Chapter 406: Market Conditions

"This one won't do, this one is also a bit unsuitable, this one... let's forget it for now."

From inside the private room came Cai'er's gentle yet slightly picky and troubled voice.

Cai'er gently set down the teacup in her hand, her gaze sweeping once more over the mansion blueprints presented by Manager Zhang, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she were not very satisfied with anything before her.

"Manager Zhang, I do not intend to make things difficult, but this mansion must suit my master's wishes; it must be secluded and elegant, convenient for travel, and the feng shui layout must not be neglected."

"I have long heard of the great reputation of the Four Seas Trading Firm; surely you wouldn't be unable to satisfy even this small request of mine?" Cai'er's voice was soft yet full of resilience.

Upon hearing this, beads of sweat could not help but seep from Manager Zhang's forehead. She forced herself to remain calm and replied with a fawning smile, "Madam is absolutely right, but there are indeed few mansions in this city that meet the conditions you described, and most are occupied by the powerful and wealthy."

"These are already the best choices I could gather; could it be that you already have a blueprint in mind, Madam?"

Cai'er shook her head gently, her gaze passing through the window lattice and casting toward the distance, as if searching for some answer.

"I don't have a blueprint, it's just that I always feel these mansions lack a bit of soul."

"Forget it..."

"Are there any others?"

Manager Zhang now felt a sense of depression in her heart.

As expected of a wealthy and influential family.

None of the eight mansions she had carefully selected were to the other party's liking.

But those top-tier mansions were not something one could get just by having silver.

Was such a good opportunity to build connections going to be missed?

Manager Zhang's thoughts raced like lightning.

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, she responded: "Madam, would your master mind living in a manor that is a little further away?"

"A manor?"

As soon as this word came out, Cai'er immediately became interested.

The previous performance was entirely her acting according to her master's instructions.

This time, it had truly caught Cai'er's attention.

"Yes, Madam. Outside the city suburbs, there is a manor called 'Yunyin Shanzhuang'. Although it is located in a remote area, the scenery is pleasant, the feng shui is excellent, and it is quiet all around, free from the disturbance of noise, making it very suitable for seclusion or recuperation."

A flash of cunning crossed Manager Zhang's eyes. She knew that mentioning this Yunyin Shanzhuang would likely pique the interest of those wealthy families who pursued quality and style.

Upon hearing this, Cai'er's eyes lit up. It seemed that in that instant, she could already imagine her master sipping tea, playing chess, admiring flowers, and watching the moon in that manor.

"Oh? Yunyin Shanzhuang, it sounds like it has a unique charm. Manager Zhang, tell me in detail."

Seeing this, Manager Zhang secretly rejoiced and hurriedly spread out another scroll, on which the full view of Yunyin Shanzhuang was depicted.

As she explained, she gently traced each piece of scenery in the picture with her finger: "Look, Madam, this manor leans against the mountains and faces the water. In front, there is a lake with rippling blue waves, and behind, there are lush forests. The scenery changes with the four seasons: admiring flowers in spring, listening to springs in summer, viewing leaves in autumn, and watching snow in winter—every bit is beautiful."

"Moreover, the layout within the manor is ingenious, retaining the interest of nature without losing the elegance of human culture. Especially that 'Youran Ting'; standing in the pavilion, one can take in the entire beautiful scenery of the manor."

Cai'er listened intently, a satisfied smile gradually appearing on her face.

"It certainly sounds like a good place, but, this distance from the city..."

"Madam, rest assured. Although it is some distance from the city, there is a dedicated carriage road outside the manor. The journey to the city takes no more than half an hour, and the scenery along the way is pleasant, so it will definitely not make your master feel bored." Manager Zhang had been prepared and quickly dispelled Cai'er's concerns.

Cai'er nodded slightly, having already made a decision in her heart. "In that case, this Yunyin Shanzhuang is worth a look."

