Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five: How Dare You Ask This Young Master for Silver? The eldest daughter of the Jia family? The shopkeeper chuckled lightly, "I know you are friends of the young lady. Rest assured, there will certainly be a discount on the price!" A discount? Pei Wuliang was utterly speechless. Just as he was about to argue, the shopkeeper had already instructed the attendant to bring the bill over. "Young Master Pei, what you have your eye on is our shop's finest custom-made red bridal gown. Here is the bill, please take a look." A bill? Song Jiaojiao was immediately displeased when she heard they actually dared to ask for silver. She was still wearing the large red bridal gown and couldn't bear to take it off no matter what. "Brother Wuliang, what's going on? Didn't sister send us here to try on clothes? Why are they asking us for silver?" Pei Wuliang could only soothe Song Jiaojiao. "Jiaojiao, don't worry. They must have misunderstood. Tell you what, take off the bridal gown first and wait for me outside." Song Jiaojiao was very fond of this outfit and nodded. "Alright then. Brother Wuliang, you need to be quick. Don't let anyone else touch this gown anymore. It's mine!" Song Jiaojiao was determined to have this red bridal gown no matter what, and Pei Wuliang could only steel himself to pacify her. "Don't worry, it's yours. It's all yours." "Then I'll wait for you outside." After Song Jiaojiao left with her maidservant, Pei Wuliang immediately turned hostile toward the shopkeeper. "Shopkeeper, you have quite the nerve. Are you deliberately trying to embarrass this young master in front of his fiancée?" The shopkeeper: "..." "Young master, you jest. This old servant has no such intention. This bridal gown is a limited edition—first come, first served. Since the eldest young lady recommended you here, the price can certainly be negotiated." "What price? Isn't this gown a gift from Jia Qingcheng to Jiaojiao? Since it's a gift, why are you talking about silver?" A gift? The shopkeeper assumed he was joking. "Young Master Pei, that's quite a joke you're making. This bridal gown was made in our shop and sold by our shop. Whether Miss Jia gifted it or not, this old servant wouldn't know—that's a matter between you all. All I know is that if no silver is paid for this gown today, then I'm afraid I must apologize." With that, the shopkeeper hurriedly had the attendant take the gown down and hang it back up for sale. Song Jiaojiao, watching the gown she loved being hung back up, became furious... "What are you doing? This is my bridal gown! You're not allowed to sell it anymore!" Song Jiaojiao stormed back into the shop and started making a scene. "Brother Wuliang, what's going on? This is the gown I picked out. Why is it being sold again?" "Jiaojiao, it's a misunderstanding. It's all a misunderstanding. You go outside first—I promise this gown will be yours!" Song Jiaojiao's eyes brimmed with tears. "If it can't be done, then forget it. I'm just an adopted daughter anyway. It doesn't matter what I wear when I marry. I'm not like sister, who was born as the legitimate daughter with father to protect her. I'm just an orphan whose parents are both dead. I'm not worthy..." "Alright, alright. Who says you're not worthy? It'll be sent out to you in a moment. The shopkeeper was just having me pick out the best quality." "Brother Wuliang, really?" "Silly girl, when have I ever lied to you? Go on outside." With Song Jiaojiao making such a fuss, Pei Wuliang had no choice but to temporarily purchase the gown. Once he bought it, he would go back and confront Jia Qingcheng, asking her what she meant by this. "Shopkeeper, how much silver?" The shopkeeper could tell at a glance that Pei Wuliang was still trying to take advantage of the eldest young lady. Now, he wouldn't have that chance. "Here is the bill. Five thousand taels of silver in total." Five thousand taels? Pei Wuliang's eyes widened at the words. "What bridal gown is this expensive? Is it made of gold?" "You've hit the nail on the head—it really is made of gold. The fragments on it are all pure gold, which is why this gown is so costly. In the entire city, there's only this one, plus a similar one in the possession of the eldest young lady Jia. You won't find a third one anywhere else." Five thousand taels of silver... How could he possibly have that much? "Young master, what do we do? Is it going to be like last time again?" Hu Ba couldn't afford to be humiliated again. Last time they bought clothes, they had been toyed with by the eldest young lady. Was this another trick? "Shut up!" Pei Wuliang couldn't lose face in front of Song Jiaojiao. So, gritting his teeth, he took out his most valuable possession—a gold plaque. It was the Wushi Plate that Jia Qingcheng had custom-made for him back then. Now, he had no choice but to pawn it! "Shopkeeper, how much silver do you think this gold of mine is worth?" "Oh my, this is pure gold of the finest quality! Young master, where did you get this craftsmanship?" "Less nonsense. Just tell me—is it worth five thousand taels of silver?" "Five thousand taels is a bit short, but two thousand taels is certainly its worth." Only two thousand? Pei Wuliang was growing irritated, but the words had already been spoken and couldn't be taken back. No matter what, he had to buy this bridal gown for Song Jiaojiao. It truly was beautiful and luxurious. "Fine then. Leave this as collateral with you for now. As for the remaining three thousand taels, put it on my account. I'll send someone to settle the debt, and when that's done, you'll return this Wushi Plate to me." "Very well. With your word, young master, this old servant will go prepare it right away." Saying this, the shopkeeper hurried off to prepare the clothing, while Hu Ba felt a pang of regret seeing his master pawn such a valuable item. After all, in the past when the master was together with the young lady, he never had to worry about anything. But now, even buying things required spending silver. He had reduced himself to a pauper! "Master, what should we do with the remaining three thousand taels? Our Pei estate has no silver left to pay the bill." "What's there to fear? Buy the wedding dress first. Since Qingcheng asked us to pick it out, the money should rightfully be paid by her. Put it on my account—she will send someone to settle it as she always did." Hearing this, Hu Ba fell silent, though he harbored doubts about his master's words. After all, the young lady hadn't sent anyone to settle their previous tabs either. Her attitude toward the master had completely changed. Would she really come obediently to pay the bill? "Master, you should think this through. What if the young lady turns her back and refuses to settle the account for us? Think about it—we'd be drowning in debt." "She won't. She has me in her heart and can't live without me. Besides, she's going to be my concubine in the future—aren't all my matters her matters?" In his past life, no matter what he did, Jia Qingcheng had always silently resolved such tedious matters behind his back, never letting him worry. Even if he had chosen Jiaojiao first in this life, so what? Having returned to a new life, didn't everyone have the right to choose again? He had merely chosen Jiaojiao first, but later, he would still take responsibility for Qingcheng and look after her. For that alone, Jia Qingcheng should be grateful to him. Moreover, he would take her as a concubine—they would be family. Why must she be so petty? And so, Pei Wuliang pawned the Wushi Plate and still owed three thousand taels of silver before he could obtain the red wedding dress. After they left, Song Jiaojiao complained of hunger and wanted to eat at a newly opened roasted squab restaurant nearby. Pei Wuliang patted his pocket, finding only a few taels of silver left inside, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed. "Jiaojiao, why don't we head back first? When we get home, let your aunt take a look at this dress—what do you think?"