"It's just ten stones, why are you making up so many ridiculous rules!" Qin Yingxian scoffed, a hint of anger finally rising on her small face. "If the Liu family can't afford to pay, they should just say so. This stingy attitude is an eyesore!"
"Those who know the truth are aware that Miss Liu lost ten stones, but those who don't might think she lost a whole shop full of jade." Qin Yucheng glanced at the Liu siblings with a half-smile.
He then turned his gaze intently to Su Hua, "Hua'er, let's skip the Liu family's jade shop today, so we don't have to deal with any awkward situations later. Let's go directly to my Li family's shop. We just received a new batch of goods a couple of days ago. Feel free to pick whatever you want, and I'll put it all on your tab."
They came to the jade gambling convention today, not intending to go to Liu's shop.
The Li family shop has plenty of raw stones; Hua'er can pick as many as she wants without worrying about a few coins.
Su Hua followed his gaze and saw that the Li family's jade shop was right across from the Liu family's jade shop!
Not diagonally opposite, not on the same side, but directly opposite.
However, the storefront of the Li family's shop was clearly twice the size of the Liu family's. Although the shop assistants of both shops were enthusiastically hawking their wares, the Li family's shop was obviously doing much better business, with everyone busy picking and cutting stones.
It takes quite a bit of effort to squeeze in.
"Why are you angry, Young Master Qin and Miss Qin?" Liu Lin stopped the three of them with a folding fan in his hand, his smile unchanged. "The Liu family always keeps its word. Since we have already agreed to Miss Su's compensation, how can we go back on our word!"
It's just ten raw stones, how could my Liu family not be able to afford to pay for it?
But gambling on rough stones is always a fun activity; you can only truly appreciate the enjoyment by choosing whether it's jade or just a stone yourself. If you delegate it to someone else, it loses all its charm. It's much better to just buy jadeite directly. Miss Su, do you agree?"
Su Hua couldn't help but laugh out loud at these high-sounding words. The Liu family was really stingy and concerned about saving face.
While worrying that Qin Yucheng would take all the good goods from his shop, he was also determined to use these ten raw stones to solve the problem of the destroyed seedlings.
To put it bluntly, they just wanted her to pick ten useless stones and leave.
"What are you laughing at?" Liu Yuxian had always hated Su Hua's nonchalant demeanor. A hint of disdain flashed in her fox-like eyes. "Miss Su, do you know that you know nothing about gambling on stones, so you're thinking of calling in reinforcements to save the day?"
Back then, Miss Su was so glamorous at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, but when she arrived in Tangshan Prefecture, she became timid and hesitant, even when choosing gambling stones, she was so hesitant!
If those people at the Hundred Flowers Banquet were to see this, she might not even be able to keep her title as the most talented woman in Qingshui County.
Zheng Baoling chuckled and chimed in, "Judging from what Miss Qin and Miss Su were saying just now, Miss Su must have only just learned what gambling on stones is today. She doesn't even know how to examine the outer skin. If she were to pick ten stones herself, I'm afraid all ten would be stepping stones."
Halfway through her sentence, her tone shifted subtly, "However, Miss Liu and Young Master Liu have always been the kindest people. If Miss Su really can't afford to lose, why not ask Miss Liu and Young Master Liu to perhaps pick out a piece or two for you?"
Upon hearing this, the young masters and ladies who had been sulking burst out laughing.
It's one thing to not be able to pick out a good stone, but it's another to be unable to accept defeat. After all, even those who participate in the annual stone gambling conventions have made mistakes over the years. But those who only know how to follow others around and get nothing in return are the most laughable.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yuxian straightened her back instantly, feeling much better. She even looked at Zheng Baoling more pleasingly. Yes, if Su Hua was willing to humble herself and beg her, she could consider helping her pick out a few better pieces.
"Beg you? Do you deserve it! If you don't have a mirror at home, jump into the lake and take a good look at yourself." Xiao Jin sneered and directly pulled Su Hua, along with Su Dalang and Su Erlang, into the Liu family's jade shop.
“It doesn’t matter if Hua’er chooses stepping stones. It’s all compensation from the Liu family anyway. Even if she chooses ten stepping stones, we will take them all back to Zaozhuang. We won’t let anyone lose out on what they deserve.”
“Hahaha… That’s exactly what I was thinking too.” Su Hua nodded with a smile. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to use these jade stones as stepping stones in Zaozhuang. We can place all the stepping stones in the very center of the entrance to Zaozhuang, and then have a carving master carve each one clearly as a gift from Miss Liu of the Liu family to compensate for the destruction of the seedlings, so that people in the surrounding villages will remember it for generations to come.”
"Yes, the characters on this stone are best read in regular script. I can write the inscriptions for the carving..."
The two spoke at a moderate volume, just enough for Liu Yuxian and her group to hear clearly.
Liu Yuxian and Liu Lin's smiles froze on their faces at the same time.
Su Hua and that Xiao fellow are truly sharp-tongued; they even claimed that carving it on the stone was her compensation for destroying the seedlings.
Listen to this! Is this even human language?!
The words carved on the stone have remained for hundreds or thousands of years. Su Hua and the man surnamed Xiao clearly wanted to make her infamous for eternity!
Zheng Baoling's face darkened considerably after being rebuked. She subconsciously touched her face. Her father was the county magistrate. Although she was not exactly pampered as a child, no one had ever dared to insult her like this cripple!
No matter how talented Su Hua is, it's just a rumor. Seeing is believing, let alone this rumor.
Aside from her so-called talent, Su Hua was just the daughter of a small merchant, completely different from the daughter of a county magistrate. She was only destined to be with this cripple.
The girl took several deep breaths, finally suppressing most of her anger. Then, she hurriedly followed the others to the jade shop. She had brought all her savings with her today, hoping to pick out a good piece of jade.
In Tangshan Prefecture's jade gambling street, the Li family's shop is the top dog, while the Liu family's shop, though not as good as the Li family's, is still among the top five.
If she could find a piece of pure green jade, her savings would multiply dozens of times. If she found imperial green or red jade, she could live with impunity in her husband's family.
Moreover, it can also strengthen the relationship with the Liu family. After all, if customers can find the best jade in the jade shop, the business will boom.
To avoid Liu Lin and Liu Yuxian making trouble for them later, the Qin siblings waited outside the shop without going in. When the shop assistants saw the young master arrive, they carried two tiger benches in front of the two of them without being told, and also prepared all kinds of snacks, fruits and tea.
The two sat casually outside the Liu family's shop, but when the boy saw the man's hand on Su Hua's waist, his gentle face involuntarily showed a hint of disappointment.
Young Master Yan raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping from Qin Yucheng to the Liu family's shop. A slight smile appeared on his delicate lips. Today's jade gambling event was indeed worthwhile.
This scene is truly getting more and more exciting.
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