She suppressed a smile; it seemed she wouldn't need to bother looking for a pawnshop. Heaven was truly on her side.

So Xiaoqing forcibly inflated the price of the bracelet, which was originally worth a little over two taels, to four taels.

"What? Four taels? Miss, that's too expensive. I doubt you'll be able to pawn it."

The woman backed out.

Four taels of silver to buy a jade bracelet?

You might as well buy a gilded bracelet; at least it looks expensive.

“Auntie, this bracelet of mine has no impurities at all. It’s whiter overall and has cotton-like inclusions. It should be considered a bluish-white jade. Four taels is really not expensive. You don’t know, a good quality white jade bracelet would sell for at least ten taels of silver.”

The woman held Xiaoqing's hand, looking her up and down.

None of them could mistake this cyan color for white.

“Oh dear, I don’t understand. Since you want to pawn your things, then go ahead. Look, just walk a hundred steps to the right, and you’ll get there. Jin’s Pawnshop is the biggest shop in Shuangqiao Town. Go ahead, I’m going home to take care of my grandson.”

The woman lost interest.

How could someone who has lived for over thirty years be fooled by a little brat like Xiaoqing?

Green jade is green jade; no matter how it changes, it can never become bluish-white jade.

The price difference between these two items is more than two ounces.

"Hey, Auntie, don't go yet, let me finish. I happened to meet you today and you asked for directions, which is quite a coincidence. I know that pawnshops are cold-blooded and ruthless, and they will definitely try to lower the price as much as possible. So, I'll sell you the jade bracelet, Auntie, for only three and a half taels!"

Xiaoqing panicked and grabbed the woman.

They proactively reduced the price by half an ounce.

I'll buy it if it's one and a half ounces.

Having some experience, the woman chopped off more than half of it.

Xiaoqing's temples throbbed when she heard the price, and she gritted her teeth and began to struggle with the woman.

"Three ounces!"

"One and a half ounces!"

"Two and a half ounces, Auntie, that really can't be any lower."

Xiao Qing's face was pleading, but the woman remained unmoved.

"One and a half ounces!"

"Alright, alright, take the two taels of silver. Even if you went to a shop to buy a new one, it would cost more than three taels of silver. Besides, this bracelet of mine is in excellent condition and has never been damaged. Two taels is really the bottom price."

Xiaoqing pretended to take off the bracelet, but the woman stopped her.

"Don't rush, I can only offer one tael of silver plus six strings of cash at most. If you're willing, we can discuss the next step. If not, young lady, please don't hold me back. I have to go to a banquet later."

Even if Xiaoqing's bracelet is new, it would only cost a little over two taels.

If you go to a pawnshop, you can only pawn one or two taels of silver at most. If you encounter a conscientious shopkeeper, you can get one and a half taels at most, which is the most you can get.

I thought the woman in front of me would be easy to fool, but she had a firm grip on the price.

But she was just short of that one string of cash.

With an extra string of cash, one feels more confident.

Xiaoqing pretended to feel sorry for the bracelet and took it off.

He exchanged money and goods with the woman.

Because the size was too small, her hands were red from being pulled so tight when she picked them.

"Miss, I'll be going now."

The woman took out a handkerchief, wrapped the jade bracelet tightly in layers, put it in her purse at her waist, and left with a grin.

Xiao Qing remained silent with a cold expression.

She stuffed the money into her bosom to prevent it from being stolen by pickpockets, and then went to the inn and booked a cheap room.

Because all her luggage had been stolen by bandits and she didn't even have a change of clothes, Xiaoqing left the inn again, intending to buy some clothes and scout out the way again.

She found the four-way intersection by the direction the woman pointed out.

I almost bumped into someone just as I was about to walk into the alley.

"How do you walk? Can't you see where you're going? If you bump into my mother, I'll yell at you to death!"

The one who was cursing was Bai Ruixue.

"Alright, you're married now, so curb your bad temper and stop embarrassing the He family in public."

Song was somewhat dissatisfied.

Now that her beloved daughter had been taken in, she decided to stop pretending.

Seeing that her daughter-in-law's belly was getting bigger, she had to leave the housework to her daughter-in-law. But her daughter-in-law didn't know anything about it, so she had to teach her from scratch.

So, the three of them decided to take a stroll in the street in the morning and buy some groceries.

As a result, he almost bumped into Xiaoqing as soon as he stepped out.

To the left of Song Shi was her daughter, and to the right was Bai Ruixue.

She was being supported by two men, looking just like a lady from a wealthy family.

Adding to the fact that she was wearing the newest clothes from her closet today, she intimidated Xiaoqing. Seeing her impressive attire, Xiaoqing swallowed her anger and apologized instead. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Excuse me, is this the home of Matchmaker Zhen?"

“Matchmaker Zhen? This is it, her house is the first one.”

It was Song who answered.

"Thank you, Madam. I was rude just now. I was walking too fast and didn't notice. Please forgive me."

After a series of kind words, Song's anger completely subsided. She put on her signature smile and repeatedly said it was alright.

To outsiders, Song was a kind and gentle person.

Naturally, I wouldn't argue with someone at my doorstep.

Bai Ruixue, who had just been scolded, remained silent, staring intently at Jiao'er.

Their eyes met, neither able to gain the upper hand, like concubines in the palace vying for the same favor.

They resemble wild dogs fighting over food.

Xiaoqing didn't pay attention; she recognized the way and left without going in.

Song also took Bai Ruixue and Jiao'er shopping.

"Mom, why is there so many people over there? It's so lively!" Bai Ruixue tried hard to make her presence known, afraid that her mother-in-law would stop doting on her and start doting on her daughter instead.

"Mother, shall we go and take a look? I'll help you." Jiao'er retorted, not to be outdone.

When Madam Song heard her daughter call her "Mother," her eyebrows furrowed into a deep frown. However, remembering that her daughter was carrying the He family's grandson, she managed to hold back her temper and refrain from humiliating her.

A concubine has no right to call her mother.

She should be addressed as Madam, just as she was addressed as a maid before.

That's enough.

Xiaotian was already unhappy about getting a wife for him, and if she continued to torment Jiao'er, her precious son might become estranged from her.

Madam Song rubbed her brows, which smoothed out her wrinkles considerably. She forced herself to nod and respond to her daughter, despite her discomfort.

"Okay, let's go take a look."

The three women—the mother-in-law, her daughter-in-law, and the mother-in-law—walked towards the crowd

A long line of people, resembling a dragon, stretched out in an endless queue.

What are they selling?

Song was talking to himself rather loudly.

The man queuing next to her overheard everything.

"This is Manager Yan's restaurant reopening! They have a promotion today: three people dine together, only two people's bill! Even if you come alone, Manager Yan will make sure there are three of you. Then you can each split the bill for two people. It's such a great deal! Manager Yan always surprises me. No wonder she's such a prominent merchant in Shuangqiao Town!"

The man gave a thumbs-up, stroking his beard with his left hand, looking extremely smug, as if Yan Xia were his wife.

"Manager Yan?"

Song looked at Bai Ruixue with a face full of doubt.

Why does the surname Yan sound so familiar to her?

"Uncle, may I ask if the Manager Yan you mentioned is Yan Xia?"

Bai Ruixue only knew that Yan Xia ran a pastry shop in town; she didn't know that Yan Xia also ran a restaurant.