Xiao Qi Niang, with her deep pockets, picked out seven or eight sets of jewelry and various other trinkets, spending quite a sum.
"Sister Man, which set of jewelry do you like? I'll gift it to you," Xiao Qi Niang said generously. "The things here at Fatty Tian's are quite good; you won't find another place like it."
Shopkeeper Tian, seeing new business, beamed from ear to ear, his plump face crinkling. "Miss, feel free to look around. I've already instructed my staff to stop anyone from coming upstairs, knowing Miss Xiao Qi is here. No one with any sense would dare to disturb you."
Li Man Er, however, replied calmly, "No need. I lack nothing, and Sister Xiao needn't trouble herself over me."
Shopkeeper Tian waited respectfully, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.
Li Man Er knew that his respect was for Xiao Qi Niang, and his disdain was for her.
"Indeed, what good things hasn't my sister seen? Why would she even glance at these?"
This statement had offended Shopkeeper Tian. Were the items in their Jibao Zhai merely scrap metal, to be dismissed so lightly?
The Xiao family held immense power; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them the uncrowned rulers of Mobei. Shopkeeper Tian dared not offend Xiao Qi Niang, so he turned his attention to Li Man Er.
"Young lady, you're not from around here, are you?" Fatty Tian asked with a smirk, clearly looking for trouble.
"That's right, I'm from the capital."
Upon hearing she was from the capital, Fatty Tian's arrogance immediately diminished. Someone from the capital, her attire alone indicated refinement, and her close relationship with Xiao Qi Niang...
Fatty Tian sensed she might have some backing and that he shouldn't offend her.
Just as he was contemplating letting it go, deciding it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble, he heard the young lady, who was disguised as a man, say, "I've seen your wares here. They're indeed quite ordinary."
Since Fatty Tian was intent on picking a fight, Li Man Er, who was never one to shy away from trouble, why wouldn't she oblige him?
Fatty Tian had initially intended to let it slide, but upon hearing Li Man Er's words, his anger flared. She was openly unappreciative, how could he let this go?
Fatty Tian remained somewhat composed. Before making a move, he glanced at Xiao Qi Niang. Seeing her watching as if it were a play, he felt reassured. It seemed this young lady didn't have a good relationship with the Xiao family either. Perhaps she had offended Miss Xiao Qi without realizing it, and Miss Xiao Qi intended to use him to teach her a lesson!
"Oh, what a bold statement, to call the wares of my Jibao Zhai ordinary!" The hostility was palpable.
Li Man Er smiled. "They are ordinary. Only Sister Xiao would take a liking to them. If it were me, I wouldn't buy a single thing. I'm merely accompanying a guest and don't wish to be the villain."
Her words even included Xiao Qi Niang, subtly implying that she was unsophisticated and had poor judgment.
Fatty Tian grew anxious and looked at Xiao Qi Niang.
Xiao Qi Niang simply said, "Fatty Tian, my sister is just joking with you. Don't take it to heart."
This clearly indicated she was not defending Li Man Er.
Just as the fat man was about to argue with Li Man Er, he saw her untie her purse and take something out. "Shopkeeper, see what this is."
Fatty Tian peered closely and gasped, taking in a breath of cold air. The young lady held an egg-sized green stone in her palm. It didn't look like gold or jade, but rather like a luminous pearl.
Fatty Tian swallowed and asked cautiously, "Miss, may I touch it?"
His tone had completely changed.
Xiao Qi Niang watched the unfolding scene with a neutral expression, saying nothing.
"Here." Li Man Er placed the luminous pearl into Fatty Tian's palm. He felt its smoothness and slight coolness, noting its exceptional quality.
"This pearl's true brilliance can only be seen in the dark," Li Man Er chuckled. "Shopkeeper, you've never seen a night-shining pearl before?"
Fatty Tian became excited. "May I have someone block the windows and doors?"
"Please do."
Fatty Tian immediately had his staff cover all the windows on the second floor with curtains, ensuring no external light could penetrate. The night-shining pearl in his hand, however, suddenly blazed with a soft, crystalline glow, illuminating the surroundings clearly.
"Good heavens, this is a treasure! A rare treasure in this world." Such a precious item, kept in a mere purse and carried around casually, was an utter waste.
Why wasn't it cradled in brocade, placed in a fine nanmu or rosewood box!
Fatty Tian ordered the light-blocking cloths removed and reluctantly returned the night-shining pearl.
Li Man Er placed the pearl back into her purse, catching a glimpse of Fatty Tian's pained expression. She couldn't help but smile inwardly.
"Heh heh." Fatty Tian was now extremely solicitous, treating Li Man Er with none of his earlier condescension. "May I ask the young lady's surname?"
Li Man Er replied haughtily, "You don't need to know. I'll only ask you this: is there anything in your shop that is worth more than this pearl in my hand?"
"Miss, you jest. Night-shining pearls are born from the essence of heaven and earth; a hundred, a thousand years might pass before one surfaces. Even if I were to give you the entire Jibao Zhai in exchange for this pearl, you'd likely still need to add some silver."
"Indeed," Li Man Er stated. "I've seen plenty of good things. The mere Jibao Zhai naturally counts for nothing in my eyes. Now, are you convinced?"
"Convinced, a hundred times over." Fatty Tian chuckled, the flesh on his face trembling. "May I ask, Miss, is this pearl... for sale?"
Li Man Er raised an eyebrow. "Since Shopkeeper Tian knows the value of this night-shining pearl, why ask such a question?"
"Rare treasures are hard to come by. I'm smitten with it at first sight. I beg Miss to let it go."
Li Man Er sneered and took out the pearl again. She toyed with it occasionally, making Fatty Tian's heart pound, fearing she might drop the night-shining pearl.
"Can you afford it?"
"I am willing to try."
Li Man Er appeared troubled. "Very well, I am in need of money at the moment. If you wish to buy it, show some sincerity. If you try to bully me because I'm young and insincere, I'll smash this shop of yours."
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."
Fatty Tian, who had initially intended to fleece her, did not take Li Man Er's words seriously. Just as he was about to name a price, he heard Li Man Er add, "I hail from the Iron Gallant Marquis Manor. My father is the Iron Gallant Marquis, and my maternal grandfather is the renowned Ning Liancheng, the foremost merchant in the land. Shopkeeper, I advise you to think thrice before acting!"
Fatty Tian nearly fell to his knees. He had initially harbored intentions of deception, wanting to trick Li Man Er into selling the item for the least amount of money. But he never imagined her maternal grandfather was Ning Liancheng, the foremost merchant in the land!
Which businessman in the world didn't look up to the Ning family as an example? Who wouldn't want to forge ties with them?
He absolutely dared not offend him.
"Thirty, no, eighty thousand taels."
Xiao Qi Niang listened, and her eyes widened in astonishment.