The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 43: Grandma Wolf

　　The shopkeeper said, “This jade of yours… it won’t be easy to sell.”

　　As for why it was difficult to sell, whether it was too valuable or simply too poor in quality, he never made it clear. Vague wording was sometimes the most useful tool in business. It left room to maneuver without committing to anything.

　　Shen Ling nodded. “Then how much do you think it’s worth?”

　　While the pawnshop owner was speaking with her, a middle aged woman dressed in gray stood nearby, quietly observing them from the side.

　　The shopkeeper continued, “Jade depends on spiritual essence. Some pieces look full of spirit, but it’s only superficial. Others may seem ordinary at first glance, yet they reveal their true worth later in life. Now, what kind of jade pendant do you think yours is? If you and your husband urgently need silver, I could offer… one hundred taels for it. Opportunities should be reserved for one’s own people. I’m only giving you such a generous price because we seem fated to meet.”

　　Silently, Shen Ling added another zero to his offer of one hundred taels, turning it into one thousand in her mind. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she asked, “It’s really worth only one hundred taels?”

　　The shopkeeper put on an offended expression. “You don’t think I’d cheat you, do you? I run my business on harmony and mutual profit. Good for you, good for me, good for everyone.”

　　“So, are you pawning it or not?” the shopkeeper asked again, a hint of urgency slipping into his voice. If he could get this jade pendant for just a hundred taels, he would absolutely treat it as the pawnshop’s family heirloom.

　　Shen Ling replied righteously, “Not pawning it.”

　　The shopkeeper’s expression stiffened. “If you take it elsewhere, you might not get a price as good as mine.”

　　“You’re overthinking it,” Shen Ling said. “To be honest, I never planned to pawn it to you in the first place. I already said I only wanted you to appraise it. And even if I did want to pawn it, your offer isn’t sincere. I’ve asked around before. This jade is worth at least a thousand taels. But the moment it reaches you, it suddenly drops to a hundred. Don’t you think that gap is a little too big?”

　　Shopkeeper: “???”

　　Not sincere? How was he not sincere? He was perfectly sincere! Just sincerely trying to get the best item for the lowest possible price!

　　And she already knew the value, yet still stood here arguing with him for so long. Was she insane?

　　After a moment of consideration, the shopkeeper said, “Well, that price was only a starting point. When people pawn things, isn’t it always negotiation first, discussion later?”

　　Shen Ling chuckled cheerfully. “Your bargaining was just a little too ruthless.”

　　Shopkeeper: “......”

　　Shen Ling continued, “So, can you introduce us to a housing broker now? You wouldn’t want your peers finding out how aggressively you slash prices, right?”

　　Shopkeeper: “......”

　　That hit him right in the chest. If word got out that he tried to pawn off a jade worth at least a thousand taels for only a hundred, would his reputation in Yongning Town survive at all? Just thinking about it made his heart ache.

　　With a darkened expression, the shopkeeper said, “Head straight out the door, then turn right when you see Yangji Restaurant. There’s a broker there you can look for. He specializes in helping outsiders buy and sell property in our town...”

　　“Aiyo! Madam, you’re looking for a broker? Why go looking elsewhere? I am a broker.”

　　The middle aged woman who had been quietly observing them finally spoke up.

　　“I overheard your conversation with the shopkeeper just now,” she said. “You want to trade that jade for a house, right? With jade of such fine quality, exchanging it for an ordinary house would be a loss. As it happens, I have a residence that once belonged to a wealthy merchant. Pavilions, terraces, elegant halls, all magnificently built. Why don’t you and your husband come take a look?”

　　Xie Yuanxun glanced at the woman as if she were nothing more than an ant. He quickly looked away again. Just looking at her hurt his eyes.

　　Shen Ling asked, “You have a good house?”

　　—She looks so kind and gentle. Surely she can’t be a bad person.

　　Xie Yuanxun let out a long sigh. When he looked at Shen Ling again, his gaze clearly carried the meaning of “I’ll give you one more chance to rethink that” and “Are you blind?” Unfortunately, Shen Ling didn’t notice a thing.

　　The middle aged woman nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, yes, I do. It’s an excellent house. If you come take a look with me, you definitely won’t be disappointed.”

