Chapter 130 Negotiating the Price

The people dispersed, and the old man who was hired to push the cart almost became the most popular spectator in the whole audience. He pushed the cart and his aunt into the yard as his grandfather requested.

"Put the cart down and you can go back."

The mistress received a signal from her grandfather, stuffed some copper coins into the old man's hand and started to drive him away. After all, family disgrace should not be made public.

Seeing that there were no outsiders present, the grandfather sighed softly. Looking at Cheng Weiyao who was holding Wen Chengming and sitting next to the stone table, he felt a little unhappy. Things had escalated to this point. Who was behind this? Is there anything he doesn't understand?

"Granddaughter-in-law, if you have something to say, just say it directly. There's no need to make such a big deal out of it."

The Imperial Noble Consort's personality was well known before she got married. She was obviously not a person with such scheming. As for Wen Liyu, she was a daughter of gold, so she probably wouldn't bother to use such methods.

After much thought, only this granddaughter-in-law, who was born in the second house of the Duke's Mansion and was used to the intrigues, could come up with such a cunning method, using her power to force others...

"Grandfather is a truly open-minded man. We've taken over Auntie's mess, but you've seen her situation. I don't need to tell you how much compensation you should pay. If you want to get out of this, you have to show some sincerity..."

Cheng Weiyao curled her lips slightly, with greed in her eyes. The idea of ​​making an offer was very mysterious. She didn't know how much silver her grandfather could earn in a day in Qingshi Town. Instead of rashly naming a price, it would be better to let the other party speak first.

Grandfather's eyes darkened slightly. He was a frequent pawnshop user and would usually try to make the first offer during negotiations. Cheng Weiyao's move showed that she was either an expert or ignorant and fearless.

Judging from the shrewdness she showed, the former was more likely. Grandfather hesitated for a moment and raised his hand to make a five.

"Five hundred. Although it's a bit of a loss, it's barely acceptable. After all, I've suffered a lifetime in your family and even developed a lot of illnesses..."

Cheng Weiyao pursed her lips. Her grandfather was indeed a shrewd man. He just said five and there was no further extension. Five taels, fifty taels, five hundred taels... There were so many suffixes that could be added to the number.

My grandfather's family has settled in Qingshi Town longer than the Qingping Palace. Since my grandfather can start a small business, it means he still has some savings. In this case, I might as well ask for a higher price.

"Granddaughter-in-law, isn't your exorbitant price a bit inappropriate?"

Grandfather's face darkened. Five hundred taels? Why didn't he just go and rob it? If he had known it was this price, he would have let Auntie die of illness at home. It was all because of the eldest wife's nagging and bad advice!

After being glared at so fiercely by her grandfather, the mistress instantly became as obedient as a quail, lowering her head and not daring to make a sound.

"Do I have it? The cost of Auntie's consultation, the cost of subsequent nursing care, and of course, you probably don't want the mistress to be sued by me and flogged ten times for cursing, right?"

Cheng Weiyao smiled with a playful look on her face, and her words implied that this matter would not be over unless she paid.

The mistress was dumbfounded. She was just talking nonsense, but she could be sued in the government office...

The mistress would naturally not be reported for disciplining the concubine, but Cheng Weiyao was an outsider after all, and the concubine already had the letter of release as a concubine and was a free person, so this was not an exaggeration.

Wen Chengming, who was in his arms, looked at his grandfather with a sullen face opposite him, and his admiration for his sister-in-law Cheng Weiyao increased even more. Although he was not very good at negotiating prices, judging from the momentum alone, his sister-in-law had already won by a large margin.

"Three hundred, granddaughter-in-law, you know that both our families are exiled, so how can we have that much money to spend? Besides, let me be frank about the subsequent recovery costs. There's no guarantee that the patient can be saved. No matter how much compensation is, it will all go into your pocket, right?"

My grandfather felt a bit awkward, so he played the emotional card with a nice face. Even if he bargained, he would probably be ripped off in the end anyway...

"Haggling doesn't mean you're being sincere. Let's each take a step back and make a profit. I guarantee the rumors will soon disappear. You probably don't want people to talk behind your back while you're out doing business, do you?"

Cheng Weiyao gave her real asking price. One of the skills in negotiation is to first propose an opening price that you know the other party will find difficult to accept. The more exorbitant the price you ask for, the more likely the other party will regard your "real" asking price as a concession when the deal is actually made.

People always have the greedy mentality of "if you don't take advantage of an opportunity, you'll be a fool". My grandfather didn't give up and after a short tug of war, he finally chose to nod.

The compensation for my aunt's divorce was finally settled at a price of three hundred and thirty-five taels. Not to mention my grandfather who paid the money, even the mistress standing by gritted her teeth and almost tore her handkerchief into pieces.

Of course, he couldn't have cash on him, so he gave the silver note on the spot. This silver note was obtained from selling a small bowl in a pawnshop. Before he could even warm it in his hand, it went into someone else's pocket.

"I'll take my leave now. Granddaughter-in-law, you'd better keep your word..."

Before leaving with a gloomy face, my grandfather turned back and said something harsh.

"Of course, take care, Grandpa. Come visit us often when you have time~"

Cheng Wei Yao smiled as she saw her grandfather and mistress off. After closing the door, she hurried to the cart and helped her aunt up.

Although I finally succeeded in getting some compensation, it must have been unpleasant to have people haggle over my price like I was a commodity.

When the aunt stood up, the hot tears rolled down her eyes and fell on the back of Cheng Weiyao's hand. She felt pity in her heart and reached out to gently stroke the aunt's back to comfort her.

"Auntie, I just spoke as I had to under the circumstances. I didn't mean to offend you..."

However, the aunt was much stronger than Cheng Weiyao had imagined. Perhaps it was because she was old and had lived for most of her life, so she was much more understanding. She immediately wiped away her tears and spoke with a smile.

"I know you're a filial child. I'm not sad, I'm happy! I finally escaped from that boxy, suffocating place. I feel so relieved!"

"Sister-in-law, grandma, you two can chat first. I'll go open the door."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. Wen Chengming, who had been silent, hurried over to open the door. He had no impression of his aunt. Although he felt close to her, he did not dare to get close to her easily.

First, there is a difference between men and women, and second, his aunt is too thin and bony, and he is afraid that he will hurt her if he touches her carelessly.

It was almost dusk at this time, and it seemed that his sister and mother had returned from closing their stall, so Wen Chengming eagerly went over to open the door and help them out.