Tingyun slowly stepped out of the [Mirror], her Crescent Moon fan half-hiding her face as she approached Ruan Mei. She smiled softly and asked, "Benefactor, is there some matter you wish to discuss with this humble woman?"
Ruan Mei remained cool and detached, her eyes half-closed as she nodded. "Tingyun, you used to work at the Sky-Faring Commission, correct?"
"Yes. More precisely, I worked as a traveling merchant in one of its subordinate guilds, journeying among the stars."
Seeing Tingyun's gaze fixed entirely on Ruan Mei, completely ignoring her, Herta immediately stepped between them, crossing her arms with a hint of displeasure. "Tingyun, Ruan Mei and I came to you today only to ask about purchasing a residence on the Xianzhou Luofu. Since you were an external merchant, you probably don't know much about this anyway. Ruan Mei, let's find someone else."
Tingyun could still sense Herta's hostility, even though it had noticeably softened. But Herta was Herta—the jealous queen of the universe, as the rumors said.
"Madam Herta, although I have spent many years traveling with merchant guilds, I still know a thing or two about purchasing property on the Luofu. Bargaining, negotiating, assessing value—I can handle all of that on your behalf."
Ruan Mei nodded slightly. "Herta, there's an old Xianzhou saying: 'Each trade has its master.' Purchasing a residence is a form of commerce. It's only fitting to let Tingyun handle it."
Herta wanted to argue, but a single calm glance from Ruan Mei silenced her. In the end, she rarely conceded, though she let out a small snort. "Fine. Tingyun can arrange the purchase. But I have conditions."
Tingyun's heart sank. Madam Herta's conditions were usually harder to meet than reaching the heavens. Still, with Benefactor present, perhaps it would be manageable. She forced a smile and nodded. "Whatever Madam Herta wishes."
Herta feigned composure with a cough. "The residence I want must have enough space for laboratories, research materials, and so on—say, five or six hundred acres. It must also be conveniently located, with no neighbors—especially not Lingsha—because I don't want to be disturbed. The location should be in Changle."
Tingyun smiled awkwardly. She knew better than anyone that land in Changle was worth its weight in gold. Though Madam Herta and Madam Ruan Mei had no shortage of credits, finding a five- or six-hundred-acre estate without neighbors was truly difficult.
"Madam Ruan Mei, Madam Herta's request is not impossible, but it would require demolishing some existing buildings and providing compensation. The final cost may be somewhat high."
Herta smirked and waved her hand, producing a purple gold card and tossing it to Tingyun. "If money can solve a problem, it's not a problem."
Tingyun had met Asta a few times in Ruan Mei's company, and both Wisteria Cake and Herta Ninety-Nine had often mentioned the station master. "Is this Asta's purple gold card?"
"Don't ask. Just follow my instructions."
Tingyun scratched her foxian ear and turned to Ruan Mei. "Benefactor, do you have any requirements?"
Ruan Mei answered without hesitation. "Same as Herta. Additionally, have some rockeries, ancient pavilions, a secluded pond, and cold plum blossoms added to the estate."
Tingyun quickly took out her notebook and jotted everything down.