Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 94 - 92: 100,000 Taels and 100 Taels

Xiao’er returned to her room, entered her spatial dimension, picked a leaf, crushed it, and applied the juice on her wound. The wound healed immediately, but she couldn’t let others know. She quickly wrapped her neck with gauze and changed into a high-necked dress. She no longer dared to use too many leaves for Mrs. Liu. Instead, she just dripped some of the juice onto crushed ice and then wrapped it up to bring it out for Mrs. Liu.

The family just happened to walk in as Xiao’er handed Mrs. Liu the ice pack. "Mother, apply it to your face. I’ve added some herbal medicine to the ice," she said.

"Let me do it!" Shen Chengyao took the ice bag and helped Mrs. Liu apply it to her face. Looking at Mrs. Liu’s swelling face, he felt heartbroken and guilt.

Mrs. Liu took the ice pack and applied it herself. She felt awkward doing this in front of her children. After a while, she noticed her face wasn’t hurting anymore.

"Xiao’er, your wound...are you okay?"

"I’m fine. I’ve applied medicine and it doesn’t hurt anymore," she replied.

"Mother’s face also doesn’t hurt anymore. Your Master’s medicine is really miraculous. Your grandmother’s hand was so heavy. What would have happened if she’d scratched your face and damaged your looks!" she said indignantly. Did her own granddaughter need to suffer before she could feel better?

Xiao’er didn’t want to bring up the past again, so she asked, "Father, how skilled is Uncle Four in ironwork?"

"Your Uncle Four is diligent in learning and many people praise his work," Chengyao replied.

"Father, do you remember the junk shop I bought last time?"

"I do, why do you ask? Are you planning to buy something again?"

"No, the shop went bankrupt and is now for sale. I want to buy it and turn it into an iron shop. Last time, I asked Brother Shangguan to help me with the iron processing paperwork and he has completed it." Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu had not asked about any New Year gifts because they had just returned from prison and had lots of household chores. Therefore, they did not know about the iron processing paperwork.

"Wow, he really got you the iron processing paperwork?" Shen Chengyao was stunned. Salt, tea, and iron were heavily regulated. There was great profit to be made, especially from salt as people could not live without it. Without salt, soldiers would not even have the strength to fight. Chengyao, as a commoner, knew this well. Iron was involved in weaponry and farming and thus was also very important.

Just how powerful is Young Master Shangguan? Obtaining the iron processing paperwork was done so casually with only a word from his daughter.

"Young Master Shangguan indeed treats us very well," Mrs. Liu commented.

"Yes, he also gave Brother, Wen, and I a recommendation letter for Juxian Academy." Brother Shangguan was obviously the kindest person in the world.

"Wow, that’s truly extraordinary! Young Master Shangguan is our family’s benefactor. His kindness to us is immense." Juxian Academy was nationally renowned with numerous scholars graduating from there. Many aspiring students came there from all over the country, but the academy’s threshold was high. Even noble children needed a sponsor to take the entrance exam. Exceptional scholarly students from commoner backgrounds also needed someone to recommend them and only then could they take the exam and enrol.

Shen Zixuan was admitted based on his own merits. Shen Jingwen also took the exam every year, but he had not passed yet.

"You three must study hard in the upcoming period. I heard the entrance exam for Juxian Academy is quite difficult." All three nodded in agreement.

"Father, I want to open an iron shop and partner with Uncle Four. We can split the profits fifty-fifty. What do you think? I can think of some new inventions for Uncle Four to create." She had given the formula for cement to Shangguan Xuanyi and wondered if he had managed to manufacture it. If he had, steel bars would become essential for building houses, bridges, and roads. She also wanted to create bicycles and threshing machines, all of which would involve iron. Hence, owning an iron shop was crucial.

"That’s great! Your Uncle Four has helped our family a lot. He has been working in that shop for many years. He should have gotten a raise, but never did. Luckily, the contract ends this year. Your Uncle Four was just wondering whether to continue working in that shop. The shop owner said he would only raise the wages by 100 coins."

"This is perfect timing. Your Aunt Four must be thrilled to hear the news." Mrs. Liu was also delighted.

"We should invite Uncle Four to inspect the shop and see if it suits his needs."

