Chapter 90: So it's the Yu family's shop

 Chapter 90: So it's the Yu family's shop

As she walked, Shu Yu asked about the situation. "What was this shop originally selling? And why did they stop?"

"Actually, this shop used to sell rouge and face powder. It was the Yu family's shop here in Wenlan Town."

"The Yu family?" Shu Yu's steps halted abruptly.

"Yes, the shop used to be managed by Madam Yu. But a few days ago, she fell seriously ill and didn't have the energy to keep it up. Master Yu didn't understand much about rouge and face powder, and with another shop selling similar products across the street, business was just average. So he decided to rent it out. You're lucky, Miss, to have found it."

Shu Yu gave a dry laugh. Yes, she was lucky. But it was also her own doing that had caused the situation with the Yu family.

It seemed that Master Yu intended to use Madam Yu's illness as an excuse to keep her trapped in the mansion. It was understandable; if news of Madam Yu's affair got out, Master Yu's reputation would be ruined.

As they talked, they arrived at Ningshui Street.

This street was located in the very center of Jiangyuan County. The road was wide, clean, and could accommodate three or four carriages side by side.

Quan Zhong led her to a spot near the end of the street. Compared to the beginning and middle of the street, it was quieter here.

But Shu Yu didn't mind the quietness. This area was where people with some wealth in the county would come to shop. Shops like restaurants, rouge shops, silver shops, and silk shops were all nearby.

"Miss, we're here. Let's go in."

Shu Yu followed him into the shop. The rouge shop wasn't completely emptied out yet, according to Quan Zhong. The better quality rouge and face powder had already been bought up by the shop across the street that had heard the news.

The Yu family's shop wasn't very big, with a small courtyard behind it. The courtyard was also tiny, with only two small rooms and a kitchen.

The Yu family's steward was in the courtyard directing the workers to throw out the bedding and furniture in the rooms.

"Judging by his disgusted expression, it seems like...," Shu Yu guessed, wondering if this shop was one of the places where Mrs. Yu met her secret lover.

Upon hearing some noise, the butler turned around. 

Quan Zhong approached and said a few words, and the butler looked at Shu Yu, "So, you want to rent the shop?"

Shu Yu smiled, "Yes, my family wants to do some small business, and we asked Quan Zhong to help us keep an eye out."

"Our shop's rent is not cheap, it costs this much." The butler extended his hand and made a gesture.

Not just Shu Yu, even Quan Zhong was surprised. This small shop cost five taels of silver a month? That was a bit too much. Other shops in the area cost only three or four taels.

Shu Yu felt that the Yu family was trying to rip her off. From the butler's expression, it was clear that they weren't really interested in renting the shop to her.

It seemed that the other two families who were coming to see the shop later had more power and might have already revealed their rental budget.

After a moment of silence, just as Quan Zhong was trying to mediate and help with the bargaining, Shu Yu lifted her head and said to the butler, "The rent is indeed a bit expensive, but the location of this shop is very rare. I really like it."

Quan Zhong was anxious. Hey, girl, bargaining is not done like that. You told them you like it, now you won't be able to even negotiate a penny off.

Didn't she see the butler's satisfied expression? At this point, she should have made a gesture to leave.

As expected, the girl was too young. The butler was fooled by her calm and composed demeanor and thought she was experienced.

(End of this chapter)