Chapter 12
Leaving the first location, the carriage was now on its way to the second location. The second location was vastly different from the first. They were now making their way to the other side of Glory City.
The journey took a few hours. The carriage stayed quiet for the majority of the journey. Chen Feng Mian would try to start conversations with the aides and Ye Han however she would get short answers in return, resulting in silence once more. After a while she gave up on filling the silence and started looking out the window albeit through the curtains and between its gaps.
When they finally arrived, Ye Han and Chen Feng Mian quickly recognized the area. Although they weren't able to go out much because of their statuses, this was a place they knew. Would the carriage continue on the same street, they would soon arrive at the Sacred Family's Manor.
Needless to say, the second location was the complete opposite of the barely populated surrounding of the first. It was close to the main street and was surrounded by many stores and restaurants.
It was lively and loud. People were walking up and down the street following their daily routine. They were entering stores and restaurants and others were leaving. Some were followed by maids, others by friends. Some were carrying packages, others nothing. People all over the economic spectrum of Glory City could be found on this street.
Ye Mu and Ye Heng guided Chen Feng Mian and Ye Han away from the carriage and towards the second location. It looked like an old manor of a very rich family. The gates were wide not as big as their own however compared to other entrance gates. However it looked slightly deranged. It wasn't as well maintained as the surrounding gates.
As they waited at the gates, Ye Heng started to introduce them to the location. "This is the second location we wanted to show you. It is as you can see next to the main street and is close to various workshops, stores and restaurants. Thus by the time the children are searching for apprenticeships, they will be having an easier time as they would already know the surrounding. There are also many minor noble families and successful merchants that have their residencies around this area. In fact this manor currently belongs to a fallen merchant family that is unable to continue living here. They will be the ones to show us around today."
Not long after saying so, two young people came out of the manor, a young woman and man. They were quite a bit older than Chen Feng Mian and Ye Han. Although their clothing looked old and worn out, their elegance was something that radiated from them despite their clothing. Their manners were trained as if they were from a noble family.
The young woman started "Welcome Young Master Ye and Young Miss Chen. We are here to guide you around the manor. I am Ning Xie and this is my brother Ning He." She introduced herself and her brother and without much delay started showing them around the manor.
As expected from a manor belonging to a rich merchant, it had many courtyards, gardens and other buildings. It had a fully filled library and a building that formerly served as a school for the family's children. It had beautiful gardens filled with various trees and flowers. Not to mention one large kitchen close to the main courtyard and several smaller ones.
Walking through the courtyard, one could imagine how rich these merchants were at their peek. Making Chen Feng Mian wonder how they fell so low. This kind of wealth was impossible to build in a generation or two. They had several items that were only accessible by nobles and from material the buildings were build with, it is hard to believe that a single person could build all this up, which leads to the next question.
A family like this would be able to raise multiple Demon Spiritualists and Fighters evident by the many scriptures and cultivation scrolls in the library and the many courtyards available in the manor. So even if the family business went down due to an incident coupled with a sturdy foundation they had seemingly built up, they wouldn't have to sell the manor. So how come?
Standing beside Chen Feng Mian, Ye Han also frowned and asked them "What happened for your family to sell the manor?"
Ning Xie and Ning He stopped moving and held their heads down. With a disheartened voice, Ning Xie started to explain.
"It is not a secret and is well known to the people living around this area. We were merchant family which even traded with City Lords and major families. However besides that our family was full of adventures. Our ancestors believed that there was still much to be found behind the City Walls. And so the main family and geniuses across the generations would often venture out of Glory City for explorations. They would return often empty handed but never disheartened. However a few years ago, nobody returned. Living a manor full of concubines and children behind, as the few talented people left behind would often leave in order to find our family.
After a while when it became evident that they were gone, servants and concubines were pillaging the abandoned courtyards and treasury. They found little in the treasury as only the main family and its heirs knew how to access them. However that didn't stop them from taking everything they could get their hands on and leave. Now there are only 15 family members left from our previously big family. The ones left are young and unable to uphold the family legacy. We have lost many of our previous partners and can barely sustain ourselves.
Neighbors and other merchant families have tried to come and buy or even steal our home in hopes of gaining access to our treasury. However we were unwilling to sell it to people who obviously wanted to take advantage of us. And we were able to fend them off with a few good people. Then the aides of the City Lord approached us and told us about your project.
Hearing the story, Chen Feng Mian didn't know what to think. It was an unfortunate incident followed by other mishaps. True the were several settlements outside of Glory City - yes even a larger world. However she could not comprehend why after the first few groups had vanished, the few people who actually had a chance to keep up and protect the family were so set on leaving.
Ning He smiled mischievously but his eyes said differently. "For one you would have to employ some of us. We don't need high pays but don't want to leave our home. We are educated and would be able to help you with the orphanage. Secondly in the occasion you are able to access the treasury, we would like to retrieve some items you can have the rest. These are our conditions."