Chapter 160 - 160: There Are So Many Rich People
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“That seems to be Grand Perceptor Pang’s sister’s private residence.”
“Yes.”
“If we want to buy, can we come to your place?”
“Yes, but these hairpins are priced at ten thousand taels. I will be leaving by the end of September, so you won’t be able to find me then.”
Upon hearing this, the young ladies gulped. “Are you in the business of selling these?”
“No, I just saw that you all liked them, and you look elegant, unlike that young ladv who tried to snatch them from me. So. I’m willing to share mv beautiful items.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Qiao Mai nodded to them. The crowd made way for her as she drove her carriage away.
Unexpectedly, many people sent invitations to Bichun Garden the next day. Old Mistress Wang took the invitations and found her.
“Is this your doing?”
“Yes, I couldn’t come to the capital for nothing. I had to make some money.”
“What are you selling? Fruits, vegetables?”
“I’m selling the hairpins I’m wearing.”
Old Mistress Wang glanced at her head. “They are beautiful. How much are you selling them for?”
“Ten thousand taels of silver for something like mine. Even better ones worth over a hundred thousand taels.”
“Over a hundred thousand taels? My goodness, what are they like?”
Qiao Mai gave her a mysterious smile and took a headdress from the box she had brought. It could be worn like a hat. As soon as she took it out, it shimmered like stars in the sky, continuously emitting light. Old Mistress Wang quickly covered her eyes with her hand.
“Girl, you shouldn’t flaunt your wealth like this.”
“I was stopped when I went out today. It seems they all like this kind of hairpin.
Since they love it, I’ll sell a few and make some money.”
“You’re quite bold. The capital is a place with hidden dangers. If you’re not careful, you could bring disaster upon yourself.”
“What can I do? I’ve already attracted someone’s attention. If I don’t sell these, more people will notice me. But once these are sold, many people will have this item, so who will pay attention to me in the future?”
“How many do you have here?”
“Ten small ones, a large one, and ten sets of Horse-face dresses.”
“You brought these to the capital to sell?”
“Not really, it’s just a side business. After selling these, I won’t have anymore.” “This would be more than twenty thousand taels of silver!”
“In the capital, many wealthy families deal with sums of tens of thousands and even more. The officials and magistrates all pay their taxes upwards. That’s the hard-earned money of the commoners.”
“Are you at ease to keep this money at home?”
“I didn’t plan to keep it at home. There are many poor families in the city. Outside, there are also disaster victims. I plan to buy grain with this money and distribute it to those in need.”
Old Mistress Wang took a deep breath and looked at her appreciatively. “You are a good child. I underestimated you. You’re selling these for them?” “Yes. Along the way, we’ve encountered many disaster victims. Even though twenty thousand taels of silver may not be much, I’ll do what I can to help. We’ll also assist them on our way back. It gets colder as we go further, and they won’t make it without silver.”
“Child, women like you who worry about the commoners are too few.”
“I’ll do what I can. There’s no need to praise me. Otherwise, I’ll get smug.
Besides, don’t you often help them too?”
“Then I’ll accept the invitations. Let them come to our house tomorrow morning, and we can sell these in the front hall?”
“I’ll follow your lead!”
This trend caught on, and the next day, many people arrived at Bichun Garden, all from influential families.
Some were even sent by the palace concubines, making the living room crowded.
Old Mistress Wang had the maids and servants leave the living room, leaving only their mistresses.
“I’ll cut to the chase. Everyone is here today to see the hairpins. Since there are so many people, let’s look at each item one by one.”
Qiao Mai took the first item and opened the exquisite box, revealing the sparkling hairpin inside.
“This is called ‘Butterflies in Flight.’ It can be pinned to the side of the head, on top of the hair, or at the back, and it will look good no matter how you wear it.
Gently clip it to your hair like this.”
Qiao Mai demonstrated by attaching it to her hair, showing everyone how it looked.
“I assume you have all heard about the price. The reason it’s expensive is that it’s adorned with many diamonds. These diamonds come from a country across the ocean. They’re similar to the gemstones here but brighter. Therefore, it’s shiny. This hairpin starts at ten thousand taels. Who would like to make the first bid?”
“How many hairpins are you selling today?”
“Ten of these small ones and a large one. These are brought from overseas by my friend. Once they are sold, I won’t have anymore.”
“Where is this foreign place?”
“So far? No wonder we haven’t seen them before.’
“Ladies, let’s get started with the bidding.”
“Ten thousand taels!”
One lady raised her hand and shouted the price. Some others wanted to see the next item before deciding, fearing they might regret their bid if they set it too high now.
Qiao Mai smiled and presented the ‘Butterflies in Flight’ piece to the lady. The lady took a silver note from her sleeve and handed it to her.
Qiao Mai accepted the piece with a smile, glanced at the amount on the note, and nodded in acknowledgment.
Next, she took out the second piece, saying, “This piece is named ‘Blossoming Together,’ with a similar meaning to the previous one. The starting price is ten thousand taels.”
Each time, she would go through the same routine, showing the pieces to the ladies to ensure they had a clear view so they wouldn’t hesitate.
“Ten thousand taels!”
The lady who had purchased the first piece raised her hand again. The other ladies couldn’t hold back and joined the bidding.
“I’d say, Madam Jiao, your family is quite rich. You’ve already bought one; you can’t keep snatching things from us.”
“That’s because you’re not offering any price.” “Who told you we won’t? Twelve thousand taels.”
“Twenty thousand taels!”
Madam Jiao’s neck stiffened as her bid for the second piece seemed to leave others breathless.
She once again got the second piece. With a satisfied smile, Qiao Mai took the silver note and tucked it into her bosom before unveiling the third piece.
Old Mistress Wang watched with great interest. Today, it was just buyers and sellers; there were no distinctions of high or low status, only those who had the means to buy. It was enjoyable!
Each of the following pieces of jewelry was auctioned off one by one. When she finally presented the last tiara, the room lit up. It was truly stunning.
“This is the final piece. It’s the grand finale. But don’t forget that we still have ten dresses to auction later. If you’re interested, stay tuned.”
“Quickly, make your bids!” “Starting at fifteen thousand taels. Let the bidding begin!”
“Twenty thousand taels!”
“Twenty-five thousand taels!”
“Thirty thousand taels!”
Qiao Mai thought, “Damn, these people are filthy rich. They’re bidding without even blinking an eye, increasing it by five thousand taels each time.”
What’s the difference between them and the wealthy people on Earth? Ordinary people pay two dollars for a bottle of mineral water, but wealthy people pay a thousand. That’s the gap. Therefore, when she has something good that catches the eye of a rich person, she has to milk them for all they’re worth. They don’t lack money.
Finally, the tiara was sold to one lady for thirty-five thousand taels.
Those who didn’t make a purchase were impressed and found it eye-opening. They also inquired about the items.
“Miss, when will your friend bring more of these hairpins?”
“It’s not easy to go there. It’s a perilous journey, and you don’t know what you’ll encounter at sea. If you run into a whirlpool, the ship’s crew could be lost. So, when he goes again isn’t certain.”
“Didn’t you mention there are also dresses?”
Qiao Mai smiled mischievously, walked to the side, and tapped a beautifully decorated box on the table. She opened it, revealing one of the dresses inside..
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