Chapter 41: Making it a Business

Tang Zhao sighed. She had indeed latched onto a wealthy benefactor, but unfortunately, the benefactor had no money, only looks.

Regrettably, she was born with a bland palate; she had no taste for looks, only for money!

It was truly an irreconcilable contradiction.

Tang Zhao sighed. Since the path of latching onto a benefactor was a dead end, she could only become a wealthy benefactor herself. She pondered: what should she write this time?

The customs of the Northwest were fierce, and the people valued martial prowess. During foreign invasions, the entire population would even take up arms. A patriotic, heroic spirit was deeply embedded in the hearts of every son and daughter of the Northwest. Tang Zhao clasped her hands. Was there anything more suitable than *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*?

Having been immersed in business for over a decade, Tang Zhao considered herself to have lost her conscience to the dogs, but she still possessed a shred of integrity. She discarded her pen name, "Liaozhai Jushi," and donned the mantle of "Mr. Jin Yong." When the common people sang her works in the future, it could be considered a tribute to Mr. Jin Yong.

Tang Zhao set pen to paper and wrote the five large characters: *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, and signed beneath it: *Mr. Jin Yong*.

With this, there was nothing left to object to.

Coincidentally, Chunfeng and Qiu Yu returned. Tang Zhao hurriedly recruited them as laborers. The three worked in concert, and in just five short days, they finished the first twenty chapters.

The autumn rain wore down three inksticks, and Chunfeng’s hands became so numb they lost all sensation.

Tang Zhao drank throat-soothing medicine for five consecutive days; even swallowing saliva felt like a blunt knife slicing through her throat.

It felt like committing suicide by slit throat.

The Consort of the Heir, Lady Ming, was overjoyed to receive another manuscript from her sister-in-law. This was largely because *The Legend of the New White Lady* had sold so explosively that her natal family—her father and brothers—had sent numerous letters urging her to discuss writing more books with her sister-in-law, noting that the price was negotiable.

However, once the news spread throughout Great Yu that her sister-in-law had struck the Dengwen Drum to file a formal grievance against the imperial court, the urging from her family came to a sudden halt, replaced by: "Forget it, this Princess is a person of great ambition; don't let writing stories hold her back."

Lady Ming didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Now that Tang Zhao had proactively approached her to propose continued cooperation, Lady Ming naturally agreed, taking the initiative to suggest a profit-sharing model: thirty percent of the profits for every book sold.

Tang Zhao thanked her for the kindness, but shook her head like a rattle, her hands gesturing incessantly.

Lady Ming:?

"Consort, our lady says she does not want profit-sharing. She prefers the previous buyout method."

"However, the price will be higher than before," Qiu Yu said sheepishly, meeting the Consort's gaze. "Fifty taels per volume!"

Nanny Ming gasped.

Fifty taels!

Why not just go out and rob someone?!

Lady Ming fell into a silence, staring blankly at the freshly produced manuscript in her hands.

This was a completely different genre and subject matter. She believed her own literary talent was even more brilliant than that of *The Legend of the New White Lady*, but would the young masters and ladies raised in the wealthy towns of Jiangnan enjoy stories of martial arts and bloodshed?

Lady Ming was not certain.

"I must write to my father and brothers to ask."

Tang Zhao gestured again, and Qiu Yu translated from the side, "I'm afraid there won't be enough time. My lady needs the money within the next two days."

Official Mei had already sent letters two or three times. If they couldn't scrape the silver together, the seller was going to sell the shop to someone else.

Lady Ming hesitated, finally gritting her teeth and saying, "In that case, I shall buy it."

One thousand taels of silver was still less than the dividends she received from her natal family's books.

Tang Zhao's smile was radiant. She took the banknote and left Qingmo Hall, boarding her carriage to head toward Qingyu Road.

Official Mei and the seller did not expect the Princess to arrive in person; they stammered and knelt on the ground, unable to stand.

The guards had no choice but to prop the two of them up on the steps in front of the door.

Tang Zhao waited patiently, while Qiu Yu glared at the two of them with exasperation.

