The Showy Merchant's Wife

"Is this the place?"

"Yes, Young Master."

Qin Yuan nodded slightly and walked to the mansion gate marked 'Zhang Manor'. Li Fu stepped forward to explain their purpose to the guards.

The guards, clearly having received prior instructions from their master, directly allowed Qin Yuan and Li Fu to enter.

The butler greeted them and led them into a exquisitely decorated pavilion.

In the bright and spacious hall, a beautiful woman sat elegantly and gracefully on a soft chair.

She appeared to be in her thirties, with a delicate and charming appearance, possessing the mature charm of a woman, and a full, slender figure.

Upon seeing the newcomers, the beautiful woman raised her eyes and swept them over, her beautiful eyes immediately lighting up.

What a handsome young man.

She rose gracefully, ignoring Li Fu, who was following behind Qin Yuan, clearly a servant. She stepped forward and smiled politely:

"Good morning, young sir. Would you like Guanyin Tea, Red Robe Tea, or Black Ear Tea?"

These three types of tea were all extremely precious, usually only affordable by nobles.

While being polite, the beautiful woman displayed the Zhang Manor's considerable wealth.

"No, I'll just have plain water, thank you..." Qin Yuan smiled.

"Alright, Shuang'er, a cup of plain water."

The beautiful woman nodded, instructed a maid, and then turned back to continue:

"May I ask your name? Are you the one who wishes 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 showed a charming smile, then asked:

"May I inquire about your family's income? And your parents?"

Testing my financial standing? She's probably worried I can't afford the rent... After a moment's thought, Qin Yuan smiled and said:

"I live on my own. My family runs a small business and gives me a thousand Gold Soul Coins per month for living expenses, which is more than enough to cover the rent."

The beautiful woman nodded inwardly, continuing to wear her charming smile:

"My husband is a merchant, but his financial strength surpasses that of ordinary nobles, which is why we can live on Hundred Flowers Street, the most prosperous street in Heaven Dou City. We own two properties.

Our family is on very good terms with many nobles, including a noble Earl."

The beautiful woman emphasized.

Prosperous my ass! I own property on all five of Heaven Dou City's most prosperous streets. If it weren't for the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion being here, I wouldn't even know this 'Hundred Flowers Street' existed!

Damn it, Hundred Flowers Street doesn't even have a single vacant courtyard. Otherwise, who would rent? This young master lacks nothing but Gold Soul Coins!

And, I'm not marrying into the family, so why introduce all this detail?

Qin Yuan thought silently, wanting to live on Hundred Flowers Street for convenience to the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion.

"The house you wish to rent is next door. It cost a full one hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins back then; even for a wealthy family like ours, it was a considerable burden."

The merchant's wife, Liu Hui, glanced at Qin Yuan from the corner of her eye.

Why is she looking at me...? Qin Yuan wondered.

As if understanding something, he tentatively flattered her:

"Madam, your family is truly wealthy."

"You certainly know how to speak." The merchant's wife's smile became even brighter.

"Young sir, I'm sure you know that every inch of land in Heaven Dou City is precious, especially on a prosperous street like Hundred Flowers Street. Our house is large and well-renovated, so the rent is not cheap."

"How much?" Qin Yuan asked.

"Four hundred Gold Soul Coins per month," the merchant's wife said with an elegant smile.

"Deal." Qin Yuan nodded without any hesitation.

The merchant's wife looked at Qin Yuan with slight surprise but said nothing, smiling:

"It's been a pleasure chatting with you. Given your monthly income of one thousand Gold Soul Coins, after deducting the rent, you have six hundred left. I can offer you some advice.

Expenses in Heaven Dou City are not cheap. I believe you are a person of status, so after covering your food and drink, you'll have about three hundred Gold Soul Coins remaining. You can use this to hire a maid and a male servant; this is the minimum requirement to maintain appearances.

Furthermore, you'll need to purchase or rent a carriage. You can't possibly walk everywhere on foot; that's not dignified. We don't rent our house to people who lack dignity."

The merchant's wife, Liu Hui, said pointedly, then continued:

"To my knowledge, a Baron's household has at least ten male and female servants, while we have fifteen.

Additionally, we host at least one ball or banquet each month for socializing. This is essential for every noble and person of status.

Of course, the monthly expenses are also staggering. For our family, fixed monthly expenses alone amount to two thousand Gold Soul Coins.

Ordinary nobles cannot compare to our standards, nor do they possess our level of dignity."

The wealthy merchant's wife, Liu Hui, said with a smile:

"Oh, right. If you need it, I can ask my husband to introduce you to the noble circles. It will be very helpful for your future development.

Of course, I can only introduce you to barons. Viscounts and above are too noble, and I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."

Liu Hui said with a sincere expression.

Enough! I'm here to rent a house, not to listen to you brag... Qin Yuan thought to himself, tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Madam, let's sign the rental contract. I have other things to do."

"Uh... okay." Liu Hui nodded, still wanting to say more.

"Shuang'er, go get the contract."

After instructing the maid, Liu Hui said with a hint of apology and helplessness:

"I'm sorry, my husband is a big merchant and is often busy with business, rarely at home. I can only sign the rental contract on his behalf."

"I understand," Qin Yuan nodded.

"He's probably having dinner with a Viscount right now. You know, my husband is a famous merchant, even the Earl trusts him implicitly. There aren't many merchants who are valued by an Earl."

Liu Hui added: "You should know how noble an Earl's status is."

What the hell do I know? I don't even know your husband. You're just showing off, aren't you... Qin Yuan was speechless.

While waiting for the maid to return, Liu Hui asked:

"You're about the same age as my daughter. May I ask which Soul Master Academy you attend?"

"I don't go to school," Qin Yuan said.

"Oh! I'm sorry, so you're not a Soul Master." Liu Hui said, surprised and apologetic, then added:

"My daughter is a Soul Master with Innate Soul Power of level six."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Damn it!

"Do you know Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Liu Hui said again.

Qin Yuan didn't even want to bother with her anymore.

But he had been educated too well by Qian Renxue, and his upbringing wouldn't allow him to be so rude. So, he gritted his teeth slightly and said:

"...Yes."

"That's right, as the foremost academy in the Soul Master World, Heaven Dou Royal Academy, you must know it," Liu Hui said, pursing her lips.

Qin Yuan could already guess what she was going to say next.

"My daughter attends Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Damn it!

Seeing Qin Yuan's silence, Liu Hui thought he was feeling inferior. So, she apologized:

"I'm sorry, please don't take my words to heart. You can live a good life even if you're not a Soul Master."

That's more like a human speaking... Qin Yuan's expression softened slightly.

"However, our whole family are Soul Masters," Liu Hui added yet again.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Where's my knife! Where's my knife!! I'm going to kill her!!!