Imperial Treasure

Chapter 620 - 403: Duke Zheng’s Mansion

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Friend or foe? Yhan Qingwu pondered Sui Yi’s question briefly and replied softly, "Without sufficient interest, enmity, or stance, I think there are few who would want to be your enemy."

"It’s hard to say about the affairs of the world..." Sui Yi’s voice, graceful and melodious, thinned out in the drizzling rain, carrying a touch of melancholy.

She thought of someone.

The one who had fought with her several times in the Warring States Ancient Tomb.

If her alter ego didn’t remind her wrongly...

It turns out that not recognizing each other at first is not the worst thing... The worst is becoming enemies after not recognizing each other.

If she recognizes herself, but pretends not to know.

If she doesn’t recognize herself, then she forgets everything.

Whichever possibility, both indicate that there seems to be no room for turning around between them.

Yhan Qingwu felt amused yet helpless; her last comment was meant to imply that someone like Sui Yi, whom most people would rush to get close to, wouldn’t likely become an enemy.

However, turning her head and seeing Sui Yi’s deep and melancholic eyes, she knew Sui Yi was preoccupied with thoughts and merely smiled slightly, saying, "Let’s go, the flower market is over there. The car isn’t far, and if we find something suitable, we can take it back."

Sui Yi nodded and followed Yhan Qingwu into the crowd and into the lingering rain.

About fifty meters away, at an inconspicuous spot, a woman with short hair stood under the café’s eaves, leaning against the red brick pillar, watching the two gradually walk away.

A young man next to her took the initiative to approach, trying to strike up a conversation... She turned her face, glanced at him, and his complexion immediately turned pale.

She passed by him, opened a black umbrella, and walked into the rain in her black and beige trench coat, stepping on cold-feeling boots...

She walked in the opposite direction of Sui Yi.

The Capital City is vast, with countless flower markets, and this one is one of the not so small ones. Sui Yi’s requirements were not high; just picking a few pots that looked comfortable would suffice.

Nevertheless, they were lucky to see some good quality flowers—a pot of iris, two pots of orchid, and lilies, quite a variety...

However, both were surprised to see a pot of gentleman’s orchid.

And its quality was excellent.

Both Sui Yi and Yhan Qingwu, who had a good eye, were surprised to find such an orchid in this small store. They approached and inquired. The store owner was a very young girl, about the same age as Sui Yi and Yhan Qingwu, stunned at the sight of them, perhaps because they were too charming, but still, she replied with the price.

One pot, three hundred.

So cheap?

Was this a steal?

Sui Yi and the others laughed, and in the end, they bought it for a thousand.

Specifically, the girl just stared at their departing figures as if they were lunatics.

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After decorating the house with a few pots of flowers, it came naturally for Yhan Qingwu to spend the night at Sui Yi’s place, considering their apartments were not far from each other.

"Gong Jiu mentioned that she might come to the Capital City in the coming days, "

"Hmm..."

Sui Yi also knew that a considerable part of the assets Gong Jiu took over was located in the Capital City, and her coming to take charge was inevitable, as well as a chance to visit her.

"I think seeing you is the most important reason," Yhan Qingwu teased while sipping on her drink.

Sui Yi looked at her and asked, "What’s so great about me?"

Not great? Yhan Qingwu looked at the person in the sunlight by the French window, serene as porcelain... She smiled and remained silent.

"However, her enterprise is a bit messy, after all, it’s not like the Provincial City where that old man has been managing these matters over the years; there might be some issues," Yhan Qingwu thought for a moment, then said, "I heard from my mother that those two uncles have been frequently visiting the Capital City in these past years."

Sui Yi paused drinking water and said, "She will handle it... Are you also involved in this now?"

She felt like Yhan Qingwu had begun to dabble in business.

"Yes, though my mother didn’t mention it, there aren’t suitable candidates from our Tang Family’s side, so grandpa asked me to take over... After all, the Tang Family’s finances still depend on my mother’s assets,"

The Tang Family excelled in martial prowess but were not skilled in business. Having produced Tang Hanyan was already lucky; the rest lacked that capability. Fortunately, Yhan Qingwu’s innate talents were not bad. Assuming a role like Sui Yi’s as a half-hearted businessman, not to mention expansion, aligning with Sui Yi and people like Gong Jiu to hold the line and maintain the original foundation was relatively straightforward.

Moreover, people like Gong Jiu, Flower Demon, and Sui Yi were far from just holding the line. The old heads actually knew very well about their achievements over the last few years; they were quite envious.

Sui Yi thought abouthow Tang Hanyan’s business in the Capital City was actually quite significant. Although not as wealthy as Gong Jiu, she could still help Gong Jiu a great deal in the Capital City. If they formed an alliance, it would benefit both sides greatly, especially since a network could substantially boost each one’s survival resources.

Yhan Qingwu’s decision was wise.

In this society, absolute economic power is indispensable.

Just like her, even if she disliked it, she still got involved, didn’t she?

"Let’s discuss it when she arrives... It’s also good since Sui Tang Square recently moved to the Capital City..."

