The Proprietress carefully examined the information contained in the final two jade slips, then nodded. "Well done."
Yuan Ruide replied, "It was my duty, nothing more."
The Proprietress turned the jade slips over in her fingers and asked, "What about the previous owner of this shop? He wasn't treated unfairly, was he?"
Yuan Ruide smiled. "I purchased his shop at twenty percent above market price. That money is more than enough for him to buy another shop elsewhere with plenty left over. He was overjoyed — how could he possibly feel wronged?"
"Good." The Proprietress nodded with satisfaction.
Yuan Ruide bowed. "Does my lady have any further instructions? If not, this subordinate will take his leave and report back."
"Would you like to rest for the night before departing?"
"My lady's kindness is appreciated, but this subordinate has already rested here for several days. It would be best to return and report as soon as possible."
"Then I won't keep you. Lao Bai, see our guest out!" the Proprietress called.
Bai Qi stepped forward from the line, beaming, and gestured with an open hand. "This way, please!"
"This subordinate takes his leave!" Yuan Ruide bowed once more and strode out.
Only after Yuan Ruide had gone did the Proprietress turn to survey her surroundings, nodding. "A decent enough location."
Bai Qi sidled up. "Proprietress, are we going to set up shop here from now on?"
"Is that not allowed?" the Proprietress replied absently as she strolled about.
Bai Qi's eyes lit up with gold. He chuckled. "Of course it is! As long as the Proprietress is around, we're happy anywhere."
The Proprietress scoffed. "Don't think I don't know — you lot have been sick of being cooped up outside for ages. You can't wait to come to a bustling market like this and eat, drink, and have fun. I'm telling you, have all the fun you want, but don't cause me any trouble and don't let it interfere with work. Otherwise, you'll regret it."
"Absolutely not!" Bai Qi swore fervently, then turned to flash a grin at the Cook and the Accountant, his face alight with excitement.
"Dusty." The Proprietress wiped her fingers along the armrest of a chair, glanced at the grime on her fingertip, and casually wiped it on Bai Qi's sleeve. She drew a small circle in the air with her hand. "Tomorrow, find someone to replace everything in here."
"Yes!" Bai Qi replied respectfully.
The Proprietress raised a hand to cover a yawn behind her red lips. "I'm tired. I'm going to rest. You lot find somewhere to sleep too — we start work tomorrow."
"Take care, Proprietress!" Bai Qi, the Cook, and the Accountant stood in a neat row and bowed respectfully as she departed. Yang Kai blinked in surprise, then hurriedly shuffled into line behind them.
The Proprietress glanced sideways at them with an expression that clearly said she could see right through their hearts, livers, spleens, and kidneys. With a sweep of her sleeve, she headed toward the inner quarters. Her voice drifted back: "Yang Kai, come with me!"
Bai Qi and the others immediately turned to Yang Kay with looks of sympathy.
Yang Kai was left speechless. He had been hoping to take this opportunity to see what a star market actually looked like, but he had barely set foot here before the Proprietress had snagged him. He had no idea what the woman wanted.
With no choice, he watched with undisguised envy as Bai Qi and the others threw their arms around each other's shoulders and sauntered out.
He sighed and made his way to the inner courtyard, following the sound to a side room, where he knocked on the door.
"Come in!" came the Proprietress's voice.
Yang Kai pushed the door open and entered. Inside the room, two maids were busy making the bed and folding blankets. What made his jaw drop was that the very same fragrant couch he had seen aboard the ship had been brought out here as well.
"Proprietress, did you need something?" Yang Kai asked. Over the past few months, his relationship with the Proprietress had actually been quite harmonious — she hadn't given him any trouble lately.
The Proprietress sat upright and looked up at him. "Do you possess an Artifact that can conceal your body and aura?"
Why would she suddenly ask about that? Yang Kai looked puzzled, but there was no point hiding it. After all, back in the Golden Crow Divine Palace, the Proprietress had already discovered his whereabouts — it was only natural she would have made this inference. He nodded in acknowledgment.
"Let me see it." The Proprietress extended her hand.
Yang Kai produced the Shadowless Veil and handed it over.
The Proprietress took it, a half-smile playing on her lips. "Aren't you afraid I'll just keep it?"
Yang Kai chuckled. "Surely not. Could something like this really catch your eye?"
"That's hard to say!" the Proprietress remarked, lowering her gaze to examine the artifact. She periodically channeled her power into it, probing carefully.
After a good while, she finally gave a slight nod. "A fine piece. Anyone below the Mid-rank Open Heaven stage shouldn't be able to detect you at all. Even at Mid-rank Open Heaven, unless they probe carefully, they could easily overlook you."
Yang Kai gave her a thumbs-up. This assessment was identical to what Du Rufeng had told him back in the day — and the Proprietress had reached this conclusion from a mere inspection without even refining it. Her discernment was truly impressive.