Chapter 578 Ouyang Rong Gifts a Hairpin to Three Women, Li Guo'er Takes the Opportunity to Demand a High Price [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
Speedway... no, thoroughfare, outside the riddle corridor.
The grandfather and grandson paused for a moment.
"Grandpa, shall we... change the riddles again?"
The chubby child asked hesitantly.
The chubby old man sighed deeply:
"Oh well, never mind."
The old man waved his hand, a sigh on his face:
"To be able to bring three in a row, that's quite an achievement. It's pretty impressive. This seems like a very novel relationship... Well, it's just that I really can't understand young people these days."
The chubby boy scratched his head and said:
"Grandpa, this pretty young lady is blindfolded. Is she blind? That's quite pitiful. Perhaps this young man with the folding fan is just kind-hearted and wants to give this young lady a home..."
"..."
The plump old man tapped his grandson on the forehead and said sternly:
"He hasn't even paid yet, and you're already speaking up for him, silly girl. Go collect the money now."
"oh oh."
Seeing yet another fool fail at guessing the riddles and walk down the corridor in frustration, the chubby boy ran back and continued handing out wooden plaques.
Soon, it was Ouyang Rong's turn in the line.
Just before he got off the carriage, he asked Ali for three taels of silver.
Normally, Ouyang Rong didn't spend much money. Zhen Shuyuan was in charge of the money in the Huaiye Lane residence. Every half month, the beautiful woman in a silk skirt would give Ali and Weilai, who were by his side, a sum of money to take care of his daily life and travel.
Tonight, I completed the riddle-solving session in the lantern riddle corridor for the first time, and Rongzhen paid three taels of silver for it.
The second time, it was Xie Lingjiang who gave it to the grandfather and grandson who ran the stall, generously using other people's money.
This time, it was his actual salary and allowance.
True masters usually have women pay for them when they go out. The underlying logic is that the one who actively gives more becomes more dependent on the other, which is called sunk cost. So sometimes, the more you like her, the more you should let her spend money on you. Of course, right now, Ouyang Rong can't ask the embroiderer for entrance fees when he's visiting Zhuge Liang three times.
Taking a familiar wooden plaque, Ouyang Rong walked up to the lantern riddle corridor, glanced at the three taels of silver that the chubby child had temporarily deposited, and chuckled.
Zhao Qingxiu stopped with her cane and stood outside the entrance of the corridor, waiting in place.
"Longling—"
She blindfolded her face and slowly turned it toward the place that emitted his signature crisp jade-like sound.
I know he's there.
Ouyang Rong was even faster this time than last time.
Because most of the riddles on the lanterns in the corridor have not been changed.
After all, no one would have expected that a max-level character would repeatedly come to this newbie village to speedrun and farm equipment.
It's the same Lantern Festival, but it feels like you've celebrated it three times.
Seeing Ouyang Rong stroll over leisurely and casually pick up the jade hairpin with mandarin ducks, the grandfather and grandson who were setting up the stall were full of complaints.
However, the fat old man composed himself, made a routine fist salute, and gave a helping hand to those who passed through the corridor.
He complimented his female companion, saying:
"Congratulations, young master! You are truly a man of great talent. Your wife is so fortunate to have such a husband."
"Um."
Ouyang Rong stood with his hands behind his back, twirling the jade hairpin with mandarin ducks in his fingers. He responded with a sound, but did not leave immediately.
The plump old man maintained a polite smile and looked at him.
Ouyang Rong also smiled as he looked at the fat old man.
The two stared at each other for ten breaths across a counter.
The chubby boy who had previously collected three taels of silver for tickets was still handing out wooden signs at the entrance of the long corridor in the distance, his back to the two of them, seemingly unaware of anything unusual.
The fat old man kept his eyes straight ahead, not even glancing at his grandson who had "forgotten to come over."
Curious question:
"Um, is there anything else, young master? The night is too short, so... don't keep the ladies waiting in the cold wind."
The word "们" was pronounced quite heavily, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it's unclear.
Ouyang Rong stared intently at the old man's plump face, his expression neither flushed nor skipped a beat, and stretched out his hand, saying directly:
"Did the boss forget something?"
The fat old man's expression changed slightly, and he looked somewhat displeased. He had been quite capable before, so why was he suddenly so lacking in emotional intelligence?
But he couldn't say anything. The sign said, "Passage through the corridor, ticket refund."
