Manager Feng rubbed his hands together and smiled.
“Miss, these two hills were originally priced at 1,500 taels. Since it’s you, I’ll make the decision—1,450 taels.”
Wang Yutong thought to herself that the price was still too high.
After a moment of consideration, she said calmly, “Manager Feng, these hills don’t produce much income. 1,450 taels is too expensive.
The only reason I’m interested is because they’re close to my estate.
But at that price, I might as well add a bit more and buy a proper estate instead. Don’t you think so?
If it weren’t for the coincidence of running into them and feeling some ‘fate’ with these hills, I wouldn’t even consider them.
If you lower the price a bit more, I can make the purchase immediately.”
Manager Feng frowned. “Miss, this is already very cheap. I really can’t lower it further—it would be difficult to explain to my master.”
Wang Yutong remained unhurried.
“Manager Feng, your master has already left.
You’ve been unable to sell these hills and return to him. Staying stuck here over a bit of silver isn’t ideal either. What if your master suddenly…”
Hearing this, Manager Feng’s resolve wavered.
Seeing this, Wang Yutong pressed on.
“1,350 taels. How about that?”
After hesitating for a moment, Manager Feng gritted his teeth.
“Miss, that really won’t do. How about this—1,450 taels, and I’ll include the estate at the foot of the hill as well.
If you agree, we go handle the transfer immediately. If not, then forget it.”
Wang Yutong’s eyes lit up, but her face remained calm.
“The estate? There’s an estate at the foot of the hill? Can I take a look first?”
Manager Feng was not surprised. Naturally, buyers would inspect before deciding.
So he led them toward the estate.
Soon they arrived.
Wang Yutong examined the two-entry courtyard. Though somewhat old and worn, the structure was solid and well laid out, carrying a simple, rustic charm.
Inside, weeds had overgrown the yard and several buildings were damaged.
But she could tell the materials were excellent—good wood, sturdy construction.
She had already decided to buy it, but still pretended to hesitate.
“Manager Feng, look at this place—it’s in such poor condition. Repairs alone will cost a lot of silver.
I can only offer 1,380 taels for the hills and the estate together. Otherwise, I really can’t accept it.”
Manager Feng paced back and forth in the courtyard, muttering that the price was too low.
Wang Yutong added casually, “If you agree, you can return sooner. Your master will also think highly of you for closing the deal so quickly.”
After long consideration, Manager Feng finally gritted his teeth.
“Fine! 1,380 taels it is. We’ll go to the government office tomorrow morning to transfer ownership.”
“Agreed,” Wang Yutong replied without hesitation.
She was genuinely pleased with the purchase.
Although the hills were not large, they were covered in dense forest—clearly unused and secluded.
This was exactly what she needed.
She could secretly build a training ground inside without anyone noticing.
..
The next day, they went to the government office and completed the transfer. The land deeds were finalized, and Manager Feng left in a hurry.
After leaving the office, Chun Tao handed a pouch to Liu Zhuangtou.
“This is our Miss’s token of thanks. Thank you for your help.
Also, our Miss prefers privacy and quiet. We hope this matter ends here.”
Liu Zhuangtou weighed the pouch in his hand and felt its heaviness, instantly delighted.
This Sixth Miss was unexpectedly generous.
Who spread those rumors that she was a poor girl driven out of the Marquis household?
Buying two hills so easily with hundreds of taels—poor? Are you kidding me?
If that’s being poor, I wouldn’t mind being poor myself.
Wang Yutong did not pay attention to when he left. Instead, she and Hong Shan began seriously discussing how to renovate the estate at the foot of the hill.
Repairs, labor, hiring workers, estimated costs, and future maintenance—all of it required careful planning.
After a long discussion, Hong Shan hesitated before speaking.
“Miss… I have some brothers who were injured and disabled during military service.
Could… could you perhaps give them a chance?
They may have disabilities and might be slightly slower at work, but they are absolutely loyal and never lazy.”
Wang Yutong’s small face immediately tightened. She looked at him coldly.
“Hong Shan. Is this the old Marquis’s intention?”
Hong Shan stiffened instantly, realizing she had misunderstood.
He quickly waved his hands.
“No, Miss! Not at all! This is my own idea!
We were all once under the old Marquis. After being injured, we had nowhere to go. The old Marquis took pity on us and arranged places for us to live.
But there are too many injured brothers, and even the old Marquis cannot support all of us.
Moreover, if too many of us gather together, it might attract suspicion from those in power.
So many brothers are living very difficult lives…”
He trailed off, unable to continue.
Only then did he remember—this “Miss” was just a six-year-old girl who had always lived in a Marquis household. How could she understand how harsh life was for disabled men like them?
But Hong Shan did not know.
Inside this child’s body was an adult soul.
Wang Yutong understood perfectly well.
In this era, ordinary families worked themselves to exhaustion all year, and after taxes and corvée labor, they might only save three to five taels of silver—if no one got sick.
One illness could wipe out everything and even lead to debt.
She looked at Hong Shan quietly.
After a moment, her expression softened slightly.
Although she was now living outside the Marquis residence, she had not been officially expelled. She still counted as part of the Marquis household and could still rely on its protection.
She was still too weak.
For now, she still needed the Marquis’s name to deter certain hidden threats.
So maintaining some connection with the Marquis household was not necessarily a bad thing.
However…
If she was going to maintain ties, she needed to carefully decide who she would tie herself to.