Chapter 870

Shenjing, Qingyu Fang, Xia Mansion.

Miss Xia saw Baochan interrupt, speaking quite rudely, and did not mind her impudence.

Her delicate, beautiful lips curled slightly, enhancing her beauty with a hint of cunning.

She was the eldest daughter of the Xia family; some words were not for her to say—letting a little maid blurt them out was just right.

Aunt Zhao, hearing Baochan’s sharp words, looked slightly embarrassed.

She said: “Miss, you shouldn’t speak like that. Things are valued for their rarity—this black fox fur is truly hard to come by.”

Miss Xia replied coolly: “The Xia family runs shops too, and we even bear the Imperial emblem. We know full well the tricks and principles behind it.”

“Haggling over prices is standard business practice—everyone does it. Everyone earns silver by their own skill; whoever earns it has the ability.”

“Those with skill and tactics win; those without skill or vision are fools.”

“I only want the best. I can afford any price—I only fear you don’t have real, quality goods.”

“But if you try to make a fool of me, I won’t tolerate it. I can’t bear being wronged—if I find out you’ve cheated me, I’ll make sure everyone knows.”

“I’ll shout it from the rooftops—then not a single one of your fur coats will sell. Don’t think I’m just threatening you!”

Hearing this, Aunt Zhao shuddered inside.

This Miss Xia had such a lovely figure, a true beauty—but why did she speak so slyly, with such ill intent?

She’d assumed the daughter of an inner courtyard noblewoman, unexposed to the world, would be easy to swindle—but this girl was secretly a firebrand.

Aunt Zhao knew the Xia family were Imperial merchants, among the top two merchant houses in the city, with business so vast it was staggering, and deep connections within the court.

How could her small shop compare? If she squeezed too hard and angered the Xia family’s little tyrant, and the girl truly unleashed her power, her own shop would suffer greatly.

She quickly smiled and said: “Miss, you’re too formal. Who doesn’t know the name of the Guihua Xia family? How could I, a humble old woman, dare to teach you?”

“Since you like this lined coat, I’d be glad to build goodwill—I’ll sell it to you for seven hundred taels.”

Miss Xia held the black fox lined coat, examining it, silent, only letting out a disdainful snort.

Aunt Zhao’s head ached—this girl was a real nuisance. She grimaced and said: “Miss, six hundred taels—that’s the lowest I can go. I’m not even making a profit now.”

Miss Xia smiled triumphantly, took a stack of silver notes from her silver box, and added a five-tael silver ingot.

She shoved them into Aunt Zhao’s hands and said: “I like peace and quiet. This ingot is for your drink.”

“I’ve bought this black fox coat. If you gossip about it, I won’t like it.”

Aunt Zhao smiled apologetically: “Miss is so generous. I know the rules of business—I’m a woman of my word. Rest assured, my lips are sealed.”

Miss Xia waved her hand, ready to dismiss the old woman.

Baochan, seeing her mistress preoccupied with courting a lover, felt resentful—Baoyu was her rightful husband, yet she didn’t even prioritize sending gifts to him.

She stepped forward and whispered: “Miss, this black fox lined coat is too conspicuous. If you send it directly, someone might notice.”

“Why not buy one for Baoyu too? Send both as Lunar New Year gifts—it’ll help conceal things better.”

Though reluctant, Miss Xia found the logic sound—she hadn’t yet married in; she couldn’t be too reckless. She said: “You’ve finally shown some sense.”

…

Miss Xia stepped forward, glanced briefly through the fur chests, then idly rummaged further.

She found a lined coat with dull gray fur, unremarkable in appearance, but the fur still looked decent.

She pinched it between two fingers and asked: “What kind of fur is this? It looks fairly neat.”

The old woman paused, startled, and said: “Miss, why not pick something more fitting? This one doesn’t suit your status.”

She picked up a white-and-gray fox fur coat and said: “This fox fur may not match black fox, but it’s still top quality. Miss, do you like it?”

Miss Xia frowned: “Who asked you to pick? I’m asking about this one.”

The old woman replied: “This one is gray squirrel fur. It’s ordinary, but not something common households can afford.”

Baochan, curious, asked: “What’s gray squirrel fur? I’ve never heard of it.”

Miss Xia sneered: “What an ignorant little maid. Gray squirrel fur is squirrel fur.”

“In the southern provinces they call them pine squirrels—they’re everywhere in the forests. Worthless stuff, but when made into a coat, it’s quite warm.”

…

Baochan stared blankly—her mistress bought Jia Cong top-grade black fox fur, as if trying to kill Baoyu, yet bought him pine squirrel fur…

Miss Xia said: “I want this one. Don’t you dare tell me this costs over a hundred taels—I’ll spit in your face.”

Aunt Zhao’s face stiffened—Miss Xia not only knew her trade, but her mind and tongue were sharp; she wouldn’t tolerate a single speck of deceit. She was truly hard to manipulate.

She dared not play any tricks—she’d risk gaining no silver and angering the Imperial merchant Xia family instead.

She quickly smiled: “Gray squirrel fur wouldn’t dare cost over a hundred taels. We’re an old-established shop—we’d never do anything dishonest.”

“I’ll give you this gray squirrel fur coat at a fair price—fifty taels. No better deal exists.”

