"Shopkeeper, I know you're reluctant to leave this place. I'll buy this shop and still have you be the shopkeeper. I'll pay you a monthly salary, and you don't have to leave. What do you think? If you really don't want to, I won't force you."
Mu Fengqie was reluctant to give up such a good geographical advantage. As the saying goes, one needs the right timing, geographical location, and harmonious human relations. Now, all that was lacking was the geographical advantage.
The shopkeeper looked embarrassed, with his brows tightly furrowed and his eyes constantly darting. It was obvious how conflicted he was. At the same time, Mu Fengqie was holding her breath.
Not to mention that it was difficult to find a suitable shop these days. Even if she found another one, she wouldn't be able to buy it for just three hundred taels. Although three hundred taels was just a small amount for her now, she didn't want to spend money unnecessarily.
After a long while, the shopkeeper finally relaxed his brows. "Since that's the case, I'll sell the shop to you, miss. But are you really sure you can trust me?"
"What's there not to trust? As long as you're sincere in following me, I won't treat you badly." A smile finally appeared on Mu Fengqie's fair little face.
Immediately, the shopkeeper also showed a smile. "I won't let you down, miss. Just call me Old Chen."
"You're older than me, so I'll call you Uncle Chen. Since this shop was left by Uncle Chen's wife, there's no need to change it. It's fine as it is. But Uncle Chen, you still need to sell these cloths quickly. I'll bring my things here in two days."
Mu Fengqie's words stunned Old Chen. He nodded heavily, his eyes turning red. "Miss, you're so kind - hearted. You'll surely be blessed in the future."
Mu Fengqie smiled, handed the silver she had exchanged from the bank to Old Chen, and then bought some snacks and jewelry on the street before returning to the Minister's Mansion.
As soon as Mu Fengqie returned to the Minister's Mansion, Mrs. Shen rushed over. "You're not familiar with this place. Next time you go out for a stroll, you must bring more servants with you."
Mu Fengqie didn't expect Mrs. Shen to care about her so much. Her heart was filled with warmth, a feeling she couldn't quite describe, as if she was experiencing motherly love for the first time in decades.
"I'm back safe and sound, god - mother. I just went to buy some snacks for Qi'er and you. These snacks look delicious. Do you want to try some?" Mu Fengqie asked with red eyes.
Mrs. Shen took the snack Mu Fengqie offered and put it in her mouth. Then she nodded in satisfaction. "These snacks are really delicious. Qi'er has been asking for his sister. Why don't we go and give Qi'er some snacks together?"
"Of course. I also want to see Qi'er. By the way, god - mother, this hairpin was bought when I passed by Wanbao Pavilion. I thought it would suit you, so I bought it. I don't know if you like it..."
Mu Fengqie took out the hairpin from her bosom. Although it wasn't the best one, it was from Wanbao Pavilion and cost Mu Fengqie a full hundred taels of silver. It wasn't the best, but it was Mu Fengqie's heartfelt gift.
Mrs. Shen stared blankly at the hairpin in Mu Fengqie's hand, her brows unconsciously furrowing. "The jewelry in Wanbao Pavilion is very expensive. You've just arrived here, and there are many things you need money for. Where did you get so much money to buy me such an expensive hairpin? I'll give you the silver later. You should keep it for yourself."
Mrs. Shen was touched when she received the hairpin, but she also knew Mu Fengqie's situation. Moreover, the jewelry in Wanbao Pavilion was notoriously expensive. This little girl was really generous.
Mu Fengqie interrupted Mrs. Shen's words and looked at her gently. "God - mother, if you don't accept it, you'll be estranging yourself from me. Have you forgotten whose business the express station is? This hairpin isn't the best. It's just my little token of appreciation. Moreover, the hot - pot restaurant is about to open. This amount of money is nothing."
Only then did Mrs. Shen relax her brows, and her eyes turned red. "Okay, I'll accept it. But don't buy me such expensive things in the future. Do you understand?"
Mu Fengqie stuck out her tongue and acted coquettishly. "I understand. Qi'er will be impatient waiting. God - mother, let's go and see Qi'er quickly."
The two walked hand in hand to Wenliu Garden. In just one month, Qi'er could already run around on his own. When he saw Mu Fengqie, he quickly rushed into her arms.
No one knew why this little fellow would always stick to Mu Fengqie whenever he saw her. It was as if they were destined to be close. Mrs. Shen watched them with a relieved smile.
Shen Yiru heard the voices and walked out of the room. Seeing Qi'er in Mu Fengqie's arms, she couldn't help but get angry. When did her younger brother get so close to Mu Fengqie? He seemed closer to Mu Fengqie than to her, his cousin.
"Qi'er, come to sister. Don't let others lead you astray." Shen Yiru said angrily.
Hearing this, Mrs. Shen showed a surprised expression. "Yiru, this is your younger sister. How can you talk like that?"
Mrs. Shen knew Shen Yiru's personality. She had been fearless and straightforward since childhood, but it seemed that she didn't like Mu Fengqie.
Shen Yiru sneered and didn't even look at Mu Fengqie. "What kind of younger sister is she? Auntie, don't be deceived. I think she just has her eye on the Minister's Mansion's wealth!"
Just thinking about losing face at the tea party made Shen Yiru furious. If Mu Fengqie had been more assertive, she might not have spoken to her so harshly. But Mu Fengqie was too weak, which made the Minister's Mansion a laughingstock. So Shen Yiru couldn't swallow this humiliation.
"Yiru, Fengqie isn't such a person. It was Fengqie who cured Qi'er's illness. How can you say such things about Fengqie? If Fengqie were a vain person, why would she buy me a hairpin?"
Mrs. Shen was sure she hadn't misjudged Mu Fengqie. Apart from some clothes and jewelry, Mu Fengqie had refused all the other things Mrs. Shen had given her. Those clothes and jewelry were left behind by Mrs. Shen forcefully.
Shen Yiru noticed the hairpin on Mrs. Shen's head. It looked neat and seemed to be a good thing, but she thought that a girl from the countryside must have bought some shabby jewelry.
"Auntie, how can you wear such a hairpin? You're the Minister's wife. How can you wear such inferior jewelry?" Shen Yiru snorted and glanced at Mu Fengqie.
Mrs. Shen never expected Shen Yiru to be so mean - spirited. She had never noticed before that Shen Yiru was such a person.
"Shen Yiru, how can there be such a mean - spirited person in our Shen family? Do you know that this hairpin is from Wanbao Pavilion? It costs over a hundred taels. Fengqie earned this money by herself. Look at you. Every cent you spend is from our Shen family!"
Facing Mrs. Shen's scolding, Shen Yiru's face looked very ugly. With red eyes, she ran out.