He Qiu Lei was somewhat surprised, and at the same time, his gratitude towards the two deepened.
His elder brother's letter had instructed him to express his thanks properly.
Besides genuine gratitude, the second reason was not to let them feel indebted and expect favors in return.
He hoped to put an end to the matter at this point.
It wasn't that He Qiu Miao was unfeeling, but he worried that Shen Yun and Su Xiao Qi might propose things they couldn't possibly do.
Everyone would be put in a difficult position.
Unexpectedly, Su Xiao Qi was even more unwilling to continue this topic than they were.
In Su Xiao Qi's opinion, having exchanged two calligraphy and paintings for this excellent residence was already a good deal.
One shouldn't be too greedy; a covetous heart is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.
"Then, then how about I gift you another shop, on Zhuque Street?" He Qiu Lei stammered.
Su Xiao Qi's heart skipped a beat as she looked at He Qiu Lei.
Shen Yun, however, said, "How much would it cost? Just name a price, and we'll pay."
They were not short of money to buy shops at the moment.
Yesterday, when he had taken Xiao Qi to stroll along Zhuque Street, even though she had analyzed it every which way, it seemed unsuitable to open a shop there.
But he knew that Xiao Qi simply felt that the shops there were not easy to acquire, which was why she hadn't considered that option.
However, who among businessmen wouldn't want a shop in a prosperous area?
He Qiu Lei quickly said that he would gift it directly.
Su Xiao Qi said with some hesitation that it would be better to buy it with money.
If possible, she also wanted to buy a manor in the outskirts of the capital.
As she said this, she already had a preliminary plan in mind, and it was as if a heavy stone had finally been lifted from her heart.
Because, without her even realizing it, she had made a decision. But she had never been one to get bogged down by big decisions; once decided, she would certainly act on it.
She not only wanted to buy shops and manors, but she wanted to buy several at once.
Shen Yun would be a high-ranking official in the capital in the future.
Rather than worrying about repeating the original owner's fate, it was better to appease Shen Yun well from now on.
Look at how well she had appeased Shen Yun over the past year.
From initially hating her and wanting to fight her, to now calling her "Niangzi" and obeying her in everything.
It's said that empathy comes from putting yourself in another's shoes.
Thinking about it, although she had tried to please Shen Yun in the early stages, she had also put in genuine effort.
Otherwise, given Shen Yun's shrewdness, it wouldn't have been so easy to deceive him.
Therefore, since she had come this far, she just needed to continue on the established path.
No matter what, this time she hadn't harmed Shen Yun's family, so he wouldn't kill her.
Moreover, she had her godmother, the Duke of Yu's estate, and the Grand Princess's estate. As long as these were managed properly, they would become her backing.
If she handled it well, Shen Yun might not dare to deal with her in the future!
Su Xiao Qi thought about it and felt delighted.
Su Xiao Qi liked to think things through carefully before acting, to avoid missing important details.
However, once certain things were decided, she would not waver, and she was never one to be indecisive.
After some consideration, she had a plan.
Meanwhile, He Qiu Lei was still arguing with Shen Yun about gifting them the shop.
Shen Yun's stance was that the shop should be bought at the original price.
He Qiu Lei, however, said that the He family could afford to give away a shop.
"Second Young Master He, on what grounds are you gifting it to us?" Su Xiao Qi leaned forward and asked.
"Ah... no, it's about my elder brother's matter..." He Qiu Lei said, then suddenly seemed to understand something.
Then he heard Su Xiao Qi say word by word, "One matter is one matter, and that issue is now behind us.
If we, as a couple, are fortunate enough to help you again in the future, we'll discuss it then."
"Ah, oh... Sister-in-law, you are truly noble." He Qiu Lei understood and then smiled.
Su Xiao Qi asked He Qiu Lei if there were any manors in the outskirts, and if so, could he reserve one for her.
He Qiu Lei looked troubled upon hearing this. Seeing this, Su Xiao Qi did not force him, only saying, "If it's truly inconvenient, then forget it."
"It's not that it's inconvenient, it's just that our family only has one manor here, and it's under my elder brother's name.
It can't be sold, but I heard that a family is currently selling a manor, perhaps you can try your luck there."
Shen Yun said, "But that Jia family?"
He Qiu Lei stared at him, seemingly surprised that his news was so well-informed.
But he still nodded: "That's right. The Jia family was once royalty, as their household produced a noble consort.
The head of the Jia family also held the rank of Second Grade Minister.
But for some reason, they fell into disgrace and were exiled to the Lingnan region. Without an imperial decree, they are forbidden to return to the capital for eternity. They have put all their manors up for sale."
Su Xiao Qi looked at He Qiu Lei. He truly lived up to his nickname of "Little Informant"; he was first-rate at gathering information.
It was only a matter of whether he wanted to inquire about something; there was nothing he couldn't find out.
"But can ordinary people like us buy such a manor?" Su Xiao Qi worried that they might inadvertently offend someone as newcomers.
"Well, it can be bought, but it's a bit complicated and requires some handling," He Qiu Lei said, his tone somewhat hesitant, but his expression was firm.
Su Xiao Qi immediately made a decision and handed him ten thousand taels of silver: "Then please trouble Second Young Master He to handle this for us."
He Qiu Lei didn't want to accept it. Ten thousand taels of silver was a profitable transaction for further improving his relationship with Shen Yun.
This time, his elder brother had mentioned in his letter that Shen Yun had considerable prestige among the scholars.
Several students from Bashu whom they had courted looked to Shen Yun for leadership.
But Su Xiao Qi's action of handing over the bank notes was irrefutable.
He had no choice but to accept it, vowing in his heart to handle their affairs diligently and perfectly.
So that they too could see his capabilities.
After seeing He Qiu Lei off, Su Xiao Qi planned to work on a proposal.
Regardless of whether the manor could be bought or not, the plan had to be made first.
She leaned over the desk, writing and drawing.
Her thoughts were clear, but because she wrote too quickly, her handwriting was a bit crooked and illegible.
And her drawing skills were purely impressionistic, entirely based on imagination.
Shen Yun, who was reading nearby, couldn't bear to watch any longer and cleared his throat, saying, "Do you need my help?"
Su Xiao Qi subconsciously replied, "Yes, yes."
Shen Yun curved his lips, "Good. Tell me how you plan to proceed."
Su Xiao Qi's heart was entirely focused on her plan now, and she didn't notice Shen Yun's little thoughts, so she explained in detail.
The two of them, just like in Zhao Family Village, sat side-by-side at the desk, one speaking and the other writing.
The speaker was bursting with inspiration, talking animatedly.
The writer was diligently holding his brush, his expression solemn.
The two figures, separated by the flickering candlelight, were cast long shadows, one in front, the other behind.
During this time, Shen Yun glanced at their shadows under the candlelight, quietly shifted over, and then their figures completely overlapped. The two seemed to have become one.
Shen Yun's mood immediately brightened. He turned his head, gazing at Su Xiao Qi with a smile, his eyes full of affection.