Business at Shuyulou has been slow lately, mainly due to the major earthquake that struck the Rilong area. I've heard that sandstorms have occurred in some areas, burying local residents and homes.
People in the disaster-stricken areas lacked clothing and food, and some were even homeless. Hunger and disease led to a large number of disaster victims flocking to surrounding counties in search of a way to survive, and these phenomena gradually spread throughout the country.
In response to the disaster, the emperor of Dongyue issued an edict rejecting extravagance throughout the country and ordering all donations to the Yuelong region. He also called on all the people of the country to work together to fight the disaster and provide relief.
Therefore, many wealthy and powerful people dare not spend ostentatiously at this critical juncture, and luxurious places like Shuyulou are even more deserted.
However, places like Shuyulou have abundant funds, and Zhao Yefan adapted to the times and quickly came up with the idea of launching door-to-door services. Although the store looked desolate, its business was not affected.
The two sisters-in-law arrived at Shuyu Tower from Zuiyue Tower in less than half an hour. When they got out of the carriage, Su Muxue took Mu Jin's hand and walked to the doorman. Just as she was about to take out the silver to pay the deposit, Mu Jin stopped her.
"Just follow me in, no deposit required."
Su Muxue's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I've heard that apart from my fifth brother and Zhao Yefan's lifelong friendship, who can come here without needing a deposit and have no other special privileges, no one else has received such treatment."
At this point, Su Muxue became somewhat indignant and snorted coldly, "Not even this princess!"
Mu Jin smiled but remained silent.
Upon entering the main hall of Shuyulou, one sees Zhao Yefan, who is carrying a fine purple clay teapot and strolling around his own display case, looking quite relaxed and carefree, without any worries about the recent bad weather and lack of business in the shop.
He looked up and saw a guest, and was initially delighted. But when he looked closely and recognized the person, he raised an eyebrow and revealed a cunning smile.
"Distinguished guests, aren't you the Sixth Princess and Princess Yun? Is there anything I can do to serve you?"
In fact, Su Muxue couldn't stand Zhao Yefan's attitude. They had studied together in the palace school when they were young. In the palace school, there were not only princes and princesses, but also the children of prominent ministers in the court.
Zhao Yefan's father was a duke, so he could naturally take the imperial academy exams. Back then, they had a minor disagreement at the academy, so it wasn't just Su Muxue who couldn't stand Zhao Yefan's attitude; Zhao Yefan also looked down on Su Muxue's arrogance.
Su Muxue walked arrogantly in front of Zhao Yefan.
"Bring us your best jewelry."
Upon hearing that a customer had arrived, Zhao Yefan seemed to have forgotten his long-standing feud with Su Muxue, and immediately dismissed the waiter, personally attending to the customer.
Zhao Yefan scurried over to a display case, grabbed a tray of jewelry, and presented it to them.
Zhao Yefan smiled obsequiously and pointed to a cloisonné bracelet, saying, "This is the best cloisonné bracelet our shop has received recently. Look at the color, the enamel, the feel. It's the only one of its kind in the entire capital."
Cloisonné is not unusual, but what is unusual is the sapphire on it. The whole bracelet can be described as understated luxury.
Su Muxue seemed to like it too, but she didn't show it on her face: "How much silver?"
Zhao Yefan smiled and said, "Since we're old acquaintances, how about I sell it to you for five thousand taels instead of the original price of ten thousand taels?"
Su Muxue asked in surprise, "How much?"
Mu Jin, standing beside her, was also surprised by the price. She was new to the area and didn't know much about prices, but she had gained some understanding over time. To put it simply, a sixth-rank official's annual salary was only a little over two hundred coins. In other words, an ordinary person, even if they worked themselves to death without eating or drinking, couldn't afford a bracelet.
Su Muxue bristled and said, "Zhao Yefan! Don't try to scare me. Do you think I don't know anything? This bracelet is worth at most five hundred taels of silver. Call your boss out here and let him see how much kickback his employees are taking!"
Zhao Yefan said nonchalantly, "Sorry, our boss isn't here. I'm the one in charge here now."
Su Muxue was furious: "Zhao Yefan, believe me or not, I'll tell my father about this price gouging and have him tear this place down."
Zhao Yefan wasn't angry: "Do as you please. It's not my property anyway. Besides, our Shuyu Tower operates with integrity. Your Highness, you're not trying to force me to buy or sell, are you?"
"you!"
Su Muxue pointed at Zhao Yefan and sneered, "You treacherous villain, no wonder you're over twenty and no woman has ever been interested in you, and you still can't get married."
Zhao Yefan disagreed.
"I'm afraid the princess misunderstands. The men who pursue me could stretch from here to the city gate. Not to mention anything else, the amount of money that so many noble ladies spend at Suyu Tower just to catch a glimpse of my dashing and charming demeanor is well over a thousand taels of silver."
"Heh~ Is that so? There are so many blind noble ladies from the capital? I had no idea. They must be ignorant country women who have never seen the world."
While Zhao Yefan and Su Muxue were arguing back and forth, Mu Jin had already wandered around the counter in the building for a while.
At this moment, she was admiring the hairpins in the hairpin section. The hairpins were of different shapes and designs, some were shaped like flowers, some like bows, and some like tassels.
The colors and materials of the hairpins also vary; some are inlaid with gemstones, some with pearls, and some are made of pure gold.
Mu Jin picked up a butterfly-shaped hairpin and turned to the two people arguing, asking, "Do you two think this hairpin is pretty?"
The two stopped and turned to look at Mu Jin at the same time, with Zhao Yefan stepping forward first.
"Your Highness has excellent taste. This hairpin suits you perfectly. If you want it, I'll sell it to you for a thousand taels."
This made Su Muxue even angrier, and she pointed at Zhao Yefan and started cursing.
"This hair ornament is obviously much more valuable in terms of material, craftsmanship and workmanship than that tanneries bracelet. Why is it sold to my third sister-in-law at a fair price, but sold to me at an inflated price?"
Zhao Yefan still had a smile on his face and said, "If you can't afford it, you don't have to buy it!"
The words had barely left her lips when Su Muxue completely lost her temper.
Mu Jin shook her head, finding it amusing, and handed the hairpin to the shop assistant beside her.
"Pack it up for me. When the princess goes back, give it to her and say it's a gift from me."
After saying this, Qing'er handed a thousand taels of silver to the shopkeeper, and the two of them, mistress and servant, walked out of Shuyu Tower.
Meanwhile, Su Muxue was pointing at Zhao Yefan, who had a smile on his face, and cursing him. By the time the two of them noticed that Mu Jin was not there, Mu Jin was already on her way back to the Yunwang Mansion.
Inside the carriage, Qing'er was puzzled.
"Why did Miss suddenly send such an expensive gift to the Sixth Princess?"
Mu Jin smiled and said, "She is the emperor's most beloved daughter. If we get on good terms with her, she might be able to help us when we get divorced in the future. Besides, who wouldn't want to make a powerful friend?"
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