Chapter Fifty-two: The Haunted Mansion

  Generally, bookish scholars, if they have no hope of passing the imperial examination or need to make a living, the most suitable career path is to become a teacher. However, being a teacher is not that easy, getting into official schools is difficult, and running a private school is also not an easy task. In comparison, becoming a home tutor for a wealthy family, also known as "family teaching", is actually the most comfortable route.

  There are many aristocratic families who are unwilling to send their children to official schools, but instead like to invite some famous masters to live in the mansion and set up an account to teach.

  The benefits of this are obvious, teachers can teach more attentively and carefully; parents also don't have to worry that their children will be bullied or misled by others outside.

  Of course, the treatment of tutors who can afford to support their families is generally very good, with no worries about food and clothing, and a generous salary.

  So, this is a very promising job, especially since I'm teaching girls, it's much more reassuring.

  At the same time, Li Zhuang heard it and was very puzzled. According to reason, since he taught his daughter, it is impossible to invite a young master.

  What's wrong?

  Need I say more? As the teaching continues, feelings will develop over time. Who knows if the daughter won't end up with a big belly, and that gentleman won't suddenly transform into a son-in-law?

  That would be ridiculous and make people laugh out loud.

  At this moment, Huangfu Yanwai seems to have no scruples at all, and he invites Chen Jianchen to come over as soon as he opens his mouth. Is it just because of that poem? It's a bit ridiculous to say so.

  Not only him, but Chen Jianchen himself was also quite perplexed. He looked at the other party, without seeing anything unusual. After a brief moment of contemplation, he replied: "The old official's kind intentions, I appreciate them. However, I am currently studying at Minghua Academy and fear that I will not be able to leave."

  Apart from other factors, if Huangfu's family is in Suzhou and wants to leave their hometown, Chen Jianchen would find it difficult to make a decision. It's not that he has strong feelings for his hometown, but rather that under the influence of habit, suddenly having to leave his hometown makes him somewhat reluctant to part with it.

  Besides, while being a home tutor can earn money, staying in Jiangzhou can also earn money, and there is no need to go so far away. Moreover, he still had some suspicions about Huangfu's identity as an official, and it was even less likely that he would rashly agree to the other party's request.

  Upon hearing this, Huangfu asked somewhat urgently: "Young master, you really don't want to go?"

  Chen Jianchen shook his head: "It's not that I'm unwilling, but it's really hard to get away from this place. Please ask someone else for help."

  Upon hearing this sentence, Li Zhuang immediately puffed out his chest and couldn't help but want to say it himself: A good teacher is right here...

  But unexpectedly, Huangfu's official didn't even give him a glance, only sighed and cupped his hands, saying: "Since that's the case, I won't force it either. Another day, there will be an opportunity to invite you to my mansion for a gathering."

  He said a few more idle words, then took up his pen and ink, and bid farewell. As he was leaving, he couldn't help but sigh with regret at Chen Xiang's refusal.

  Li Zhuangui saw him out the door, and he didn't think Chen Jianchen's refusal to be a tutor was anything to regret. Chen Jianchen was in his prime, with a bright future ahead of him, and it would be a waste of time for him to become a teacher; it would be better for him to focus on studying at the academy and taking the imperial examination, which was the key to success.

  Through this matter, Chen Jianchen's status in Li Zhuangui's mind suddenly rose. No other reason, just because he can replace Xu Ni Zhai, and help him make money. The tone suddenly became very polite, and also asked Chen Jianchen to have calligraphy works, even if they were sent to Xu Ni Zhai, the deadline for selling could be extended to one month.

  Chen Jianchen exchanged a few pleasantries with him and also returned to the college.

  During the process of selling to Huangfu Yiwai Zi Mo, Chen Jianchen made a net profit of nearly nine ingots of silver, earning his first bucket of gold in life. With this money, he can almost open his own bookstore in Jiangzhou.

  However, Chen Jianchen did not feel complacent about this. This situation was not normal. Although Huangfu's outer self seemed to have no problem, he always gave Chen Jianchen an abnormal feeling.

  There is a saying: when things go against the norm, there must be evil at play; being cautious will generally prevent major mistakes.

  Next, Chen Jianchen wrote two more calligraphy works and handed them over to Xue Ni Zhai for sale, but the price was actually lowered. Apart from this, he began to ask Wang Fu to help him pay attention to where there were suitable places to rent and open a bookstore.

  When he heard that he wanted to open a bookstore in Jiangzhou, Wang Fu didn't hesitate and promised with a pat on his chest. With his connections and complex social interactions, he had people everywhere and could help out.

  Five days later, Wang Fugui ran to Chen Jianchen and said: "Liu Xian, I don't know what's going on during this period. There are hardly any vacant houses for rent in the streets...".

  "Isn't there even one?"

  Wang Fu furrowed his brow and replied, "There is indeed one, but it's quite different from what you're asking for... Hmm, actually, there is a house on the east side of the street that's not too small, and the rent is cheap, but..."

  He stopped talking at this point.

  "But what?"

  Wang Fu immediately lowered his voice and whispered: "It's said that the house is haunted, no one dares to move in and live or do business there."

  "Haunted?"

  Chen Jianchen raised an eyebrow: "You'd better tell me carefully."

  At this point, Wang Fu immediately told the general situation of things——

  The house originally belonged to a landlord with the surname Geng from Jiangzhou, and it was a separate courtyard used for selling oil. The business had been doing well, but half a month ago, on a certain night at midnight, the place where the oil was stored suddenly made strange noises, gurgling sounds like a cow drinking water.

  The strange voice woke up his partner, and he rushed out to see. Before he approached the oil barrel, he suddenly saw the oil and water churning, with a huge object making trouble in it.

  The giant creature heard the human voice, stood up on its hind legs, bared its teeth and claws, had a huge bloody mouth, eyes like lanterns, looked like a ghost, and with just one glare, that fellow was scared to death.

  Luckily, the ghost had no intention of harming people, so his partner managed to escape. However, after this incident, he refused to do it again.

  When he heard that there was a ghost, Geng Yun's face turned pale with fright and anger. He hastily invited Taoist priests to perform rituals to drive out the evil spirits. However, after inviting three batches of Taoist priests, it was all in vain. The ghost continued to haunt them, appearing every now and then.

  Before long, the oil seller's master and apprentices were all scared away. Geng Yuenwai had no choice but to abandon the courtyard and sell it at a low price or rent it out.

  But under such circumstances, who dares to take over? It has been shelved until now.

  Haunted house?

  Chen Jianchen suddenly smiled, he didn't suspect that the other courtyard was really haunted by ghosts or monsters, wasn't this exactly what he wanted? As for the Taoist priests invited by the Geng family, it could be basically determined that they were all charlatans without any real skills - in this world, true cultivators were extremely rare, and often avoided the world, rarely appearing in the mortal realm. Chen Jianchen being able to meet Qingyun at once was truly a coincidence.

  "Brother Fu Tai, tomorrow I want to go take a look at that mansion."

  Wang Fuyi was stunned, but he immediately thought of Chen Jianchen being taught a magical technique by Qingyun Daozhang, and it might be possible to subdue the ghostly creature after all, so he agreed on the spot.