Official Mei and the seller exchanged bitter smiles. The highest-ranking official they had ever seen in their lives was merely a fourth-rank Prefect, whom they had only dared to watch from a distance while kneeling in a crowd.

To think they would actually see a living Princess?

This could practically be written into their family genealogies.

After half an incense stick's time, Official Mei finally stood up by leaning against the door. "This lowly one is terrified; please, Your Highness, grant us forgiveness," he said, attempting to kneel again.

The seller followed him in a sliding kneel onto the ground.

Tang Zhao waved them off. Qiu Yu said, "The Princess won't hold a grudge against you. Get up quickly," and urged, "Can you stand up or not?"

Official Mei and the seller gritted their teeth, raised their trembling, shaking arms, unlocked the door, and pushed it open with force.

"Please enter, Your Highness."

Tang Zhao stepped off the carriage and crossed the threshold first.

The seller's voice was even shriller than Inspector Zhou's, which grated on Tang Zhao's nerves. She decided not to let him introduce the place and simply looked around herself.

It was a courtyard with three successive sections, covering about ten acres. It was built of blue bricks and red tiles and was exceptionally sturdy. The courtyards were separated by walls, connected yet private. Most importantly, there were two wells in the courtyard.

Aside from being somewhat dilapidated, Tang Zhao was generally satisfied, but she didn't show it on her face. Joking—if she showed it, how could she haggle the price down?

The seller followed behind her anxiously, not daring to let his gaze fall on the Princess, instead repeatedly winking at Official Mei.

Official Mei pretended not to see.

Tang Zhao glanced at Qiu Yu, who asked, "I wonder what the asking price for this residence is?"

The seller spoke up boldly, "One thousand three hundred taels."

Tang Zhao shook her head. Too expensive.

The seller knew he had bitten off more than he could chew. He stopped stuttering and launched into a long-winded tale of hardship. Seeing that she remained unmoved, he took a step back and said, "One thousand two hundred taels."

Tang Zhao shook her head. Qiu Yu put her hands on her hips and shouted angrily, "You scoundrel! How dare you demand such an outrageous price! Believe it or not, I will report you to the Prefect for the crime of disrupting market prices!"

The seller shuddered. "Th-then, one thousand one hundred and eighty taels?"

Tang Zhao:...

So you're only dropping the price by twenty taels?

Tang Zhao made her offer: "Nine hundred taels!"

The seller's eyes widened; the words "no way" were stuck in his throat. Official Mei laughed it off, "Your Highness, for such a large courtyard, nine hundred taels is truly a bit low." She gave the seller a sharp pinch. "Don't you dare give Her Highness a reasonable price!"

The seller rubbed his bruised hand and said through tears, "One thousand one hundred and fifty taels."

Tang Zhao watched him silently.

"One thousand one hundred and thirty taels."

Tang Zhao's gaze grew increasingly cold.

"One thousand one hundred and ten taels."

"One thousand one hundred taels."

......

"One thousand and fifty taels!" The seller clutched his head and crouched on the ground. "I really cannot go any lower."

He wouldn't be making much profit anymore.

Tang Zhao turned to leave.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, please stay!" Official Mei gave the seller a hard kick. The seller hadn't expected Tang Zhao to leave so abruptly. This courtyard had been under Official Mei's care for half a year; the asking price was too high and it was far from the city center. Wealthy families looked down on it, and commoners couldn't afford it, so it had been stuck in limbo.

Now, he had a matter to settle that required a sum of money. If he missed this chance today, he feared prices would be driven down even further in the future!

"Your Highness, Your Highness!" Money gave him courage. He pushed past the crowd and fell to his knees at Tang Zhao's feet to block her path. "One thousand taels! I'll sell it for one thousand taels!"

Tang Zhao was speechless. With such a domineering tone paired with such a submissive plea, an outsider would think he was making a loss-making deal!

This price was acceptable. Tang Zhao didn't want to bicker over a few extra taels; her time was too precious. She ordered Qiu Yu to follow him to the government office to handle the transaction paperwork, while she boarded her carriage to return to the Prince's mansion.

Zhao Zhao: A master at haggling.

(End of Chapter)