A Maid's Survival Story in a Noble Family Mansion? Rich Landlords Are More Appealing.

According to our clan's old rules and the government's laws, if the head of the household has been missing for a long time and the house has been abandoned for more than ten years, the clan and the village head can step in and handle the matter according to their discretion after investigating the situation.

If it is confirmed that the original owner is indeed deceased or unclaimed, the land can be sold by the clan to someone in need. The proceeds can be returned to the clan if the original owner's descendants return in the future; otherwise, it will remain clan property.

Chen Wanxing had been listening, but her eyes lit up. She leaned forward slightly and asked, "Grandpa and Grandma, where exactly is this empty house you're talking about? Is it close to where we live now?"

Chen Yongde mentally estimated the distance and gestured with his hand: "Close, of course it's close. Go out from the west wall of your current courtyard, through two narrow passages, turn a corner, and it's almost diagonally across. If you take a longer stride, it's only about a hundred steps away. That place is still in our area, surrounded by long-time residents who have lived there for decades, so it's very safe."

The courtyard was terribly overgrown. The original mud-brick houses and walls there had long since collapsed and needed to be completely demolished and rebuilt. But I remember the location and size of the plot of land were quite regular; back then, their family was large, and the courtyard wasn't small.

Grandma Chen nodded repeatedly and said to Chen Wanxing, "Yes, yes, that's it. It's a bit deserted, but the location is good, and the neighbors are all relatives we know well. If we could take over that plot of land, demolish the old house and build a new one, that would be perfect."

It might be easier than finding a vacant lot and starting to fence off the yard from scratch; at least the boundaries are clear.

Chen Wanxing was intrigued. Just from the description, it seemed like the most ideal option she could find at this stage. She looked at Chen Yongde and asked, "Grandpa Village Head, can this house be bought and sold now? Will the procedures be complicated?"

Chen Yongde considered for a moment and pondered, "According to the rules, the clan and the village head should first try to find out the exact information of the original owner or his/her descendants. If they really cannot find him/her, then it can be confirmed that it is an abandoned house without an owner, and then the clan will make an offer for it."

However, given the length of time that has passed since their family fled the famine, none of the groups that fled with them have returned with any reliable news, so searching for them would probably be a waste of time. I can gather a few elders from the clan to discuss this matter. If everyone agrees, the paperwork can be processed, but it will take some time.”

The more he talked about it, the more he felt it was feasible. It would not only help Wanxing, but also properly dispose of a neglected clan property, which would benefit both the public and the private.

He stood up and suggested, "Well, it's no use just talking about it. Wanxing, if you really want to see it, why don't we go over there now? It's close by, just a few steps away. You can see for yourself how desolate the place is, so you'll have a better idea of ​​whether it's worth the trouble."

Chen Wanxing had the same idea, so he immediately nodded: "Okay, then I'll trouble Grandpa Village Head to take me to see him."

Then the rest of the family followed, in twos and threes.

The group left the Chen family's old house and turned into a narrow alley. The winter sun slanted across the mottled earthen walls and the thatched roof, and the air was filled with the smell of firewood and the faint scent of daily life.

After walking for a short while, passing through two even more desolate alleys, Chen Yongde stopped in front of an open space that was clearly overgrown with withered wormwood.

"This is it. This is Old Kui's yard."

Chen Wanxing looked around carefully. To her, this place was just a wasteland, with no sign of a house.

The rammed earth wall of the courtyard had collapsed to the height of only two or three mud bricks, and the remaining part was covered with withered vines and weeds. The gaps in the wall allowed a direct view into the courtyard.

The courtyard gate has long since disappeared, leaving only a bare doorway. The outline of the three main rooms can still be vaguely discerned, but all that remains are broken walls and ruins.

In the corner, an old elm tree stubbornly survived, its bare branches stretching towards the gray-blue sky, adding to the desolation. The entire courtyard was permeated with an air of bleakness, abandoned by time, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding old but full-of-life courtyards of the neighbors.

Chen Wanxing examined it carefully, her eyes growing brighter and brighter. The desolation was merely an appearance; to her, it meant a blank canvas, perfect for drawing, a canvas that could be completely abandoned and rebuilt according to her own ideas.

However, she was a little puzzled. How come no one thought to take advantage of such a good place, leaving her to get a free ride?

Chen Wanxing made up her mind. She turned around to face Chen Yongde and said clearly and firmly, "Grandpa Village Head, I've chosen this place. The location and size are just right. It's a bit overgrown, but it's perfect for starting a new development. This is the place I want."

Seeing her decisiveness, Chen Yongde admired her in his heart, but he also said in advance: "Alright, since you've taken a liking to it, I'll gather the clan elders to discuss it later. If everything goes smoothly, the land can be sold to you, and the land deed will be transferred to your name again."

However, this process may take some time, anywhere from half a month to one or two months, so you should be prepared.

Chen Wanxing nodded calmly: "I'm not in a hurry. Even if the procedures are completed immediately, the ground is frozen solid in this freezing weather, so we can't start construction."

We can't start construction until next spring, after the ground thaws. There's plenty of time. I'll trouble you, Village Head, to take care of things and help us get this done smoothly. Just tell me what expenses are due and what courtesies are required, and I'll cooperate fully.

Chen Yongde nodded repeatedly, finding her words reasonable and thoughtful: "Alright, with you saying that, I know you genuinely want to settle down, and it's not just a passing fancy. Don't worry, I'll definitely take care of the land purchase and the homestead for you."

Regarding the monetary aspect, the clan won't value these abandoned, unclaimed houses too highly; they'll mainly collect a symbolic amount as clan property. I'll inform you of the specifics once the clan has reached an agreement.

Seeing Chen Wanxing settle things in a few words and then spend money, Chen's second aunt, who was following behind and saw that no one was paying attention to her, pursed her lips and muttered something under her breath.

"A young lady is destined to get married eventually. What's the point of buying such a big house? It would take so much effort to renovate it. If you really have that kind of money, you might as well..." Before she could finish speaking, Aunt Chen, who had overheard her, gently tugged at her sleeve to stop her.

Aunt Chen whispered, "Second sister-in-law, you should say less. Wanxing chose it herself and spent her own money. What does it have to do with you? If you keep gossiping and Mother hears you, what good will it do you?"

When Aunt Chen heard that someone had overheard her, she immediately shrank back. She was scolded a few times but didn't dare to argue back and kept quiet.