Chapter 2144: The Deal with County Princess He Lu (Patreon)

Chapter 2144: The Deal with County Princess He Lu


Of course, there were advantages to a lowly marriage. If the bride's family was influential enough, they could exert pressure on the groom's family, ensuring that the bride wouldn't be mistreated.

However, there was a condition: the bride's family had to maintain their influence. Unfortunately, the Yongchang Marquis Residence had become embroiled in the Third Prince's rebellion at the end of the previous year. While the Yongchang Marquis Family had not been involved, they still got caught up in the incident.

Now, the Yongchang Marquis Residence had lost its former glory and had been sidelined for over a year. On the other hand, the Ministry of Personnel's assistant minister had accomplished quite a few impressive tasks in the past year and was gradually gaining favor with the Emperor.

With the bride's family losing power and the groom's family gaining it, it was easy to imagine the situation of Miss Cen.

But regardless of how well Miss Cen was faring, it had nothing to do with Shu Yu. Why had she come to her at this critical moment?

Hou Shi furrowed her brows and whispered, "Could she be here to cause trouble for you? I've heard her temper isn't great. Perhaps she heard that the person she once fancied, who was supposed to marry you, is warning you?"

Shu Yu's forehead twitched. She felt that Hou Shi, despite not often going out, had an impressive gossip-gathering ability.

She didn't know what the other party wanted from her, but since they had come, she might as well meet with them.

"Please bring her in," Shu Yu instructed.

Ying Xi left and soon returned with two people.

One appeared to be in her twenties, likely Miss Cen. She was followed by a nanny who seemed rather shrewd.

However, what surprised Shu Yu was that she had seen Miss Cen before. It was in the morning when she had accompanied Meng Yunzheng to the examination hall, and she had noticed a sudden change in the girl's expression upon hearing Yun's name. So, that was the reason... She had thought it odd at the time that someone could have such a strong reaction to a name.

Shu Yu carefully observed Miss Cen, who was also scrutinizing her. In the meantime, Hou Shi whispered softly to Shu Yu, "It seems Miss Cen hasn't been doing well."

Shu Yu noticed deep furrows between Miss Cen's eyebrows, the result of frequent frowning. She seemed to be dealing with quite a bit of trouble.

When she finished observing, Shu Yu smiled and asked, "I wonder what brings Madam here?"

Cen Yi pursed her lips. Although she had glanced hastily at the examination hall earlier, she now realized that Shu Yu's demeanor was far from ordinary. She didn't seem like someone from a small place. It was no wonder Meng Yunzheng had been captivated by her.

She unconsciously furrowed her brows and then quickly greeted with a nod. "I've heard of County Princess Lu's great name. I apologize for this abrupt visit. My surname is Cen, and I am a lady from the Yongchang Marquis Residence. My husband is the fourth son of the Ministry of Personnel's assistant minister. I wonder if County Princess has heard of me."

Shu Yu cast a glance at Hou Shi, who didn't seem to be the arrogant person she had described, and replied, "So you are Lady Zhou. Please have a seat. I have heard some rumors about you. I wonder why you have come to see me today."

Cen Yi took a seat and took a deep breath. "Since County Princess is aware, I won't say much. I have come today to propose a deal with County Princess."

Shu Yu, "..."

A deal?

Hou Shi glanced at her, as if to say, "See, I told you she was probably here to cause trouble. What kind of deal could you possibly have other than offering you money to leave Young Master Meng?"

Shu Yu, while not knowing Hou Shi's thoughts, had guessed somewhat from her expression. She thought, "It shouldn't be as melodramatic as I imagined."

Shu Yu took a sip of tea and smiled, "I wonder what kind of deal you want to make with me?"





Chapter 2145: The Offered Shop

Cen Yi was quite straightforward. She asked, "I heard that County Princess Lu has been looking for a suitable shop these days. Do you intend to open a store?"

Shu Yu nodded and said, "That's correct."

Her intention to open a shop in the capital was not a secret. She had met with a few people in the past few days, and her efforts to find a suitable location had become quite known.

Cen Yi continued, "I have a shop on Futai Street with a spacious storefront and a favorable layout. The location is excellent and well-suited for your needs. If County Princess finds it suitable, I am willing to sell it to you for a thousand taels less than the market price."

Shu Yu nearly choked on her tea in surprise. She stared at Cen Yi in astonishment and asked, "You want to sell me a shop?" And it's on Futai Street, of all places?

Futai Street was located at the border of the southern and western parts of the city, precisely the location Shu Yu had set her heart on.

However, despite her days of searching, she hadn't been able to find any available shops there, not even for rent. People said that shops on this street were highly sought after, and if one became vacant, it would be sold almost immediately, often within a day. Moreover, the shops on this street had rarely changed ownership.

It made sense—why would anyone sell a thriving business?

Shu Yu had been disappointed, resigned to exploring other locations. But now, someone was unexpectedly offering her a shop in that very spot. And to top it off, the person was her... romantic rival?

It was so unbelievable that not only Shu Yu but also Hou Shi was shocked.

After the shock came suspicion. Hou Shi had experienced the intrigues of the harem, where several women fought fiercely over one man. She knew all too well that when someone offered such a significant favor out of nowhere, they usually had ulterior motives.

Hou was worried that Shu Yu might act impulsively, so she was the first to speak up, asking, "Madam Zhou, what do you want? Since you mentioned it's a trade, the price County Princess He Lu has to pay must be significant. You..."

Cen Yi glanced at Hou Shi. She knew who Hou was, as her father-in-law and the Marquis of Wan both belonged to the Ministry of Personnel. The rumors about the Marquis of Wan's family were quite popular among the courtiers.

Cen Yi had met Hou Shi twice and had not expected that County Princess Lu would have such a good relationship with her.

When she heard Hou shi's words, she understood what the woman was thinking. She felt somewhat annoyed.

With a cold smile, Cen Yi retorted, "What do you think I want? Do you believe I still have lingering feelings for Xiao Gong... Meng Yunzheng? Actually, you don't need to be so wary of me. It's true that I was once captivated by Meng Yunzheng's appearance, but I've been married for four years now. I'm not so foolish as to engage in actions that would ruin my family's reputation. If I still had feelings for him, why would I wait until now to come forward?"

Meng Yunzheng had returned to the capital long ago, and there had been a lot of gossip about him recently. Some people had even deliberately brought up the topic in front of her to provoke her. Cen Yi knew about all of this.

She had intentionally waited for Meng Yunzheng to go to the examination hall before coming, just to avoid suspicion.

Shu Yu assumed that Cen Yi had no ulterior motives at this point. She asked, "Madam Zhou, could you please tell me what you want?"

Upon hearing Shu Yu's question, Cen Yi bit her lip and looked somewhat embarrassed. The confident woman who had been talking nonstop moments ago was now struggling to find the right words. She fell silent for a long time.

Seeing her hesitation, the nanny behind her became anxious and softly urged, "Young lady..."

Cen Yi finally said, "I understand." Under the encouraging gaze of her nanny, she looked at Shu Yu and said, "Could you introduce me to someone?"