Hong Xiaoduo turned around and saw the Second Madam, who had washed up and dressed herself, with two bodyguards behind her.
The shopkeeper selling inkstones was quite old, so he naturally realized that the newcomer had ill intentions and was targeting someone.
Although the later one seemed to be richer, he didn't look like someone easy to get along with.
"This inkstone..." The shopkeeper wanted to say that the inkstone was looked at by the first person who came in, and she hadn't explicitly said she didn't want it yet.
Hong Xiaoduo interrupted him, saying, "I asked about this inkstone first, so it should be sold to me."
"I'll offer fifty taels for this inkstone." Upon hearing this, the second young lady immediately raised the price, not believing that the shopkeeper would find the money too much to handle.
"One hundred taels, this inkstone is mine. It's just silver, it's not like I can't afford it." Hong Xiaoduo quickly raised the price.
Tian Shu and the others were getting a little anxious. Although they hoped that Hong Xiaoduo would gain the upper hand, it would hurt to see her gain such an advantage, as she would have to throw in so much more money!
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper realized that his inkstone, priced at a dozen taels, had been on the shelves for two years, attracting many inquiries but failing to find a discerning buyer. Today, however, the price had been inflated to a hundred taels. He glanced at Hong Xiaoduo, thinking that if she were to actually buy it for a hundred taels, he could secretly return the extra money to her later.
When the second wife heard that the other party had raised the price and was going against her, how could she let her have her way?
Hmph, you have money, don't you? Fine, I'll raise the price even higher and let you buy it. Hmph, you're no match for me!
"Yes, it's just silver. It's not like anyone can't afford it. Shopkeeper, this inkstone is mine for two hundred taels." The second young lady had already decided to make a good fool of this ignorant young woman.
After saying that, he was still thinking about how much he should provoke her to raise the price of the inkstone. A thousand taels? No, if it's too high, what if she can't afford it and doesn't fall for his trick?
Then let's raise it to five or six hundred taels. At the current pace, it'll be over in a few words or a few rounds.
What Hong Xiaoduo sensed from the other person's expression was not a sense of certainty, but rather a calculated and well-thought-out plan.
Okay, I'll do you a good deed today and help your elders teach you properly!
"Three hundred taels." Hong Xiaoduo continued to add more without any worries.
At this point, the other customers in the shop stopped buying anything and all gathered around.
The shop was frequented by scholars and literati, who could glean a general idea from the two women's argument. They didn't know the exact reason for the feud, but they were certain that both young ladies were spoiled and pampered children, lacking proper upbringing at home.
The inkstone is one of the Four Treasures of the Study, yet it has become an object for them to compete in wealth and power. It's utterly speechless!
"Four hundred taels. Everyone here will be a witness. Once you offer a price, you have to buy it. This is no joke." The second wife continued to raise the price, feeling a little excited. She imagined what her expression would be when the other party said five hundred taels and she stopped raising the price, so she would have to take out five hundred taels to buy the inkstone.
Noticing the hint of excitement in the second wife's tone, Hong Xiaoduo glanced at her and smiled: "Ah, this lady is indeed wealthy and generous. This inkstone is yours."
What? How did it become mine? The second wife was a little confused: "You seem quite arrogant to me, so why didn't you dare to add more than four hundred taels?"
Hong Xiaoduo said nonchalantly, "What's wrong? It's simple, it's just that you're so domineering. Hurry up and pay the money, and don't say you don't want it. You just reminded everyone to be witnesses."
"You? You're playing me?" The second wife was so angry that her face turned red.
Hong Xiaoduo was still smiling: "Didn't you want to play a trick on me? It's just that you were unlucky and a step too late. Actually, if you didn't have the money, you could have just said so, and the shopkeeper probably wouldn't have made things difficult for you."
Besides, there's no need to feel embarrassed by so many onlookers. They don't know who your rascal is, and you didn't come with a flag.
"Who says I can't pay? Who are you calling a liar? Dazhi, pay up!" The second wife was so angry that her hands were trembling.
However, there was no response from behind. When he turned around, he saw that both bodyguards looked troubled.
"What? Why aren't you paying?" The second wife was even angrier.
"Reporting to Second Madam, neither of us has that much silver on us," Dazhi said, taking out two hundred taels of silver notes from his pocket, looking quite embarrassed.
This silver note was given to him by his senior brother; it wasn't his personal property.
"You." The second wife glared at the two men fiercely, snatched the silver note from his hand, took out another silver note from her own body, slapped them both on the counter, and turned to leave.
"Take the inkstone back for your second mistress," Hong Xiaoduo reminded the two bodyguards who were eager to leave.
Dazhi, who had been scolded, awkwardly picked up the inkstone and hurriedly left.
"Shopkeeper, do you think this silver is too hot to handle? Don't overthink it. They're rich, and they're giving it to you willingly. You didn't cheat them, so just take it." Seeing the shopkeeper hesitating as he looked at the silver note, Hong Xiaoduo joked.
The shopkeeper was somewhat amused and exasperated: "I've been running this shop for so many years, and this is the first time I've encountered such a good thing. I'm a little uneasy. How about I share half with you, young lady?"
Hong Xiaoduo waved her hand and refused: "Don't worry, just keep it. Among her group, everyone except her seems reliable. Even if they know, they won't cause trouble. If you keep the money, they can't say anything. If you really share half with me, then people will suspect that we're working together to set a trap and cheat people out of money."
"But you really should thank me. How about this: you don't need the best brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones in your shop, just half of them will do. Could you give me some for free?"
"No problem, no problem." As he spoke, he put away the silver notes and went inside to get an inkstone, brush, ink stick, and paper for Hong Xiaoduo.
A moment later, Tian Shu and Tian Quan each carried a large cloth bag and happily followed behind Hong Xiaoduo. Yao Guang asked very seriously if she had a share of the things in the bag. Yu Heng told her that she did, and the little girl clapped her hands happily.
The group of one adult and seven children strolled around the streets and bought some pastries to eat if they got hungry on the road tomorrow.
As soon as I arrived at the inn, I saw the third senior brother from the escort agency standing there with his hands behind his back and no expression.
Hong Xiaoduo put Yaoguang down and told Tian Shu to take them back to their rooms first. However, the children stared warily at their third senior brother and refused to go in first.
"Don't worry, he can't beat me," Hong Xiaoduo said softly, knowing what they were worried about.
Hearing her say that, Tian Shu also spoke up, and the children then followed her into the inn.
"What, are you here to interrogate me?" Hong Xiaoduo asked...
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