"Manager Zhang, make the arrangements; you and I shall go visit it together."

Manager Zhang was overjoyed and hurriedly agreed, calculating in her heart how to use this opportunity to further close the distance with this wealthy noblewoman and pave the way for her future business path.

"Yes, Madam. I will prepare immediately and ensure this trip is smooth and unobstructed."

"That, Madam, this Yunyin Shanzhuang is priced at 180,000 taels."

"I wonder if you are satisfied with this price, Madam?"

Having reached this point, there was a slight suspicion that the other party might not be able to produce the silver.

At this moment, Manager Zhang no longer cared whether she would offend a noble person.

For such a large deal, she at least had to let the other party know the price.

Glancing casually, she saw that the other party's maid remained calm.

Manager Zhang thought to herself: "As expected of a maid raised by a wealthy family."

Cai'er also had a normal expression; she straightened her magnificent chest and said indifferently: "It's acceptable. Let's take a look first."

After Cai'er nodded to indicate they could leave, Manager Zhang retreated from the private room with a sense of relief, her back already covered in cold sweat, but her heart felt unprecedentedly light.

She knew that this might not only facilitate a big deal but could also open a door for her to a higher level of social circles.

She would never have guessed that Cai'er had only brought 10,000 taels on this trip.

Yet she dared to look at Yunyin Shanzhuang,

A manor that cost at least 180,000 taels.

After Manager Zhang left,

Cai'er's heart began to beat with some regret.

Time is limited; is doing this really okay?

"What kind of manor is this? It's just too expensive!!"

Before Cai'er's words of regret could even be spoken, Zhao Wei and Xu Miao beside her looked toward Cai'er.

They were also frightened by Cai'er's actions.

As the saying goes, if you don't have the diamond drill, don't take on the porcelain work.

The silver given by the master was roughly a known amount.

It was impossible to have the high price of 180,000 taels directly.

What was Cai'er trying to do?

If they couldn't afford it, wouldn't that just be a waste of time?

After being spoken to like that by Zhao Wei and Xu Miao, Cai'er instead slowly explained: "Rest assured, sisters, I was merely wanting to understand the market conditions a bit more."

"I have my own candidates in mind, so there is no need to worry."

Hearing Cai'er say this, Zhao Wei could not help but admire the eye of their master.

To be able to manage the internal affairs of the estate well, one simply cannot do it without some ability.

Ordinary people buy things just to buy them.

But those with ability,

look at the market conditions.

Following the arrangements of Steward Zhang, the group once again hurriedly left the city through the West Gate.

Seeing the banner of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, those city-guarding armored soldiers let them pass one after another.

There was no obstruction whatsoever.

Cai'er took all of this in.

And she understood more and more how pertinent her master's occasional stray remarks were.

"In this world, to have money but no power is like a child carrying gold through a busy market."

"To have money but no martial strength is like a lamb delivered to a pack of wolves."

"It is all just helplessness."

"Therefore, Cai'er,"

"I, your master, yearn for money, power, and martial strength."

"These are all the foundations upon which one relies to survive!"

Stars twinkled in Cai'er's eyes: "Fortunately, Master's hard work has not been in vain."

Yunyin Shanzhuang was indeed just as Steward Zhang had described,

with convenient transportation and picturesque scenery.

Cai'er silently committed everything about Yunyin Shanzhuang to memory.

"In the future, our Cheng family will also live in a residence like this."

After looking at the luxurious residence, Cai'er casually found an excuse.

Using ten thousand taels as a deposit, she promised to pay the full amount within seven days.

She casually settled on a four-courtyard residence that she had taken a fancy to.

This left Steward Zhang, who had once thought he could close a big deal, feeling extremely regretful.

But having sold a high-end residence for eighty thousand taels, it could still be considered a day's harvest.

Holding the corresponding documents, Cai'er and her group headed straight for their new home.

Here, it would be the new starting point for the Cheng family.