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The words "Vermilion Bird Avenue" kept echoing in Lu Huan's ears.

That was the main thoroughfare running north to south through Yanjing City, capable of accommodating four carriages traveling side by side, dividing Yanjing City into two parts.

Even though this shop isn't in the center of Yanjing City, its location is excellent, and ordinary people can't buy it even if they have money.

With trembling hands, Lu Huan accepted the four land deeds handed to him by Zi Jin, his clear eyes filled with ecstatic joy: "Are these all a reward for me?"

Princess Yan was amused by her silly appearance, and her mood brightened considerably: "It's all yours! I'll have the head steward accompany you later, otherwise no one in the government office will dare to process your land deed!"

By the way, did you bring your household registration certificate?

"Yes, yes! I saw a few shops I liked yesterday, and I also need to go to the government office anyway!"

The princess breathed a sigh of relief. Lu Huan's words had been so frightening that they had truly scared her.

If an ordinary person knew in advance that chaos was about to break out in the north, they would at least shut down their businesses and flee to another place for a year or two. Why would they be as excited as Lu Huan, buying shops so readily?

Thinking of this, Princess Yan couldn't help but add a few more words of advice: "Don't tell anyone what you said before. It's too shocking and could easily cause panic!"

Lu Huan nodded with a smile: "It was only because His Highness told me to speak that I dared to speak so frankly! Besides, others aren't the rulers of the North, so what's the use of me telling them!"

"You're getting more and more outrageous!" Princess Yan's tone was light, without a trace of anger.

She glanced at the water clock beside her and picked up her tea.

Serving tea and seeing the guest off was a task Lu Huan knew how to do. After thanking her again, she took the house deed and left with a smile.

Princess Yan tapped her fingers on the gift box, remaining silent for a long time without ordering anyone to come in. It wasn't until Prince Yan returned to his study that she snapped out of her reverie.

What's in these two boxes?

Previously, Princess Consort Yan had only opened the top one. It was only after Prince Yan reminded her that she realized Lu Huan had presented two gift boxes in total.

"I'm so happy I could hardly believe it!"

She opened the wooden box, presented it to the Prince of Yan, and awaited his reaction.

Previously, the Prince of Yan had been listening to his advisors' endless arguments until his head ached. However, the moment the wooden box was opened, he felt his head become exceptionally clear. But with such a remarkable effect, could there be something wrong with this thing?

Thinking this, he immediately instructed his attendant, "Go and summon the physician from the prefecture."

He then pointed to the box below and asked, "What's this?"

The princess was very satisfied with his reaction: "Your Highness, you felt it too, didn't you? This proves that it wasn't just my imagination. I haven't opened the one below either, why don't you open it and take a look?"

The Prince of Yan casually opened the wooden box, revealing the bloodstone inside.

He stared at it for a moment, then sighed softly, "The Cheng family, what a pity."

If the Cheng family were still around, he wouldn't have such a headache.

On the other side, Lu Huan followed Xi Le out. When they were almost at the gate of the Prince's Mansion, they saw a middle-aged man dressed as a doctor hurrying back in the direction they had come from.

"Who is that?" Lu Huan asked curiously.

Xile glanced back at the figure and said, "That should be the physician of the prefecture."

Lu Huan knew that the Prince of Yan had probably seen the pearls and wanted to conduct a routine inspection. Once they had the results, they would likely come knocking on his door soon.

She entered Gao Yan's room and saw two small plates on the coffee table, both with many crumbs of pastries on them.

"Didn't you eat enough this morning? Are the Prince's pastries really that delicious?"

Gao Yan looked somewhat detached and shook his head: "Ah? I didn't eat it. I just met a child and talked to him for a while."

However, Lu Huan's mind was already preoccupied with the property deed she had just acquired, and she didn't notice Gao Yan's distraction.

She excitedly moved closer to Gao Yan and asked mysteriously, "Guess what wonderful thing the Princess Consort gave me?"

Gao Yan temporarily put the person he had just encountered out of his mind, looked at Lu Huan's joyful face, and tentatively asked, "Could it be gold or silver?"

Lu Huan shook his head: "It's even better than gold and silver! It's a shop on Zhuque Street!"

Gao Yan was startled and stood there stunned for a while before asking uncertainly, "Is it that Vermilion Bird Street?"

Lu Huan nodded vigorously, confirming his guess.

In his previous life, before Lu Huan died, there were rumors that the new emperor planned to move the capital back to Yanjing City because of the empress's health.

If the Prince of Yan were to ascend the throne again in this life, Lu Huan dared not even imagine how outrageously the shops on Zhuque Street would rise in price, for fear that he would faint from joy.

In her excitement, Lu Huan suddenly remembered that she had important business with Gao Yan: "Ayan, I need to go to the government office with the head steward of the Prince's mansion to process the house deed in a little while. Could you please inform Granny Sun to take the homeowner to the government office? Let's take advantage of this opportunity and get everything done at once!"

"Okay, I'll go now!"

It was more than half an hour later when the property deed was finally completed.

The clerk from the household registration office escorted them all the way to the gate of the government office.

Lu Huan held a thick stack of property deeds, her lips never twitching. She gave Gao Yan a wink, who understood immediately, stepped forward, and slipped a five-tael silver ingot into the clerk's hand.

What was given to the head steward was a thin piece of paper—a silver note with a face value of fifty taels.

"Thank you, Young Master Gao and Madam. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now." The head steward cupped his hands in thanks to the two of them and then turned to leave.

Lu Huan's enthusiasm remained undiminished. She tugged at Gao Yan's sleeve and suggested, "When we leave the city, let's take a stroll down Zhuque Street and see how big our shop is!"

Ours!

Hearing such words, Gao Yan felt a warm glow in his heart, and his mood was also affected by Lu Huan, becoming cheerful.

The two were gazing at each other tenderly when a group of people emerged from the government office. It was Granny Sun and the landlords.

Previously, Granny Sun had only been polite and courteous to Lu Huan; but when she saw the head steward of the Prince of Yan's mansion personally bringing Lu Huan over to process the house deed, her attitude immediately became somewhat obsequious.

"Mrs. Lu, I hope you will continue to patronize my business in the future!"

Lu Huan offered a slight helping hand to Granny Sun and said politely, "Granny Sun, you're too kind! Please call me Madam Gao. I happen to have something I'd like to ask you for help with!"

In a couple of days, could you please notify the tenants of these three shops that the ownership has changed hands and they need to sign new lease agreements? Also, all five shops need to be rented out.”

"You're too kind, Madam Gao. I will definitely handle everything perfectly for you!"

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while before saying goodbye.

The previous homeowners had already bowed and taken their leave while Lu Huan and Gao Yan were exchanging pleasantries.

Lu Huan rolled up the house deed and stuffed it into a hidden pocket in his sleeve.

Fortunately, she was wearing a wide-hemmed, narrow-necked ruyi (a type of traditional Chinese dress) today; otherwise, the bulging cuffs would have looked quite unsightly.

Guided by Lu Huan, Shi Gu drove the mule cart and soon arrived at the Lu family's gate.

From the outside, the Lu family's house appears to be just a two-courtyard residence, but it has independent courtyards on both sides and a small garden in the back, so the total area is not small.

Today is the day Lu's daughter returns to her parents' home. The gates of the Lu residence are wide open, and a mule cart is parked at the entrance.

Gao Yan glanced at it and then said to Lu Huan, "It's the clan chief's mule cart."