Today, Boss Xie wore a luxurious brocade robe embroidered with golden threads and a thick gold collar around his neck, looking dazzlingly radiant.
“Miss, why have you come to find me again?” he asked lazily.
Su Shuyao looked at him calmly. “Boss Xie, that batch of goods hasn’t been sold yet, has it?”
If it had been sold, how would Su Mingzhu still have the leisure to follow her around?
Boss Xie narrowed his eyes. “That shipment was soaked in water. Of course it needs to be handled. If we want to fool people, the act must at least look convincing. Your sister may be foolish, but she isn’t blind.”
Su Shuyao glanced out the window. “Then I’ll trouble Boss Xie to cause her some trouble.”
Boss Xie also glanced outside, tapping his jade fan. “That’s simple. I’ll have someone go tell her the price has gone up.”
“Raise the price? Aren’t you afraid she’ll refuse to buy from you?” Su Shuyao asked.
Boss Xie smirked. “If she doesn’t buy from me, no one will dare sell to her. Who would have the guts to openly steal my customer?”
Su Shuyao stared at him for a while, carefully looking him over.
Boss Xie squinted lazily like a cat. “What are you staring at? Curious about my background?”
Su Shuyao smiled. “No. I just think Boss Xie looks very handsome.”
Curiosity kills. She would never ask questions she shouldn’t ask.
“No wonder you’re the one I chose. You have excellent taste.” Boss Xie called his attendant over and whispered a few instructions.
After arranging matters, Boss Xie continued, “Tell me, what’s going on? I thought she was going to borrow usurious money. We even agreed on the interest, but at the last moment she backed out. Isn’t that playing with me?”
Su Shuyao laughed.
Su Mingzhu really had guts, daring to borrow usury. Suddenly refusing must mean she’d found money elsewhere. In the entire Marquis Residence, the only person who could loan her such silver was Madam Wan.
Madam Wan was calculating and would never lend without benefit. Su Mingzhu must have promised her the interest. When Su Mingzhu loses everything in the end, she wonders what expression Madam Wan will have.
Perfect. This way, even Madam Wan would be dragged into the mess.
“I have a way to make her continue borrowing the money. Does Boss Xie want to hear it?”
She had accidentally learned that Su Mingzhu was secretly inquiring about the prices of ice, grain, and medicinal herbs. Since Su Mingzhu had also been reborn, she must know that next month there would be record-breaking heat across the Empire, plagues breaking out in several regions, and refugees flooding into the capital. By then, the prices of ice, grain, and medicine would skyrocket.
She hadn’t acted yet likely because all her silver was tied up in the spice shipment.
“If you extend grain to her on credit, she’ll definitely accept.” Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
Boss Xie twirled his jade fan, the corners of his lips curling mischievously. “So what you’re saying is, grain prices will soar next month?”
“Yes,” Su Shuyao nodded seriously.
“I always thought my information network was impressive, but your news seems even more accurate.” Boss Xie’s gaze deepened. “But no, I won’t sell on credit. I’m waiting to make a fortune.”
Su Shuyao coaxed softly, “If you sell on credit to her, I’ll tell you a way to earn even more when the time comes.”
Boss Xie stared at her quietly for a moment. “And if I don’t profit?”
“If you don’t, I’ll compensate you,” Su Shuyao replied calmly. “And I’d like Boss Xie to also help stockpile some ice and medicine.”
After finalizing their agreement, they left the restaurant. By then, Su Mingzhu’s carriage had already disappeared.
In a cheerful mood, Su Shuyao headed to South Street to look at shops.
South Street was quite desolate at the moment, with few pedestrians and hardly any business. But during the upcoming Lantern Festival, a massive lantern exhibition would be held here, attracting merchants from all over. Slowly, South Street would flourish. After that, when the court introduced new policies, the value of South Street properties would soar even higher.
Currently, a shop on South Street cost around 300 to 400 taels. Under a broker’s guidance, Su Shuyao chose three properties and paid the deposit.
Once the deposit was paid, official paperwork had to be written. Qiushuang glanced at the document bearing her name. “Miss, these shops are really being written under my name? Shops this expensive… why are they under my name?”
Qiushuang was still just as timid as in the previous life.
Su Shuyao teased, “If I write them under my name, what if they get taken again?”
Only then did Qiushuang grit her teeth. “Then write them under my name. But Miss, shouldn’t we write another document saying these shops actually belong to you?”
Su Shuyao smiled. “No need. I trust you.”
Qiushuang bit her lips. “Miss, I will absolutely never take advantage of your shops.”
Su Shuyao squeezed her hand. “You don’t need to explain. I already know.”
After finishing the property viewing, Su Shuyao didn’t feel like returning to the Marquis Residence. Though it was supposedly her home, no one there ever treated her like family. It was full of schemes and calculations. Even though she always appeared calm and detached, staying there always left her feeling suffocated.
The capital was so large, yet she couldn’t find a true place to belong.
Su Shuyao nodded. “Alright.”
She had bought Su Mingli a modest three-entry courtyard residence. Though its location wasn’t great and the price had been cheap, it was near South Street.
The courtyard gate was open, and people were busy moving furniture inside.
Su Shuyao stepped in and was immediately greeted by the sight of a handsome young boy. His eyes shone like stars, and he was holding two fish.
Upon seeing her, he froze, then his face flushed as he shouted toward the house, “Mother! A fairy has arrived at the door!”
After shouting, he bolted inside.
Smiling, Su Shuyao followed him in with Qiushuang.
He looked about sixteen or seventeen—likely the third son, Su Mingfeng.
Just as they reached the inner courtyard gate, they heard their aunt’s angry voice. “Su Mingfeng! You went to the river to catch fish again?! I said if I ever see you in the river again, I’ll break your legs!”
Su Mingfeng stomped his feet. “Mother, I just told you there’s a fairy outside, yet you’re staring at these fish instead?! Mother, hurry and ask her if she’d be willing to be my sister-in-law! If you don’t arrange a marriage for Big Brother soon, he’ll become an old bachelor!”
Su Mingli was moving a desk. Hearing this, he silently handed his mother a broom.
Then chaos broke out.
By the time Su Shuyao entered, Su Mingfeng had already climbed a tree. Their aunt, exhausted, stood below trying to coax him. “Third boy, come down. I’ll just lightly hit you once. If I can’t even hit you, I’ll lose face!”
The silly boy foolishly climbed down and was immediately beaten soundly. “I told you not to go to the river! The water levels are rising, and people drown every day!”
“Mother, you lied! You said one light hit, but you’ve hit me hard five times!!”
“Hey! Mother! The fairy is here! The fairy is here!”
“Fairy my foot! Did you sneak into the mountains again to pick wild mushrooms?! I told you not to! Did you forget Uncle Wang ran into a bear?!”
“Oh—it’s Shuyao.”
Su Shuyao quietly watched Su Mingfeng being scolded and beaten. Amid his dramatic wails, she couldn’t help but laugh brightly.
A gentle breeze rustled the treetops. This home was simple, yet full of warmth.
Without realizing it, her eyes began to sting slightly.
She really longed for such warmth in her life too.