Cheng Bei Zheng arrived and immediately presented two contracts: "Lu Xiao Fu, I plan to go to Shanxi to buy some mountain land. This time, we'll split it fifty-fifty."
"Why the sudden thought of buying mountains?"
"Didn't we lose the mine from before? We have to make up for it, right? Coincidentally, the court, grateful for the years the mine owners were exploited, announced a ten percent tax exemption for three years. If we open a new mine during this period, we'll make a fortune."
The imperial court stipulated that once a mine was opened, a substantial tax fee had to be paid before mining could commence.
Lu Nian Fu raised an eyebrow, "Are you so sure the mountains you buy will have mines?"
Cheng Bei Zheng said, "That's why I'm here looking for you. They say you bring good luck. With your participation, the chance of finding a mine will definitely increase."
Lu Nian Fu was speechless, "It's clearly your own financial luck that's good, isn't it? Think about it, in recent years, what have you invested in that hasn't made money?"
"But besides the escort agency business, I've involved you in everything else."
"That argument is too far-fetched."
"Anyway, I don't care. If we find a mine, you'll still need your man as a backing. Quickly sign the contract. I need to hurry to Shanxi to buy the mountains. I heard buying land there is popular, and if I'm late, I won't get any."
"Then this time, the money for buying the mountains will be split fifty-fifty."
"Why so distant? Do I lack that little bit of money?"
Lu Nian Fu insisted, "It's not right to always have you lose out financially."
Seeing her determination, Cheng Bei Zheng said, "Your man is putting in a lot of effort. Fifty-fifty would be too much of a bargain for me. How about this, thirty-seventy?"
"Deal."
The two immediately got their writing supplies and redrafted the contract. Lu Nian Fu gave him one hundred thousand taels of silver, with an agreement for adjustments if the amount was more or less.
Before the ink on the contract had even dried, Shuan Zi reported from outside the hall, "Madam, a young lady has arrived. She says she is the Prince's savior."
The savior of Situ Yan, she had to meet her.
Lu Nian Fu stood up to greet her at the door. Cheng Bei Zheng, with nothing to do, also followed to watch the excitement, "Tsk tsk, Lu Xiao Fu, your love rival must be here. A savior, if she wants to marry in and enjoy a comfortable life, would you have the heart to stop her?"
"Shut up, don't slander the girl with baseless accusations."
"Hmph."
Standing by the main gate was a sweet-looking young girl, carrying a bamboo basket on her back and craning her neck to peer inside.
Situ Yan looked at her face and chuckled gleefully, "She's a pretty girl too."
Lu Nian Fu shot him a glance and walked forward to meet her.
The young girl adjusted the strap of her basket, "Are you the Princess of Rui?"
"I am. May I ask your name, young lady?"
"You can call me Mo Sang."
Cheng Bei Zheng scoffed, "Miss Mo, this life-saving grace cannot be spoken so lightly. When did you save the Prince of Rui?"
"Around the beginning of the year. He was washed near my home by the river, and I picked him up. It cost me a lot of precious medicinal herbs. What? You don't believe me?"
So it was from when Situ Yan fell off the cliff. Lu Nian Fu was grateful and quickly glared at Cheng Bei Zheng, who was about to speak, "Miss Mo, please don't misunderstand. We didn't mean anything by it. You look travel-worn, have you just arrived in the capital? Why don't you come inside to talk."
Mo Sang nodded, "Princess Consort sister is indeed sensible. I'm hungry, can I eat first?"
"Of course. Shuan Zi, go tell your mother to prepare a meal for Miss Mo. Does Miss Mo have any dietary restrictions?"
"No, the food of your Da Yin is quite good."
Lu Nian Fu led Mo Sang to the dining hall and asked Hong Shao to bring tea and snacks, "Miss Mo, you are not from Da Yin?"
Mo Sang glanced at Cheng Bei Zheng, "My identity is not suitable for outsiders to know."
Lu Nian Fu: ...
Cheng Bei Zheng: "...Who wants to know? By the way, what do you want by showing up out of the blue claiming to be a savior? Are you in trouble and trying to leverage this favor?"
Mo Sang looked at him strangely, "This is the first time I've met you, why are you so hostile towards me?"
Cheng Bei Zheng: ...
"When was I hostile?"
"Hmph, you're speaking sarcastically. Do you think I can't understand because I'm not from Da Yin?"
Lu Nian Fu quickly smoothed things over, "He speaks without thinking. Miss Mo, please don't mind him."
Mo Sang picked up a piece of egg yolk pastry, "I'm busy and don't have time for him. Oh right, when will Situ Yan be back?"
"You need him for something?"
"Back then, at the bottom of the valley, he helped me find a husband. But he rushed back to the capital and left me with Lord Cheng. Now that I've finally made it to the capital, of course I have to find my husband."
Mainly, it felt wrong to keep spending other men's money. She needed her husband to help her pay them back.
Cheng Bei Zheng breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. Good, she wasn't here to be Lu Xiao Fu's love rival. Otherwise, a concubine with the status of a savior, whom you couldn't hit or scold, would have made Lu Xiao Fu miserable.
Lu Nian Fu smiled, seeing her open and honest expression, "The Prince is also a matchmaker? What kind of family did he find for you?"
Mo Sang said proudly, "The richest man in Jiangnan, named Cheng Bei Zheng. I heard his family is very wealthy."
Lu Nian Fu: ...
Cheng Bei Zheng, who had just relaxed, froze instantly and mechanically asked, "You said who?"
"The richest man in Jiangnan, Cheng Bei Zheng. Princess Consort sister, do you know him? How does he look? We agreed, I don't want anyone ugly." Though she was only after his money.