Chapter 326: Chapter 326: Tormented Wife vs. Homewrecker (12) Chapter 326: Chapter 326: Tormented Wife vs. Homewrecker (12) The shopkeeper knew trouble had arrived the moment Gu Shengyin spoke.
He sized up Gu Shengyin, and his pupils contracted when his gaze fell upon the lake-green robe with parallel collars she wore, which was inconspicuous.
Such businessmen needed most of all to have an eye for quality. If he was not mistaken, the fabric of the dress worn by the woman before him was made of “Thousand Lakes Green” from Jiangnan.
Garments made of Thousand Lakes Green sway lightly with movement, reminiscent of a gentle breeze rippling the sparkling surface of a lake, and are greatly favored by the nobility’s inner chambers.
Thousand Lakes Green was extremely precious and rare; only a few dozen bolts were produced each year, most of which were used for tribute. Only households that could afford Thousand Lakes Green for their clothing…
The shopkeeper conjured a smile, “May I ask what guidance the young lady has for me?”
Gu Shengyin did not intend to speak up for Zhang Mingshu out of righteousness–she had her own agenda and did not want to offend anyone because of it.
“My family just happens to have a chest of rubies like these, whose color and clarity far surpass that of your store’s. This price, shopkeeper, is hardly fair,” she hinted meaningfully.
As expected, the shopkeeper’s expression changed and he forced a smile, bending over to Zhang Mingshu, “I truly apologize, miss. This ruby originally belonged to our boss’s wife and wasn’t meant to be sold. By mistake, it was placed here today, and I deliberately quoted a high price, hoping you would back off once you knew. Please accept my apologies.”
Zhang Mingshu did not need further explanation to realize there was something amiss with the ruby.
She looked displeased; she no longer intended to purchase the items she had picked out before.
Turning her head, she saw that Gu Shengyin had already stepped out of the door and quickly followed her with her maid in tow.
“Excuse me, miss, please wait.” Zhang Mingshu called out softly from behind Gu Shengyin.
Gu Shengyin stopped in her tracks, “Are you calling for me, miss?”
Zhang Mingshu hastened to catch up with Gu Shengyin, “I want to thank you for speaking up for me earlier.”
Gu Shengyin smiled faintly, “I simply could not stand the shopkeeper passing off inferior goods as superior ones.”
After thinking for a moment, Zhang Mingshu said, “I’m really grateful for your help today. May I have the honor of treating you to a meal to express my gratitude?”
Of course, Gu Shengyin planned to decline.
Of course, Zhang Mingshu would not let her refuse, so in the end, Zhang Mingshu invited Gu Shengyin to her home.
“Miss Zhang, do you live alone?” Gu Shengyin asked, feigning surprise.
At this question, Zhang Mingshu’s eyes welled up with tears, and Gu Shengyin hurriedly apologized.
Zhang Mingshu changed the subject and started talking to Gu Shengyin about other things.
She was amazed to find that this new friend she’d made was extremely knowledgeable; no matter what she talked about, Gu Shengyin could follow and was very considerate of her feelings.
For a moment, Zhang Mingshu felt like she had found a soulmate in Gu Shengyin.
In the Capital City, although she resided in Prince of Zhenbei’s Mansion, she was, after all, an orphan whose parents had died. The young noblewomen did not think much of her. Thus, even though the Princess Consort of Zhenbei often took her out, she hadn’t made many close friends.
Since being settled in this separate residence, she found it even harder to find someone she could converse with. Naturally, she was delighted to meet someone she could talk to.
By the time the servant brought the dishes to the table, Zhang Mingshu was already calling Gu Shengyin ‘Sister Meng.’
Gu Shengyin, of course, could not reveal her lineage and simply claimed her surname was Meng, using her mother’s family name.