Shen Yun said, "It's not right in principle, but if you wish to stay, then stay."
He had an air of someone who was letting Su Xiaoqi handle all matters of the household.
Su Xiaoqi actually wanted to tell him that as the plot progressed, she had remembered something.
It might be related to Shen Yun's origins.
And this family was from a place connected to Shen Yun's background.
That was why when her heart stirred, she had kept them.
While there was an element of sympathy for Huaihua, it was undeniable that her intentions were not entirely pure.
Su Xiaoqi had done too much that day and was tired, so she went to bed early.
The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Su Xiaoqi woke up. She vaguely heard voices in the backyard.
It sounded like newly hired people who didn't understand the rules, speaking too loudly, but they were quickly silenced by another person.
Silence was restored.
Su Xiaoqi shook her head, thinking that wherever there were people, there were conflicts. Since she had chosen this path, she would have to learn to adapt to her current life.
After breakfast, He Qiulei sent Guo'er to deliver a message.
He arrived excitedly, saying that the Mengya people had found a suitable manor and asked if she wanted to buy it.
Upon hearing that a manor was available, Su Xiaoqi immediately became interested.
She notified Shen Yun of the outer courtyard, and they both went to the flower hall to discuss it with He Qiulei.
"There are two manors, one small and one large. The large one has more land, and the small one has a hot spring. The price is the same."
"I want the one with the hot spring," Su Xiaoqi decided without hesitation.
He Qiulei looked at Shen Yun. He thought that since he was also the master of the house, he should probably ask him.
But Shen Yun nodded directly, telling him to proceed with the matter.
His decision, if asked, would be to support his wife's decision.
As he reached the doorway, He Qiulei remembered to inform the couple that the hot spring manor belonged to the Jia family.
Furthermore, hot spring manors on the outskirts of the capital were highly sought after. They could buy it, but whether they could keep it was another matter.
Therefore, his suggestion was for them to buy the larger manor.
"Why not take both?" Su Xiaoqi said directly.
She thought about the money she had on hand.
She had brought fifty thousand taels of silver notes when she left Mianzhou City.
The two manors they had just discussed cost exactly that amount.
She had great use for them, so since she had the opportunity now, she might as well buy them together.
"Ah..." He Qiulei thought he had misheard and vigorously dug his ears.
But after confirming Su Xiaoqi's true intentions once more, he realized he hadn't misheard.
He subconsciously looked at Shen Yun again. Although he already knew that in the Shen family, this gentle and courteous Shen Jieyuan listened to his wife in everything.
But now, it was a business worth fifty thousand taels. Should he say something?
However, He Qiulei was destined to be disappointed.
Although Shen Yun spoke, he did not stop Su Xiaoqi. Instead, he said that the money was earned by his wife through her business, and she could spend it as she pleased.
He Qiulei understood. Facing Su Xiaoqi's smiling face, he readily agreed and asked if they wanted to see them in person.
Unexpectedly, both of them shook their heads and said they would leave it to him to handle.
"I believe that with Second Young Master He's discerning eye, ordinary manors would surely not appeal to you," Su Xiaoqi added.
He Qiulei spread his hands. Fine, with her saying that, he couldn't possibly cut corners.
He became more solemn about it than if he were buying a manor for himself.
After making several trips, fortunately, the two manors were adjacent, both at the foot of Fengyang Mountain in the southern part of the city.
This prevented him from getting too tired from running around.
He quickly inspected the manors, took the silver notes given by Su Xiaoqi, and completed the paperwork.
He delivered them to Su Xiaoqi that afternoon.
"So fast." At that moment, Su Xiaoqi was in Shen Yun's study, working on a business plan with him.
He Qiulei nodded and said that the manors were hard to get, and many people were watching them, so they had to act quickly, otherwise, they might change hands by tomorrow.
"So popular." Su Xiaoqi gasped, thinking that the capital was indeed the capital, and the rich were as numerous as the carp in the river.
Fortunately, she had prepared ample funds before coming to the capital, otherwise, she might not have been able to afford it even if she wanted to.
As he spoke, He Qiulei asked her if she still wanted to open a shop.
After inspecting for some time, Su Xiaoqi increasingly felt that doing business in the capital was very promising.
However, all her money had been used to buy the manors, so even if there was a suitable shop, she couldn't open one now.
He Qiulei seized the opportunity to suggest that he had shops in his possession and if she needed one, he could...
"Let's not talk about this for now. I'll think about it again. It's almost time for spring planting, so I should go check on the manors first."
He Qiulei was not discouraged by being politely refused again. He would find an opportunity eventually.
He had taken a good look at Su Xiaoqi. Seeing how a small beggar with no background could run such a large business, he deeply felt her capabilities.
Therefore, sticking close to her was definitely the right move.
As they were talking, Li Shushao came to report that someone claiming to be an old acquaintance had arrived.
"Old acquaintance..." Su Xiaoqi mumbled, and then saw Shen Yun mouth the word: "Zhao Ye."
Su Xiaoqi suddenly realized and whispered to correct him, "His name is Liang Jingchen now."
He Qiulei stiffened upon hearing the name.
He might be somewhat unfamiliar with the name Liang Jingchen.
But with Liang being the imperial surname, and being in the capital, it was likely that this person's status was very noble.
However, hearing the words of these two, it seemed the visitor was acquainted with them.
His mind began to race.
Soon, Liang Jingchen was invited in.
He did not come empty-handed.
He had brought a full cart of goods, which his accompanying guards were unloading one by one.
Su Xiaoqi looked up and saw exquisite and beautiful fabrics, as well as precious ornaments, food, and furs. Even stationery and art supplies were included.
It showed how thoughtful he was.
Su Xiaoqi stepped forward, intending to curtsy, but before she could complete the bow, Liang Jingchen supported her, lifting her up.
"Xiaoqi, why are we being so polite?" Liang Jingchen's voice was clear and clean, sounding as if it had been cleansed by a mountain stream, making one feel comfortable from head to toe.
Shen Yun also stepped forward to greet him. Liang Jingchen did not show favoritism and exempted him from the bow as well.
Then he said he had brought them some small items. His residence had plenty, and he couldn't use it all, so he had asked his subordinates to pack some.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the items that filled half the flower hall and couldn't help but shake her head, saying he was too polite, that he didn't need to bring gifts when he came.
And not only did he bring gifts, but he brought so many. Those who knew would say he was polite, but those who didn't might think he had moved in.
Liang Jingchen's heart stirred, and he looked at Su Xiaoqi with extreme seriousness, saying emotionally:
"How can these small items replace the grace of saving my life? It's just a small token of my appreciation. Are you going to refuse this as well, Xiaoqi?"
Liang Jingchen spoke the standard official dialect of the capital.
Because he had never spoken in Mianzhou City, he had not picked up the accent of Bashu.
Changing his way of speaking was as smooth as learning to speak anew.
As the two reminisced, not only He Qiulei, but even Shen Yun felt superfluous.
However, He Qiulei was a social butterfly. He seized the opportunity to speak, finally catching Liang Jingchen's attention.
His dark eyes turned to He Qiulei, and his handsome face twitched slightly. Hearing He Qiulei's self-introduction, he said, "He family, are you related to the new Guozijian Jijiu, He Qiu Miao?"
"My brother, He Qiu Miao is my elder brother." When He Qiulei heard that this noble with the imperial surname recognized his brother, he felt that his previous effrontery in striking up a conversation was entirely worth it.
"Oh, that's quite good," Liang Jingchen praised subtly, but he had no further words for him, and turned his gaze to Shen Yun.
Hoping he would see them out.