The daily life of a space tycoon raising children, doting on his husband, and farming.

Chapter 199 Two Places
The two bought quite a lot, which pleased the shopkeeper, who even gave them a box of lip rouge as a gift. He smiled and saw them off, saying he would give them a discount next time they came.

Shang Wan glanced at the large bag of things and thought that it would definitely take at least three months to finish it.

Flower dew isn't difficult to make. When she has some free time, she can try making it, adding some spiritual spring water, and it will definitely be a beauty-enhancing product.

The oxcart drove into five alleys, and Shang Wan casually asked an old lady for directions. The old lady kindly led the way for her.

Shang Wan initially thought the old woman was a kind-hearted person, until she saw the so-called Chen Zhongren give the old woman ten coins as a reward.

So there's money to be made. This Chen Zhongren really knows how to do business.

Shang Wan waved warmly to the person standing in front of the door, "Long time no see."

The gossipmonger: "..."

How did this jinx find us?
"So your surname is Chen. Your business is quite extensive." Shang Wan jumped off the oxcart and walked inside as if they were strangers.

Xiao Huan glanced curiously at the young man at the door and followed him.

Know-it-all Chen Cai hurriedly instructed the gatekeeper to keep an eye on the oxcart, then turned and followed him inside.

The three sat down in the hall, and a maid came in to serve tea.

Chen Cai looked at Shang Wan and said, "Let me formally introduce myself. My surname is Chen and my given name is Cai, which means 'talented beyond measure'."

"Chengcai?" Shang Wan smiled and complimented, "A good name."

Chen Cai ignored the teasing tone in Shang Wan's voice and gestured with his chin toward Xiao Huan, "And who is this young lady?"

"My sister." Shang Wan didn't go into details, assuming that Chen Cai, being such a know-it-all, didn't need her introduction.

Without wasting words, she got straight to the point: "I want to rent a shop to open a pharmacy, not too big or too small, preferably with a yard for drying herbs, and a high foot traffic area, and a prominent location would be even better."

Chen Cai's lips twitched as he heard this. "You have quite a few demands."

Shang Wan smiled, "If you think it's not enough, I can make some more requests."

Since we've already found a middleman, it would be a waste not to make some requests.

Chen Cai: "..."

No need!

He leaned back in his chair for a moment, then unfolded his folding fan and fanned himself.

"There aren't any that meet all the requirements, but there are two places with a yard in a pretty good location. If you're interested, I can take you to see them."

"Let's go then." Shang Wan took a sip of tea, stood up, and urged Chen Cai.

Chen Cai: "..."

There's no need to be so anxious.

Xiao Huan was already used to her sister's energetic personality. She quickly drank her tea, stood up, and followed her sister's pace.

Chen Cai didn't even have time to take a sip of tea before he grabbed the hem of his robe and chased after them, shouting, "Do you even know the way? Run ahead and wait for me!"

……

……

The two shops were located in the north and south of the city, respectively.

The residents in the north of the city are mostly wealthy people, while the south of the city is home to all sorts of people. The security situation in the south is worse, but it is more populated and lively than the north.

The group first went to the north of the city, and then went to the south of the city.

The shop in the north of the city is nicely decorated, but anyone with a discerning eye can tell that it was originally a restaurant. There's a tavern right across the street, and the shop is surrounded by restaurants as well.

The shop has a large courtyard, and there are three rooms in the back: one kitchen and two living quarters, which are probably for the staff.

There was a clinic at the end of the street, but it looked like it was about to close down; the staff were all sitting at the door, dozing off.

Because there are many restaurants here, this street is bustling with people and more lively than the surrounding streets.

The shop in the south of the city was poorly decorated and filled with miscellaneous items. The storefront was not as big as the one in the north of the city, and the courtyard was also smaller, with only one room.

The location is fairly prominent. There's a clinic diagonally opposite, another one around the corner, and a small pharmacy across the street with a young doctor on duty.

