NCCnovel Chapter 614 Bargaining!
Chapter 614 Bargaining!
“These are minor issues. But, Nuan, are we going to provide all the supplies for your girls’ school ourselves? As time goes on, if there are more students, have you considered that this will be a considerable expense? Will your girls’ school be able to support itself then?”
Mu Xin Nuan was also somewhat worried. It seemed that the girls' school didn't use many things, but the problem was that embroidery, music, chess, and so on all cost a lot of money. The amount of money spent was no less than that of the public school in Xingwen District.
Seeing her start to worry, Duanmu Chuze comforted her, "Forget it, at worst, the Prince's Mansion will cover the expenses. I'm not so poor that I can't afford to support a girls' school."
Mu Xin Nuan shook her head, "No! It was said that the girls' school should be self-sufficient, so it has to be like this. I'll think of another way. This needlework, although it doesn't seem like much, is the most expensive. Especially these silk threads and such, once used, if it's not done well, it's ruined after being unraveled."
"Don't rush, we'll figure something out slowly. Come on, let's go for a walk outside. It's a rare opportunity to get out, so I'll show you around and take you to get some good food."
Mu Xin Nuan knew he was trying to distract her from worrying about the matter, so she smiled faintly, "Well, I'm not in a hurry, it's still early anyway. Let's go, maybe I'll come up with a good idea someday?"
Duanmu Chuze raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Of course. My Anuan is the smartest woman in the world, what could possibly stump her?"
The group soon arrived at the most bustling street in Yanzhou.
Mu Xin Nuan and Duanmu Chu Ze walked together, with Duanmu Chu Ze carrying the child the whole time. This combination naturally attracted a lot of attention.
You see, while the Great Yong Dynasty didn't require women to stay home and raise children, it was the first time I'd ever seen a man carrying a child and walking around with his wife.
Some of the street vendors, seeing the handsome man and stunningly beautiful woman, and the several servants following behind them (whose attire alone was quite impressive), could tell that the couple came from an extraordinary background.
The man exuded nobility in every gesture. He merely fiddled with a small wind chime, yet it drew admiring glances from countless women.
The woman had a beautiful face, and when she smiled slightly, she possessed a captivating charm.
How could a couple like this walking down the street not attract attention?
"Aze, what do you think of this wooden hairpin?"
Duanmu Chuze glanced at it. "Hmm, not bad. Simple and elegant, it matches your style quite well." Then, turning his head, he asked, "How much?"
"Young master, this hairpin is made of the finest sandalwood. It's not expensive; it only costs one tael of silver."
Mu Xin Nuan raised an eyebrow slightly, "This wooden hairpin of yours is not worth a tael of silver. With a tael of silver, I could buy several hairpins at the shop up ahead. Just tell me the real price. If you try to rip me off again, we won't buy it."
The young man panicked and hurriedly bowed and scraped, smiling obsequiously. "Oh, this lady has excellent taste. It was my fault, my fault. Please don't be angry. How about this, I'll only charge you eight qian of silver for this hairpin, is that alright?"
Mu Xin Nuan shook her head. This vendor had stirred up her urge to bargain. "No, it's too expensive. Are you just exaggerating and asking for a high price because you think we're rich? Let me tell you, although we're not short of money, we've earned it through hard work, not by chance."
Upon hearing this, the vendor knew he had encountered someone knowledgeable.
With gritted teeth and a stamp of his foot, he said, "How about this, Madam? I see you're a very amiable person. How about you give me seven qian of silver? That's the lowest price I can offer. Any less and I really can't sell it anymore, or I'll lose money."
Mu Xin Nuan picked up the wooden hairpin again and looked at it, then shook her head. "No! It's still a bit too expensive. Husband, I remember on the street we came from before, people were selling it for only five qian of silver."
When Duanmu Chuze saw Mu Xin Nuan wink at him, he knew that this little girl was up to something again.
"Hmm, that seems to be the price. Shall we go back and buy from that store?"
Mu Xin Nuan nodded in agreement, "You're right. How about we go buy that one? I think that shop's craftsmanship is pretty good. That one will do."
As Mu Xin Nuan spoke, she put down the hairpin in her hand, and then, holding Duanmu Chu Ze's hand, she was about to leave.
The vendor immediately panicked and quickly said with a smile, "Madam, don't worry. How about we discuss it again?"
Mu Xin Nuan deliberately raised an eyebrow at him, "Is there anything else to discuss? Five qian of silver, if you think it's a good deal, great, if not, forget it. There are wooden hairpins for sale all over the street, we don't necessarily have to buy yours."
“Oh my, madam, this is top-notch craftsmanship, a family heirloom. No other family’s can compare. Besides, this sandalwood hairpin is the real deal. Our family has been running this business for three generations, and we have always been honest and fair to everyone, young and old.”
Mu Xin Nuan glanced at him, didn't say anything, and turned her body away again, indicating that she was about to leave.
The peddler was truly anxious this time. He immediately put on a pitiful face and said, "Madam, I'll do as you say, five qian of silver it is! Alas, business is tough these days. I'll just consider today my first day. You don't know, you're my first customer today. Fine, five qian of silver it is, I'll accept the loss!"
Mu Xin Nuan smiled, pursing her lips. If he really lost money, why would he sell?
It was just talk, though. But five qian of silver was indeed a low price; the peddler wouldn't really make much money.
Mu Xin Nuan took the hairpin he handed her, examined it carefully, and then asked Duanmu Chu Ze, "Do you think it looks good?"
"How can you tell from that gesture? Here, let me put it on for you."
As Duanmu Chuze spoke, he directly inserted the hairpin into her hair. It was just a simple wooden hairpin without any decorations, but the lines of the hairpin itself were very smooth, and it was slightly curved. Now that it was in her hair, it looked quite charming.
“Indeed! If you wore only a wooden hairpin like this, along with white clothes, and played a tune on the zither, you would look like a fairy.”
Mu Xin Nuan glared at him playfully, "You're talking nonsense again."
"Alright, Rongyue, give him one tael of silver."
"Yes, son."
The peddler was stunned when he heard this. "Didn't you say it was five qian of silver?" As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately covered his mouth. Would he be stupid not to make money?
"Since you seem to be honest enough, fine, I'll give you one or two taels of silver." Mu Xin Nuan said with a smile, then lowered her head and picked up the item again.