When Madam Meng sent Zhao Cheng to bribe the broker, she only told him that she had reliable information that the Wei family was in a hurry to buy a house this time, and instructed the broker to recommend any expensive mansions to Madam Wei. She said that for a house costing 1300 taels, he should only quote 1800 taels, as Madam Wei wouldn't care about such a small amount. They would split the extra 500 taels between the two families. However, Zhao Cheng didn't mention his own family's name.

The broker probably never imagined that Zhao Cheng was also working for the Wei family. That's why he accepted Wei Shuwan's deposit but lied to Zhao Cheng that the deal hadn't gone through, intending to pocket the 500 taels of silver for himself!

Meng, who thought she had seen through everything, was very indignant. After dinner, she hurriedly sent Zhao Cheng to the brokerage firm again to question the broker about why he had betrayed her.

The broker showed no remorse: "After I took your twenty taels of bribe, I told Madam Wei what you said and that I had sold both of the small houses in the suburbs and the north gate!"

When he was traveling to see the Third Mistress of the Wei family in the afternoon, he was bumped by Zhao Cheng's carriage. Zhao Cheng apologized and invited him to get in the carriage to discuss compensation. However, he suddenly stuffed twenty taels of silver into his hand! Such generosity was obviously not for repair costs. He asked what it meant. Sure enough, Zhao Cheng wanted something from him and asked him to find a reason to refuse to sell those cheap houses when he saw the Third Mistress later.

According to the brokerage's rules, they would take two taels out of every ten taels. None of the houses that Madam Wei had her eye on cost more than five hundred taels, so the brokerage's share after the sale would not exceed ten taels. Moreover, they would have to split the profits with the owner, so he would only get less than five taels. Naturally, it was not as easy as refusing to sell the house and getting the twenty taels. Therefore, he agreed.

Zhao Cheng then asked him to recommend another expensive house for the third daughter of the Wei family. He thought for a moment and remembered a large house for sale on Xishui Street, priced at 1,300 taels. However, Zhao Cheng thought 1,300 taels was too cheap and asked him to lie and say 1,800 taels. The difference of 500 taels would be split between them, 30/70, with Zhao Cheng getting 70% and him getting 30%.

He was thinking that besides the brokerage fee, he could also get several cents in extra cash, plus a 20-tael commission. No matter how you looked at it, this deal was going to be a huge profit! So, blinded by greed, he agreed, but insisted on a 50/50 split, with each party getting half of the 500 taels!

Although the sale of the mansion didn't go through, he had refused to sell the smaller house as Zhao Cheng had advised, and he felt at ease having earned those twenty taels. He simply couldn't understand why this man had come knocking on his door again, demanding an explanation.

Although Zhao Cheng was somewhat intimidated by the man in front of him—after all, there weren't many people who were good at brokering deals—he still argued his case: "But you clearly received the five hundred taels deposit for that mansion, so why are you telling me the deal fell through?"

The broker was confused: "What five hundred taels deposit? Who told you that? I haven't seen a single coin!"

“Mrs. Wei herself said that she has already bought that mansion and paid you a deposit of five hundred taels of silver. How dare you deny it?!” Zhao Cheng said angrily.

The broker was no longer polite: "You're talking nonsense! I didn't accept it at all!"

...

The two argued back and forth, neither noticing a slender figure hidden in the shadows behind a tree trunk not far away.

Zi Qiao had overheard the conversation between the two clearly, and it was indeed much as her young lady had guessed. It turned out that the eldest son's family not only wanted to force the second son's family to buy them a large house, but also wanted to make extra profits from it.

The two outside were arguing more and more heatedly, and the broker was about to get angry and make a move. Zhao Cheng was only good at running errands, but when it came to a real fight, his small and thin body was no match for the broker, so he was frightened and ran away.

The broker returned to the brokerage firm, and Zi Qiao waited outside for a while before going in as well.

The broker recognized her at a glance as the personal maid of the third daughter of the Wei family, and treated her with great courtesy. Zi Qiao was also very generous, directly throwing a five-hundred-tael silver note in front of him.

"My daughter has decided to buy the house you recommended today. Here is a deposit of five hundred taels of silver. Tomorrow, please bring the landlord and the deed to the Wei family to settle the remaining balance."

"You...you bought it already? Doesn't Madam Wei want to go and take a look at the house?" The broker held the silver note in his hand, somewhat incredulous. He had been in this business for over a decade and had never seen a customer so quick to spend.

Zi Qiao simply smiled and said, "No need. My wife said she trusts you!"

The broker felt a little embarrassed by the compliment and scratched his head, asking, "Then, when is Madam Wei available tomorrow?"

"Noon."

The broker was slightly taken aback. "Noon? I'm afraid I'll disturb your meal."

"It's alright, just come on time tomorrow." With that, Zi Qiao nodded and turned to leave the pharmacy.

The broker, who had initially thought the deal had fallen through, was overjoyed. It seemed Zhao Cheng hadn't lied to him; Third Madam was indeed generous, but her subordinates had been a bit slow, causing the misunderstanding between the two. No matter, he could simply give Zhao Cheng half of the remaining 1,300 taels tomorrow after he received it.

...

The next day at noon, just as everyone was gathered in the dining hall of the Wei family mansion, the gatekeeper came to report that the brokers and the landlord were waiting to see them outside the door.

“Please invite them over,” Wei Shuwan said in front of everyone.

The people present had different expressions, and none of them dared to pick up their chopsticks again, sitting awkwardly in their chairs waiting.

Before long, the broker arrived with the landlord. In front of the Wei family, Wei Shuwan quickly signed the contract, called the accountant to pay the remaining 1,300 taels of silver, and then asked Ziqiao to see the broker and landlord off.

At this moment, Meng, who had been sitting silently at the table watching, gave a wink to the old woman beside her, who then turned and left to find Zhao Cheng.

Upon receiving the order, Zhao Cheng immediately drove his car to follow the broker and intercepted him at the alleyway.

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