After a moment of contemplation, Song Jinzhao said, "The selling part is your responsibility. I just need to make a profit. However, I suggest adding another one hundred and fifty wen. Otherwise, once we sell at this price, word will get out, and we'll never be able to charge higher in the future."
Jiang Zhutao stared at the price Song Jinzhao had calculated on the paper. He also felt the buyer was pushing too hard; otherwise, he wouldn't have come to discuss it with Song Jinzhao.
"Alright, I'll talk to him again when I get back."
Song Jinzhao said, "You could try contacting other southern merchants to actively promote it. Whether it succeeds or not, it'll give him a sense of urgency."
Jiang Zhutao nodded. "You're right. I'll have someone look into it as soon as I return."
On the bustling main street, an agent was showing Song Jinzhao some shops.
"Huaqing Road and Ziwu Road have the highest prices. There aren't many shops that meet your requirements, Miss Song, and there are already two pharmacies in the area. My suggestion is to consider the east side."
"It's not only cheaper but also more crowded. The people there just don't have much money; they're mostly poor. But small profits can add up to a worthwhile sum."
Song Jinzhao shook her head in refusal. "If the surrounding residents have weak purchasing power, no one will buy my food."
A cup at Sweet Snow Pavilion sold for forty wen, and one with ice for fifty wen. Song Jinzhao planned to lower her price by ten wen from that. Previously, at the entrance of Anyang Academy, this price had sold quite well.
If the area around the shop was full of poor people, not only could they not afford it, but even those with a bit of money wouldn't want to buy things in a poor neighborhood.
They would look down on it, feeling even setting foot there was beneath their status.
Rounding the street corner, Song Jinzhao pointed to Jianye Street and asked, "This street looks quite good. I don't see any pharmacies or clinics around. Are there any shops for sale here?"
The agent rubbed his temple with a troubled expression, looking conflicted. "The shops on this street are for rent only, not for sale."
Song Jinzhao asked, "With dozens of shops on the street, has no one ever tried to negotiate a purchase?"
The agent spread his hands. "People have wanted to buy in the past. We've negotiated over a dozen times but never succeeded. All the shops on this street belong to the Li family. Scholar Li has never relented."
Song Jinzhao raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Scholar Li? Is his son named Li Zien? The one whose daughter married a prince?"
The agent nodded vigorously. "That's right, that Li family. They aren't short of money. No amount of silver would work."
Song Jinzhao gazed at the stream of people on Jianye Street. Owning the entire street, this Second Prince's money bag was indeed well-filled.
"Miss Song?" Li Tianchong had just stepped out of a shop when he spotted a man and a woman standing below the steps, pointing at the storefront.
He recognized both of them. One was an agent from the brokerage, and the other was Song Jinzhao—he had seen her before, though she hadn't seen him.
"Who are you?" Song Jinzhao was sure she didn't know him, yet his face looked somewhat familiar, resembling someone.
Seeing Li Tianchong approach, the agent immediately cupped his hands in a respectful greeting. "Scholar Li."
Song Jinzhao's eyes widened slightly. It was Li Zien's father.
Looking closely, their features were practically carved from the same mold.
It was just that every time she saw Li Zien, he was putting on an act, while his father appeared much more steady and composed.
Li Tianchong cupped his hands towards Song Jinzhao, speaking in a gentle manner. "I am Li Tianchong, Li Zien's biological father. Speaking of which, our families have done quite a bit of business, but this is the first time we've met face to face."
"Miss Song, are you looking to rent or buy a shop?"
The agent hadn't expected them to know each other, and they seemed on good terms.
Remembering how Li Zien had recently set his sights on her regarding marriage, Song Jinzhao felt no goodwill towards Li Tianchong.
"To recognize me at a glance without ever having met me before, Scholar Li must be particularly unwilling to see me in the prefectural city."
The agent looked at Song Jinzhao in surprise. He had thought they were on good terms a moment ago, but now it sounded like there was bad blood?
Li Tianchong had already learned from his son's personal servant about what happened a few days prior.
He had said all along that Song Jinzhao would absolutely not take a liking to his son.
But the boy, arrogant and refusing to believe it, had charged forward headstrong. Not only did he fail to win her over, but he also offended her, leading to her unfavorable attitude towards him as well.
"Miss Song, what are you saying? My son is young and has been sheltered by me since childhood. If there's anywhere he has acted inappropriately, I ask for your understanding. I will certainly discipline him more strictly in the future."
Song Jinzhao stared at the humble expression on his face, not having expected this attitude from him.
The agent frowned. The young master of the Li family seemed several years older than Song Jinzhao. To call him young and immature in front of her felt somewhat odd.
Seeing Song Jinzhao remain silent, Li Tianchong thought of her earlier actions and guessed part of her intention.
"There happens to be a shop on Jianye Street for sale. If you're interested, Miss Song, I can take you to see it right now."
The agent's eyes widened. A shop on Jianye Street for sale?
Could it be that besides having a scholar brother, this young lady had other significant connections? Otherwise, why would Scholar Li treat her with such deference?
A faint smile curled at the corner of Song Jinzhao's mouth, but the amusement in her eyes only skimmed the surface, not reaching their depths.
"No, thank you. This street doesn't meet my requirements for purchasing a shop. Farewell."
Watching Song Jinzhao turn and leave decisively, the agent was momentarily stunned. He nodded to Li Tianchong before hurriedly catching up.
"Miss Song, Scholar Li himself said he would sell the shop. Why did you refuse?"
The Li family were relatives of the imperial family. Countless people wanted to befriend them; those without substantial family backgrounds couldn't even get through the door.
How come with Song Jinzhao, when they were practically offering it to her, she still pushed it away?
Song Jinzhao walked straight ahead without pausing her steps.
"The location isn't suitable, the owner isn't suitable, and having only one available is even less suitable. Let's look for others."
Li Tianchong was more scheming and profound than his son. Song Jinzhao didn't believe he had no ulterior motive.
Rather than constantly guarding against being ensnared, it was best to simply avoid their traps altogether.
Jianye Street's location was good, but there were plenty of places to choose from in Anyang Prefecture. It wasn't as if she had to buy there. Why get unnecessarily entangled with the Li family?
The agent observed her resolute expression and became even more determined to find out Song Jinzhao's background as soon as he returned.
He needed to avoid unknowingly slighting an important guest out of ignorance.
The next day, while continuing to show Song Jinzhao shops, the agent stole several careful glances at her.
She looked slender and petite, yet she apparently knew martial arts.
She had reportedly fought her way in and out of Northern Spy dens and mountain bandit lairs multiple times. Truly, appearances could be deceiving; this young lady was not to be trifled with.
To have received an imperial decree of reward from the Emperor, and for her brother to be not just an ordinary scholar but the top candidate in the exams... no wonder Scholar Li's attitude towards her was unusual.
