Смертная любовь в эпоху Северной Сун

Глава 60

The common people held a certain amount of awe for those who received a government salary and served the royal family. Upon seeing Rongyue weaving through the crowd from afar, they all stepped aside to let her pass. Walking solemnly through the cleared path, Rongyue maintained a stern expression, striving to appear dignified, but inwardly she was ecstatic! This was what privilege was! No wonder the ancients said: "Of all professions, only studying is noble." Ten years of arduous study were all for the sake of passing the imperial examinations, climbing the official ladder, and gaining fame and fortune. Power, what a wonderful thing! With power, one could gain people's recognition and respect! Look at her, she was just a lowly constable, yet she received such special treatment. If their county magistrate were to arrive, wouldn't they have to give her a wide berth?

Tightening her black leather belt around her waist, Rongyue straightened her grip on the shovel again, and after patrolling East Street, she moved on to West Street. To be honest, she wasn't really clear on what constables actually did. In her mind, constables were supposed to be out there arresting criminals with sketches, not like her, aimlessly wandering the streets of Yangcheng all day with a bronze sword. But who cared? As long as she got her wages on time, why should she worry about anything else!

A new broom sweeps clean, and naturally, there's a lot of enthusiasm in a new office. But once that initial excitement wore off, Rongyue began to slack off on the monotonous patrol duties. Her daily patrols no longer involved dutifully scanning the streets of Yangcheng to identify criminals; instead, she started to neglect her duties, heading straight for the Tianlong Inn after leaving the yamen, where she and Yuyaji would wander aimlessly through the streets and alleys of Yangcheng.

"Oh, my love, look! How beautiful this jade is!" With a joyful shout, Yu Yan ran like a happy little bird to a jade stall not far away. Picking up a piece of white jade shaped like a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix, Yu Yan's eyes shone brightly as she carefully examined it from left to right, unable to put it down.

Why do girls like jade, agate, and jadeite—things that are practically useless for basic needs like food and clothing? It's so baffling!

Seeing Yu Yan's expression, Rong Yue knew she had to buy the jade. Touching the pitiful amount of silver in her pocket, Rong Yue glanced at the stall owner: "Boss, how much is this jade?"

Seeing that the jade was likely to sell, the shopkeeper rubbed his hands together and said ingratiatingly, "Young master, your wife has a truly discerning eye! This jade is made from the sealed stone jade from the bottom of the South China Sea, and it's a replica of the Phoenix Jade, one of the ten most exquisite jades in the world today! Look at this jade..."

"I only asked you how much silver it's worth?" How long-winded! What's the point of talking so much to her? She doesn't even know what jade is!

He bowed obsequiously, saying, "This jade isn't expensive, just a mere thirty-eight taels..."

"What! Thirty-eight taels?! You call that not expensive? You're ripping us off!" They had only about fifty taels left of their entire fortune! Thirty-eight taels! That was a death sentence for them!

She snatched the jade from Yu Yan's hand and examined it with a critical eye.

"It's just a piece of broken jade, how could it be worth so much silver! You just said it yourself, it's a fake, just a counterfeit, how can you ask for such an exorbitant price! Be honest, give me another price!"

His expression was somewhat troubled. After pondering for a long time, he seemed to have made a great decision, and said with feigned regret, "Fine, consider it a loss of some silver, but let's make friends! One price, thirty taels!"

Thirty taels?! Are you trying to rob me?! Lower the price a bit more!

"Twenty-eight taels..."

"Dude, are you kidding me? If everyone did business like this, ripping people off, how would anyone survive in this world?"

"Young master, this...this really can't be lowered any further! Twenty-eight taels is the absolute bottom line..."

She glared at me with her almond-shaped eyes: "Stop trying to fool me! Don't think I don't know what you business people are good at. You always lie about prices! You often find something that's not worth much, and then you fleece your customers! Let me tell you, I know my stuff. I know exactly how much this jade is worth! Don't even think about trying to rip me off!"

Seeing Rongyue's imposing demeanor, the jade stall owner really suspected that she wasn't there to buy jade, but rather to collect a debt from him!

Knowing that haggling with her was pointless, the shopkeeper simply handed the initiative to Rongyue: "Then... why don't you tell me, young master, how much silver is this jade worth? Please name your price!"

Name your price? Rongyue weighed the jade, which shimmered with a white glow, in her hand, and began to hesitate. Since the buyer was to name their price, it couldn't be too high. A lower price would allow her to subtly offer a small discount if the seller tried to raise it later, making both parties happy. Hmm, how much should she name…?

Feeling the little silver left in her pocket, Rongyue gritted her teeth and held up two fingers.

Twenty taels? The shopkeeper looked at the two slender, white fingers, his thick, dark eyebrows furrowing slightly. Twenty taels was practically no profit...

Seeing the shopkeeper's troubled expression, Yu Yan gently tugged at Rong Yue's sleeve: "Husband, isn't the price you offered too low..." Although this jade is a replica, the quality is not bad, and the hundred birds and phoenix are carved so lifelike and vivid! Without close inspection, this jade is probably indistinguishable from a real phoenix jade except for the different texture! Twenty taels is really too little...

Hearing Yu Yan say this, the stall owner quickly chimed in, "Yes, young master, even your wife knows that twenty taels is far too little..."

"Twenty taels? Who said it was twenty taels!"

"But the young master clearly held up two fingers..."

