"Hey, Young Master Huang, wait a minute!" someone in the on - lookers shouted. "Even if it's a fake, since it could deceive your shop's master, it must be worth some silver. It can at least help recoup some of the losses..."
However, before the voice died down, with a "bang", Huang Haoyun pounded down his fist. The plum vase immediately shattered into pieces, followed by the sighs of the people around.
"A fake is a fake. Our Huang family will just take this as a lesson. We also want everyone to know that we do business with a clear conscience and treat everyone equally."
"Good!" Someone in the crowd took the lead, and there was an immediate chorus of approval.
"Is that all?" Lady Di asked Yi Qing. "Isn't this just letting that guy off easily? He'll get three thousand taels of silver for nothing?"
Yi Qing sneered. "Normally, it would be like this. If he knew when to stop, he could get three thousand taels of silver for nothing right now. But based on your understanding of him, do you think he knows when to be content?"
"He's the most greedy person." Disgust flashed in Lady Di's eyes.
"Yes. So he's definitely going to fall into this trap." Yi Qing said firmly.
Back then, when the Marquis of Huai'en was penniless, it was such a great fortune for him to marry Lady Di. But did he cherish it?
No, he didn't.
Some people are just insatiably greedy. No matter how much you give them, they always feel wronged.
"What should we do next?"
"Just watch and see. Don't be in a hurry. At noon, I'll take you to Zuixianju for a meal. Then we'll go to the teahouse opposite to drink tea and wait for the show."
The Marquis of Huai'en was both evil and stupid. He definitely wouldn't be able to hold out for long.
With such a big commotion, Yi Qing bet that he would show up that afternoon.
"Okay."
Over there, Jushuang said a few words to Huang Haoyun, then ran over to salute Yi Qing. She said excitedly, "Madam, you're really a miracle doctor. My father's illness has improved a great deal. These days, he's even been nagging about coming back to work in the pawnshop!"
Yi Qing smiled. "It was originally just a minor illness."
"Madam, please don't say that. It's your miraculous treatment. Otherwise, we spent hundreds of taels of silver and got nowhere. But your few doses of medicine worked wonders! I've told my parents that as long as my father can return to the pawnshop, I'll go and serve you to repay your great kindness."
Lady Di didn't know the details and was a kind - hearted person, so she said, "Then there's no need."
But Yi Qing said, "Why not? I just need a cashier who can use an abacus by my side. With my status, it's not appropriate for me to always meet people from the outer courtyard. It would be great to have a female cashier. Jushuang, come and work by my side from now on. You don't need to sign a slavery contract, so you won't fall into the low - status group. But you have to work hard. If you do well, I'll take care of your dowry in the future."
Jushuang's face flushed purple - red. Hearing Yi Qing's thoughtful arrangement for her, she couldn't help but say gratefully, "Madam, you're the savior of our whole family. I can't take your silver. I just hope to repay your kindness."
"Jushuang." Someone called her from inside the pawnshop.
Jushuang said to Yi Qing, "It's the shopkeeper calling me. I'll go in and take a look."
"Go ahead. We're leaving now and will come back this afternoon." Yi Qing winked at her.
Jushuang's lips curved up into a shy smile. She saluted Yi Qing and then rushed in.
"I think this girl is quite straightforward." Lady Di said. "Her family is in the capital, so we know her well. It's good for you to use her."
Yi Qing said, "Actually, I don't really expect her to do much."
Lady Di was stunned. "Didn't you say you wanted her to manage the accounts?"
"Of course not. The current cashier in the mansion was the one used by Xiao Jinghan before. If I replace him for no reason, what will others think of me? They'll think I'm so eager to get rid of the old people and take over the family property!" Yi Qing said.
"Then what did you mean just now..." Lady Di was confused.
Yi Qing sighed inwardly. Her own mother was really naive.
"Deterrence." Yi Qing said. "Jushuang comes from a pawnshop cashier background. The accounts she has handled are much more complicated than those in the mansion. As long as I say that I'll ask her to help me check the account books, don't you think those people will think twice before trying to deceive me?"
Lady Di praised, "You've thought this through very well. This is great."
Yi Qing couldn't help but think, You're so muddle - headed. I don't even know how much of your dowry the Marquis of Huai'en cheated to support his mistress back then!
It was said that the Wen family was rich, but now looking at it, the Marquis of Huai'en has quickly become a swindler. It shows that the silver given by the Wen family before was probably not as much as it seemed.
Maybe it was Aunt Wen who held the money back and didn't give it to him.
In any case, the Marquis of Huai'en's retribution came quite quickly, and Yi Qing was happy to see it.
Just as they were about to leave, someone called out to Yi Qing from behind, "Madam, please wait a moment."
Yi Qing turned around and saw Huang Haoyun bowing to her two steps away.
"What's the matter?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Is it convenient for Madam to have a private chat?"
Wanting to talk to her? This was interesting. Yi Qing nodded slightly.
Huang Haoyun invited the two of them to the teahouse opposite the pawnshop. He personally picked up the teapot to pour tea for them and thanked Yi Qing profusely.
Yi Qing said indifferently, "I just did what I thought was right. It's not worth mentioning. I wonder if the young master has anything else to say?"
She was helping Jushuang. This man's over - enthusiasm made her feel a bit uncomfortable, so her attitude was not very warm. Her implication was that if there was nothing else, he should go about his business.
Huang Haoyun said, "Madam, to be honest, although Jushuang is a woman, her ability is stronger than many men. I can't bear to see her become a servant. So..."
He took out a silver note from his sleeve and pushed it over. "I'm willing to buy ten maids for Madam in exchange for Jushuang's freedom."
Yi Qing glanced down. "Five hundred taels of silver. What a generous offer."
Hearing the sarcasm in her voice, Huang Haoyun blushed. "Madam, please don't laugh at me. I know Madam surely doesn't think much of this silver, but this is all I..."
"I don't look down on silver. Even five taels is still silver." Yi Qing said. "I'm laughing because do you know what Jushuang herself thinks? What right do you have to come to me and speak for her?"
Huang Haoyun was stunned. He obviously didn't expect her words to be so sharp.
Yi Qing pointed to the purse embroidered with mandarin ducks on his waist. "The small 'Bai' character on it should be your wife's family name, right?"
Huang Haoyun's face turned even redder. "Madam has sharp eyes."
"Anyone with a bit of sense would know that besides your wife, no one else would dare to claim you so openly."
A woman's boudoir name couldn't be known by outsiders, so it should be just the family name.
And even so, it meant that his wife's family had a high status.
Marriages for power and money were normal.
Huang Haoyun was sweating profusely under her words. He raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat.
"If I'm not wrong, you wanted to take Jushuang as a concubine, but she refused you, right?"
"...Yes."
"So you're actually a bit happy about being cheated out of three thousand taels of silver!"