Chapter 240: Chapter 239: Dogskin Plaster
Tang Shunyan opened the box, and he too fell in love with the piece of jewelry. Meng Zhaojun snatched it, wanting it for herself. He furrowed his little brow, feeling very unhappy, unable to voice his refusal like a gentleman.
The shopkeeper did not accept the money offered by Meng Zhaojun’s maid but looked at the young Master instead.
“Oh, can this shopkeeper even do business? There’s a chance to make money and you’re not sealing the deal, just staring at your young Master? Is he foolish not to take the money?”
Although the shopkeeper was scolded, he did not argue back, instead gazing at the young Master—it was he who had asked him to bring out the item.
Unfortunately, by carelessly letting this little girl see it and claim she wanted it, there was trouble brewing that could lead to a scolding.
Young Master Tang’s junior housekeeper watched the shopkeeper reproachfully, upset that the young Master was displeased. The shopkeeper was incompetent, but this lady from the county magistrate’s house was formidable, daring no one to offend her.
“Just sell it to her!”
In the end, Tang Shunyan spoke up, although it was against his will, for he had indeed admired the butterfly hairpin’s beauty.
“But make sure to give me a discount, don’t sell it too expensive, after all, we are friends now.”
Meng Zhaojun wore a smug expression, intent on taking advantage as usual. How could she pass up the chance to trick this little boy?
“Miss Meng, this butterfly hairpin is exquisite. Normally, we wouldn’t even offer it for sale to just anyone. It was only because the young Master said to bring it out that I was willing to offer it, and the price I’m asking is very fair.”
“Then, what is the price?” Meng Zhaojun asked further.
“Our shop’s jewelry has the fairest prices. This butterfly hairpin is 50 taels of silver, not a tael less, otherwise, we would be at a loss.”
The shopkeeper announced the price when Liang Chen, who had taken out the silver, blurted out:
“That’s daylight robbery! Where does this butterfly hairpin get its value of 50 taels of silver?”
The shopkeeper gave her a disdainful look and responded, “You really don’t understand the value, do you? In a small county , it’s only cheaper. If it were in the Imperial Capital, this butterfly hairpin would definitely fetch 100 taels of silver, so it’s only because the young Master asked that I brought it out, planning to take it to the Imperial Capital to fetch a higher price!”
“What nonsense you speak, as if you have the final say! Just because you claim it can sell for that much, does it mean it will?” Liang Chen argued back.
The maid quarreled with the shopkeeper while Meng Zhaojun, as the master, hoped the maid could get a tenth off, or even better, a lower price.
Tang Shunyan looked increasingly impatient. Meng Zhaojun had snatched the item and was fussily bargaining, worsening his mood. Abruptly, he stood up.
“Shopkeeper, just do what I told you earlier, and let them chat at their leisure!”
Having said that, Tang Shunyan left the room first, followed by his junior housekeeper.
Seeing Tang Shunyan leaving, Meng Zhaojun could not allow it. She whispered to Liang Chen, instructing the maid to settle the matter.
She and Mei Jing walked out, catching sight of the young boy who had already descended the stairs, and hurried after him.
She also hurried down the stairs, with Mei Jing cautioning her, “Lady, be careful, slow down.”
“Hurry up and stop nagging!” Meng Zhaojun, impatient, lifted her skirt and hastened down the wooden staircase with a “thud, thud, thud.”
Although Tang Shunyan was young, he was accustomed to practicing dance and martial arts, and was quick-footed. His anger was one reason, and another was to shake off the person following him; he instantly directed the driver to get the coach moving!
Meng Zhaojun ran to her coach, having just seen Tang Shunyan’s coach driving away, and immediately directed her driver to follow the coach ahead.
From inside the coach, Tang Shunyan looked through the rear window and saw the Mengs’ coach following. Annoyed, he touched his brow, wondering how to escape her persistent pursuit!
“Master, where are we going?” The driver, having only heard the order to drive the coach, was anxious about lacking a destination and making a mistake.
“Just circle around the street a bit!”
Tang Shunyan no longer wished to go to a particular place; he did not want to get off the coach and face Meng Zhaojun.
“Young Master, didn’t you say you were going to check another shop?”
“Not anymore, just handle the remaining matters yourself, it’s no fun going anywhere with someone tailing us.”
Observing the young Master’s displeasure, the junior housekeeper deferred to him, then suggested:
“How about the young Master goes to the suburbs? Your teacher’s brother is currently building a house there, and all house matters have been handed over to the teacher, some things I still need to manage.”