He cast a cold glance at her: "Does two fingers necessarily mean twenty taels?"

"How many taels is that?" Yu Yan and the shopkeeper asked in unison, surprised.

He coughed lightly and flipped two fingers over: "Two ounces!"

The two were shocked when the two words were uttered!

Panting heavily, his mustache twitching, the shopkeeper's face was a purplish-red, a mixture of shock and anger. Trembling, he snatched the jade from Rongyue's hand: "Two...two taels?! Why didn't you just rob me?!"

The boss's sudden roar startled Rongyue for a moment. Regaining her composure, Rongyue retorted defiantly, "What are you yelling about! You think the money isn't enough? Fine, add another tael! Three taels, three taels should do!"

With trembling, short, thick fingers, the shopkeeper pointed at Rongyue, who was neither red-faced nor out of breath, and said through gritted teeth, "I won't sell it for thirty taels!"

Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines, Chapter Three: Troublesome Matters

"Husband, let's go..." Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment, Yu Yan tugged at Rong Yue's sleeve, trying to pull him away from this awkward situation. Her husband, really, two taels of silver... how could he possibly say that? Glancing at the strange and disdainful looks from those around them, Yu Yan's cheeks burned even brighter; she wished there was a crack in the ground she could disappear into!

Before Rongyue could answer, a folding fan with purple jade ribs was suddenly placed across Yuyan's delicate chin, followed by a pleasant baritone voice: "Long, delicate eyebrows, a gentle, captivating gaze, radiant as spring blossoms, bright as the autumn moon! Tsk tsk, what a beautiful and intelligent woman! It's a pity that such a lively and charming woman is paired with such a vulgar and ignorant man! Tsk tsk, what a waste of this beautiful flower!" As he spoke, the man shook his head as if in regret, while occasionally glancing subtly at Rongyue's cold expression.

Her almond-shaped eyes slowly narrowed, her gaze piercing like cold blades towards the man beside Yu Yan. He had fair skin, a face like a jade plate, a straight nose, and deep, bright eyes. A faint, almost mocking smile played at the corners of his lips. His hair was adorned with a semi-transparent purple glass crown, and he wore a sky-blue brocade robe. A brocade belt inlaid with several red cat-eye beads was tied around his waist, from which hung a long tassel embellished with white pearls. Beside the tassel was a water-green sachet that appeared to be woven from the finest silk…

Judging from his extremely luxurious attire and the indescribable nobility and arrogant disdain for the world that he inadvertently exuded, Rongyue secretly realized that this person's identity must be extremely noble!

Seemingly uncomfortable under Rong Yue's icy gaze, the man snapped his folding fan shut, casually tapped it against his right palm with his left hand, and took a step to the left to approach Rong Yue.

Leaning forward, he chuckled, "This gentleman who wants to buy jade with two taels of silver, do you know that in the Southern Kingdom, even the worst jade costs this much?" He then held up his well-maintained five fingers and gently waved them in front of Rongyue. "Five taels. And you, you actually want to buy jade with two taels of silver? And it's even sealed jade from the bottom of the South China Sea? Heh, this is probably the best joke I've ever heard! I think the jade stall owner was absolutely right, why don't you just rob someone? Kid, if you don't have money, don't try to be sophisticated. You'll not only be broke, but you'll also embarrass your beautiful lady in public!"

Unperturbed by his blatant and offensive insults, Rongyue said in a calm and indifferent tone, "Have you finished your eloquent speech, young master? If so, please step aside and don't block our way home!"

Rongyue's reaction completely exceeded his expectations. Her nonchalant tone made him feel like an actor on a stage, and she the audience. The solo performance was over, the curtain had fallen, and it was time for them, the couple, to go home…

Upon considering this, the smile on his face vanished. He moved his right foot and quickly stepped to the side, blocking Rongyue's path.

With a slight upturn of her pink lips, Rongyue smiled teasingly: "What, young master, haven't you finished speaking yet? Would you like me to pour you a cup of tea to moisten your throat before you continue?"

A hint of anger surfaced on his handsome face. He tightened his grip on the fan, his eyes shifting, and when they caught sight of Yu Yan standing to the side, radiating anger, a calculating glint flashed in his eyes.

Turning his head, he elegantly gestured to the owner of the jade stall: "Wrap that jade up carefully! I'll take it!"

Upon seeing the patron arrive, the shopkeeper was overjoyed. He hurriedly pulled out a fine white silk handkerchief from the bottom of his box, carefully wrapped the translucent white jade, and presented it to the young master with obsequious flattery.

Holding up the jade, he smiled gently and walked to Yu Yan. His eyes were shimmering, and his voice was seductive and tender: "Jade is like a beautiful woman, and therefore, this jade can only be paired with a beautiful woman! May I ask if I have the honor of presenting this jade to the beautiful woman before me?"

Before she could finish speaking, Rongyue snatched the jade from his hand, along with the silk handkerchief that wrapped it. Tearing off the silk, she casually twirled the jade in her hand, glancing at the young master whose face had darkened. "You seem quite wealthy, sir? Throwing away tens of taels of silver like that, completely unconcerned! Giving a beautiful woman a beautiful jade gift is perfectly acceptable, but the problem is, if you're giving her a fake jade, well, that's a bit much! Young master, if you don't have real jade in your pocket, don't try to be sophisticated and woo women. Not only will you lose face, but you'll also make the woman look bad too!"