The annual rent for a shop in the north of the city was 530 taels, while the rent for a shop in the south was cheaper, at only 460 taels. After some haggling, and with Shang Wan's aggressive bargaining, the rent for the shop in the north of the city was reduced to 500 taels, and for the shop in the south to 420 taels.

Shang Wan was not satisfied with the price and was about to continue to bargain when Chen Cai simply gave up.

The shop isn't his; he's just a middleman earning a meager living. If Shang Wan keeps cutting prices like this, who would be willing to rent it to her?
Seeing that Chen Cai was anxious, Shang Wan estimated that this price was about the bottom line. She discussed it with Xiao Huan and felt that both shops had their advantages and disadvantages. They still needed to go back and discuss it with their families before making a decision.

Shang Wan said to Chen Cai, "I'll go back and discuss it with my family. Please reserve these two shops for me for now, and I'll give you a definite answer tomorrow."

Chen Cai held out his hand, "You can keep it, but the deposit is ten taels. No bargaining."

Shang Wan stared at his hand. "We're old friends, it's too formal to ask for a deposit."

"Even close brothers should keep clear accounts." Chen Cai shook his folding fan twice. "You pay the deposit, and I'll send you a message."

"what news?"

"Deposit."

"You're really obsessed with money." Shang Wan muttered, then took out ten taels of silver from her spatial storage and gave it to him under the cover of the bundle. "Here you go."

Chen Cai quickly collected the money.

Taking silver from Shang Wan was more enjoyable than taking silver from anyone else.

"News about the Lu family." Chen Cai deliberately kept Shang Wan in suspense to see her reaction.

Shang Wan glared at him, "Are you itching for a beating?"

Chen Cai: "..."

Being good at martial arts is nothing special!
"The Lu family is packing up their belongings; it's said they're moving the whole family to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Shang Wan's first reaction was that the Lu family was going to flee in fear of punishment.

She looked at Chen Cai, "Why are you telling me this?"

Chen Cai smiled but didn't say anything, while Shang Wan felt a slight itch in her fist.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What's going on at the county government office?"

Chen Cai's eyes darted around, and he covered his mouth with his folding fan. "I, an ordinary citizen, dare not meddle in government affairs."

Shang Wan: "..."

He definitely deserved a beating.

"A gentleman uses words, not fists!" Chen Cai took two steps back, staring at Shang Wan's hand. "You, you, you mustn't do anything rash! If you lay a hand on me, I'll stop renting you the shop!"

Shang Wan smiled and walked towards him. Through "friendly" negotiation, she successfully extracted information from Chen Cai.

Chen Cai rubbed his arm in frustration. What did this woman eat to grow up like this? How could she be so strong?

"Yesterday, the yamen runners escorted a group of prisoners to the prefectural city. It is said that they committed a serious crime punishable by beheading and were to be sent to the prefectural government for the prefect to decide."

As Chen Cai spoke, he observed Shang Wan's expression. "My men found an old woman and a young girl at the city gate. They claimed that they were implicated by the Chen family, and the county magistrate released them on their behalf. They asked me to take them to the Lu residence, promising a generous reward."

"An old woman and a young girl?" Shang Wan inexplicably thought of Old Lady Wei and Liu Yuzhi. "What are their surnames?"

Chen Cai's words confirmed Shang Wan's guess; it really was Old Lady Wei and Liu Yuzhi.

Shang Wan frowned. What was the connection between these two people and the Lu family?
Where are they now?

"The Lu residence."

Shang Wan looked at him, "Is there a generous reward?"

"If a packet of tea counts," Chen Cai said, with an expression that suggested he'd made a bad deal, "it's like I wasted a whole bottle of good medicine."

"Didn't you ask them what their relationship was with the Lu family?"

Chen Cai: "I didn't ask."

Shang Wan: "..."

Believe it or not!

This guy wants to know everyone's ancestry, even their ancestors, whenever he meets them.