Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 559 Eyeing a Prosperous Store

The year was drawing ever closer, and the festive atmosphere was growing thicker by the day. At Wufu’s home, they had begun to cut out paper window decorations, and the people below had purchased lanterns and returned, adorning the entire estate with an air of celebration.

Wufu tasked Liu Jin with buying two shops. At the year’s end, there was no shortage of such resources for those needing to sell off land and storefronts. Within just two days, Liu Jin reported back with the locations and asking prices of two shops.

"Miss, I’ve carefully checked out both shops on Dongyang Street and Beiping Street. The locations are superb, not to mention other aspects. The shop on Dongyang Street is already set up as a two-story restaurant with a small courtyard. The owner is from out of town, and the business had been thriving."

Wufu, sketching a design for a hairpin, asked, "The restaurant on Dongyang Street? Which one?"

She knew that street—it was the central axis in Huayang County. The most famous establishment there was Hongfu Tower, noted for its excellent location and view. But she couldn’t recall another restaurant with such prospering business.

"It’s called Suixin Restaurant," Liu Jin hurriedly replied. "Suixin Restaurant is not far from Hongfu Tower. One reason it does so well is that when Hongfu Tower is fully booked and has no space, customers will choose the nearest alternative, which benefits Suixin Restaurant."

"In that case, why isn’t the owner continuing the business?" Wufu looked up at him.

Liu Jin said, "Miss, for out-of-towners doing business here, if you don’t have a reliable backer, it’s tough enough to get started, but once you do, it attracts envious eyes!"

Wufu’s eyebrows rose, "Are you saying that Suixin Restaurant was targeted and its owner was forced to move out?"

Liu Jin nodded, "Yes, it’s Du Yingliang, the current county magistrate’s brother-in-law, who’s taken a fancy to it—and he wants to get it for three hundred taels."

Three hundred taels?

Wufu asked, "A prime shop on that street and he thinks he can buy it for three hundred taels? Is that reasonable?"

"It’s nothing but bullying with power!" Liu Jin also felt disdain.

Wufu put down her pen, and Hongyu, who was attending her, quickly handed over a warm handkerchief for her to wipe her hands and then offered her a cup of tea.

After wiping her hands and taking a sip of tea, she said, "Since Suixin Restaurant has been put up for sale, I guess it must have faced unbearable oppression. That’s probably why it’s been put on the market!"

The business was booming and the location was great; unless it was impossible to continue, most people would definitely not be willing to sell.

"Miss is wise!" Liu Jin slapped on a bit of flattery and said, "They say local thugs go there daily to cause trouble—who would dare to patronize the place? Du Yingliang is only offering three hundred taels, but the owner, Liu Ming, wants One Thousand Taels. Du Yingliang has made it known that anyone who buys it will have a problem with him. As a result, the shop has been on the market for almost a month and still hasn’t sold. Miss, I’ve talked with Ma Tiankuai, and Liu Ming said that if there’s a good buyer, he would part with it for eight hundred taels."

Wufu looked at Liu Jin, "If it’s a prosperous shop, the price is not a problem. But what’s the biggest issue here, Liu Jin, do you know?"

Liu Jin was taken aback and asked respectfully, "Please enlighten me, Miss."

"The biggest issue is that the county magistrate’s brother-in-law, which means the county magistrate himself, has set his sights on it," Wufu said calmly. "They are putting pressure like this, clearly showing their determination to get it. If we buy it, Liu Jin, your mistress, is just an ordinary citizen. It’s said that commoners shouldn’t fight with officials. What do you think, given our status, even if we get the shop, could we keep it safe? And what would you use to defend it?"