Huai'an Prefecture, due to Liu Hefeng's funeral, saw all the inns in the city nearly full. Besides inns and eateries, only incense shops made significant profits, commonly referred to as profiting from the dead.
Of course, the biggest losers were the pleasure quarters, which had all closed their doors. This was to prevent dissolute young men from coming to drink and seek out beauties, only to leave Huai'an Prefecture after eating, drinking, and having their fill. The brothels, on the other hand, would have offended the Liu family. It was better to close shop and earn less money.
"Shopkeeper, we have a customer," the shop assistant called out. There were too few customers, and the shopkeeper was dozing off from boredom.
The plump shopkeeper's eyes lit up instantly, especially when he saw that Zhan Feiyu's clothes were made of brocade. He was as excited as if he had seen the God of Wealth. "Miss, please come in. Mind the threshold. Hurry and brew some tea... no, brew a pot of black tea, and bring out the fruit platter and pastries."
Green tea was cold and harmful to the spleen and stomach, which was not suitable for young girls like Zhan Feiyu. Black tea was warm and more appropriate. The plump shopkeeper knew so much, indicating he was a skilled businessman who paid attention to every detail.
Zhan Feiyu was startled by the shopkeeper's enthusiasm. She felt obligated to buy something. "I need to visit an elder. An inkstone would be suitable."
Since she was buying an inkstone, it must be for a male elder, and a scholar at that. The shopkeeper understood immediately. "Miss, please come upstairs. We have prepared some good items recently, including calligraphy, paintings, and ancient books, as well as quite a bit of metalwork and jade."
The second floor was usually for receiving distinguished guests, and the items sold there started from at least a hundred taels.
"Miss, please have a seat. I will bring everything out now." The plump shopkeeper smiled obsequiously, inviting Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan to sit down. He then scurried behind the counter to get the items. He would bring out the most expensive ones, as anyone who could afford brocade was clearly not lacking in money.
However, amidst his busy work, the shopkeeper secretly glanced at Zhan Feiyu. She had an air of scholarly refinement. It was a pity she wasn't one of those dissolute youths, or he could have fleeced her handsomely.
"A'nuan, can you discern authenticity?" Zhan Feiyu lowered her voice. Fortunately, He Nuan was skilled in martial arts and had good hearing.
He Nuan was taken aback. Seeing Zhan Feiyu's cautious demeanor, she remembered that her young lady came from a humble background. Although she was academically gifted and intelligent, she had grown up in the countryside and had never learned to appraise antiques or calligraphy. She was a complete novice.
"I know a little," He Nuan replied. She had learned some skills in the Imperial Dragon Guard. If she hadn't been sent to Zhan Feiyu's side, He Nuan would have been sent to investigate inside noble households. Therefore, she knew a little of what a personal maid should know.
Zhan Feiyu's eyes brightened. She patted He Nuan's arm. "Then appraising the authenticity will be your job later. I'll handle the bargaining!"
The counter was already filled with brocade boxes. Zhan Feiyu walked over with a serious expression, casting a meaningful glance at the smiling plump shopkeeper. This was a case of "three years without a customer, but one customer to feed for three years."
"Miss, please look. This is a mutton-fat jade ribbon hook," the shopkeeper said, carefully taking out the jade hook from the mirror box. "This jade ring is entirely white like mutton fat, without any impurities. It is fine, lustrous, and warm, undoubtedly top-grade mutton-fat jade."
Gu Qingzhou, a close minister to the emperor, and Yin Wuyan, the commander of the Imperial Dragon Guard, were both unmarried. Before meeting Zhan Feiyu, most of the rare and precious treasures were stored in the treasury, which could be considered a waste of heavenly resources.
Afterwards, items were sent to Shangsi County in boxes. Take this high-quality mutton-fat jade, for instance. Zhan Feiyu had three sets of mutton-fat jade hair ornaments, and even more accessories, filling two boxes. They were all top-grade mutton-fat white jade, with only one piece showing a slight pale green hue.
Zhan Feiyu took the jade ribbon hook and held it up to the sunlight by the window. The luster was soft and slightly yellowish, indeed like congealed fat. However, upon closer inspection, she could still see small specks of stone flowers.
