Chapter 59 The Scholar's Price Gouging

Jiang Baozhu looked around and saw that the Jiang family had too many good things. She wasn't interested in ordinary food, so she focused her attention on a small stall in the corner and called out to Lin Yuesha, "Yuesha, look over there."

Beside the stall, a slender scholar was writing Spring Festival couplets with his head down and his wrist suspended.

Lin Yuesha took a closer look and saw that the person's handwriting was neat and elegant. Although it lacked the free and easy style of his stepbrother Xiao Qi, it was still quite good.

As soon as she arrived at the market, someone tried to steal the business she was preparing to start. Lin Yuesha was very concerned and decided to check the market first.

How much does a pair of Spring Festival couplets cost?

Lin Yuesha asked the price.

Five coins.

The scholar looked up and saw that it was a young girl. He was somewhat surprised, but still answered truthfully.

Lin Yuesha was frustrated. She had originally planned to have her stepbrother write Spring Festival couplets to make money, but not only did someone steal her business, but they also arbitrarily raised prices.

"I've inquired, and a pair of Spring Festival couplets costs at least ten coins. Why are you selling them for five?"

Although it's cheap, it represents unfair competition for business people.

The scholar was stunned, not understanding Lin Yuesha's meaning for a moment. Did someone want to spend more money?

"Could it be that other people buy it for ten coins, but you see me as a little girl and that's why it's only five coins?"

Lin Yuesha touched her face and admitted that she had a somewhat pleasing appearance.

Scholar: "..."

The scholar selling Spring Festival couplets took a long time to realize what Lin Yuesha meant. He blushed and was too embarrassed to speak.

Jiang Baozhu turned her head, covering her mouth with her hand, almost bursting out laughing. It was the first time she had seen Lin Yuesha so shameless, leaving her speechless.

Although Lin Yuesha was outspoken and amusing, Jiang Baozhu was lost in a daze. She hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. How long exactly? It was so long ago that she couldn't quite remember.

"Young lady, you've misunderstood. I've always sold it for five coins."

The scholar explained, somewhat helplessly.

"Zhang Jing, I heard you asked your teacher for leave today to come out and sell your calligraphy. Is that really true?"

Several scholars dressed in long coats rushed to the stall. The one in the lead, despite it being the dead of winter, held an extremely incongruous folding fan in his hand and sneered.

"Not everyone is fit to be a scholar. Someone as poor and shabby as you would be better off becoming the son-in-law of a wealthy family in town!"

The sycophants behind him made sarcastic remarks, saying that it was really cheap to buy a scholar's writing materials for only five coins.

"Exactly! They're a disgrace to scholars!"

Some suggested that they tell the teacher about Zhang Jing selling Spring Festival couplets, and that the teacher would be furious, as Zhang Jing had really lost the dignity of a scholar.

Are their calligraphic works something that ordinary people can obtain?

Besides, they were already scholars, not lowlifes who called themselves intellectuals just because they knew a few characters.

"Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are ranked last. Merchants are the most reeking of money. You, a scholar, have been tainted by the stench of money. You are truly disgusting!"

After the scholars finished speaking, they smashed Zhang Jing's stall and then covered their mouths and noses with their hands to humiliate him.

"you……"

Zhang Jing's face turned pale, and he was so angry that he couldn't speak.

"It stinks! It stinks! Did someone fart?"

Zhang Jing's fighting ability was so low that Lin Yuesha couldn't bear to watch. Are scholars so refined that they don't swear?

Although swearing is uncivilized, it cannot be denied that for these superior scholars, only simplicity and clarity are most effective.

"It was you! I clearly heard a 'poof' sound."

Lin Yuesha blinked and pointed at the leading troublemaker, a scholar. The scholar opened his folding fan, and upon hearing this, his face immediately turned green.

"Ha ha."

Jiang Baozhu finally couldn't help but laugh out loud; she hadn't felt this carefree in a long time.

In his previous life, He Xing was the same; he never took the Jiang family seriously, simply because the Jiang family were merchants. Yet, every penny He Xing spent came from the Jiang family.

They took the benefits provided by the Jiang family for granted, and their appetite grew bigger and bigger, and their ambition became more and more vigorous, which led to the tragedy of the Jiang family.

"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—are scholars so noble? Did you produce the fabric of your clothes yourself, or was it provided by a merchant? If you're so capable, why don't you never buy anything for the rest of your life! Your pockets and purses also reek of money. If you're disgusted, you can give them to me. I think silver smells very good."

Lin Yuesha held her head high. She wasn't a particularly righteous person, but she stood up for Zhang Jing because her older brother might also be in the business of Spring Festival couplets.

Being ostracized by arrogant scholars is not a good thing. Don't be fooled by their sanctimonious appearance and classical manner; they may be full of wicked intentions.

"you……"

The scholars didn't want to argue with the young girl. They wanted to hurl insults at her, but they were mindful of their image, so they slunk away after only a few words.

"You're leaving already?"

Lin Yuesha's eyes widened; she hadn't had enough yet.

After a few people in the crowd praised Lin Yuesha, they dispersed.

People have always had this understanding, so they feel embarrassed to exchange their family's produce for money at the market.

Living is all about money. These days, food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are not free. Scholars may have a high status, but what does that have to do with them?

Lin Yuesha's words made everyone fall into deep thought.

"Young lady, if you would like some Spring Festival couplets, I, Zhang, can give you a pair."

Zhang Jing regained his composure, straightened his back, picked up the wooden plank supporting the stall again, and began to gather his writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.

"Five coins is too cheap. If other scholars also come to sell Spring Festival couplets, how should they be priced?"

After driving away a few troublemakers, Lin Yuesha went to Zhang Jing to continue discussing the price.

"One penny for the red paper, and the pen and ink are what I use regularly. I'm just doing my part, and I'm thinking of selling them a little cheaper, okay..."

Zhang Jing blushed as he explained that he just wanted to exchange for more silver.

The winter wind was cold and bleak. Lin Yuesha looked at Zhang Jing's fingers, which were red and swollen from the cold, and fell silent.

Everyone has their own difficulties. Since she has a monthly allowance now, let her older brother focus on his studies.

Seeing that Zhang Shusheng's fingers were red and swollen from the cold, and even after warming them by the fire, they were still itchy and it took a long time to recover.

"Scholar Zhang, hurry home and see your mother, she's dying!"

The elderly woman stumbled as she walked through the crowd, nearly slipping and falling. Luckily, Lin Yuesha reacted quickly and grabbed the woman's arm, helping her regain her balance.

"Hurry up, I'll watch the stall for you."

The snow on the ground had been flattened by passersby, making the road slippery. The old woman was in a hurry and almost sat down. She was quite old; if she had fallen, she would probably have needed a long time to recover.

Just then, the old woman came to deliver the letter. Still shaken, she could only nod to Lin Yuesha to express her gratitude.

"Auntie, what's wrong with my mother?"

Zhang Jing's face turned deathly pale, even his lips turned white. Without waiting for the old woman's reply, he threw down his brush, turned around, and ran away through the crowd.

"Alas, good people get away with their lives, what a tragedy!"

The old lady helped Zhang Jing put away the wooden boards on his stall and carefully placed the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones into the book box.