　　She had already assumed Shen Ling and Xie Yuanxun were lovers who had eloped from home. Otherwise, why would they be traveling without a single servant, yet casually reveal such a valuable jade pendant? Especially Shen Ling. She practically had rich, naive, easy target written all over her.

　　If she could lure the two of them back to her base, with looks like theirs, the profits would be tremendous. The man could be sold to a secret male brothel. As for the woman... no, selling her to a brothel would be a waste. Better to sell the man to wealthy patrons with certain tastes, and the woman to a rich merchant as a concubine. That would bring in far greater earnings.

　　The warmer and kinder the woman’s smile appeared on the surface, the more vicious the schemes hidden in her heart.

　　Xie Yuanxun could clearly see the greed she failed to conceal in her eyes. His expression darkened with impatience. Anyone daring to set their sights on them deserved death.

　　When the woman accidentally met his gaze, her heart jolted violently. She hurriedly lowered her head. This man was terrifying. The pressure he gave off was even more frightening than the officials she had encountered before.

　　Yet in the end, greed overcame fear.

　　After all, if one does not pursue wealth, heaven itself would condemn them.

　　Seeing that Shen Ling was about to leave with the middle aged woman, the pawnshop owner pressed his lips together before stepping forward.

　　“Yangji Restaurant isn’t far from here,” he said casually. “When doing business, it’s always better to compare a few options.”

　　The reminder was subtle, but clear enough.

　　The middle aged woman shot him a glare, then immediately turned back to Shen Ling with a warm smile. “Don’t listen to him. Didn’t he just try to take advantage of you earlier? How can you trust what he says? Come with me instead. I’ve got plenty of property deeds at home. If you don’t like the wealthy merchant’s residence I mentioned, you can look at others. As many as you want.”

　　Shen Ling lowered her voice and asked Xie Yuanxun, “Should we go?”

　　Xie Yuanxun glanced at her and replied in an unreadable tone, “Let’s go.”

　　The middle aged woman heard him and beamed with delight. “Alright then, Master and Madam, just follow me.”

　　Two excellent goods were practically walking right into her hands.

　　Watching their departing figures, the pawnshop owner sighed and muttered softly, “Another pair about to get scammed. What a sin.”

　　He knew very well that the woman was no good. Behind the scenes, she dealt in human trafficking, the illegal kind. The reason no one dared provoke her was because she had connections with the local authorities. Rumor had it that a distant relative of hers was the local magistrate’s concubine, and silver was delivered regularly every month.

　　Common folk like him simply could not afford to offend someone like her. One wrong move, and they could easily find themselves dragged into a lawsuit.

　　The reason the pawnshop owner knew all this? It wasn’t magic. The woman came by his shop often to pawn things. He could tell at a glance that her items had been taken from different people. Stolen goods could always be turned into silver.

　　The middle aged woman said, “This is your first time in Yongning Town, right? Are you here to find family, or just passing through? How many people are at home? Aren’t they worried when you leave?”

　　Shen Ling froze for a moment. Why did it feel like she was being interrogated for her household register?

　　The woman quickly added, “Am I asking too much? I just can’t stop talking. People say I’m too enthusiastic, but I can’t change it. If you don’t want to answer, I won’t press.”

　　Shen Ling thought for a moment and said, “Alright, then don’t ask.”

　　—Even if she asked, I wouldn’t tell. Who in their right mind would spill personal information to a stranger?

　　The middle aged woman fell silent.

　　Xie Yuanxun quietly rubbed her fingers. She hadn’t said a word, but she followed this so-called ‘broker’ along, completely unaware of how risky that was.

　　Shen Ling lightly touched Xie Yuanxun’s arm, a little embarrassed, and asked, “Do you think we should follow her?”

　　Xie Yuanxun’s tone was slow and measured. “You’re already following. No need to ask me. Just don’t regret it.”

　　Shen Ling blinked, “???” Her head was full of question marks.

　　—Why did that sound a little… off?

　　—What does he mean ‘just don’t regret it’? Am I going to regret this later?

　　The middle aged woman said, “I’m not asking for any other reason. Everyone in Yongning Town knows Aunt Wang is the most warm and hospitable—”

　　“Shut up,” Xie Yuanxun cut her off impatiently.

　　The woman immediately went silent, instinctively holding her tongue.