The dark-faced, fat old man let out a weak sigh, turned his head, and prepared to call his grandson.
At the same time, he was secretly planning to put up a new rule on the wooden sign later, such as... that each gentleman could only bring one wife to claim the hairpin prize in his lifetime, and could not take more than one, so as to resolutely protect pure love.
Indeed, for businesses, behind every outrageous rule lies an outrageous story...
"etc."
Ouyang Rong suddenly raised his hand to interrupt, and said with a smile:
"The ticket price is a small matter, no rush. I'm here to make friends, and I'm delighted to meet you tonight. I have a few humble opinions, but I don't know if I should say them."
The fat old man stared blankly at the confident, unconventional young man before him, and cautiously asked:
"What do you mean, young master?"
Ouyang Rong first shook the jade hairpin with mandarin ducks in his hand, then gestured with his chin towards the wooden box next to the fat old man:
"How many family heirloom hairpins does the boss still have in his box?"
The fat old man had a stern face:
"What are you saying, young master? I don't understand. Actually, there are only three or four of these in my family's heirlooms. There's only one left, waiting for a destined person. I hope you will show mercy and not push things too far. Leave some room for maneuver in everything..."
Ouyang Rong smiled and nodded, interrupting:
"That's quite a lot, huh? That's fine. Thirty taels a piece is enough for you to make a big profit. Or you can go and restock later."
"Thirty taels per piece? Restocking? What does this mean, young master?"
"Of course, a business deal is based on your trust in me."
Ouyang Rong's smile remained unchanged as he raised one finger:
"For this deal, you only need to do two simple things."
"First, tell me where I can buy these mandarin duck jade hairpins, and where the source is."
"Secondly, please make a copy of the love-hate entanglements you wrote about for the hairpin, and give it to me to take with me."
The fat old man squinted: "Young master hasn't said yet what benefit this deal will bring me. What if it's a case of stealing business?"
With a smile, Ouyang Rong raised four fingers and said leisurely:
"I won't steal your business, but rather help you make a fortune."
"Since it's business, it's about mutual benefit and assistance."
"First, after this, I will not bring my young lady here again, so you can do business with peace of mind."
"Secondly, please take the three taels of silver for the entrance fee; I don't need it. I believe that three taels of silver is enough to buy several more, so it doesn't matter."
"Third, your riddles are all too easy. How about this, I'll leave you with a riddle as the grand finale, guaranteed to make you a fortune every Lantern Festival."
"Fourth... Actually, the fourth benefit will have to wait until tonight... Please keep these jade hairpins safe, they might be priceless tomorrow."
What does "having a price but no market" mean?
The fat old man looked puzzled and pressed for an answer.
Ouyang Rong smiled without saying a word, twirling the jade hairpin with mandarin ducks between his two fingers, and asked calmly:
Should we do this deal or not?
The fat old man hesitated, then whispered:
"The first point you mentioned doesn't count as a condition anymore. Our shop has rules that you can't come back..."
Ouyang Rong curled his lip:
"It's a newly established rule, right? Well, it shouldn't be difficult for me to introduce a few friends. I can recite all your riddles by heart."
Fat old man: ...
He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then hesitated and said:
"Are the riddles you posed, young master, really that clever?"
Without saying a word, Ouyang Rong took out paper and pen and began to write.
The fat old man looked down and read aloud:
"Yellow silk, young woman, grandson, mortar and pestle..."
Are you sure this is a riddle?
He looked suspicious.
"Guess."
The well-informed, portly old man pondered for a long time, then firmly shook his head:
"I can't believe it, no, this can't possibly be a riddle..."
Ouyang Rong smiled, writing on the paper as he read aloud:
"Exquisite words."
"How can this be explained..."
The fat old man suddenly stopped speaking, working backward from the answer to the riddle, and then suddenly realized:
"Hey, yellow silk is colored silk, that is, colored silk, which is the same as the word 'absolute', right...? This young woman is a young girl, and the literal meaning is the word 'wonderful'..."
"Interesting! Brilliant words, truly brilliant words!"
"As for my grandson, well, my daughter's child, that is, daughter plus son, which makes up the character 'good'... Haha, but how do you interpret the last character, 'mortar and pestle'..."
Upon seeing this "exquisite phrase," the fat old man, who had been immersed in this art for many years, couldn't help but dance with joy. However, he was stumped by the last word, and his face turned red with anxiety.