“It may not match black fox fur, but it’s not for ordinary families—it’s only worn by wealthy households, and still looks dignified.”

Miss Xia said: “Perfect for him. I’ll take this one.”

Aunt Zhao thanked her profusely as she took the silver. Though the black fox fur was excellent, her forced discount was just standard merchant tactics.

With both fur coats sold, she’d still made a good profit. Seeing the chance, she promptly had the boxes carried out and took her leave.

…

Baochan waited until Aunt Zhao left, then said: “Miss, isn’t this squirrel fur too lowly?”

“You give Jia Cong top-grade black fox fur, yet give Baoyu squirrel fur—if anyone finds out, won’t it cause gossip?”

Hearing this, Miss Xia raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of suspicion rising in her mind.

She said: “I find you odd—always defending Baoyu. Did he slip you something while I wasn’t looking?”

Baochan froze, her face turning pale—her mistress finding out she’d slept with her husband would sell her to a brothel without hesitation.

She quickly shook her head: “Miss, where are you getting such ideas? I’ve never even spoken to Second Master—he’s never given me anything.”

Miss Xia snorted coldly: “I knew you didn’t have the nerve. If you ever betray me, you’d better be ready to die.”

She tossed the gray squirrel fur coat carelessly onto the table, then played with the black fox coat, seemingly reluctant to let go.

Baochan trembled inwardly, cursing herself for speaking up—she’d been careless, defending Baoyu, nearly revealing her secret.

She hurriedly said: “I’d never betray you, Miss. I’m not defending Baoyu—I’m thinking of your best interests, so you won’t be cheated.”

…

Miss Xia sneered: “Baoyu is a fool. He’s the same age as Cong-ge, yet can’t even pass the county exam.”

“He hides in the mansion every day, eating for free and sleeping with maids—he keeps fifteen maids in his chambers! What a shameless creature.”

“I haven’t even married in yet, and he’s already gotten one of the senior maids pregnant—no manners, no sense, a vulgar scoundrel.”

“Even his own father despises him, tormenting him daily.”

“He’s got a stubborn fate—he hasn’t been beaten to death, yet refuses to change, forever acting like a woman.”

“If not for others’ favor, he’d never deserve a coat I’d buy him—he’d shorten his own life.”

“Though the Jia family is wealthy, they’re not drowning in gold and silver—even if they were, it all belongs to Cong-ge.”

“With his mother’s stupid, dirt-eating ways, a third-rate nobody—does every one of Baoyu’s clothes really cost fifty taels? I’m already elevating him.”

“He’s a bastard son, can’t carry a load, can’t lift a weight, a creature fed by others.”

“Does he dare complain about what I give him? If he does, I won’t give him anything—I’ll send him a pile of the Four Books and Five Classics and choke him to death.”

…

Baochan watched as Miss Xia grew more animated, clearly enjoying tormenting Baoyu—her little mouth chattered endlessly, turning Baochan’s face pale.

She only wanted to shut her mistress up: “Miss is absolutely right—this fifty-tael coat is precious, worth several years of my stipend.”

“I only beg you to be careful, marry into the Jia family quietly, so both you and Lady Jia maintain dignity, gain favor inside and out, and have a long future ahead.”

Hearing this, Miss Xia fell silent, her expression gloomy.

She said: “My mother made me marry into the Jia family only to secure a powerful ally for the Xia family.”

“The Xia family’s old friends and relatives have always been close—we’ve had many young men among them. I never thought they were so bad.”

“Now I see them—they’re just like Baoyu, useless fools.”

“They may be slightly better than Baoyu, but all are vulgar, unlearned, unskilled, spending their lives on trivial matters, wasting their male births.”

“Every time they see me, they leer with lustful eyes—it’s revolting.”

“Unlike Cong-ge—every time he sees me, he’s polite, respectful, never glances improperly. He’s not just outstanding—he’s different from the rest.”

“How many men like Cong-ge exist in this world? The rest are all the same—I’m too lazy to choose. I might as well follow my mother’s wishes.”

“I’m willing to marry this fool Baoyu—others think I’m being humiliated, but I’ve already suffered enough.”

“Baoyu got such a huge advantage—does he dare be unsatisfied? I’ve lost this one battle—I won’t let him control anything else!”

“Have someone bring all the festival gifts into the courtyard—I’ll sort them again. Today, send them to the Jia mansion.”

“I’ll label every gift box—have Old Chen deliver them to the Eastern, Western, and Eastern Courtyard residences. Only the gift list goes to Rongqing Hall.”

“If she delivers the wrong one, I’ll peel her skin off when she returns!”

Baochan trembled inside—her mistress was growing wilder, yet her mind remained perfectly clear.

The gift boxes sent to separate residences, the gift list written carelessly—Jia Cong would receive the best gifts and likely guess the truth, but he’d never be foolish enough to speak of it.

Her mistress’s methods of courting men were truly clever—had she learned them from books? No wonder she always read.

This way of sending gifts was perfect—it avoided countless troubles. Before her wedding, nothing would go awry.

Otherwise, if Lady Jia found out her mistress sent Jia Cong black fox fur and Baoyu squirrel fur, she’d go mad…

…

Marquis Mansion, Jia Cong’s courtyard.