Chapter 514: Does the New Owner Even Know How to Do Business?
Ye Qianning remained in the carriage, leaning against a cushioned seat and holding an imperial green jade bracelet.
’After being nurtured by my space, the bracelet looks even purer. Its color is stunning, and it has the translucent, lustrous sheen of jade that has been worn and polished by hand for many years.’
’Its quality is absolutely top-grade now. The space is truly amazing; it seems to have the power to alter the very nature of jade.’
"That’s the General’s carriage," a woman’s voice said from outside.
"I think you’re right."
A mellow voice followed.
"The General’s carriage is parked outside a pawnshop. Don’t tell me the General’s family has fallen on such hard times they’ve had to come pawn their belongings," the woman’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
"This pawnshop is ours now. If the General’s family is pawning something, we’re the ones who will profit. Come on, let’s go inside and take a look."
"That’s true."
Gu Yuan led Gao Yunyue into the pawnshop.
Ye Qianning clicked her tongue. ’That couple is so lucky. To think they drew the Yu Min Pawnshop. A single month’s revenue from this place is worth half a year’s income from one of those porcelain or fabric shops.’
’If I’d known it was them, I would have charged them far more than one hundred fifty thousand.’
As Gu Yuan and Gao Yunyue entered the pawnshop, the Shopkeeper immediately hurried over to greet them.
"Sir, I was just about to send someone to find you."
"What’s happened?" Gu Yuan asked.
"It’s not an emergency, but this young gentleman wants to pawn some items. There are simply too many, and they’re too valuable. We can’t make the call on our own." The Shopkeeper had rarely seen so many fine goods being pawned at once.
"What are they? Let me see."
"They’re all in here." The Shopkeeper bent down and reached for the bags on the floor to open them.
Gu Yuan looked down at two dark, grimy bags, his brow furrowing slightly. ’What kind of treasures would be stuffed in bags like these?’
"Sir, look at this." The Shopkeeper held the mouth of the bag open, revealing a pile of pearl jewelry.
Gu Yuan’s frown vanished in an instant, his eyes widening in utter shock. He instinctively crouched down.
Any noble with a modicum of status could tell these were priceless treasures. The large pearls on the hairpins, in particular, were a rare sight on the market.
There were also pearl necklaces and kingfisher feather hair ornaments, all of designs never before seen on the market.
Even Gao Yunyue, who was accustomed to seeing luxurious jewelry, was stunned. She bent over and picked up a vermilion hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers. The body of the hairpin was covered in unique patterns, and the design of the feather inlay was unlike any she had ever seen.
The pearls on the necklaces were so lustrous and translucent they were far superior to even those worn by the imperial consorts in the palace.
"This..." Gu Yuan had never seen so many opulent treasures at once and was momentarily speechless.
"Sir, there are too many items, and we’re not comfortable setting a price. You’ll have to decide what to offer," the Shopkeeper said.
Gu Yuan swallowed hard, silently closed the bag, and stood up to face the seated Luo Wen. "Sir, pawning so many things at once... has your family run into some trouble?"
"I am here to pawn my goods," Luo Wen said coldly.
Gu Yuan wasn’t angered by the rebuff. He sat down beside him with a chuckle. "Young man, what price are you looking for?"
Luo Wen snorted. "I’m looking for a million taels. Can you afford that?"
Gu Yuan’s expression froze.
"..."
The Shopkeeper was rendered speechless. ’Does this new owner even know how to do business?’
Gao Yunyue’s mind was completely captivated by the jewelry. Clutching the kingfisher feather hairpin, she crouched down to open the bags again, already imagining how envious the other noble ladies would be when she wore these pieces.
"Sir, you need to name a price," the Shopkeeper reminded him.
Gu Yuan glanced at the two bags, then lowered his gaze in thought for a long while before finally saying, "Ten thousand taels."
"..."
The Shopkeeper’s mind went blank. ’Ten thousand taels?’
’He... actually had the nerve to offer that low!’