CHAPTER 754: CHAPTER 754: WRITING AN IOU IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE

Seeing that no one came forward, even the concubine with the jade pendant hesitated, so Lian Hua simply sat down on the chair next to her. Xiao Qing immediately placed a cushion down, and she leaned back comfortably, looking very leisurely and content, like a spoiled young master. There was no helping it, since Concubine Fang had the highest rank here and, considering she was pregnant, insisted on her sitting, no one else could object.

Lian Hua shook her head with a look of regret, tossing the jade pendant up and down listlessly, adding fuel to the fire, "Ah... I originally thought that since these were all beloved items of everyone, it wouldn’t be right to take what others love. But now it seems that these things are not that important to my sisters. Since that’s the case, I might as well take it back to play with."

She was clearly tempted though, let’s see how long she could hold out. Heh, there isn’t a deal in this world that Lian Hua couldn’t close!

The concubine watched Lian Hua’s movements with a heart full of fear, worried that Lian Hua might not catch the jade pendant and accidentally drop it. This jade pendant was an item from outside the palace, and even if it were damaged, it would not be much of a loss to Lian Hua. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she immediately stepped forward to exchange it for her ancestral jade pendant.

However, she said with difficulty, "Beauty Lian, I didn’t bring any silver out with me to the banquet..."

Lian Hua’s eyes lit up, her smile warm and enthusiastic, and she said kindly, "Oh my, dear sister, this is just a trivial matter. No worries, I’ve already thought it through for everyone. It’s also possible to draw up a debt note. Xiao Linzi, you make fewer mistakes in writing, write up a note for this sister to... cough, press her fingerprint."

Everyone was stunned. This was possible too?! They finally realized why, when the table was moved in, Lian Hua had specifically instructed to bring the writing materials as well. So that was the reason!

Nothing was more persuasive than having a first taker; once one person exchanged, the second impatient one followed suit. Especially after hearing Lian Hua say, "This sister is so eager to exchange, it must be something she cherishes deeply. Her plight is pitiable. It is acceptable to offer less for it." The implication was clear: the sooner they exchanged, the less they would have to pay. Consequently, the concubines became restless and came over to inquire about the exchange.

Soon, Lian Hua had her stall set up, letting Kong Yinyin help with maintaining the order of the queue, and asking Concubine Fang to vet the jewelry to rank their value. She sat next to Xiao Linzi, setting the prices and collecting debt notes. She didn’t let Concubine Fang set the prices, because Concubine Fang had given her a scare. Just listen to what Concubine Fang had to say:

Concubine Fang, holding a hairpin and scrutinizing it said, "This beaded hairpin with white jade embedded with top-quality red coral, the red coral is bright but not flirtatious, vivid but not vulgar, truly made from top-grade coral. The craftsmanship is exquisite, like the finishing touch that brings the white jade to life, if I’m not mistaken, it is crafted by Master Su."

The owner of the hairpin could not hide her pride, raising her head, "Consort Fang Pin has keen insight, it is indeed so." This was a treasure she kept in storage.

Lian Hua leaned over to ask, "Is it very expensive?"

Concubine Fang nodded, "The price is secondary. Such a hairpin is rare and priceless. Given this..." She pondered for a moment, then said, "Sister Lian, how about we exchange it for one thousand taels?"

The concubine’s eyes rolled back almost fainting, clutching her chest and gasping for air. One thousand taels! This was practically robbing her of her life. The hairpin was indeed worth that much, but the thought of having to pay one thousand taels to retrieve her own property made her feel so pained she might spit blood. Why did she succumb to greed and play that ring toss game? Oh heavens!

Lian Hua and Xiao Qing, who had never seen much of the world, were flabbergasted. Lian Hua counted on her fingers and calculated that one hairpin could be exchanged for two thousand five hundred pots from her clan uncle’s shop, or ten thousand ceramic jars. Indeed, these imperial concubines were wealthy. The previous idea of selling expensive cakes now seemed viable, too bad His Majesty was not in favor of it, alas...

But one thousand taels... She bit her lip, pondering for a moment. This ill-gotten wealth had to be taken while it was still favorable; she could not be too greedy, or else she would make enemies and things could escalate.

Having made up her mind, Lian Hua stopped Xiao Linzi, who was about to write more IOUs, and began by raising her thumb in praise, "Sister Fang has sharp eyes, spotting the value of this hairpin at a glance. However..."

She looked at the concubines, then at the people around her, continuing, "I’m not coveting the possessions of my sisters, but rather to set your minds at ease. It’s true, the more... cough... objects one offers, the more sincere it is, demonstrating the item’s value. But even if my sisters are willing, how could I just take them? Hence, let’s value the hairpin at one percent of its worth, making it ten taels."

The concubines, upon hearing Lian Hua’s initial words, flashed anger and disdain in their eyes. Not covetous of their silver? The IOU was already mentioned!

As they continued to listen, when she mentioned that the more silver offered, the more valuable the item, they felt a sour and painful twinge in their hearts. The imperial concubines used to compete with jewelry and clothes when idle, wishing for their adornments to be the most expensive to outdo the others. But now, having to pay from their own pockets was like cutting their own flesh!

But when they heard the "one percent of its value," they paused. Wasn’t a hairpin worth one thousand taels now priced at ten taels? Calculating this way, it wasn’t unacceptable. No, no, no, it was far too acceptable, much better than having Lian Hua take everything.

Some of them secretly harbored thoughts, wondering how much their beaded hairpins would be valued by Consort Fang Pin, and even started looking forward to theirs being priced a bit higher than the others in order to assert their status.

The owner of the hairpin with white jade inlaid with red coral beads perked up upon hearing this, crying tears of joy, and kept praising Lian Hua for her beauty and kindness.

Consort Fang Pin covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Naturally, Sister Lian regards money as muck, possessing high morals, and nobody is better than her." Her eyes sparkled, as if Lian Hua could melt under her gaze, truly worthy of being her confidante indeed.

Xiao Jizi shivered with disgust. Although the words were nice, he just couldn’t stand Consort Fang Pin.

These words left the other imperial concubines speechless; would someone who regarded money as muck mention drawing up IOUs? Ha!

Lian Hua repeatedly made modest gestures, saying, "Not at all, Sister Fang is too kind, haha..." She modestly declined twice but couldn’t help laughing, showing off eight neat, white teeth.

And so the stall was raised. Lian Hua took on the air of a shopkeeper, sitting and counting IOUs, while the other concubines signed their IOU with tears, complicated by the joy of recovering what they lost, the humiliation of signing the IOUs, and the relief that Lian Hua wasn’t asking for too much silver. Thus, Lian Hua gloriously became their creditor.

Beauty Zhao was anxiously watching her pile of jewelry being traded away, diminishing before her eyes, yet she was powerless to stop it. And she, unable to make up her mind to trade her own jewels, needed to maintain her posture, or else it would be hard to answer for it.

There were also those who were unwilling, left with only a remnant of their dignity, just watching without wanting to trade. It might sound good to think that, but Lian Hua’s next sentence turned their faces pale:

Lian Hua pretended to look at the sky and sighed, "It’s not early anymore. The banquet is about to start, and it might not look good wearing something too plain. I offered to trade with my sisters because I was concerned they wouldn’t have time to dress up again."