The three of them were walking down the street, each carrying two large steamed buns. "Auntie, aren't we staying for the big feast?"
"No, with things having turned out like this today, I doubt anyone will stay for dinner," Jin Shanyao. She had come for two reasons: the five thousand taels reward and the desire to buy the mountain.
Since we can't buy the mountain, let's look at the shops instead.
What are your thoughts on what happened today?
Meng Anci snorted, "I knew about the Lu Household's affairs when I was four years old. Good things can't be talked about outsiders, let alone spread around. If Lu Chi's mother hadn't kept saying how good her husband was, she wouldn't have been targeted by thieves."
"That Madam Wei even called others stupid, as if she herself were so clever. People's hearts are fickle; what good could be easily snatched?"
Meng Anzhi nodded in agreement, "She's a bold and ruthless woman, but unfortunately, she's misused her intelligence."
Jin Shanyao glared at Meng Anci with her sharp eyes, "You'd better choose your wife carefully in the future. Don't be fickle and bring women home every day, or I'll give you a drug that will make you infertile."
Meng Anci utterly shocked, "Auntie, I'm only eight years old..."
"So what if he's eight? The old folks say you can tell a man's character by age three... Learn to be good from him..."
"Auntie, which old lady is it?"
" Shopkeeper Wang next door..."
The three of them went to the brokerage firm and asked about the approximate prices.
A house near the capital costs over 300 taels of silver and is about 15 square meters in size. They are all owned by officials, wealthy merchants, and Aristocratic Clan families. They only circulate among themselves, and ordinary people simply cannot afford them.
Jin Shanyao glanced at him sideways, "What are you showing me if it's not circulated?"
The broker smiled and took out a brochure for Vermilion Bird Street. "This area is full of grain shops, pharmacies, and cloth shops, just right for you. Each shop costs at least 150 taels, depending on the location and condition."
"If you think that's too expensive, young lady, I also have rooms near the city gates and the docks. Those locations are also quite good, 100 taels a room..."
Meng Anzhi clutched her handbag, silently calculating in her mind how big a shop she could buy.
Jin Shanyao pointed to Vermilion Bird Street, "There are large, two-story shops here with a backyard; the location is quite good..."
The broker clapped his hands. "Isn't it a coincidence? I just received news yesterday that there really is one right in the middle of Vermilion Bird Street. But the price..."
He glanced at Jin Shanyao; those who could afford large shops were all influential people. This was the first time he had seen this girl, so he figured she must be from out of town.
The brokerage manager thought that large shops were difficult to sell, especially since this shop had changed hands several times, so quoting a middle price would be safer.
He replied with a smile, "Two hundred taels per room..."
Jin Shanyao up, "Let's go take a look first..."
"Alright, alright..." The brokerage manager had never encountered such a straightforward buyer before, and hurriedly stepped forward to lead the way.
As the broker said, the shop is located in the middle of Vermilion Bird Street, with extremely high foot traffic, making it a prime location.
People were coming and going in the shop, all busy moving. The waiter recognized the brokerage owner at a glance and said with a smile, " Broker Hu is a good person. Should I inform the manager?"
Broker Hu waved his hand, "Let's take a look first, you go about your business..."
"Okay, all set."
Broker Hu with Jin Shanyao, stood in the center of the hall, which was in a state of disarray.
He stepped aside to make way for the movers. "I'm not bragging, but you won't find another location this good on the entire Vermilion Bird Street. Look at the layout, the beams and pillars are almost new, and even the paint was just repainted this year."
With that, Broker Hu led Jin Shanyao upstairs to the second floor, saying, "The upstairs rooms are all private rooms. Whether we continue to run a restaurant or convert it into an inn, it will be more than enough."
Jin Shanyao her hand, her fingertips lightly tapping the wooden railing by the window. The wood was sturdy and heavy, showing no signs of insect damage. Just then, a waiter brought out tables and chairs from a private room, and she stepped aside to let him pass, following Broker Hu downstairs.
The backyard was paved with bluestone slabs, and drainage holes were drilled around the perimeter of the wall. The side rooms, kitchen, and the front hall all appeared to be intact.
Jin Shanyao opened the courtyard gate, revealing a wide back street where two carriages could pass at the same time. "How much is the shop? I'll buy it."
Broker Hu was stunned. This shop was put up for sale yesterday and it's going to be sold today??? Did the God of Wealth come knocking on his door last night? He suppressed his elation.
He smiled and said, "The street-front shop, house, warehouse, wine cellar, and courtyard will cost about seven thousand taels. I'll discuss it with the owner and see if I can lower the price a bit, but not by much."
"No need, let's stick with this price. When can we get the property deed?"
Broker Hu secretly gasped, instinctively clutching his chest. "My God, my ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke!" he thought, secretly pinching his thigh.
"It hurts... I'm not dreaming," Broker Hu said, feeling dizzy. "Right away, right away we can get the house deed done... Let's go to Kaifeng Prefecture now," he said, leading Jin Shanyao out.
As he left, he told the waiter, "Tell your manager that this shop has been sold. Tomorrow morning, move everything out and tidy it up a bit, so it doesn't look like it's been robbed."
The waiter stood dumbfounded on the street, holding a chair. Sold out? That was too fast... The shopkeeper said the shop had only been listed yesterday.
Broker Hu arrived at Kaifeng Prefecture with Jin Shanyao. After completing the house deed, the two parted ways. Broker Hu was still in a daze, clutching the silver notes in his hand, feeling a sense of unreality.
Seven thousand taels... just put in that little girl's handbag??? Isn't that a bit too casual? Aren't you afraid it'll get lost??
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci held hands and couldn't help but laugh. They had actually bought a shop in the capital! "Auntie, are we moving to the capital?"
"Don't move yet. Let Qin Baitang come and manage it... First, put up the Anzhi Hall signboard. We'll consider coming to the capital after Anci passes the provincial examination."
" Fifth Master Dong... I'm talking to you, why aren't you responding?" A sudden voice interrupted, and the three looked in the direction of the voice to see Fifth Master Dong being pulled by the sleeve.
"Yes, my attitude was a bit bad last time... that was because you were asking for too much, so..." the man said, moving closer to Fifth Master Dong.
"A bronze mirror... I'll give you this price," the man said, reaching into Fifth Master Dong's sleeve. Fifth Master Dong's eyes suddenly darkened, and he stared intently at the man.
The man felt a chill run down his spine from the stare, pulled his hand away, and took two steps back. Fifth Master Dong flicked his sleeve... and turned around, bumping right into Jin Shanyao and his two companions. A flash of ferocity crossed his eyes.
He then looked at the two children, said nothing, and walked past the three of them.
Jin Shanyao caught a glimpse of the thumb ring on his hand, shrouded in black mist, making the atmosphere even more sinister...
Only after Fifth Master Dong had walked away did the man dare to spit on the ground, "What a piece of trash... He used to call me 'brother' all the time, but now that he's got a broken bronze mirror, he doesn't even recognize me."
Meng Anzhi looked around. "Auntie... that Fifth Master Dong's eyes are different from last time. Last time it was a show of bravado, but this time it's sinister."
Meng Anci with a stern face, "He's like a completely different person..."
Jin Shanyao curled her lips into a smile. She finally understood why the Merit had been delayed. It turned out that it was inhabiting the body of Fifth Master Dong and carrying Fifth Master Dong soul.
He escaped both the realms of Yin and Yang, but unfortunately, he was a fool...