　　The atmosphere turned heavy. Shen Ling explained to her, “Don’t take it personally. He doesn’t mean anything else. He just thinks you’re too noisy, and your voice is unpleasant.”

　　The middle-aged woman stayed silent, tightening her hands. This explanation might’ve been worse than none at all.

　　Seeing the woman’s sour expression, Shen Ling cleared her throat. She didn’t mean it; it was exactly what Xie Yuanxun was thinking, and she was just speaking for him.

　　Whenever Xie Yuanxun got impatient, Shen Ling wanted to keep her distance.

　　She quietly shifted her feet to the side. Almost immediately, Xie Yuanxun’s dark, piercing eyes landed on her. Shen Ling blurted out, “I didn’t do anything!”

　　Xie Yuanxun let out a cold chuckle, his gaze dropping to her legs. Clearly, whatever she had done, he already knew.

　　Shen Ling was stunned. She had barely moved her feet, and he noticed? If he ever played those “spot the difference” games, he would definitely be a master!

　　Shen Ling quickly changed the topic, not wanting Xie Yuanxun to keep staring at her like she was guilty. No matter what he might say or do, she decided to act first.

　　It was like when parents repeatedly tell a child not to step in puddles on a rainy day, but the kid insists on doing it anyway, covering themselves in mud. When they get home, the parents get angry and are about to spank them. To avoid the punishment, the child admits their mistake first, and the parents naturally forgive them, since the kid already acknowledged it.

　　Shen Ling said, “I just suddenly remembered a story and got too absorbed in it, so I wasn’t paying attention while walking and my feet strayed a little. Do you remember the legendary Wang Zi I told you about?”

　　Xie Yuanxun replied, “I remember.” It was still the bedtime story she had once told him, though he had fallen asleep after only hearing the beginning.

　　Shen Ling said, “It’s fine that you didn’t finish it that night. I’ll tell you a new one now.”

　　Xie Yuanxun nodded in resigned agreement, “Mm.”

　　Shen Ling said, “In the legend, Wang Zi was a merchant, but he actually started out as a commoner. His family wanted him to take the imperial exams, but they were too poor, so they arranged for him to marry a woman named Qin Xianglian, who came from a merchant family. Qin Xianglian brought a fortune with her and gave birth to two children with Wang Zi. The couple loved each other. Later, when Wang Zi was traveling to take the exam, he met an examiner who admired him. The examiner wanted to marry his daughter, Wang Baochuan, to him, but when he learned Wang Zi already had a wife, he gave up. Wang Baochuan, however, refused to accept this and ran away with Wang Zi...”

　　The middle-aged woman hadn’t paid much attention to Shen Ling’s story at first, but when she heard the words “ran away,” she secretly glanced at Shen Ling and Xie Yuanxun. From her guess, the two of them might have eloped.

　　Could Shen Ling’s story actually relate to their real situation? She needed to listen carefully.

　　Shen Ling continued, “But eighteen days after Wang Baochuan and Wang Zi ran away, they encountered a pack of wolves on a mountain. Wang Baochuan was bitten to death on the spot by a wolf called Grandma Wolf, and Wang Zi fell off a cliff and was crushed.”

　　The woman said, “…” It seemed this really was just a story and had nothing to do with them.

　　Shen Ling added, “Wang Zi’s parents died, and his wife Qin Xianglian took their two children to find him. But on the way, they accidentally encountered Grandma Wolf. While they slept at night, Grandma Wolf bit Qin Xianglian to death. When the two children woke up, Grandma Wolf disguised herself as a dog, took them back to her den, and devoured them.”

　　The middle-aged woman exclaimed, “!!!”

　　Her forehead broke out in a cold sweat. This Grandma Wolf… why did she feel so familiar? Could it be that Shen Ling had noticed she wasn’t a good person?

　　The woman pretended to empathize, her voice full of righteous anger. “That Grandma Wolf is truly cruel!”

　　Shen Ling said, “She’s not that bad.”

　　—The main characters of my story are people, not wolves. Why is her focus on the wolf? Shouldn’t she be judging Wang Zi and the others?

　　Shen Ling asked Xie Yuanxun, “What do you think after hearing it?”

　　—Is your focus on the wolf too?

　　Xie Yuanxun chuckled and said to her, “Don’t worry, you’ll see soon enough.”

  

       

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