Zhong Xingwang naturally entered as well, leaving the guard outside, and the old housekeeper accompanied him.
Zhong Xingwang... No wonder his sister-in-law said they got a bargain. Previously, he thought ten thousand taels of silver were a lot, but after listening to his sister-in-law, brother, and parents, he understood that in Jingdong one couldn’t buy a large house without at least ten thousand taels of silver.
Moreover, for just ten thousand taels of silver, to obtain so many properties including a house, shops, and an estate, was undoubtedly a steal—practically a giveaway.
Zhong Xingwang felt a pang of envy in his heart, but knowing that these assets belonged to his young aunt-in-law, though not his fiancée’s, it was still a backup for his fiancée.
As a man, he naturally wouldn’t fret about these matters; he knew that the money he needed had to be earned through his own efforts, not by expecting handouts from his future wife’s family.
As for how much dowry his future wife would bring when she married him, that would depend on how much betrothal gift he gave!
Ye Shiqi and her family went from downstairs to upstairs to look around. They also inspected the warehouse, and truly, the rooms inside the courtyard were large. They inwardly marveled at their bargain, but the family, in tacit understanding, did not verbalize their thoughts in front of the shopkeeper.
After all, the shopkeeper was a worker left by the previous owner; saying too much might provoke a reaction.
Perhaps it might even reveal some of the workers’ mentalities. The more money the master earns, while the staff receive no similar rewards, they might rebel?
After Ye Shiqi finished inspecting the shop, she took the deed and left with her family to check the next shop.
The rich lady and Lady who were shopping outside learned from the staff that the shop had changed hands.
The buyer who purchased the shop was previously unknown to the Zhao Family but was a relative of the Ye family and had become the new Boss of the shop. They were all curious about where these people had lived before.
After all, what kind of people were they? They didn’t seem like country folks, nor did they seem like ordinary merchants, because there was a hint of nobility about them.
They wondered if it was psychological, but anyone in Capital City who could afford to buy houses and shops, they assumed, must certainly be relatives of some noble family.
It wasn’t merely about being relatives of the Ye residence; people who knew about the affairs of the Ye residence were aware that besides this threshold, there were interactions with the Zhao Family.
Other nobles simply dared not offend those above them; the attitude of that high-and-mighty noble was what mattered most!
Ye Shiqi, her parents, and her elder sister came out of the courtyard and passed by the shop where the lady and Lady who had bought fabric were still present.
The shop, perhaps because of their presence, attracted a few more customers; there were also some onlookers at the entrance of the shop!
The Ye family... was somewhat unaccustomed to being watched like animals at a zoo!
Ye Shiqi looked up and observed the people in the shop and the onlookers; not that she was overly cautious, but in Capital City, it was better to be careful.
The main concern was the previous owner of the house, who might have offended some people.
They couldn’t assume these newcomers were some relatives seeking revenge on their family.
Other women of the Ye family kept their heads down, and when they went out, they wore veils, which were a bit warm but helped shield them from the public gaze.
In Capital City, many noble ladies did the same; although they also appeared in carriages on the main streets or shopping in stores, wearing a net cap had become a fashion!
Though Mrs. Li didn’t wear a net cap, her striking appearance and fine skin were exposed to the eyes of those ladies and ladies, as well as the crowd outside.
They thought this woman’s skin was too fine, surely the result of some special nourishment or skincare product!
Hongji was among this group of people, and except for the old housekeeper who was a guard, he was dressed like a wealthy gentleman, tall and slim with a complexion unmarred by the sun over the years.
Despite having the appearance of an older man, he was a man in his thirties to forties, but looked like a man in his twenties.
"The new Boss has arrived, could you introduce us to the new products?" A noble lady asked with a look of jealousy on her face, intentionally questioning the staff to stir up trouble.
"Madam, our new Boss has just arrived and has not yet launched any new products. Should any new products become available, we will definitely notify Madam to come and purchase!"
"No need, the fabrics sold here aren’t even the most expensive. They can’t compare to the ones at the Tang Family’s fabric store."
At the noble lady’s words, the staff could only respond with a smile, "Madam, the fabrics that the Tang Family sells are indeed more expensive than ours; we are only earning enough to cover the shop rent!"
"Isn’t there a new Boss? Aren’t they buying the shop? Or is it rented?"
The lady continued to ask, while the others all listened attentively!
Shopkeeper Mr. Qian, talkative as he was, responded to the lady with a smiling face but avoided mentioning whether the store was sold to the new owner or rented. He divulged nothing about the owner’s details.
Ye Shiqi along with her parents and elder sister certainly heard someone trying to cause trouble; they all turned to look at that person’s face and then at those accompanying her.
In business, harmony is prized. When faced with provoking words, Ye Shiqi, her parents, and her elder sister all remained silent, and under the guidance of the old housekeeper, they left the shop and got back into their carriage.
Not far from the entrance of the shop, the horse carriage they had previously encountered was parked at a short distance, with its window open, and a pair of eyes stared intently at their carriages.
As she watched those boarding the carriage, when she saw Hongji, and Mrs. Li, recognizing their faces, a turbulent wave surged in her heart, her eyes unbelievably wide.
She also watched the four young ladies; they all wore net veils, obscuring their faces, yet she noticed the white jade-like necks of these young ladies.
Seeing two younger ladies of similar height, she guessed which one might be Ye Shiqi.
Ye Shiqi, whom she once felt so jealous of and wary, had evaded her questioning in her younger years by crying.
Back then, she thought the other party could not stir up greater troubles, and she went to Capital City, hoping never to meet this person and this family again "as distance separates mountains and rivers."
Unexpectedly, time had passed so quickly, and in these six years, they would reunite on the street, with the other party not noticing her.
Meng Zhaojun clenched her teeth tightly. Being in Capital City was different from being in New County, where back then, she could use her father’s position.
To make life difficult for Ye Shiqi and her family.
In Capital City, they were nobodies; her father was just one of the Capital Officials, having served a few years in Capital City, and had only just got a clerical job at the Ministry of Justice.
It was thanks to her maternal grandfather’s connections that he could secure a position as an official in the Ministry of Justice.
Her father’s rank was promoted by one level, offering no substantial power amid the many powerful people in the bustling Capital City. If she wanted to cause any trouble, she needed external help.
Meng Zhaojun silently followed their family in her carriage, watching what they were up to.
Ye Shiqi, her sisters, and their parents boarded the carriage. Surrounded by so many people outside, they couldn’t always look at those people and the street carriages, assuming the feeling of being watched was merely the bystanders observing them.