Seeing that Jiang Yuwei had sat down, Manager Li also sat down at the table.
“This shop is my family’s ancestral property, and it should sell for at least four hundred taels.”
Jiang Yuwei frowned, looked around the shop again, and then looked at Manager Li and said:
"Manager Li is really asking for an exorbitant price. I know a bit about the housing prices in the capital. You can't fool me. I sincerely want to buy this shop. If you really want to sell, Manager Li, then name your price."
After Jiang Yuwei finished speaking, she waited a while and, seeing that Manager Li looked troubled, smiled and said:
"Manager Li, if you can give me a reasonable price right now, I can go back and scrape together some money to give you cash. Your shop is no longer profitable, and it's pointless to waste time here all day. We might as well be more straightforward and get the deal done."
Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Manager Li gritted his teeth and said:
"Three hundred and eighty taels, that's the lowest I can offer. If you're satisfied, you can go to the government office to transfer the property tomorrow."
Jiang Yuwei pondered for a moment and then smiled:
"Three hundred and fifty taels. If possible, I will bring the silver over tomorrow."
As the two were talking, they saw several burly men enter from outside.
"Li Laolai, you're still alive!"
Upon hearing the voice, Manager Li shuddered in fright and quickly turned to look.
"Oh my, isn't this Brother Gui? What brings you here today?"
Gui Ge glared fiercely at Manager Li, then kicked the chair in front of him.
"If I hadn't come, were you planning to just not pay back the money you owe our casino?"
Seeing this, Manager Li quickly put on a smiling face and said:
"Brother Gui, what are you saying? I can't possibly owe you money, no matter who I owe. You see, I'm trying to find a way to get the money."
As he spoke, Manager Li pointed to the "For Sale" sign hanging outside the door.
That guy glanced at it and cursed:
"Are you fucking asking for it? You know perfectly well I can't read, yet you still want me to read!"
As Gui Ge spoke, he slammed his hand on the table in front of him, a single blow so terrified Manager Li that his knees buckled and he nearly knelt down.
"No, no, Brother Gui, that's not what I meant. I meant that I'm about to sell this shop, and once I get the money, I'll come to you to pay back the money."
"Hmph, do you think I'm your father? You expect me to sell the shop and pay you back? I've been waiting for you for so long! Besides, do you think you can sell this shop in a day or two?"
Seeing this, Manager Li quickly waved his hand and said:
"No need, no need to wait. Do you see that lady sitting over there? She is my buyer. The money will be delivered tomorrow, and I will send it to you first."
Gui Ge looked Jiang Yuwei up and down suspiciously, then spoke in a gruff voice:
"Is what he said true? You can send him the money tomorrow?"
Jiang Yuwei stood up, walked to Manager Li's side, and smiled:
"Since Manager Li has other matters to attend to, I'll take my leave now. If you're willing to sell it for three hundred taels of silver, I'll bring the silver over tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Manager Li's eyes widened in surprise.
"No, didn't we just agree on three hundred and fifty taels? How did it suddenly become three hundred taels in such a short time?"
Jiang Yuwei glanced at Gui Ge, then turned slightly to look at Manager Li and smiled:
"If Manager Li is unwilling, then forget it."
As he spoke, he turned to leave, but Gui Ge glared at Manager Li and cursed:
"You old scoundrel Li, you're trying to scam me again!"
Seeing this, Manager Li quickly called out to Jiang Yuwei, saying:
"Wait, three hundred it is. You must come tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuwei stopped in her tracks, turned around, and smiled:
"Since Manager Li has agreed, let's sign a document. That way, we can both feel at ease, and this brother can trust you."
Before Manager Li could speak, Brother Gui, who was sitting to the side, spoke up:
"Alright, I think this lady is right. Write the document now, and I'll come to collect the money tomorrow afternoon. If you still can't pay by then, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Manager Li nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, and hurriedly went to get paper and pen to write out the document on the spot. The thirty taels of deposit that Jiang Yuwei gave to Manager Li were all taken by Brother Gui. Before leaving, he didn't forget to instruct Manager Li:
"Don't forget what I just said. If you don't see the money by tomorrow afternoon, you know what will happen to you!"
After saying that, he swaggered away with his gang of underlings.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuwei also said goodbye to the worried shopkeeper Li and agreed to go to the government office to transfer the property first thing tomorrow morning.
When Jiang Yuwei returned to the Jingwang Mansion, Xia Yue and Tie Zhu had already returned as well.
She intended to go back to her room and have Xia Yue bring the food to her room, but upon entering, she saw Ning Huaizhi there, helping Ning Wan learn to read.
"Madam, you're back."
Ning Huaizhi smiled and looked at Jiang Yuwei.
Jiang Yuwei was trying to avoid him at the moment. Whenever she saw Ning Huaizhi, she was reminded of their kiss last night, and her face flushed. She lowered her head and whispered:
"Yes, Xia Yue has prepared all the food. Why don't you go out to eat?"
Ning Huaizhi stood up and found her shy appearance rather adorable. He couldn't help but step forward and gently pat Jiang Yuwei's head, saying softly:
"Wan'er and I will wait for you to come back so we can eat together."
As he spoke, he turned to look at Ning Wan, who was still writing, and said:
"Wan'er, stop writing now. Your mother is back. Let's go eat."
Ning Wan put down her brush after hearing this, held up the calligraphy she had finished writing, and handed it to Jiang Yuwei, saying:
"Mother, look at my handwriting, isn't it good?"
Jiang Yuwei took the letter Ning Wan handed her, looked at it carefully, and smiled:
"Our Wan'er is really amazing. She has only been learning for a few days and her writing is already quite good. With more practice, she will definitely write even better."
Ning Wan nodded.
"Alright, Wan'er will listen to her mother and practice calligraphy more from now on."
Jiang Yuwei looked at Ning Huaizhi and said:
"Wan'er is not young anymore, and it's time for her to learn some knowledge. It was fine when she was in Ningjia Village, but now that she's in the capital, she should learn the arts like the other young ladies, such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. What others know, Wan'er naturally can't fall behind."
Ning Huaizhi nodded and said:
“Madam is so thoughtful. Right now, she can learn to write from me first. She can also get up early to learn some martial arts from Ning Zhao. It will not only help her to strengthen her body but also help her to defend herself. I have no respect for the young ladies in the capital who are all so weak and frail. Our Wan’er is different from them.”
Jiang Yuwei took Ning Wan's hand and nodded as they walked out, saying:
"Alright, I'll talk to the Princess Consort later and ask her to personally teach Wan'er to play chess. As for playing the zither and painting, we can take our time with them later. We'll find a teacher to properly instruct Wan'er when she's old enough."
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