PEASANT WOMAN'S DECREED LIFE AS A WIFE

Chapter 1161: Chapter 1158: Suspicions

Tang Dongfeng presented a map of the capital, upon which three circles were drawn.

“These shops are all east of the city, the shops in the West City are fundamentally owned by the nobility, and they can’t be bought even with silver.”

“East of the city is the most appropriate, that area is inhabited by wealthy merchants, or officials of relatively low rank from the capital, as well as some fallen noble families, where the situation isn’t so complicated.”

“The shops in East City include one, which Madam Hu from the Ministry of War Vice Minister’s family urgently needs to sell due to a pressing matter at home, priced at three thousand five hundred taels.”

“Another belongs to a merchant surnamed Zhong, who is also in urgent need of silver, thus selling it off, demanding three thousand taels.”

“Lastly, this one is from a family that I’ve been keeping an eye on and hesitating whether to sell the shop or not. Their family elder is this year’s top scholar from the Fu Family, a humble family from the Northern Region that’s not well-known. Having a top scholar in the family is already a great honor, but this doesn’t change the fact that the Fu Family is poor.”

“The top scholar Fu now holds the same position as the old man in the Hanlin Academy, and just the salary is barely enough for the whole family’s expenses. This shop was acquired by selling their old house and shop back home to gather the silver, but the Fu Family is really not cut out for doing business. Nowadays the shop doesn’t bring in much profit, sometimes not even making enough in a month and even losing money on bad days. Therefore, I have been inquiring with that shopkeeper, hoping to purchase it.”

After listening, Ye Muyu automatically thought of Chu Heng’s files. In there, the Ministry of War Vice Minister’s family was indeed the Luo family, and the second household of the Luo family and the third household only appeared harmonious on the surface. The second household of the Luo family has always wanted to supplant the third, and the illegitimate child from the third household was simply a pawn used by the second household to test the third.

Moreover, the second household of the Luo family stood behind Duke Zheng. Because of this, right before the New Year, Minister Luo from the Ministry of War was suspended due to a mistake, and the second household of the Luo family, aspiring to rise, willingly became Duke Zheng’s people, borrowing his connections to replace the third household’s position in the Ministry of War, and even, going forward, would be promoted to Chief of Staff of the Ministry of War.

Her faith in this Luo family shop warranted deliberation; she did not believe that the other side was unaware of her desire to purchase the shop.

As for the merchant surnamed Zhong, Ye Muyu had no understanding of his identity and couldn’t just recklessly buy from him; even if there was enough silver at home, she would not risk her life for the sake of profit.

Apart from that, the top scholar Fu was someone who could easily be swayed, but also could not be fully trusted.

“Don’t be in a hurry to buy any of these shops. Let’s wait and see if they are anxious to sell, and in the meantime, investigate the situation of all three families. Even if the price is low, don’t buy. Losing some silver is better than being schemed against.” Ye Muyu had to speak plainly, fearing that Tang Dongfeng would hold onto false hopes, especially if the other party was deliberately laying a trap, which could be easily fallen for.

“No matter how good an opportunity you encounter, come back and report to me first before making any decisions. The Capital has not been stable lately.”

Tang Dongfeng’s expression became serious as he took her words to heart.

Early the next day.

Ye Muyu headed out to the Huo Residence.

Huo Zhengming was ultimately a noble official of the Second Rank, and his county government appeared better than the Chu family’s, but upon entering the residence, she found the decorations inside rather plain, devoid of anything very valuable; recalling that there was indeed not much profit to be had in the Hanlin Academy, she didn’t find it strange.

“Ah Yu, you’ve come. Please take a seat.” Madam Huo sat at the head, her face beaming with smiles upon seeing her: “Thank you so much for last time with Ke Wen. Had it not been for your help, Ke Wen’s health might have been even more adversely affected, and she would have carried the blame for harming someone else.”

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