Zhan Feiyu's mutton-fat jade was mostly white and lustrous, almost flawless, like freshly cut fatty pork. Its luster was like refined grease.
"Not bad," Zhan Feiyu nodded. Since she was going to consult Prefect Chu, this mutton-fat jade ribbon hook would be a suitable gift.
The shopkeeper smiled proudly. This was the best-quality piece of jade in his collection, and he had brought it out to impress. "Miss, please look over here. This is a fine Duan inkstone."
When it came to jewelry and jade, Zhan Feiyu could only make a rough judgment. However, she knew a little about inkstones, which she used daily. This Duan inkstone had beautiful patterns and fine stone quality, likely crafted by a master. The carving on the inkstone's forehead, depicting green bamboo, was grand.
The plump shopkeeper became even more convinced that Zhan Feiyu came from a scholarly family, and his attitude became more respectful. "This Duan inkstone grinds ink silently, retains water without evaporation, is smooth but not slippery, and grinds ink without damaging the brush hairs."
"Its appearance is like small, finely wrought gold, its luster like melting purple quartz. When ink is ground, it becomes phoenix tail; half a spoonful of cold spring is a dragon's eye." Zhan Feiyu nodded in agreement, then her gaze swept aside. "Is that a purple gold stone inkstone?"
"Yes, Miss has sharp eyes." The plump shopkeeper quickly brought over the brocade box from the other side. Although Duan inkstones were precious, they were inferior to the purple gold stone inkstone, which was considered the foremost among famous inkstones.
"This one, this one, and this one..." Zhan Feiyu spoke quickly. She wanted both inkstones and the mutton-fat jade ribbon hook. As for the calligraphy and ancient books, she didn't understand them. However, she did fancy a dagger that could slice iron like mud.
He Nuan stood silently by, watching Zhan Feiyu make extensive purchases. She didn't need to appraise the authenticity; Zhan Feiyu's extravagant demeanor made it seem as if she were buying out the entire shop.
However, thinking of Liu Hefeng leaving his property to Zhan Feiyu, a sum of five hundred thousand taels, it was enough to support her young lady's lavish spending.
"Alright, I'll take these few items. Shopkeeper, please calculate the total." Zhan Feiyu stopped. The plump shopkeeper's abacus beads clattered.
"Miss, the total is five thousand six hundred and fifty taels. You can pay five thousand six hundred taels." The shopkeeper's eyes were almost closed with a smile. Although he had sold seven of his prized possessions at once, the money was substantial.
Zhan Feiyu held up three plump fingers. "Three thousand taels."
"Ah?" The plump shopkeeper was stunned, almost thinking he had misheard.
The plump shopkeeper watched Zhan Feiyu wave her three chubby fingers and repeat, "I'll buy them all for three thousand taels."
She had never expected Zhan Feiyu to bargain, let alone bargain so fiercely, cutting the price by half. This was practically extortion!
In an instant, the plump shopkeeper displayed his years of business acumen and slyness. "Miss, these are all genuine items, not a single fake. Look at these inkstones, this mutton-fat jade. Any one of them is worth over a thousand taels. Miss has good taste, and these seven items you've chosen are the best in our shop. At five thousand six hundred taels, I'm barely making any profit, and I still have to provide seven boxes."
The shopkeeper picked up one of the wooden boxes and introduced it with a pained expression. "This is not an ordinary wooden box. Miss is well-read and must know the story of 'buying the casket and returning the pearls.' These are huanghuali wood boxes, carved by master craftsmen, each worth a hundred taels."
Zhan Feiyu smiled at the plump shopkeeper who was playing the victim. "Alright, I'll add five hundred taels. Shopkeeper, while mutton-fat jade is precious, one piece of jade can yield at least six or seven items. The raw stone is not expensive. Moreover, these are just ribbon hooks without any carving. Shopkeeper, this is not fair!"
