Chapter 234: Chapter 234: An Indirect Confession
Qu Fulan’s method is rather unscrupulous; it might hurt and offend two men at once.
It’s naturally offensive to Heir Pei, and harmful to Xiao Shiqing, for in Xiao Shiqing’s eyes, she is his bygone lover.
But when trimming grass, one must remove the roots; otherwise, it will sprout again in the spring breeze.
"Actually, I..." Qu Fulan had just begun to speak when two men interrupted her.
"This is a matter between me and him that needs resolution, you don’t need to worry." The two spoke in unison, a rare moment of coordination.
Qu Fulan’s mouth twitched, was she just an extra?
"How do you plan to resolve it?"
One insisted on seeing her, and two old foes inevitably met, unable to speak peacefully, resulting in arguments. To avoid this, the method was to have Xiao Shiqing not come looking for her anymore?
What methods could they have?
"A duel."
"A duel."
Again, speaking in unison.
"A duel?" Qu Fulan asked, puzzled, how did it come to a duel?
Qu Fulan could not understand, but the two men were clear in their minds.
The loser would have no right to appear by her side, as far away as possible.
"Do you mean to keep fighting; I do not agree," Qu Fulan opposed.
They are all noble sons and heirs, if they get hurt fighting, people trace the cause back to her, thinking she is a calamity causing two outstanding men to fight, how could she live?
Even the emperor might directly sentence her to death upon knowing.
"Fighting is pointless. With the winter hunt coming, winning through skill, Xiao Shiqing, do you agree?" Pei Ji’an proposed.
"Exactly what I intended," Xiao Shiqing replied coldly.
Fighting endlessly indeed leads nowhere, unable to determine victory, just wasting time.
Winter hunt?
Qu Fulan was aware that in ancient times, emperors or princes conducted winter hunts, considered grand outdoor activities in the winter.
Victory is determined by the amount of prey obtained.
This method indeed is good, whoever hunts more wins; this is the fairest approach.
However, the two enemies for the sake of rivalry competed in the winter hunt, which is absurd.
As for the consequences of winning or losing, Qu Fulan could guess: the loser would avoid the winner when seen, or take a detour.
In such a scenario, naturally, Qu Fulan hoped Heir Pei would win, after all, if he won, Xiao Shiqing could no longer come looking for her here; this was Heir Pei’s territory.
Speaking of Heir Pei’s territory, Qu Fulan thought of this house as well, which was also Heir Pei’s.
After the agreement between the two men, Xiao Shiqing no longer had reason to stay. He handed over what he brought to Qu Fulan, and though Qu Fulan refused, Xiao Shiqing left things and departed, saying she could dispose of them at will.
After feeling speechless for a while, Qu Fulan still asked someone to pack the items, planning to donate them later, as she did not want them.
After Xiao Shiqing’s departure, Qu Fulan spoke with Heir Pei about the house issue.
Once one lives somewhere for a long time, they actually don’t wish to move; just like in modern times, who likes moving around constantly when renting? It’s tiring both mentally and physically.
Renting someone else’s house is leasing; why can’t she rent his? Besides, she had no enmity with the landlord/Heir Pei, and the key was he cared about their mutual cooperation and intentionally helped her, thus renting her this house.
Qu Fulan was very grateful for this, and also more determined to make more money for Heir Pei. Who wouldn’t love a caring and righteous boss?
Living in the world is all about connections, isn’t it? Without connections, one’s a lone individual, negotiating business connections would be out of the question.
The key point is she was paying rent.
If the rent price was unreasonable, it could be discussed further.
Qu Fulan planned to negotiate the rent with Heir Pei; actually, she wanted to buy this house instead, considering Heir Pei owned many properties. Could he sell one to her, his loyal collaborator?
Qu Fulan had inquired about the property prices in Capital City, in other areas, five thousand taels could buy a three-entry house with a garden.
Take Ren Hua’s house in Capital City as an example; bought early at one thousand taels, it appreciated, now starting at five thousand taels.
As for more prime locations, prices might rise to ten or twenty thousand taels.
But in places like Gaoyi Lane, Qu Fulan couldn’t probe the market, like the mediator said before, offering a thousand taels a month still didn’t guarantee rental, meaning the owner didn’t care about money, so such houses had no fixed prices and depended solely on the owner’s thoughts.
"If Heir Pei wanted to sell this house, how much would he sell it for?" Qu Fulan began probing for prices.
Pei Ji’an was drinking tea, looked up on hearing, "You want to buy?"
Qu Fulan felt slightly embarrassed, "I understand this house is invaluable, but the rent is too cheap, I feel guilty. If Heir Pei were willing to sell, I’d be willing to buy it with a down payment and monthly installment, doesn’t matter how many years it takes to pay off the remaining amount, what does Heir Pei think?"
Anyway, she would strive to earn money, not afraid of failing to repay the mortgage.
If she could buy it, she wouldn’t fear people coming to stir trouble in the future.
Heir Pei’s expression didn’t show disdain nor impatience, indicating he wasn’t resistant to her idea of purchasing his house.
Whether he’d agree was uncertain.
Qu Fulan felt slightly nervous.
Living in some places for a long time also forms an attachment, especially since Gaoyi Lane’s security was high, which was the best choice for a woman.
Pei Ji’an set down his teacup without speaking immediately, his expression seemed contemplative.
Qu Fulan thought he might be in a dilemma, so she said, "If it’s not doable, forget it. This kind of house is priceless yet priceless, my words might seem difficult, Heir Pei might take it as bantering. But regarding the rent, I think Heir Pei should seriously consider it, ten taels a month are too cheap for me."
No one dislikes getting good deals, but considering the long haul, if someone seeks trouble, this ten taels a month would be a point for their attack, and she wouldn’t have the grounds to refute.
Pei Ji’an contemplated before asking, "What are down payment and monthly installment?"
Qu Fulan: "..."
"Like, for instance, the house’s price being too high, and I don’t have the money to pay in one go, to show sincerity, I’d first give a portion of deposit, like out of ten layers, giving three layers first, then the remaining seven layers paid monthly, until fully paid."
Pei Ji’an smiled, "Your idea is quite novel."
Qu Fulan thought: It’s an overstatement, all learned from modern unscrupulous capitalists.
Yet Heir Pei’s next words left Qu Fulan completely at a loss.
Pei Ji’an said, "But I originally intended to gift this house to you."
...
Being favorites in the emperor’s eyes, Pei Ji’an and Xiao Shiqing know news faster than others.
Two days later, the emperor ordered this year’s winter hunting trip towards the southeast Yao Mountain.
The news arrived while Madam Pei was in Qu Fulan’s house eating pig’s knuckles, with grease all over her mouth; hearing it made her very happy.
Though her legs weren’t convenient, just being able to go out and watch the bustle brought her joy.
"I’ll take you with me then, I’ll teach you hunting, it’s so much fun."
Qu Fulan, engrossed in examining account books, absent-mindedly replied, okay.