With the exquisite orchid in front of him, Manager Hu was no longer in a hurry. He was determined to buy the orchid anyway, and the only thing left was the price.
"Miss Xue, I wonder where you got this orchid?"
"My father dug this orchid from the mountains two years ago, but it never bloomed until yesterday. Because my family is in urgent need of money, we had to sell it. If Manager Hu is sincere about buying it, please give me a fair price."
Xue Huan spoke directly without beating around the bush.
Manager Hu pondered for a moment and then quoted a price: "Eight hundred taels. What do you think, Miss Xue?"
When Xue Huan heard the price, she knew that she had obviously underestimated the value of the orchid, because judging from the attitude of Manager Hu in quoting the price, the price obviously still had a lot of room for increase.
"Manager Hu, you must be aware that the price is negotiable, but I'm not going to raise it any further. Just eight hundred taels, but I have a small request."
Manager Hu: "You say."
The butler had previously told him the price, that anything below two thousand taels could be bought directly, and his target price was one thousand five hundred taels. This way, at least five hundred taels could still go into his pocket.
Who would have thought that Miss Xue would actually agree to the offer for eight hundred taels.
If her request wasn't excessive, it wouldn't hurt to agree to it. After all, he could earn a full 1,200 taels from this deal!
"I want Manager Hu to exchange these eight hundred taels of silver for a house of equivalent value."
"This..." Manager Hu couldn't help but hesitate. It was easy to take out eight hundred taels, but the house of equal value was not so easy to take out.
"What if I don't agree?"
Xue Huan smiled slightly, "Then I'll have to find another buyer."
As he said this, he was about to take the orchid off the table.
Manager Hu hurriedly said, "Miss Xue, wait a minute."
He happened to own a small courtyard with two entrances. The location was good, quiet in the middle of a bustling city, the scenery inside was also very nice, and it was quite convenient for business. The people living around here were all wealthy people with some assets.
Originally, this was a gift from a wealthy businessman who asked him to help him with his connections. Now, a mistress of his lives there, and he likes to stay there for a night when he has nothing to do.
Such a comfortable nest would cost far more than eight hundred taels, perhaps even one thousand six hundred taels.
This Miss Xue said she wouldn't bargain, but her methods were much more ruthless than bargaining.
However, the orchid in front of him was truly rare. Apart from anything else, its fragrance was unique enough that his chest felt as if it were purified just by smelling it.
If you present such a treasure to the old lady, you might win her favor!
Compared with the future, a house seems insignificant.
After thinking about it, Manager Hu made a quick decision, "Okay, Miss Xue, do you want to come with me to see the house now?"
Xue Huan: "Let's do it now. If you're not satisfied, you can reject it sooner rather than later, so as not to delay Manager Hu's work."
Upon hearing this, Manager Hu's mouth twitched.
Guan Yue took the initiative to ask: "Brother Hu, do you mind if I come with you to see the world?"
He said he wanted to see the world, but in fact he just wanted to be there to help Xue Huan.
Manager Hu's eyes shifted from him to Xue Huan, and a knowing smile appeared on his face. "Okay, let's go now."
After coming out of the teahouse, he called the servant over and whispered a few words into his ear. The servant then quickly left.
The group came to Manager Hu's house in Qingyun Lane, Bajiao Street.
Bajiao Street gets its name from an octagonal well in the center of the street. In ancient times when there were no formal markets, people usually gathered near the well. There was a large flow of people here, and various vendors would sell their goods here. Over time, a commercial street naturally formed here.
Today, Bajiao Street has become the financial and commercial center of the county town, and its prosperity is astonishing.
However, after turning into Qingyun Lane, this residential area was very quiet, and only the noise outside could be faintly heard.
Because Manager Hu asked Xiao Si to come over in advance to give instructions, the concubine he kept here was already waiting in the hall. When she saw a group of people coming in, she ordered the servants to serve tea and snacks.
Having just come from the teahouse, Xue Huan wasn't thirsty. She picked up the teacup, touched her lips briefly, and then put it down. Manager Hu immediately understood: "Miss Xue, let me take you around the house."
Xue Huan stood up readily, and Pei Ji followed suit, holding a bamboo basket with the orchid in it.
The house is not very big, but it does not seem cramped either. Every corner is exquisite and the orientation is good. Most of the rooms, especially the master bedroom, are well-lit and bright.
Xue Huan read it once and was very satisfied.
"Miss Xue, what do you think?" When the group returned to the hall, Manager Hu asked Xue Huan what she thought.
Xue Huan didn't hide anything and said frankly, "This house is nice. I like it very much."
Next, the flowers and the goods will be exchanged.
As the saying goes, it's easier to get things done if you have someone in the court. From getting the house deed to completing the transfer procedures, thanks to the presence of Captain Guan Yu, the clerks in the county government were very efficient and everything was done in less than half a day.
If it were an ordinary person with no connections, it would probably take at least ten days or half a month.
Manager Hu got the orchid and Xue Huan got the house deed, and both parties were very satisfied.
Because he was anxious to get the orchid back to the Ye Mansion, Manager Hu didn't delay any longer. "If Miss Xue has any flowers or plants to sell next time, just come directly to me, Old Hu."
Xue Huan agreed with a smile, but she had no intention of making flower growing and selling her flowers her main business. After all, it was rare to cultivate a top-quality flower. If she could cultivate it frequently, wouldn't that be intentional to arouse suspicion?
Manager Hu took the orchid and got on the sedan chair and returned home, leaving Xue Huan and the other two alone.
"Captain Guan, thank you so much for this. It's noon now, so I'll treat you to a meal."
This time she came to the county town, in addition to selling flowers, there was actually another matter, which required the help of Captain Guan. Even if she didn't happen to meet him at the city gate, she planned to find him.
Guan Yue didn't refuse and agreed readily: "Okay."
Xue Huan: "Captain Guan, do you have any recommendations for places? I'm not familiar with this place either. But please don't save money on me, I can still afford a meal."
Guan Yue couldn't help but laugh. "Then let's go to Yingxianlou. Their crystal pork elbow and lion's head are both very good. By the way, Miss Xue, please stop calling me Captain Guan. I'm older than you, so I'll earn your nickname 'Big Brother'. How about that?"
Xue Huan immediately changed her tone: "Okay, Brother Guan, let's go to Yingxian Tower. You lead the way."
Pei Ji couldn't help but be attracted by a candy figurine stall when passing by it on the road. He had no chance to see these common things in the market in the palace.
Along the way, he followed Xue Huan's instructions and tried his best to act like a cool and taciturn tool man, but whenever he saw something interesting, his eyes couldn't help but sparkle.
Xue Huan noticed and followed his gaze. She saw a stall selling candy figurines. She told Guan Yue to wait a moment and simply took him over. She asked him, "What kind do you want?"
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