In the silent hall of the Blazing Days Sect, an old man sat opposite two young ladies, a bodyguard standing behind them and a maid beside them. The old man's head was sweating profusely as he asked, “So... you would like to buy our sect and ownership of Dongu Village? Your Highness?”

This was Sect Leader Khang Choi, facing Princess Huangshu and Young Mistress Edina. He never would have expected that the imperial princess, known for her detachment from political matters, would seek to acquire his village.

“That’s what I said, Sect Leader, didn't I? Edina and I would like to purchase the sect and, by extension, the village. You will no longer be affiliated with the larger Blazing Dawn Sect and will become an independent sect under my faction,” Princess Huangshu stated firmly.

“I... ah, the terms. Yes, Your Highness, let's discuss the terms,” Sect Leader Khang stammered, overwhelmed. He understood what Princess Huangshu was proposing but still couldn’t comprehend why they would want his sect. It was economically unsustainable, deeply in debt, and lacked renowned martial arts techniques or martial artists.

The idea of breaking away from their affiliated sect and becoming independent was not new. The Shining Blade Sect in the neighboring province was once affiliated with the Shaolin Sect, but a merchant family wanting to become a noble clan bought it and developed it into the prominent Shining Blade Sect of today.

Yet, it seemed unusual for two young ladies of high noble status to buy their remote sect. There appeared to be no advantage for them in terms of elevating their social status, as they were already of high status. Additionally, there were no significant economic or martial benefits to be gained.

Princess Huangshu, sensing Sect Leader Khang’s confusion, leaned forward and smiled. “We will not merge the Blazing Days Sect with any existing organization like my Little Phoenix Palace or The Jinwei Line of Blazing Dawn. What we are looking for is a place for a vacation house and a location to hold our gatherings and have some fun.”

Young Mistress Edina nodded in agreement, providing additional reassurance. This explanation gave Khang some relief and a better idea of their intentions, but it also left him with questions. “Wouldn’t merging us into one of the existing organizations be easier to manage, Your Highness? We can’t even pay interest rates to our affiliates as it is.”

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“No,” Princess Huangshu replied. “This will be a jointly owned region between Miss Cha Ling and me. Merging your sect into one of our operations wouldn’t make it equally owned.”

Khang finally understood their objective and nodded. He then said, “Payment of our current debts and funding to ensure a stable life for the villagers. Since you will likely change the management, our current leaders will need a sum to survive until they find new jobs.”

In a meek voice, Young Mistress Edina responded, “Th-that won’t be necessary. We will keep the old management but we want them to restructure.”

Khang was surprised by this but felt relieved that his people wouldn’t face immediate upheaval. He continued, “We wish to keep our traditional martial teachings intact. I know we won’t have a say in the entire curriculum going forward, as it’s mandatory to hand over the teachings of your choice, but I still want our historical teachings to be incorporated in some way.”

Jinhai, the bodyguard, spoke up sternly, “That’s way out of line, Sect Leader. You have failed your sect and ancestors’ teachings by running it into the ground, yet you are asking Her Highness not to remove your sect’s teachings? I understand your feelings, but you are overstepping.”

Princess Huangshu raised her hand to stop Jinhai and then looked at Young Mistress Edina, seeking her opinion. “What do you think?”

Young Mistress Edina, looking uncertain, replied, “You know, Huangshu, I... I don’t know anything about martial arts, so you can decide this.”

Huangshu nodded and said, “Okay, you can keep your traditional arts in the new teachings, as long as they fit within one small scroll. Choose and select the most important ones to fit in it.”

Khang didn’t like the idea of losing some of the old teachings, but he realized that this compromise was already more than he could have hoped for.

“My terms are concluded, Your Highness,” he said, bowing deeply.

Princess Huangshu was taken aback by how modest Sect Leader Khang’s demands were for his own family and how deeply he cared for the villagers and his people. Though this was her first real negotiation, it seemed unreasonably one-sided to her, so she smiled and said, “Now, our terms. The sect will naturally be renamed, as it must be. However, I would like the succession of management to remain the same.”

Khang was shocked. He had assumed his family would be ousted from the sect, as was common when economically unstable sects were bought out. “I understand, Your Highness,” he said, bowing his head slightly.

Princess Huangshu continued, “A vacation mansion will be built near the lake. Of course, the funding will come from us, but you will need to arrange for the labor and other staff for the mansion.”

Khang nodded, relief flooding through him. “I understand, Your Highness.”

Young Mistress Edina smiled at Princess Huangshu’s generous gesture. This wasn’t part of their original plan, but it felt right. She added, “You will cease all business with the Tianlong Merchant Group and also stop any commercial carriage trespassing.”

This surprised Khang. This stipulation could have been an order after the acquisition, yet the young mistress was including it in the terms. “I understand, Young Mistress, but currently, the marketplace run by them and their fees for cargo are what allow our village to earn enough to function.”

Princess Huangshu intervened, “Don’t worry, we will arrange for better deals with another merchant group of our own.” She smiled reassuringly and waved, signaling a servant to bring in a contract.

The atmosphere in the hall was tense yet hopeful as all three of them read and signed the contract. Princess Huangshu handed the letter to Jinhai and instructed, “Send this to Uncle Right Minister with a pigeon carrier.”

The acquisition of the Dongu Region near Hin Lake was now complete.