"Uncle Four is free today. Let’s go see the shop right away. I’ll go call him."

"I’ll stay here with mother and prepare the New Year gifts for Uncle Yao. When father comes back, we can set off directly."

Two hours later

The group first delivered the New Year gifts and then arrived at Shunyi Broker’s Shop. Broker Yang immediately greeted them, "Brother Shen, it’s been a while. I heard that you recently moved to a new place. Congratulations."

In the past, whenever Shen Chengyao wanted to search for short-term work in the town, he would ask at this broker’s place. After a few interactions, the two became familiar. Broker Yang liked to introduce short-term work to Shen Chengyao for his commitment and diligence. Every time he finished his work, the employer would praise him as being honest, hardworking, proactive, and having great tenacity.

Exchanging a couple of greetings with him, Shen Chengyao stated his purpose.

"The junk shop on Guangning Street?" Broker Yang frowned upon hearing this.

"Yes, that one, has it been sold?"

"Not exactly. The shop is located in a prime location, attracting many inquiries. But the owner insists on meeting the buyer personally before quoting a price. When I bring interested buyers to him, he always quotes 100,000 taels. Everyone thinks he is insane, even if the shop was perfect it wouldn’t be worth 100,000 taels. With that amount of money, one could buy up the whole town."

Hearing this, even Shen Chengyao began to think that the owner must be crazy. A hundred thousand taels is an outrageous amount! Who has that kind of money to spend on the shop? Even if they did, why would they spend it on that shop? ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"Does he not want to sell?" Xiao’er speculated that the exorbitant price was a sign that he did not wish to sell.

"Not exactly. He said he is waiting for the right person. I will take you both to see the shop. He is still living in the backyard of the premises, perhaps you are the destined people he has been waiting for. If not, I have several other properties nearby that I can show you."

"Alright, thank you, Manager Yang."

The broker’s place was close to the junk shop, and it was only a short walk before they arrived. After knocking on the door, a sleepy voice from inside asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s me, Broker Yang. I’ve brought some people to see the shop."

The door creaked open, and as the junk shop owner got a good look at Xiao’er and her companions, a light briefly sparked in his eyes. It was so swift that no one noticed.

"The shop has a fantastic location and is large. It also has a two-story backyard, five rooms in the main part of the house, five rooms on both the east and the west wings, storage rooms, a stable, and a garden. There are also about two acres of vacant land in the back."

Manager Yang introduced the place while they walked around it.

Xiao’er knew the shop was spacious. This owner kept an abundance of everything in a huge pile, available for sale, including even old boards, old wardrobes, old stools, and old tables. Who could blame her for finding it messy and chaotic when she first visited! Now, having cleaned out all the old stuff, the place left her feeling satisfied, very satisfied indeed!

Shen Chengyao also liked it, but it was too expensive, and he couldn’t afford it.

"Miss, what do you think of this shop?" The junk shop’s owner looked at Xiao’er nervously, wondering if Master Yunfa was right. This was his last hope.

"It’s very good. How much are you selling this shop for?" She asked, indicating she intended to purchase it.

"100 taels."

Broker Yang jumped at the price. From 100,000 taels to 100 taels? The gap was enormous!

Xiao’er waited for him to continue. Given the size of the shop and the backyard, even in this town, it would bring at least 600-700 taels. Judging by how uniquely he was pricing it for her, there had to be some condition to the sale.

"However, I have a condition, Miss. I need you to help me heal someone."

"But I’m not a doctor. I don’t know how to treat diseases." Xiao’er declined. She was not so willing to dispense anything from her special space. This man, with whom she had never interacted before and who had altered his voice intentionally, while she didn’t sense any malintent from him, she wouldn’t risk it for a small advantage.

"I know, but you can certainly heal her!"

"How can I possibly heal her if I don’t know how to treat diseases?" Xiao’er deliberately adopted a skeptical look.

"My wife’s name is Anyi." The junk shop owner then lowered his voice to a whisper so that only Xiao’er could hear it, "Master Yunfa once mentioned that she and Miss are old acquaintances!"

Hearing that name, even the always calm Xiao’er’s face changed, "Where is she? Take me to her."