Ouyang Rong did not answer, but asked with a smile:
"Should we do this deal?"
This time, the fat old man didn't hesitate any longer and nodded vigorously: "I'll do it, young master. I'm completely convinced."
"good."
The fat old man leaned close to Ouyang Rong's ear and whispered something... Ouyang Rong got what he wanted and turned to leave.
"Wait, young master, I haven't asked your name yet. My surname is Sun, and my given name is Ze. My grandson is a single-character name. He makes a living in the market of Xunyang."
Ouyang Rong paused for a moment, then waved his hand lightly:
"My name is Yuan Huaimin."
"That sounds familiar. Alright, Young Master Yuan, please take your time."
The portly old man, Sun Ze, was filled with awe.
Having received a "brilliant" proposal, he even forced his grandson to return the three taels of silver to Ouyang Rong.
The latter reluctantly accepted them, but then turned around and unceremoniously asked for a few more jade hairpins in the shape of mandarin ducks, grabbed a handful and left.
Sun Ze: ...
A short while later, the Sun family grandfather and grandson watched with admiration as Ouyang Rong led the beautiful blind girl away gracefully.
...
Back in the carriage.
"Embroiderer, you've been waiting for a long time."
Ouyang Rong looked apologetic.
Zhao Qingxiu shook her head and wrote in his palm: "[Those beautiful young ladies all envy me; you are so good to me, young master.]"
"Don't move." Ouyang Rong gently twisted the jade hairpin with two fingers and inserted it into Zhao Qingxiu's hair, his expression calm and serious.
His movements were extremely skilled, even better than those of young girls; there was no other reason than his practiced hands.
Finally, Ouyang Rong lowered his head and sniffed the fragrance in her black hair; Zhao Qingxiu, unaware of this, tilted her head slightly, raised her hand to touch the hairpin, and smiled foolishly.
"Look up... Hmm, it's so beautiful."
Zhao Qingxiu felt Tanlang suddenly press down on her shoulder, as if examining her closely, and then he smiled and praised her.
Zhao Qingxiu blushed and turned her face away.
Ouyang Rong chuckled, but then glanced at the precious hairpin that his junior sister, Lady Rong, and the embroiderer each had, clenched his fist, covered his mouth, and coughed.
“Miss Embroidery, could you wait a little longer? Since we’re already out here, I’d like to meet a few people on the way and take care of a small matter.”
He pleaded softly.
Zhao Qingxiu nodded quietly, without urging him.
"Ah Shan, go to Pei Shisan Niang's house in the water repair shop."
Ouyang Rong gave an order to the outside.
"Yes, young master."
Fifteen minutes later.
The carriage slowly came to a stop at the back gate of a mansion in Xiushuifang.
Ouyang Rong originally wanted Zhao Qingxiu to wait in the horse, but she tightly gripped his clothes with her small hands and held the jade staff in her arms.
Ouyang Rong had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
Fifteen minutes later, in the hall of a mansion, Ouyang Rong met Pei Shisan Niang.
Zhao Qingxiu waited silently in the adjacent side hall, facing the luxurious tea and pastries.
Ouyang Rong took out a pair of jade hairpins with mandarin ducks from his sleeve and handed them to Pei Shisan Niang, who hurriedly got out of bed.
"Young master, this is..."
"It's yours."
"Thank you, young master!"
The beautiful woman looked delighted. After a moment, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head and raised her hand, placing it in her hair... This arm-raising gesture revealed some of her enviable figure.
Under the lamplight, Hongxia's face couldn't help but become somewhat alluring.
"It's not a free gift. You have to do me a favor, and it's related to this hairpin."
Pei Shisan Niang paused, her face showing some disappointment, but she quickly composed herself and spoke in a respectful tone:
"Please speak, sir."
Ouyang Rong remained calm and named a jewelry store in the East Market.
"Go find the owner of this shop and buy all of these jade hairpins. Then, don't let them sell any more. Tomorrow, sell all the hairpins in this batch..."
"Yes, young master. This is simple. I am very familiar with this jewelry store and know the owner. They should be happy to cooperate. However, what will the price be tomorrow after we buy it?"
Pei Shisan Niang pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, without asking Ouyang Rong what would happen if no one bought it.