"As for these two inkstones, shopkeeper, it's not that I don't know their value, but those who do would likely be reluctant to spend so much money." Zhan Feiyu pointed at the two inkstones. She decided to give the Duan inkstone to Prefect Chu and send the purple gold stone inkstone to Scholar Gu in the capital. "Inkstones are precious, but they are not ancient inkstones. Leaving them in the shop to gather dust is not as good as selling them and using the money to buy more goods, perhaps earning several times the profit."
Inkstones can only be given to scholars. Those from humble backgrounds could not even dream of buying them. Who would spend six or seven hundred taels on an inkstone? Those wealthy young masters who were not short of money would not engage in such affectation.
Prefect Chu and other noble youths already had ancient inkstones at home, and they wouldn't deign to look at the inkstones in the shop. Therefore, unless they met the right person, these inkstones were indeed difficult to sell. This money would be tied up. Merchants disliked this the most; money only made more money when it circulated.
Zhan Feiyu glanced at the plump shopkeeper, whose face had fallen. She took out the dagger from the box and said disdainfully, "Although this dagger can slice iron like mud, its practicality is not strong. Most martial artists wouldn't buy it. It's inconvenient to carry and its lethality is insufficient. It can only be kept at home for decoration."
Martial artists generally carried weapons with them, mostly swords and sabers. Some people also liked to carry daggers, but those were small and could be tucked into the waist or tied to the calf, used for surprise attacks during combat.
The dagger in Zhan Feiyu's hand was too large, twice the length of a normal dagger. It was cumbersome to hold and impossible to conceal, making it a "chicken rib" item, only suitable as a decorative piece at home.
Unless one truly loved weapons, who would spend three to five hundred taels? That money could be used to commission a master craftsman to forge a fine weapon.
Aren't people from scholarly families supposed to view money as dirt? Why was this young lady, who could afford a hundred-tael brocade dress, so stingy!
The plump shopkeeper looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was bargaining, with tears almost welling up. He said with a bitter expression, "Three thousand five hundred taels is too little. I'm already taking a loss. Five thousand taels!"
He gave up the six hundred taels. Nowadays, the richer people were, the stingier they became!
"Four thousand taels!" Zhan Feiyu grinned and pointed at the seven selected items. "If you don't sell, I'll leave. Perhaps you'll have to wait three to five years to sell all these items. In three to five years, four thousand taels of capital could earn you tens of thousands of taels!"
"Four thousand eight hundred taels!" The shopkeeper was desperate. Although the shop's prized possessions were good, it was also worrying if they couldn't be sold. The money was tied up.
"Too expensive." Zhan Feiyu shook her head and gritted her teeth. "How about this, three hundred taels, we meet in the middle."
Four thousand three hundred taels was still a considerable profit, but no businessman would complain about having too much money. Just as the plump shopkeeper was about to increase the price slightly, a mocking voice rang out.
"Where did this pauper come from, daring to come to the second floor of Jinyu Zhai and even bargain? If you don't have money, don't come out and embarrass yourself." Malicious laughter followed.
Zhan Feiyu turned and looked towards the stairs. She saw three people walking over. The girl who spoke looked no older than fourteen or fifteen, with slightly dark skin. However, she wore a gold hairpin with a peony pattern, her ears adorned with pomegranate-shaped gold earrings, and her wrists were covered in glittering gold bracelets. Despite her young age, she looked old and tacky, accentuated by the gold.
In the middle walked a beautiful woman. Although her eyes held a hint of meanness and sharpness, her attire was luxurious and appropriate. From her clothes to her jewelry, everything matched her appearance and temperament. She appeared to be in her early thirties, though she was likely in her thirties or forties.
As for the young man walking behind the two, although he was also dressed in a brocade robe, he was dressed like a scholar, wearing a jade crown and adorned with ascending jade ornaments at his waist. However, his expression conveyed a sense of impatience and arrogance.
Zhan Feiyu withdrew her gaze and continued to bargain with the plump shopkeeper. "Shopkeeper, it's now or never."
"No, this way I'll be losing money." The plump shopkeeper wanted to attend to the three guests upstairs, but Zhan Feiyu was the God of Wealth. Although the bargaining made the plump shopkeeper want to cry, it was still a business of over four thousand taels.
