12dz Chapter 282 Tang Guangjun's Sister-in-Law
Chapter 282 Tang Guangjun's Sister-in-Law
For Chinese New Year, of course you should buy a big gold bracelet!
Gold has always been a hard currency, regardless of the era.
In later generations, wealthy people even used gold to make electrical wires. So, given the means, Lin Xi naturally wanted to buy gold jewelry.
Da Niu, after hearing his father's words, quietly tugged at his father's sleeve, signaling Lin Xi to stick out his ear.
Lin Xi was curious, winked at Da Niu, and then lowered her head to listen to what her eldest son had to say.
Gao Mengli was also curious, so she moved closer to listen to what her eldest son had to say.
“Dad, there’s a temple in our village. We can buy some small jewelry, put it in the temple for three days to be blessed, and then…”
Before Da Niu could finish speaking, Gao Mengli understood.
Her son, Da Niu, is truly born to do business; there are quite a few people visiting temples during the Lunar New Year.
Visiting a temple to seek good fortune, and if one can also bring back blessed jewelry, that would be double the luck for worshippers.
A hint of surprise flashed in Gao Mengli's eyes. She reached out and gently patted Da Niu's head. "My son, you're quick-witted! This is a great idea. It's festive for the New Year and also provides another way to make money."
Lin Xi nodded in understanding, looking at Da Niu with a regretful expression.
His eldest son is going to take the civil service exam. If he goes into business, with his brains, he'll definitely make a fortune and become a business tycoon.
Lin Xi smacked her lips, not without regret.
Lin Xi and Gao Mengli exchanged a glance, then pulled Da Niu downstairs again.
The shopkeeper was puzzled when he saw the Lin family of three return to the counter on the first floor, but before he could ask, he did not.
Lin Xi then threw him a "pie in the sky," leaving him completely bewildered.
"Shopkeeper, give me three hundred pieces of these small jewelry pieces, any style!"
"Three...three hundred pieces?!"
The shopkeeper's eyes widened and his mouth slightly agape, clearly surprised by the quantity.
Da Niu nodded in agreement, "Yes, three hundred pieces. Uncle shopkeeper, can you give us a discount?"
The shopkeeper's hands trembled slightly with excitement, and he nodded hurriedly: "These sell for 150 to 180 coins each, but I'll give you all 120 coins each, how about that?!"
The family of three exchanged a glance, and Gao Mengli nodded: "That's great. We're going to the second floor to buy some jewelry. Could you help us wrap it up? We'll pay for it together later."
The shopkeeper readily agreed, his smile growing even brighter.
A cheerful smile makes you feel instantly younger.
"Don't worry, Madam, leave it to me. I'll make sure it's wrapped up beautifully and securely, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
As he spoke, he quickly summoned the waiter.
He then personally led Gao Mengli and her group to the second floor to select some jewelry.
Just as the group reached the top of the stairs on the second floor, they heard a sharp shout.
"Your Jinlou cannot even produce a decent jade pendant, yet you dare to call yourself the best jewelry shop in the county? I think you're nothing special!"
A woman dressed in pink brocade, with exquisite makeup but a hint of arrogance, was loudly berating the trembling waiter beside her, her eyebrows raised in anger.
Gao Mengli frowned upon hearing this.
There's only one Jinlou in Pingyao, so it must be the best jewelry shop.
This person is clearly just looking for trouble where there isn't anything they like.
The waiter was so frightened that cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he bowed repeatedly, apologizing profusely.
"Please calm down, young lady! Please calm down, young lady!"
"Our shop has indeed just received a new batch of fine jade pendants. Perhaps we haven't had time to display them yet. I'll go find them for you right away. Please wait a moment."
Having said that, he hurriedly ran towards the warehouse as if his feet were greased.
Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper quickly stepped forward, his face beaming with a fawning smile: "Oh, Miss Li, what brings you here?!"
Your presence is an honor to our humble establishment!
We had many customers today and were unable to provide adequate service. We hope Miss Li will forgive us.
"Don't worry, whatever jewelry you want, we'll do everything we can to find it for you."