Ouyang Rong casually said:
"Then let's make it thirty taels each. The fat boss's wholesale price is three taels for ten pieces. I'll take one for guessing riddles tonight, which is three taels. So let's make it thirty taels each tomorrow. That won't be against our conscience."
Pei Shisanniang:...
"Young master, you are truly generous and magnanimous."
"You flatter me. In this world, third-rate merchants sell quality, second-rate merchants sell rarity, and truly first-rate merchants sell stories."
"Wow, young master, you have a brilliant idea!" Pei Shisan Niang's eyes lit up.
After a sigh, Ouyang Rong declined the beautiful woman's invitation to stay the night, who was reluctant to leave. He returned to his carriage and gave Ali an address.
A quarter of an hour later, the carriage arrived outside a theater in Xingzifang. After getting out of the carriage and entering, Ouyang Rong settled the embroiderer who had come with him at an empty table in the lobby on the first floor. Ouyang Rong then went upstairs and looked around. Sure enough, he saw his friend's figure.
"Oh, Lianghan? What brings you here? Where is Miss Xie?" Li Dalang asked curiously.
Ouyang Rong coughed.
After he sent his junior sister back to her residence tonight, Li Dalang and Li Guo'er were still playing at the theater and did not go back immediately.
Although the Lantern Festival banquet at the Xunyang Prince's Mansion was very well organized, the two of them didn't want to continue attending and, like Ouyang Rong, slipped away to slack off.
"Where is your sister?" Ouyang Rong asked.
Li Dalang chuckled: "I was watching the play upstairs, and she said I was shouting and making a lot of noise, and she kept asking me about the plot. They were all childish questions, and it was too noisy, so we watched the play separately."
"Take me there."
"good."
Before going upstairs, Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around, took out a pair of mandarin duck jade hairpins from his sleeve, and handed them out.
"It's yours."
Li Dalang was taken aback, looking at the jade hairpin with mandarin ducks that had been stuffed into his hand, puzzled:
"Why are you giving me a gift out of the blue? Isn't this something for a young lady to wear?"
Ouyang Rong said sincerely:
"Isn't Dalang always trying to give Princess Anhui gifts? Take this and make sure she wears it often."
"Why is Tanlang suddenly being so nice to me?" Upon hearing his friend's approval, Li Dalang was immediately filled with emotion.
"You're welcome."
A short while later, Ouyang Rong met Li Guo'er in a VIP box upstairs.
Li Guo'er looked incredibly handsome tonight, dressed in men's clothing.
She carried a decorative, jeweled sword and had one boot perched on the edge of the stool, looking as dashing and valiant as any man.
"Here, it's for you."
What is this?
Li Guo'er took the jade hairpin with mandarin ducks and asked with some curiosity.
Ouyang Rong, who was handing out jade hairpins in the shape of mandarin ducks to everyone he met tonight, said with a sincere expression:
"No need to thank me, Your Highness. It would be even better if you could help me out."
"Then thank you, it would be better if you didn't," Li Guo'er said with a straight face.
Ouyang Rong, with his thick skin, said, "Ahem, I still humbly request Your Highness to do me a small favor."
"Tell me, what kind of favor is it?"
"After watching this play, Your Highness, could you please return to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion and make a grand appearance before the Lantern Festival banquet ends? Hmm, wear this hairpin. Also, as I said, tell everyone an interesting story, say that you encountered it while you were out shopping and guessing lantern riddles."
After saying that, he handed over a slip of paper, which was the story that the fat old man Sun Ze had written earlier.
Li Guo'er understood most of it after hearing only half of it:
"Are you asking me, the princess, to promote this hairpin for you? How come you've started a business?"
"almost."
"Why is that? Are you short of money?"
"I don't lack it, but... after tonight, I'll feel very insecure."
"A sense of security? What do you mean? Does anyone dare to hit you?"
"It doesn't mean anything, Your Highness, please don't ask. Just try on this hairpin, and that will be a favor to me."
Li Guo'er squinted at him for a while, then said slowly:
"I still don't understand why, but it was indeed a small favor. However, since I helped you, how will you repay me? Ouyang Lianghan, you didn't come here with the intention of getting me to help you for free, did you? That would be too impolite."
Ouyang Rong sounded a little doubtful.
"Of course not, isn't this a gift of a jade hairpin? Isn't that considered payment?" He sat up straight and said seriously, "I don't expect Your Highness to take advantage of me for free."
Li Guo'er: ...??
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com