"Is this the place?"
"Yes, young master."
Qin Yuan gave a slight nod and walked up to the manor whose sign read "Zhang Manor." Li Fu stepped forward to explain their purpose to the gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper had clearly already received instructions from his master and let Qin Yuan and Li Fu in without a word.
The butler greeted them and led them into an exquisitely decorated pavilion.
In the bright, spacious hall, a beautiful woman sat elegantly and demurely in a cushioned chair.
She looked to be in her thirties, with a lovely, captivating face, the mature charm of a married woman, and a curvaceous, graceful figure.
At the sight of their arrival, the beautiful woman lifted her eyes and glanced over. Her lovely eyes lit up at once.
What a handsome young man.
She rose gracefully, ignored Li Fu following behind Qin Yuan—he was obviously a servant—and stepped forward with a poised smile.
"Good morning, young sir. Would you like Guanyin Tea, Red Robe Tea, or Black Ear Tea?"
All three teas were extremely precious. Usually, only nobles could afford to drink them.
The beautiful woman was being polite, but she was also showing off the Zhang family's formidable wealth.
No, I only drink Imperial Tribute Tea... Qin Yuan smiled.
"Boiled water, please."
"Of course. Shuang'er, a cup of boiled water."
The beautiful woman nodded and gave the maid her instructions, then turned back to him.
"May I ask your name? Are you looking to rent our house?"
"That's right. My name is Qin Yuan, and I hope to move in as soon as possible." Qin Yuan nodded with a smile.
"If the rent is paid, you can move in today." The beautiful woman gave him a charming smile, then asked, "May I ask how much income your family has? And what about your parents?"
Is she testing my finances? Probably worried I can't afford the rent... Qin Yuan pondered briefly, then smiled.
"I'm living on my own. My family runs a small business, and they give me a thousand Gold Soul Coins a month for living expenses. That's more than enough to cover the rent."
The beautiful woman gave a subtle nod and continued smiling charmingly.
"My husband is a merchant, but his wealth surpasses that of ordinary nobles. That's how we can afford to live on Hundred Flowers Street, one of the busiest streets in Heaven Dou City. We own two properties.
"Our family is on good terms with several nobles, including a distinguished Earl."
The beautiful woman emphasized the point.
What the hell is so prosperous about this street? I own properties on the five busiest streets in all of Heaven Dou City. If the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion weren't here, I wouldn't even know Hundred Flowers Street existed!
Damn it, there isn't a single vacant courtyard on Hundred Flowers Street. Otherwise, who'd bother renting? Gold Soul Coins are the one thing I'm not short of!
And I'm not marrying into the family, so there's no need for this detailed introduction.
Qin Yuan wanted to live on Hundred Flowers Street for easy access to the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion. He silently grumbled to himself.
"The house you're looking to rent is right next door. We paid a full one hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins for it back then. Even for a wealthy family like ours, that was no small burden."
The merchant's wife, Liu Hui, glanced at Qin Yuan from the corner of her eye.
Why are you looking at me... Qin Yuan wondered.
As though he'd understood what she meant, he tentatively offered her a compliment.
"Madam, your family really is wealthy."
"You certainly know how to flatter someone." The merchant's wife's smile grew even brighter.
"Young sir, I'm sure you know that land in Heaven Dou City is worth its weight in gold, especially on a busy street like Hundred Flowers Street. My house is spacious and beautifully furnished, so the rent won't be cheap."
"How much?" Qin Yuan asked.
"Four hundred Gold Soul Coins a month." The merchant's wife smiled elegantly.
"That's fine." Qin Yuan nodded without the slightest hesitation.
The merchant's wife gave Qin Yuan a slightly surprised glance but said nothing. She smiled and continued.
"I've enjoyed talking with you. Since you have a thousand Gold Soul Coins a month, after paying the rent, you'll have six hundred left. I can offer you a few suggestions.
"Living in Heaven Dou City isn't cheap. I'm sure you're a man of standing, but after food and drink, you'll probably have about three hundred Gold Soul Coins left. You could use that to hire a maid and a manservant. That's the bare minimum needed to maintain appearances.
"You'll also need to buy or rent a carriage. You can't very well walk everywhere. That wouldn't be respectable. Our family doesn't rent to people who can't maintain appearances."
The merchant's wife, Liu Hui, made a point of saying that, then continued.
"As far as I know, a Baron's household has at least ten servants, men and women, while ours has fifteen.
"We also host at least one dance or banquet every month to socialize. That's essential for every noble and person of standing.
"Of course, the monthly expenses are staggering. Our family's fixed expenses alone come to two thousand Gold Soul Coins a month.
"Ordinary nobles can't match our standards, nor can they match our level of respectability."
The merchant's wife, Liu Hui, remarked with a sideways glance.
"By the way, if you'd like, I can ask my husband to introduce you to the noble circles. It would help your future prospects.
"Of course, I can only introduce you to Barons. Viscounts and those above them are far too distinguished. I'm afraid you wouldn't know how to handle them."
Liu Hui spoke with complete sincerity.
Enough already! I came to rent a house, not listen to you show off... Qin Yuan grumbled inwardly and forced a smile.
"Madam, let's sign the rental contract. I have somewhere to be."
"Ah... all right." Liu Hui nodded, seeming reluctant to end the conversation.
"Shuang'er, go fetch the contract."
After giving the maid her instructions, Liu Hui spoke with a hint of apology and resignation.
"I'm sorry. My husband is a big-time merchant and is often busy with business, so he's rarely home. I'll have to sign the rental contract with you on his behalf."
"I understand." Qin Yuan nodded.
"He's probably having a meal with a Viscount right now. As you know, my husband is a renowned merchant, trusted even by Earls. There aren't many merchants who earn an Earl's esteem."
Liu Hui added, "You know how exalted an Earl's status is."
What the hell would I know? I don't even know your husband. Are you seriously going to keep bragging? Qin Yuan thought, speechless.
While they waited for the maid to return, Liu Hui asked, "You're about the same age as my daughter. Would you mind telling me which Soul Master Academy you attend?"
"I'm not in school," Qin Yuan replied.
"Oh! I'm sorry. So you're not a Soul Master." Liu Hui looked surprised and apologetic, then added, "My daughter is a Soul Master with Innate Soul Power of level six."
Qin Yuan: "..."
For fuck's sake!
"Have you heard of Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Liu Hui asked again.
Qin Yuan didn't even want to respond anymore.
But Qian Renxue had raised him too well. The manners ingrained in him wouldn't let him be so rude, so he clenched his teeth slightly and said, "...Yes."
"Of course. You've surely heard of a place like Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the number-one institution in the Soul Master World," Liu Hui said with a smug smile.
Qin Yuan could already guess what she was going to say next.
"My daughter attends Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"Damn!"
Seeing Qin Yuan fall silent, Liu Hui assumed he'd grown self-conscious, so she apologized.
"I'm sorry. Please don't take what I just said to heart. You can live a good life even if you aren't a Soul Master."
Now that sounds like a decent thing to say... Qin Yuan's expression eased a little.
"Still, my whole family consists of Soul Masters," Liu Hui added yet again.
Qin Yuan: "..."
Where's my knife?! Where the hell is my knife?! I'm going to cut her down!!!
Before you continue