CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196: GREED

Doctor Zhou nodded, "I shouldn’t be mistaken."

Prince Kang clapped his hands, "Good, then this ginseng is just right to give to my mother concubine for her birthday celebration."

He then instructed Housekeeper Wang, "Give him the silver according to the market price."

Prince Kang continued, "I have some other affairs, so I won’t accompany Scholar Jiang anymore." With that, he lifted his robe and left the room.

Doctor Zhou also left promptly.

Housekeeper Wang sat down leisurely, giving Jiang Youzhi a sidelong glance, "How much silver do you want?"

Jiang Youzhi bowed to Housekeeper Wang, "I heard that a few years ago, there was a ginseng over three hundred years old, not as big or as old as this one, and it sold for eight thousand taels of silver in the Capital City."

Housekeeper Wang chuckled, "You sure dare to ask."

"You must know that the Capital City is one thing, how can Xiang City compare to the Capital City?"

Jiang Youzhi fell silent.

Housekeeper Wang tapped his fingers on the table, "How about this, offer the ginseng at six thousand taels."

Jiang Youzhi’s face slightly darkened, "Housekeeper Wang, forgive me, but I cannot sell at this price."

Housekeeper Wang, displeased, said, "Six thousand taels is not a small sum."

Jiang Youzhi remained silent.

Housekeeper Wang’s expression turned grim, "Once something enters the Prince Mansion, do you expect to take it away?"

Jiang Youzhi gave a faint smile, "Even a Prince Mansion cannot force a sale!"

Housekeeper Wang stared at Jiang Youzhi for a while, then glanced at Ah Hu.

Ah Hu eyed him sideways, seemingly ready to strike at any disagreement.

Housekeeper Wang twitched his lips, then slowly sat back down, "Then I’ll add a bit more, seven thousand taels."

Jiang Youzhi lowered his gaze, contemplating silently.

He could almost guess that when Housekeeper Wang bought this ginseng, the account would record at least eight thousand taels, if not more.

This additional silver was naturally going into his own pocket.

Watching a thousand taels go into someone else’s pocket, Jiang Youzhi was reluctant.

Housekeeper Wang saw his silence and straightforwardly said, "Seven thousand taels, not a penny more, if you’re not willing, you can speak to the Prince yourself."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Youzhi understood that seven thousand taels was Housekeeper Wang’s bottom line.

He sighed inwardly, one must bow under the eaves.

He nodded, "Very well, let’s go with that price."

Housekeeper Wang straightened up, "There’s one more thing."

"What happens in our mansion shouldn’t be spread outside, this ginseng deal, and this price······Jiang Youzhi nodded, "I understand this rule, Housekeeper Wang, rest assured, not a word will be leaked."

Housekeeper Wang raised an eyebrow, "I hope you truly understand."

He stood up, "Let’s go, follow me to the accounting room to get the silver."

In the accounting room, Housekeeper Wang took out silver notes worth seven thousand taels and handed them to Jiang Youzhi, then waved his hand, signaling the servant to escort them out.

Once outside the door of Prince Kang Mansion, Ah Hu climbed into the carriage, grumbling, "That housekeeper is no good, he blatantly embezzled a thousand taels from us."

Jiang Youzhi said blandly, "There’s no choice, the Prince wouldn’t bother with such small matters, if we don’t take a step back, we might actually stir up trouble."

The two returned to the tavern, and as Jiang Youzhi entered the main hall, he saw Yun Jiao sitting there talking to the yellow-toothed man from the other day.

Jiang Youzhi walked over, Yun Jiao looked at him inquiringly, Jiang Youzhi nodded and mouthed something to her.

Yun Jiao discerned that Jiang Youzhi said seven thousand taels, which matched her expectations, she nodded and smiled, "Just as Lao Huang said he would take me to see the real estate."

Jiang Youzhi went along with it, "Let’s go together then."