The girl who spoke was surprised that neither the shopkeeper nor Zhan Feiyu paid attention to her. The feeling of being offended made her completely furious. She strode forward and looked disdainfully at the brocade box in front of Zhan Feiyu, which contained a set of three amber hairpins. They were translucent and reddish, perfect for young women.
"I want these hairpins!" She snatched the box and looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was only slightly taller than the counter, with disdain. "If you can't afford it, don't come to Jinyu Zhai!"
Holding the box, the girl haughtily ordered the plump shopkeeper, "Hurry and kick this pauper out! I find it unlucky to be in the same room as such a person!"
Zhan Feiyu was wearing a plain dress and a sandalwood hairpin. Her attire, compared to the dazzling gold jewelry, indeed appeared "shabby."
"Then you buy it." Before the plump shopkeeper could speak, Zhan Feiyu picked up another brocade box containing a jade hairpin with a lingzhi and bamboo joint pattern. "I don't like amber color. This emerald jade is more beautiful. Shopkeeper, I want this one."
Afterward, the plump shopkeeper's smile was so wide his mouth could barely close. He looked at Zhan Feiyu as if she were the God of Wealth. Whatever Zhan Feiyu picked, the domineering and arrogant Miss Jin would follow and snatch it.
As for the seven items Zhan Feiyu had chosen earlier, they were indeed not suitable for a young girl, so they were left on the side.
Looking triumphantly at Zhan Feiyu, whose cheeks were puffed out in anger, Miss Jin raised her eyebrows and spoke even more arrogantly, "It's just money. Our Jin family has no shortage of money. If you can't afford it, get out and don't embarrass yourself!"
The plump shopkeeper again rattled his abacus beads. Although Miss Jin had chosen twelve items, mostly women's jewelry, they were not as valuable as the famous inkstones and ancient jade. "That will be one thousand four hundred taels of silver."
"You picked so many, and it's not even two thousand taels. Fine, just round it up. I'll pick a famous painting worth six hundred taels. Here are two thousand tael notes!" The girl finally remembered the purpose of Jinyu Zhai.
The plump shopkeeper was overjoyed that Miss Jin didn't bargain and even glanced at Zhan Feiyu, thinking she should learn from this display of wealth!
The beautiful woman and the young man beside them did not intervene, as two thousand taels was clearly not a significant amount for them.
After receiving the banknotes and having the shop assistants pack the brocade boxes, the plump shopkeeper looked at the smiling Zhan Feiyu. "Alright, as Miss said, that will be four thousand three hundred taels."
Miss Jin, who had intended to mock Zhan Feiyu, was stunned. She saw the shopkeeper closing the brocade boxes. Although there were only seven boxes, the price was double what Miss Jin had paid.
At this, the beautiful woman and the young man beside them were both astonished. No one had expected the unassuming Zhan Feiyu to be so wealthy. She looked like a girl of only eight or nine years old, yet she spent four thousand taels at once.
"I want everything she bought!" Miss Jin roared in anger and snatched the brocade boxes from the plump shopkeeper's hands.
Everyone saw the shopkeeper stagger as he was pushed. He Nuan was about to intervene but was stopped by Zhan Feiyu. With a few clatters, a stack of boxes fell to the ground, and the items inside were scattered.
Except for the dagger, the ancient jade and inkstones were either cracked or shattered. The plump shopkeeper stood with his hands frozen in mid-air, completely stunned.
Zhan Feiyu picked up the dagger from the ground. "It's good that Big Brother has good luck. Shopkeeper, this dagger is three hundred taels. I'll take it."
He Nuan immediately took out the silver notes.
The items worth four thousand three hundred taels were now only worth three hundred? The shopkeeper stared blankly at the banknotes in his hand. Finally coming to his senses, he wiped his face and said to Miss Jin, "Miss, as you just heard, these items total four thousand three hundred taels. Now there are four thousand taels remaining."
The items were broken, and the culprit must pay. This was only natural. Moreover, seeing that Miss Jin gave two thousand taels without batting an eye, she was likely not short of money.