Mother's Bargin and the Nobleman

Early morning came, a man servant was rushing through the long hallway of an outdoor mansion, but still managed to look calm. He made a few turns before he reached his destination to a large room containing a large slide door. Inside of the door was a medium study room that stored many books and scrolls on the shelfs. In the middle of the room was a small study table accompanied by an elder lookin man in his 40s with a neatly clean short beard, dressed in fine clothing. It was Hou Fu doing some poetry studying as he had a love for arts and appreciation for rare and beautiful things. Behind him at his side was his loyal old assistant who was always there to help assist him in things he does not understand.

The servant knocks on the door, and Hou Fu replies, "come in."

With Hou Fu's permission the servant opened the door and gave a respectful bow upon seeing him."lord Chen, lady Li has traveled a long way to meet you. She is currently outside waiting requesting to meet you about a private matter." the servant blink a bit trying to remember the rest of the given message. "She also said she has an offer to make which you can not refuse."

"Lady Li?" Upon hearing the not so familiar surname, Hou Fu was a little unsure of who this Lady Li is and turned his head to his assistance standing on the side. His assistant realized he was not familiar with who this person was, so he stepped in a little closer to inform him.

"Miss Li came from the family of Wang whose daughter was married to the famous scholar Mr Li. There is a rumor in the city of Dàhé, her daughter is very talented, smart, and most of all her beauty is desired by every man. There could be a chance she could have heard you are currently looking for a new concubine, so her visit today could be offering her daughter for something more." The assistant explained.

"Is that so, if that was the case, what would she be asking for?" Ask elder man Hou Fu who seems a little clueless.

His assistant looked at him with blinking eyes and with his hand out, his fingers were rubbing against each other in other terms, money. The assistant didn't have to say anything and Hou Fu understood the meaning of her visit today. But overall, Hou Fu doesn't seem to be quite interested in the topic of Miss Li's beautiful daughter, and only continues to stroke his brush on the long scroll of paper in front of him.

"I also heard Miss Li is really interested in money, as her husband was still alives he used to run a business of books before the business went down. There is a chance she may be asking for a high sum of money in exchange for her daughter." The assistant continues to inform Hou Fu seemingly he doesn't seem to be interested in the topic.

Hou Fu stopped stroking and instead he put his brush down and started stroking his short beard, and gave off the expression as though he was trying to think hard. After a few wisdom beard stroking he finally said, "Well if the rumors are true, her beauty is desired by all men then I definitely do not want to miss the chance of meeting such a beautiful woman in the city of Dàhé." Hou Fu turned to look at the servant still standing at the door. "Tell Miss Li I would be delighted to meet her in my study room at noon."

"Yes sir." The servant bowed in respect and then left the room.

As promised, noon went by quickly and, lady Li, Li Jian's step mother was guided into the study room where Hou Fu remained. He was still on his usual spot paying no attention to anything around him as he continued to stroke his brush with a poem he had been working on for hours.

"Sir Hou Fu, Miss Li is here." After announcing the servant back away and out of the door.

This time it was just the two of them alone in this study room. Miss Li only stood there observing the room a little before eyeing the man on his desk seeming distracted by his writing. She stepped closer to where he was sitting to bring attention to herself. Mr Hou Fu decided to put the brush down and looked over to the elder lady before him.

"So Miss Li, I heard you've come a long way from Dàhé to meet me here about a private matter. Do tell me, it's just the two of us here, are you here to offer your beautiful daughter?" Hou Fu jumped right into it without hesitation.

"Hump, so you're well aware as to why I'm here. Well then, I guess it'll make things easier for the both of us."Said Miss Li crossing as she crossed her arms. She seems nervous at first, but since Hou Yi is aware, she gains the confidence she needed and also jumps right into negotiation without hesitation. "I want 30,000 gold in exchange for my daughter Na Li. I've had many offers from other noble men, but considering you, I believe you'd be best suited for her."

"Oh, and why is that so?" Hou Fu asked.

The Stepmother paused, looked at him quite seriously, making herself comfortable as she continued to walk around his study room. She said with a slight smirk on her face. "I have done my own research about you sir Hou Fu. I have my connections, and one of the little birds tweets to me that not only do you adore women, but you'd also go the other direction as well."

"So you're saying, this daughter of yours is…?" Hou Fu seems alert.

"Man he is, but at a young age he was raised as a female, looks like a female, talented, and of course prettier than all the women in Dàhé." Miss Li quickly added to keep his interest. "I know you Sir Hou Fu, you held some of the most beautiful concubines here in your mansion, at least almost 100 of them. But for my daughter even the gods would dare come down just to see the mortal Li na." Miss Li steps closer to Hou Fu's Studying circle. "I am not asking for too much, if he was a girl I'd have asked for 50k of gold."

The old man burst out laughing and slammed his hand on the table.

"Hahahahaha," Hou Fu started to laugh. "You are so confident that I will take this man daughter of your. Then again it wouldn't hurt to see this Li Na before placing a price."

"Very well." The stepmother smiles with confidence. Without saying anything further she pulled out a small golden card from her sleeves and placed it on his studies table.

"What's this?" He picked it up and looked at it curiously.

"This is an invitation to access one of the VIP tables on the 10th floor at the 10 realms tower where my Li Na will be performing at her best. Everyone gets a chance to see him equally. You'll have the privilege to view at closer distance, and after you do, we can continue this conversation to reset the price." Miss Li explains hiding a smirk on her face, eye lock at the nobleman in front of her.