Following the requirements Ruan Mei and Herta had set for their new residence, Tingyun relied on her connections and previous relationships to finally find three estates.
The first was Purple Vines Estate in Changle. Tingyun led the two through a mist-shrouded lakeside pavilion path. Ruan Mei and Herta looked around. The estate had mountains and water, towers every five steps, pavilions every ten. Purple vine flowers covered the hills, their petals drifting in the breeze and landing on Herta's magic hat.
Ruan Mei stepped toward her. Herta froze, staring at her in disbelief. What is Ruan Mei doing? The plum blossom scent was faint but unmistakable. And Tingyun was right there—that insufferable fox was even hiding a smile behind her fan! Couldn't she wait until the fox left?!
Under Herta's stunned gaze, Ruan Mei leaned down and picked up the flower. "The Luofu's four seasons follow the rotation of that ancient star. Their artificial seasonal control is quite sophisticated."
Herta sighed wistfully, crossing her arms with disdain. "My space station could have spring all year round. But the researchers there are either too absorbed in their studies to understand human connection, or too scheming to appreciate the mundane world."
Ruan Mei caught the implication: Herta was accusing her of not understanding people. "Really? Then perhaps you, the brilliant and aloof Madam Herta, could tell me why the Starcrusher Swarm King chose to stay in that soulless space station?"
Ruan Mei closed her eyes and answered unhurriedly. "The Starcrusher Swarm King was never meant to be part of the mundane world. So it's only fitting that the space station lacks such warmth."
Seeing they were about to devolve into arguing about the space station instead of focusing on buying a new home, Tingyun quickly stepped between them, a gentle smile on her face. "Alright, Madam Herta, Madam Ruan Mei, let's return to the topic of Purple Vines Estate."
Both fell silent and looked at her.
"Purple Vines Estate is a small pocket realm within Changle, occupying five thousand acres. As you can see, there are 9,999 pavilions, misty lakes, ten thousand purple vine trees, and three thousand plum blossoms. There are also thirty acres set aside where Madam Herta could plant a sea of violet orchids."
Herta nodded blandly. She had no real knowledge of Xianzhou estates, but having land reserved for violet orchids was acceptable.
"Tingyun, this estate is inside a pocket realm. What about the other two?"
"Similar."
"Is there no estate like Fu Xuan's—not in a pocket realm, but in the real world of Changle—available for direct purchase? Credits are not an issue."
Tingyun smiled helplessly and shook her head. "Madam Herta, it's not about credits. Estates like the Grand Diviner's have been passed down for generations among the six Xianzhou ships' noble families. Their ancestors were generals, Six Edicts, even families favored by the First Emperor for ten thousand years. Those estates are scattered across the six ships and are never sold to outsiders. Only these pocket-realm estates are available for purchase."
Herta gritted her teeth. She had heard of these noble families: Fu Xuan was from the Fu clan of the Yuque, Jing Yuan from a distinguished Luofu family...