Bo Xi guided the carriage forward, thinking about how quickly everything was changing and how easily she was accepting it. She was certain the entity called the Creator had something to do with that.
As she approached the city, the tall walls came into view. Guards were stationed at the entrance, checking everyone who entered.
When her turn came, she was relieved she had the necessary documents. These days, even traveling between cities required official papers with government stamps.
"Name? Purpose?" a woman in a guard uniform asked.
"Bo Xi. Scholar. I'm moving to prepare for an examination. Here are my documents."Another soldier sitting behind a desk wrote something down as the documents were passed to him. He looked them over and nodded.
"What is in the carriage?" the guard asked.
"Clothes and books," Bo Xi replied from the driver's seat.
"Five copper as entrance fee. We will search the carriage."
Bo Xi silently took out the coins and handed them over. The guards checked her carriage, then nodded to indicate everything was fine, and she was allowed to enter.
Bo Xi exhaled in relief. Her previous village had been too poor for her to continue her studies or take the exam. Traveling here had been her only option.
She parked her carriage near the government office. Inside, officers were busy moving papers and stamping documents.
"Sister, where do I go to buy land and transfer my registry?" Bo Xi asked a woman sorting files.
"There," the woman said, pointing at a door without looking up.
Bo Xi walked over, knocked, and entered when she heard a voice say, "Enter."
Inside, a woman dressed slightly more formally than the others was writing something at her desk.
"What is the matter?" the woman asked without looking up.
"I'm here to buy land and transfer my residency," Bo Xi said.
"Give me your documents."
Only then did the woman look at her. Bo Xi handed them over.
"Scholar… hmph." The woman muttered as she read the papers. "The documents are fine. The fee is five taels."
"Yes, sir." Bo Xi paid the amount.
The officer stamped several intricate seals onto a registry sheet, forming a pattern that almost looked artistic.
Then she pressed the government stamp and signed it.
"It says here you want to transfer to Han Village's registry. Is that correct?"
"Yes, sir. I heard it's a nice village."
"It is. For purchasing land and housing, go to Officer Li. She's from Han Village. The door to the left."
"Thank you, sir."
Bo Xi left and entered the next room. Several desks were arranged neatly, each with a nameplate. She found Officer Li easily.
"Officer Li, I'm here to buy a house and land."
Officer Li smiled warmly. "Great. Which village?"
"Han Village. I heard you're familiar with it. I'd like one acre of fertile land and a house."
"Then you're lucky." Officer Li brightened. "There's a blue-brick house available—three rooms, one kitchen, a well, and good land nearby. The location is excellent."
"That sounds good. But what is the price?" Bo Xi asked, looking over the map Officer Li pointed out. The spot was indeed well-placed.
"Since we may become fellow villagers, I'll tell you honestly," Officer Li said. "The house was built by a landlord, but before they could move in, they offended a noble. Because of that, people consider it unlucky. Normally, it would be four hundred taels, but now it's three hundred. The land is fifty taels—discounted from sixty if you buy the house."
"So there are no other houses?" Bo Xi confirmed.
"No. Otherwise, you would have to buy land and build your own."
Bo Xi reviewed her inherited memories. The property matched what she remembered.
"Alright. I'll buy it."
"Great. The house might be a bit messy since no one's lived there, but you can hire villagers to clean it," Officer Li said, clearly pleased.
Bo Xi took out the money, pretending to take it from her purse while quietly pulling some from her space.
She had two hundred taels in paper notes and the rest in silver, which made the purse heavier.
Officer Li happily accepted the payment and began stamping the documents as she explained more about the village.
"Officer Li, can you help hire three people to clean the house? I am going to buy something, and it should take two or three hours. I'll pay five coppers per person."
"Of course. I'll send someone to inform the village chief." Officer Li's smile became sincere.
Bo Xi left the government office and returned to her carriage. She pretended to place the deeds inside, but instead stored them safely in her space.
Then she headed out to buy what she needed.