Although neither of the two were quite suited for business, they were not without business acumen and discussed their respective industries, even opening a video call with Gong Jiu and Flower Demon.

The night just passed by like that.

The next day, Sui Yi and Yhan Qingwu took that pot of orchids back to school. The two women got out of the car early in the morning, each carrying a beautiful pot of orchids.

The scene that accompanied their arrival was quite pleasing to the eye.

But for some reason, the way people looked at them along the way was a bit strange.

Although it was not very apparent, both were too sensitive and puzzled, only to find out why after handing over the orchid to Mo Ke.

"Are you saying... someone spread that I’m with Sui Yi..." Yhan Qingwu tilted her head, pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst into a bright smile and said to Sui Yi, "Classmate, I’ve wronged you."

Sui Yi: "..."

To the surprise of many, Sui Yi and Yhan Qingwu took the sudden rumor quite casually, which actually caused some gossipy people to not dare to spread it further, and the rumor faded in less than two days.

This annoyed some people behind the scenes, but they dared not overdo it and had to let it go.

Half a month later, on a bright morning, Lin Yun, Xu Zhengmao, and Sui Yi drove to one of the most famous sites in Capital City: Pan Family Garden.

Visitors to Capital City seldom miss The Forbidden City, and those who deal in antiques inevitably make a trip to Pan Family Garden.

So, the three of them went there.

"Young boss, although our Sui Tang Square is renowned in Jiangdu, it’s only just hanging on in Capital City. Establishing roots here, even if it takes a lot of time, won’t be easy," Sui Yi nodded in agreement, aware of the dense industry and strong competition in Capital City, where corporate powers clashed. Although she had substantial funds, she lacked the foundational influence and network in Capital City, making a successful start challenging.

Pan Family Garden presented an opportunity.

Xu Zhengmao’s briefcase contained three invitations.

The text on them was plain and simple.

--Duke Zheng’s Mansion Antique Exhibition.

The location and main subject were very clear, without any flamboyant rhetoric, but the writing was bold and clear, indicating a solid foundation, and the material of the invitation was also quite extraordinary.

Such was the heritage.

In the car, Lin Yun fiddled with the three invitations and looked at Xu Zhengmao with some disbelief, asking, "Is Duke Zheng’s Mansion that impressive? Can it really open doors for us in Capital City?"

Xu Zhengmao didn’t even glance up as he spoke methodically: "Do you know what place Duke Zheng’s Mansion is? The entire nation’s elite class knows it well by heart."

That impressive?

Sitting in the backseat with her head resting on her palm, Sui Yi listened as Xu Zhengmao continued, "Duke Zheng’s Mansion carries the legacy from the Ming Dynasty’s Duke Zheng, Zheng Yu, a historic duke and key minister, whose family has been filled with high-ranking influencers for generations. Surviving wars and changes, this family has fiercely maintained their glory and extensive heritages with businesses spread globally... Now, those wealthy families look almost ridiculous in comparison."

Sounding mighty indeed, Lin Yun lost his temper and looked at the invitation, "Given its significance, the antique exhibition it has organized isn’t open to the public, so an invitation must be hard to secure. How did you manage to get three of them?"

Xu Zhengmao’s mouth twitched slightly, "Are you complimenting me?"

"No."

"Women, always saying one thing but meaning another... Of course, that doesn’t include our boss," he said.

Ha, just a few days ago, he was accusing me of flattery and petty mindedness, what now?

Lin Yun snickered and abruptly turned back.

"Young boss, Xu Zhengmao says you’re not a woman."

"..." Xu Zhengmao watched someone snitch sideways, noting the delicate white neck and charming eyes.. and couldn’t help but laugh.

Sui Yi looked out the window, her voice faint and seemingly indifferent, "I only consider you a woman..."

For some reason, both Xu Zhengmao and Lin Yun were startled upon hearing this, then turned their faces away, looking somewhat unnatural.

Then it was quiet for a long time.

Having a boss who could kill with words and had high emotional intelligence was indeed exhausting.

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Although Pan Family Garden had many shops and a famous Taobao Street, Sui Yi and the others were not there for that. After driving into Pan Family Garden, they discovered an impressive square followed by a large garden and then, a mansion.

The mansion was huge, with the outer part done in Republic Style villa architecture and the interior a genuine quadrangle courtyard.

The property was expansive, at least five thousand square meters.

In the valuable Pan Family Garden... such a mansion’s value was probably unstoppable at two to three hundred million.

The trio got out of the car.

In front of them was The Gate, four stone pillars supporting a red brick tiled roof, with a dozen bodyguards overseeing entry checks, and three to four groups of armed guards patrolling. Sui Yi only needed to scan once to realize the equipment on these people was very advanced, international level. The security was this strict at the front, suggesting it was likely even more stringent inside.

Fortunately, Lin Yun was no longer the naive Ahmon he once was; no matter how shocked he was internally, he remained calm on the surface. Xu Zhengmao, having worked in top companies on Wall Street, found the setting quite normal. As for Sui Yi...

She wouldn’t wrinkle a brow even if the sky fell down. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile phone users, please read at m.qidian.com.)