What a jinx! This Miss Li is the second daughter of the prefect, and the younger sister of Lord Tang's newlywed wife. She is notoriously difficult to deal with.
I didn't expect you to come to Pingyao? Could it be that you're going to Pingding County?
Miss Li snorted lightly, glanced at the shopkeeper, and didn't say anything.
Her gaze lingered on Lin Xi and his two companions for a moment, revealing a hint of disdain.
These people, though dressed neatly, didn't exude much luxury and probably didn't have much purchasing power, so they weren't worth her effort to befriend.
Gao Mengli noticed the woman's gaze and felt displeased, but she did not show it.
He led Lin Xi and Da Niu to the side to pick out a large gold bracelet that suited their taste.
When Miss Li saw this family of three picking out gold bracelets, her contempt grew even stronger.
Only the poor desire worldly things.
Before long, the waiter came running back, panting, carrying an exquisite wooden box in his hands.
He carefully opened it in front of Miss Li: "Miss, look, this is a top-quality jade pendant that came from afar."
The texture is warm and smooth, the color is pure, and the carving is done by a renowned local artist. Are you satisfied?
Miss Li reached out and took out the jade pendant, examining it closely in her hand.
The flower and bird patterns carved on the jade pendant are lifelike, making it a truly rare and precious item.
But she deliberately picked on it and put the jade pendant back into the wooden box.
"Hmph, the carving is alright, but the flowers and birds look a bit stiff."
As for the color, it's not translucent enough. The jade pendants I've seen in the capital are much better than this.
"Fine, you can't find anything better, so this will do. How much is it?"
The waiter looked troubled, hesitated for a moment, but still told him the price of the gold shop: "Miss, this jade pendant is quite valuable, it costs three hundred taels of silver."
"What? Three hundred taels! You're robbing me!"
Miss Li's eyes widened, and her voice suddenly rose, startling the waiter.
"This thing would be worth at most two hundred taels in the capital. You dare to ask me for so much? Are you taking advantage of the fact that I'm not a local?"
Seeing that the man was angry again, the shopkeeper quickly stepped forward to explain: "Miss Li, you have misunderstood. The purchase price of this jade pendant is already high."
Adding in the cost of hiring craftsmen to carve it, and the transportation fees, three hundred taels is really the cost price.
If you're really interested, I'll give you a 10% discount, making it 270 taels. That's the lowest price I can offer; you won't find a better deal anywhere else in the surrounding counties."
Miss Li pouted and shook her head in refusal: "No, two hundred taels, not a penny more!"
Otherwise, I'll tell my brother-in-law that your gold shop is a swindler and cheater, and see how you do business then!
The shopkeeper turned pale instantly, inwardly cursing his bad luck.
In Ling'an Prefecture, she would bring in the prefect to negotiate prices, causing their Jinlou to suffer considerable losses.
After much difficulty, he was transferred to Pingyao, and yet he still managed to run into her.
This time, they've actually used the name of Lord Tang Guangjun.
Although Lord Tang was not the magistrate of Pingyao County, he was the closest to Pingyao, so the magistrate dared not offend him.
But the price of two hundred taels was so high that he would lose everything. He gritted his teeth and finally nodded in agreement.
Although the shopkeeper wore a smile, it was more like a grimace. He cursed the arrogant woman in his heart, but there was nothing he could do.
The woman took the jade pendant, a hint of satisfaction appearing on her face. She glanced at the shopkeeper and snorted, "You're smart enough to know what's good for you. Next time you get some good stuff, remember to save some for me first."
Having said that, she swayed her hips and, with her two personal maids, prepared to leave triumphantly.
As they were about to go downstairs, Miss Li glanced at Gao Mengli and her group and said, "Manager, don't bring just anyone to the second floor. It's beneath our dignity."
After saying that, he left without looking back.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xi's eyes flashed with anger, and she rolled up her sleeves, ready to step forward and argue.
Gao Mengli hurriedly pulled Lin Xi away: "Xi Xi, don't cause trouble."