire whether that abandoned garden in the west of town is still in government hands? I heard... it's extremely cheap?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Liangxin's hand, which was adjusting the abacus, suddenly stopped, and his eyes lit up!

That dilapidated garden has been sitting in my hands for years; I can't get rid of it, and I can't sell it.

Just two days ago, he reluctantly changed the price to three taels and added a footnote about it being "haunted," thinking that he probably wouldn't get his wish in his lifetime.

I didn't expect that someone would actually dare to ask about this today. It seems that changing the price to such a bargain level has really worked!

Master Mei suppressed his overwhelming joy, but maintained his composure, stroking his goatee with feigned calmness.

"Oh? Madam Lin is interested in that garden? That place... has been untouched for years."

He drew out his words, giving her a meaningful glance. "You've probably heard the rumors about that place, haven't you? The Black Fish Gang was... possessed by an evil spirit there a few days ago."

Lin Xiuer found it amusing, but her face remained calm: "I'm just a pancake seller, I only ask for a place to stay."

"Those tales of ghosts and spirits... I believe that as long as you have nothing to hide, you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door."

"Besides, although the garden is in a remote location, it is quite large. If the price is really as affordable as rumored, I would like to give it a try."

Mei Liangxin's eyes darted around, and he quickly began to calculate in his mind. This Lin Dapang seemed genuinely interested in buying.

But if she buys it and something goes wrong, and then comes back to the government to make a scene and demand a refund, that would be a real problem.

After all, that garden was really dirty, and if it was returned, it would be a real loss for them.

With this in mind, Master Mei immediately made up his mind. This time, he was determined to get a written agreement in place and absolve himself of all responsibility!

"Someone come here!" Mei Liangxin shouted towards the door.

A yamen runner rushed in at the sound of his voice: "What are your orders, sir?"

"Go and close the gate! Then go and call Officer Liu and Officer Zhang here!"

Mei Liangxin shouted instructions to the outside, his tone urgent, as if afraid that Lin Xiuer would change her mind and run away.

Lin Xiuer: "..."

Close the gate? Call the constables? Is Master Mei really going to make such a fuss? She just came to ask about the price of the abandoned garden. Judging by this show of force, anyone who didn't know better would think she was here to break someone out of prison.

The constable was also a little stunned, but he still quickly ran off to do it.

Before long, several constables dressed in black uniforms and wearing waist badges gathered at the door of the signing room, peering inside curiously.

The outer gate creaked shut, and the atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Mei Liangxin then turned his head, rubbing his hands together, his face full of smiles: "Madam Lin, don't misunderstand, we were just afraid that outsiders would disturb our serious conversation!"

He pulled out a yellowed deed from a pile of old documents and spread it on the table. "This is the land deed and sale document for that garden."

"Madam Lin, since you are so sincere about buying it, we should be upfront about the unpleasant things. This abandoned garden in the west of the town covers an area of ​​five and six-tenths acres and originally had three main houses and east and west side courtyards."

"The old houses totaled more than twenty rooms, and originally included a garden and pavilion. However, due to years of disrepair, and..."

"Ahem, and rumors are rife, so the government has set a price—" He paused, pointing with the tip of his pen to the number on the document, "three taels of silver."

Three ounces! Lin Xiuer's heart skipped a beat, and her ears were ringing.

It really is only three taels! Such a large plot of land, including the house and garden, for only three taels! What's the difference between this and getting it for free?!

Mei Liangxin stole a glance at her expression and saw that her eyes lit up when she heard that it was only three taels of silver, so he quickly pressed on while the iron was hot.

"Including the deed tax, transfer fee, and document processing fee, the total is four taels of silver."

He paused, then emphasized, "Four ounces, all-inclusive, no additional fees required!"

How long did that garden remain untouched by anyone while it was in his possession?

If the price is reduced to this level and they still can't sell them, he, the clerk in charge, will lose face when the higher-ups ask.

Now that someone has finally come to ask, and she's just a woman, why not seize the opportunity?

Lin Xiuer looked down at the document, which was crumpled and the writing was a bit blurry, but she could still make out the words "six and three-tenths acres" and "worth two hundred taels of silver".

Most noticeably, the "Current Price" column at the very bottom had been repeatedly crossed out with a pen.

First, "more than fifty taels" was crossed out.

Next came "twenty taels," which was also crossed out.

Then it was "thirteen taels," which was crossed out again.

Finally, there was a shocking number—three liang (approximately 150 grams).

There was also a small note next to it: "This house is in disrepair and... there are unsettling rumors. Buyers should think twice."

Lin Xiuer took a deep breath, trying to calm her wildly beating heart.

She looked at Ping An, who nodded slightly.

"Okay," she replied, her mind at ease.

Mei Liangxin's pen moved faster, scribbling documents as he wrote, muttering to himself as he wrote.

"This contract is hereby signed by the Town Government of Peach Blossom Town... and the buyer, the Lin family of Qingshan Village... who has successfully bid for an old garden in the west of the town... for a price of three taels of silver, plus one tael for deed tax and miscellaneous fees, totaling four taels..."

As he wrote, he paused, looked up at Lin Xiuer, and his eyes held a hint of cunning and wariness.

"Hehe, Madam Lin, since you have voluntarily purchased it, from now on, no matter what happens in the garden, or anything else..."

"Ahem, any discoveries will have absolutely nothing to do with the government, and there is absolutely no question of checking out. Are you aware of this?"

"Whatever's inside, whether it's a mountain of gold or priceless treasures, even if you dig up an imperial seal, that's your own good fortune."

"Once the money is exchanged, the government will not be responsible for anything afterward."

Lin Xiuer understood the meaning behind Master Mei's words and found it somewhat amusing. It seemed that Master Mei also believed in the existence of ghosts.

However, he nodded solemnly and seriously. "This woman understands. And won't the government go back on its word and one day take back the garden?"

Indeed.

Mei Liangxin's eyes lit up, and he quickly added a sentence at the end of the document: "The buyer is fully aware of all the circumstances. Once sold, there are no returns or exchanges, and neither party will ever renege on the agreement. This is hereby certified!"

After finishing writing, he blew on the ink, handed the document to Lin Xiuer, and said, "Take a look. If there are no problems, sign and seal it, pay the money, and the garden will be yours!"

Lin Xiuer took the document and read it from beginning to end. Compared with other documents, although it was written in a somewhat complicated and verbose manner, the key information was clear.

She picked up the pen, signed her name crookedly, and then pressed her fingerprint on the paper.

Ping An also stepped forward, signed his name next to hers, and pressed his fingerprint.

His handwriting was neat and strong, forming a stark contrast with the crooked characters beside it.