Chapter 842 - 759: Showdown of Pride (Part 3)

Chapter 842: Chapter 759: Showdown of Pride (Part 3)

It’s just that the descendants of the Xu Family are disappointing; not a single one can hold up the family’s gate plaque. Their noble rank has dropped with each generation, and by the time it reached this generation’s Xuanping Marquis, he’s only a third-class marquis—weak and spineless, shameless in conduct, a master of eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. His son has followed in his footsteps—don’t even talk about achievements; if he can just avoid causing trouble, it’d already be thanks to the ancestors of the Xu Family burning high incense.

When Xu Man’s father died, the hereditary title ceased to exist. The Xuanping Bo Mansion is now cold and deserted; the menfolk are ignorant and useless, while the women are each scrambling on their own merits.

After all, unlike the men, women are meant to be married off.

If they can marry up, they can escape the current desolate and neglected natal home of the Xuanping Bo Mansion and once again enjoy splendor and glory.

But with the reputation and status of the Xuanping Bo Mansion, that is clearly impossible. That’s why Xu Man clings tightly to Luo Fu at all times, going to every length to curry favor with her, and then followed Luo Fu to latch onto Zhao Keyan. This delighted her utterly. She could tell Zhao Keyan doesn’t like Xia Wenjin, which made it the perfect time for her to perform, so of course she immediately jumped out.

Xu Man, shamed into anger, said, "Our Xuanping Bo Mansion is at least still a noble house in the Capital City. Compared to you, a bandit’s daughter, we’re far more respectable! Truly a vulgar, uneducated savage woman—sharp-tongued, vicious, and annoying!"

Xia Wenjin said lazily, "Even a girl like me, raised in the mountains, knows the principle of first come, first served. How is it that the family education of the Xuanping Marquis never taught you this?"

On this side, Huangfu Yuxuan let out a soft laugh.

Unfortunately, he feared that if he walked over, Xia Wenjin would turn and leave. He could only concentrate on listening carefully, unable to see the scene with his own eyes. No doubt that cool and cutting girl had on her face at this moment a smile that could infuriate a man to death.

Zhao Keyan said impatiently, "What’s the point of all this chatter? Shopkeeper, do you not want to do business?"

The Shopkeeper glanced at Xia Wenjin, then at Zhao Keyan, truly in a bind. In a negotiating tone he said, "This young lady, I wonder if you would be willing to let..."

"I’m not willing!"

Xia Wenjin cut him off coolly.

Though she might not absolutely have to have this box of rouge, Zhao Keyan and the other two clearly came targeting her, and even wanted to lay hands on the maid beside her. She was not so good-tempered!

The Shopkeeper then cupped his hands to Zhao Keyan and said, "Miss Zhao, my apologies indeed. This Colorful Spirit Green is gone, but our humble shop has other products in stock, in no way inferior to Colorful Spirit Green, all personally made by Master Li. Why don’t you take a look at the others?"

Zhao Keyan normally disdained speaking with low people like the Shopkeeper, but at this moment, seeing that the Shopkeeper clearly knew her identity, yet after asking Xia Wenjin and getting her refusal, actually wanted Zhao Keyan to choose something else, her expression immediately sank. She said coldly, "Seems the Shopkeeper isn’t very clever. Are you looking to oppose me?"

Xu Man, who had just failed to gain the upper hand verbally, immediately chimed in, "Shopkeeper, are you blind? Didn’t you see the carriage outside the door? So shabby. You really think she can afford a box of rouge costing fifty taels of Silver? You’d offend Miss Zhao and us for a customer like her?"

The Shopkeeper cursed inwardly and looked extremely embarrassed. He cupped his hands and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Miss Zhao, our little shop is a small business, always built on honesty. This young lady truly came first! I..."

"This Colorful Spirit Green sells for fifty taels; we’ll pay fifty-one! Sell it to us!" Luo Fu cut off the Shopkeeper’s words.

"Pfft..." Xia Wenjin gave a light snort and said, "Miss Luo, you come from a wealthy family, but this is a bit too petty, isn’t it? Do you think others have no Silver? Shopkeeper, I’ll pay sixty taels!"

Luo Fu’s face turned alternately green and red. She had only added one tael, while Xia Wenjin directly raised it by ten. In comparison, didn’t that make her look truly small-minded?

Zhao Keyan tilted her head toward the doorway, her gaze falling on that simple blue-cloth carriage outside. The corners of her lips lifted in a trace of mockery as she said lightly, "Seventy taels."

The Shopkeeper’s eyes lit up, his expression showing a bit of inner struggle. This was already twenty taels more; though the extra profit was tempting, it would break his rules! His brows knotted like rope, his whole face twisted with conflict.

Without even thinking, Xia Wenjin responded, "I absolutely will not yield on this Colorful Spirit Green. Miss Zhao, my apologies—I’ll pay one hundred taels!"

Zhao Keyan’s eyes cooled, still carrying a lofty air. Her rosy cherry lips parted and she spat out three words: "Two hundred taels."

The Shopkeeper’s eyeballs nearly popped out. He felt like he hadn’t said anything at all, yet this rouge that cost fifty taels was now worth two hundred? The way rich young ladies fight out of sheer spite is truly terrifying!

Should he sell it? Or should he sell it?