Qin Zhaoyue barged in forcefully and snatched the hairpin from the other person's hand with lightning speed.

Zheng Huiyin hadn't put much effort into carrying such precious jewelry, yet it was snatched away in the blink of an eye.

"Wait a minute, I want this hairpin!"

Qin Zhaoyue glanced at the price tag. Good heavens, three thousand taels for a hairpin! They really dare to ask for such a price.

Her willow-leaf eyebrows stood erect like swords, and Zheng Huiyin gritted her teeth and spoke, suppressing her anger.

"Sister, I took a liking to the hairpin first, please return it to me."

"Don't talk like that. They're in business. Now that the hairpin is in my hands, who can't afford three thousand taels?"

Zheng Huiyin's chest heaved violently, and she suddenly took a step forward, almost touching the other person.

"Don't go too far! This hairpin is useful to me, and I will never give it to you!"

"Eh~~~" Qin Zhaoyue drawled, holding the hairpin far away with her left hand.

"It's just a piece of jewelry, what use could it be? Don't try to fool me with such childish words."

"Qin Zhaoyue!" Zheng Huiyin called out in a low voice, "I need this hairpin for today's literary gathering!"

He was slapped at his birthday party more than two months ago, and then he was grounded for a whole month.

Rumors spread throughout the capital, damaging his reputation.

Now that her father is arranging a marriage for her, she desperately needs to salvage her reputation.

After the Third Prince's invitation was delivered yesterday, she was not allowed to leave the Duke's residence.

The elders in the family discussed it all day, so they could only rush over this morning and immediately took a liking to this hairpin.

Zheng Huiyin didn't care about the purpose of the literary gathering; it wasn't something she could decide.

"A literary gathering?" Qin Zhaoyue didn't bother to lower her voice.

"You were invited too? Didn't Third Sister say that only talented women from Shilin were invited?"

"Qin! Zhao! Yue!" Zheng Huiyin trembled with anger. "The invitation is in my carriage. Do you want to go take a look?"

Qin Zhaoyue turned to look behind her, "Have you heard of this talented woman?"

Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba remained silent, and the Mo Group certainly wouldn't add fuel to the fire at this moment. Only Xiao Jiu shook her head, "Never heard of it."

"Take a look."

Having received support, Qin Zhaoyue shrugged, implying that it wasn't her fault for being ignorant; it was simply that her own reputation wasn't well-known.

"Huff...huff...huff..."

Zheng Huiyin took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down...

This is a long-awaited appearance, and she has to do her best to redeem her reputation in front of all the talented women of Fengjing.

She suppressed her anger and stopped looking at Qin Zhaoyue. "Since it's a business that's open for business, then the highest bidder wins. I'll offer four thousand taels."

"Tch," Qin Zhaoyue tilted her head slightly, her eyes full of arrogance, "You talk as if no one has money. I'll give you five thousand taels."

"Six thousand taels."

"Seven thousand taels, I am determined to get it."

"Eight thousand taels." Zheng Huiyin was willing to pay more for this hairpin, which was unique in Fengjing at the moment.

"Give up! I'll offer ten thousand taels!"

Even if a hairpin costs 3,000 taels, it has complex craftsmanship, exquisite materials, and a unique design, the price can only be three to five thousand taels higher.

Zheng Huiyin glared at the other person, "Are you really going to try and take it from me?"

Qin Zhaoyue remained calm and composed. "Isn't that what you said: the highest bidder wins? Ten thousand taels of silver can't buy my willingness."

Zheng Huiyin overheard that someone had just deposited 10,000 taels downstairs, proving that the other party was truly capable of paying it.

"Ten thousand eleven thousand taels!"

Qin Zhaoyue pulled out three more newly acquired silver notes from her bosom.

"It's so difficult to raise the price; there's still three thousand left."

If you can afford to offer more, I'll concede; otherwise, step aside and waste your time.

"Fine!" Zheng Huiyin's face was so dark it could drip water, and she said, enunciating each word clearly, "Fourteen thousand taels, give it to me!"

Qin Zhaoyue's face was also sour, and she reluctantly handed over the hairpin.

"Fine, I respect you, you're a hero, you win!"

Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba had been silent behind them, but upon hearing this, they were about to speak.

Although they weren't very close, she was still their older sister. How could they lose face in front of a young lady from a Duke's mansion?

It was just a matter of money; it was clear that Zheng Huiyin was already struggling, and each person could only contribute one or two thousand taels.

Just then, a pair of fair hands covered their mouths, silencing the words of support that were about to come out.

Xiao Jiu raised her arms high, barely silencing her two foolish older brothers.

Zheng Huiyin immediately paid 14,000 taels of silver.

Despite paying such a high premium to reach a deal, the woman from Qizhen Pavilion maintained a high level of professionalism.

Take out the sandalwood box, place the hairpin inside, and present it with both hands.

Without saying a word or even glancing at Yin Zhaoyue, Zheng Huiyin rushed off.

Qin Zhaoyue smiled contentedly, "Where is your manager?"

The woman assumed she was unwilling to give up, so she explained that she could make a reservation in advance.

"That's none of your business. Have Li Chen come to see me."

A short while later, Li Chen came downstairs.

The Pavilion of Rare Treasures has seven floors. Although it is said that the higher you go, the rarer and more precious the treasures become, in reality, even the fifth floor is not yet full.

Fortunately, its reputation is not yet widespread, and the highest level of guests currently is the third floor, but it is still necessary to plan ahead.

Aside from running the business, Li Chen spent all his time thinking about this matter.

"Your Highness!"

Upon seeing Qin Zhaoyue, Li Chen almost knelt down in admiration.

Entrusting him with the management of such a massive tower shows a great deal of trust...

Ugh, a grown man's tears were streaming down his face.

"Alright, get rid of that worthless attitude of yours."

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