It's a good thing that others are offering higher prices.

But Master Liang was in a bind. Most of the local merchants were small businesses, and who would be willing to spend so much money to buy this shop?

Someone who can spend a thousand taels at once is naturally very wealthy.

In Anping County, there is only one person this wealthy—

At Master Zhao's residence.

Gu An'an inquired and learned that Miss Zhao Qianqian from Master Zhao's mansion had heard that Gu An'an wanted to take over the Fragrant Pavilion. After being rejected by Jiang Mingzhu during the Qixi Festival, Zhao Qianqian had been unhappy ever since.

Now that they've finally got a chance, they're naturally going to stir things up.

"A thousand taels? Let's see if that poor wretch can afford such a high price."

Such a high price even made Magistrate Du envious; Master Zhao's household is truly wealthy.

They are much richer than the county government.

The man who had just returned from the pig farm washed up and changed his clothes. "Here's what we'll do. We'll ask Madam Gu what she thinks. If she intends to raise the price again, we'll invite her and the young lady from Master Zhao's mansion to come over and have them bid face to face. Whoever bids the highest price can take the shop."

Upon hearing this, Master Liang hesitated slightly. "Sir, is this appropriate?"

They have a partnership with Madam Gu, so wouldn't this drag Madam Gu into this mess?

It feels somewhat inhumane.

Magistrate Du washed his face again. "I have a brilliant plan. You may go now."

Master Liang didn't quite understand, but he still reminded Gu An'an, "This Miss Zhao is very wealthy, and her father is the richest merchant in Anping County. If Manager Gu feels it's not appropriate, then you can just give it to her."

These words made Gu An'an laugh. "There's nothing wrong with it. The highest bidder wins. Miss Zhao may have a thousand or eight hundred taels of pocket money, but I don't think she can afford to spend five thousand taels of silver to buy this shop."

Master Liang clicked his tongue in amazement upon hearing this: five thousand taels.

So, does that mean Manager Gu's bottom price is around this amount?

They're really rich! I probably won't even have five thousand taels in my entire life.

"Alright, I'll have to trouble Manager Gu to go to our county government office tomorrow morning. The magistrate will be in charge of it personally."

"No problem, no problem."

After seeing Master Liang off, Gu An'an turned around and saw Liu Jiuniang looking worried. "Little Gu, maybe we should just call it quits."

The people do not fight with the officials.

This Master Zhao is wealthy, and besides, he is related to the prefect by marriage.

If you offend them, you might have a hard time in the future.

Besides, it was just an ordinary shop, not worth five thousand taels of silver. That would have bought half a street.

Gu An'an laughed, "People like us, we'll fight for our pride, we can't just let it go like this. Let's talk about it when we meet tomorrow, who knows who will win."

"Did she really say that?"

The servant replied repeatedly, "I was eating there at the time and heard it clearly. She said she was determined to take over this shop."

Zhao Qianqian chuckled upon hearing this, "You'd have to have the ability to do that. Trying to get it for five thousand taels of silver is just a pipe dream."

The Zhao family is so wealthy and powerful, surely they can afford ten thousand taels?

She wanted to see just how much money Gu An'an could afford!

"Alright, thank you for your hard work." He tossed a piece of silver over and said, "Go now."

She had made up her mind. She would bring 50,000 taels of silver notes tomorrow and scare the woman senseless.

If you dare to disrespect her, this is the consequence!

Jiang Mingzhu also heard about this. "Mother, is it because of me?" She had previously refused Miss Zhao's invitation to celebrate the Qixi Festival together.

"Silly child, this has nothing to do with you. She has money to burn."

But Jiang Mingzhu was still a little uneasy. "I'll go with my mother tomorrow."

"I'm going too! I want to go too! Your Majesty, please take Bao'er and my elder sister with you!"

Gu An'an looked at her little daughter clinging to her thigh, put down her needlework, and started making socks for Jiang Mingxu.

"Alright, Bao'er will come too. So, you won't be studying with your brother tomorrow?"

The little girl snuggled into Gu An'an's arms, saying, "We can study again the day after tomorrow, but tomorrow is only once."

"Oh, you're quite the clever one, you can tell the difference pretty clearly."

Gu An'an pinched the little girl's nose, wondering who the child's biological mother was. The four siblings didn't look alike, so she guessed they took after their mother.

Bao'er nestled in Gu An'an's arms, saying, "Brother and teacher have taught me well."

"Good, it's because your brother and teacher taught them well. I'll buy them a gift later, okay?"

Bao'er sweetly agreed.

Jiang Mingzhu tickled her from the side, "What's wrong, Bao'er? Your brother taught you well, and your sister has nothing to do with it, right?"

Upon hearing this, the little girl quickly explained, "My older sister is very kind too. She also taught Bao'er to recite poems."

Gu An'an couldn't help but laugh when she saw the anxious little girl. Although Jiang Mingxu's absence from home had reduced the fun, with Bao'er around, the glorious tradition of being a fence-sitter had still been inherited.

I don't know who he looks like.

Jiang Yong'an? Is he a fence-sitter?

Gu An'an suddenly remembered their three-year promise.

Perhaps she was truly infatuated at the time; how could she have agreed to this man's three-year promise?

That damn man.

The man Gu An'an was talking about was listening to Lao Liu say, "Mingxu is doing well in Medicine King Valley. The news that Medicine King Valley is going to be rebuilt has been spread recently, and I have sent a few brothers there to work."

"Be careful not to reveal your whereabouts."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!