Young Master Tang, the Junior Housekeeper, met with Li Zhihao and was invited by him to a teahouse, where the two chatted over tea about the matter at hand.
Upon hearing Li Zhihao mention wanting to buy the Meng Family’s Mansion, Young Master Tang wasn’t particularly moved. He had his own estate in Bushen Village that hadn’t been fully developed yet.
Back then, the estate he bought wasn’t as expensive as this one. He felt it wasn’t worth it and found it odd that Li Zhihao approached him to buy the estate, considering the Ye family had just invested in one and hadn’t fully developed it yet before looking to invest in another.
Weren’t the Ye family taking too much of a risk? At that moment, Young Master Tang pictured Hongji’s honest face, which didn’t seem at all like someone who would dare to have such grand ambitions.
"How did you come to think of buying this estate?"
Li Zhihao revealed his usual style, saying with his characteristic grin:
"I heard they were looking to sell the estate and, since it’s right next door, I thought it might be a bit pricey, but convenient nonetheless."
Young Master Tang then remarked, "Hasn’t the small boss lost his mind? If I recall correctly, his current estate development hasn’t even begun to generate income, and that mountain hasn’t been fully developed either. Is he crazed with the idea of buying land?"
When Li Zhihao heard Young Master Tang, who was about the same age as him, questioning his brother-in-law so skeptically, he couldn’t help but snicker. His brother-in-law didn’t have such guts. But at this point, he decided not to tell Young Master Tang that he and his brother had also invested. After all, the less said, the better.
"Young Master Tang, you are not aware of the whole story. My brother-in-law isn’t buying land to get rich, but rather because my niece has cultivated some medicinal herbs that need a place to be planted, hence the drastic strategy of buying an overpriced estate."
"If I’m not mistaken, Bushen Village has plenty of mountains and land. There must be another reason, right?"
"As I said, it’s because it’s next door, and I also heard Housekeeper Meng mention wanting to transfer the land. It’s been several days with no takers and I was getting anxious, thinking that buying the land would also be a kind gesture!"
Upon hearing Li Zhihao’s words, Young Master Tang thought to himself, "I don’t believe you for a second."
However, he said aloud, "So you want me to act as a broker, and he isn’t planning to negotiate the high price?"
When Li Zhihao heard Young Master Tang seeming to relent, he remembered what his niece had told him:
"Brother Tang, it would certainly be better if it could be a bit cheaper, but you must not say that it’s the Ye family buying the land."
"Why not?" Young Master Tang was puzzled.
"I can only say that it’s a discord among the younger generation, not something we elders can openly discuss."
Li Zhihao gave a vague explanation.
Hearing this, Young Master Tang called someone to invite Housekeeper Meng to the teahouse.
Housekeeper Meng had been spreading rumors everywhere about selling the estate, and these few days, in order to sell the shop and the estate, he had been bustling about outside in the big winter chill.
The cold wind chapped his face until the skin cracked, his anxiety causing him heartburn, his mouth dried and blistered at the corners.
As he saw the shops being transferred out one by one, only the estate remained unsold.
The Old Master and Madam were almost done packing, and only the steward would not follow the Old Master to Shangjing, staying behind to receive the next County Magistrate.
The Madam was also very anxious, asking him every day whether the estate had been sold.
When he answered, the Madam’s disappointed look made him feel useless, fearing he might just remain on the estate.
After the Old Master and Madam moved to Shangjing, he couldn’t stay at the county government’s place and would have to live on the estate.
Housekeeper Meng certainly didn’t want to spend his life confined to an estate in the mountains.
After all, his whole family wasn’t here; they were in Capital City!
When Housekeeper Meng heard someone was looking to meet him and it was Young Master Tang who had invited him to talk business, he first thought that Young Master Tang wanted to buy his estate.
Upon arriving at the tavern, Housekeeper Meng discovered Young Master Tang in a private room, and there was another person there he recognized.
Now, Housekeeper Meng was puzzled. Why would Young Master Tang invite him out if the Ye family’s estate manager was also present?
"Housekeeper Meng, come on in, you must be thirsty, your lips are all cracked."
Before Young Master Tang could offer a greeting, Li Zhihao had already stepped forward to pour tea and offer water.
Housekeeper Meng was unceremonious, sitting down firmly and taking the teacup handed to him.
After taking a sip, he didn’t look at Li Zhihao, but turned to Young Master Tang and asked:
"Young Master Tang, you wanted to see me about something?"
Seeing how cagey Housekeeper Meng was, aware that Young Master Tang must have had a reason for this meeting, Young Master Tang thought there was no need to ask what it was about.
"Let’s order something to eat first, then we can chat slowly!"
Without any reservations, Housekeeper Meng ordered a few dishes, as there was plenty of time to talk.
Their tea session turned into a luncheon, and the discussion about the estate began.
"Housekeeper Meng, you know this Brother Li."
Young Master Tang didn’t beat around the bush, considering that his role as a broker was merely to make an introduction, and that prices were not his concern.
"How could I not? This is the renowned Steward Li." There was a sour tone in Housekeeper Meng’s voice as he spoke.
"You flatter me, Housekeeper Meng, I’m just a farmer." Even Li Zhihao, as simple as he sometimes was, could detect a different note in the other’s tone, a hint of sourness.
"Farmers are doing quite well for themselves these days!" Housekeeper Meng exclaimed with a burst of inspiration.