Chapter 515: Wanting It, But Unwilling to Pay
Luo Wen’s lips curled into a smirk, and he stood up.
Gu Yuan saw this and immediately understood. He quickly stood as well. "How about twenty thousand taels?"
Luo Wen didn’t spare him a single glance. He walked over to the bag, snatched the diancui piece from Gao Yunyue’s hand, tossed it inside, and picked up the sack.
Gao Yunyue had been mesmerized, lost in her imagination as she stared at the dazzling jewelry. When she was abruptly pulled back to reality, she saw the pearl pieces in front of her being picked up and immediately grew frantic. "I thought you were pawning that!"
Carrying two bags, Luo Wen headed for the door.
Seeing a huge deal about to slip away, the Shopkeeper couldn’t help but say, "Sir, those are all top-quality pieces! A single one is worth a fortune. How can you... Go after him, quickly!"
Gu Yuan had no business experience, but he could tell from the Shopkeeper’s words that his offer had been too low. He rushed out the door after him. "Young man, don’t be in such a hurry! We can negotiate the price. How about... fifty thousand taels?"
A cold glint flashed in Luo Wen’s eyes. ’The eldest son of the Gu family’s fourth house is trying his hand at business? His ventures are doomed to fail within a year.’
Gao Yunyue chased after them as well. ’Such unique jewelry is one-of-a-kind in the entire Capital City. It would be a real pity not to get my hands on it.’
Luo Wen walked up to the carriage and placed the bags on the driver’s seat.
Gu Yuan caught up to him. "Young man, no matter how fine your goods are, they’re still second-hand. Fifty thousand is my absolute limit."
When Gao Yunyue saw him stop before a carriage from the General’s Manor, her eyes narrowed slightly. ’Who’s in there?’
Luo Wen resisted the urge to send him flying with a kick.
"Young man, let’s discuss this further." Seeing him pause, Gu Yuan thought he had a chance.
"There’s nothing to discuss. Get out of the way." Luo Wen climbed onto the driver’s seat.
"Young man, Yu Min Pawnshop is the largest in the entire Capital City! No one else can offer you a better price." Instead of moving, Gu Yuan took another step forward.
Luo Wen yanked the reins.
The horse reared up and neighed, startling Gu Yuan so badly that he stumbled and nearly fell.
Gao Yunyue rushed forward to steady him. "Husband, are you all right?"
"I’m fine." Gu Yuan’s face was pale from the fright.
Gao Yunyue turned and glared furiously at Luo Wen. "So you’re pawning some worthless jewelry, what’s the big deal? The General’s Manor has fallen so far they have to sell off their belongings to survive! What’s there to be so arrogant about? A lowly guard dares to abuse his master’s authority? You must have a death wish!"
Luo Wen looked down at her, his expression unreadable. He yanked the reins again, and the carriage lurched forward as if to run them down.
"How dare you..."
Gao Yunyue’s eyes went wide.
"Luo Wen," came Ye Qianning’s cold voice from within the carriage.
Luo Wen reined in the horse, which immediately grew calm.
Gao Yunyue froze when she heard the childish voice. ’I know that voice all too well. It’s Ye Qianning! That little bitch is in the carriage!’
Gu Yuan was also taken aback. He hadn’t realized there was someone else in the carriage, and from the sound of it, it was just a young child.
Ye Qianning lifted the curtain and stepped out, stopping at the edge of the carriage without dismounting.
"Eldest Miss," Luo Wen greeted with a bow.
Ye Qianning gave a slight nod, her wide, round eyes falling on Gu Yuan. He was a richly dressed youth with a fair complexion and scholarly features. Her first impression was of a refined and well-mannered academic.
’No wonder he has Gao Yunyue completely captivated. He’s quite handsome, I suppose, but he just doesn’t have the mind for business.’
’He’s clearly a frail scholar, yet he’s stubbornly insisted on going into commerce. He’s bound to fail spectacularly, ending up a master of none.’
She had heard every word exchanged since Gu Yuan and Gao Yunyue first entered the pawnshop.
Of course, his initial offer of twenty thousand taels had admittedly surprised her.
’Twenty thousand taels... An ordinary person wouldn’t dare offer such a sum.’
’He wants the jewelry, but he’s too cheap to pay for it. His attempts to belittle the goods to justify his lowball offer are just pathetic.’