With the Anzhi Hall's business in dismal shape, Jin Shanyao decided to visit Xie Chao, hoping to persuade him to work for her as soon as possible.
She loaded all her treasured storybooks onto the oxcart, ordered fine wine and food from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, bought a basket of big red dates, and headed towards Hat Mountain.
Before they had taken two steps, someone called out, "Excuse me, are you Meng Anci's aunt?"
Jin Shanyao her head and saw an unfamiliar woman. She smiled and stepped forward, "Hello, my son Zhao Yushan and Meng Anci are classmates. The other day he saw Meng Anci riding a black horse and really liked it. I wonder how much you would be willing to pay for it?"
Although First Madam Zhao was smiling, a barely perceptible contempt was hidden in her eyes.
The visitor seemed ill-intentioned Jin Shanyao, wary, said, "The horse is a birthday gift for my child; it's not easy to resell. If you're interested, you can go to the horse market; you might find a good one."
As she spoke, she drove the cart forward. First Madam Zhao gave her a look, and a young maidservant blocked the oxcart, arrogantly declaring, "Name your price. I've seen plenty of people like you; you just want to inflate the price."
First Madam Zhao scolded, "Shut up, you ill-mannered brat! Stand aside!"
Jin Shanyao looked at the master and servant with a puzzled expression. What was going on here?
A crowd gradually gathered around. Inside the clothing shop, Xing'er glanced curiously and said, "Madam, I think I see Miss Jin."
Madam Su looked over and saw that Jin Shanyao was being blocked by two or three servants. She recognized one of them; she was the eldest daughter-in-law of the headmaster of the Green Mountain Academy.
Madam Su put down the clothes she was holding. "Let's go take a look."
As they approached, they heard First Madam Zhao scolding her maid, "Are you blind? Don't you know who this is? Apologize to Miss Jin!"
After speaking, she looked at Jin Shanyao and smiled gently and virtuously, "I know your family is poor. Although the horse isn't worth much, considering that the two children are classmates, I'm willing to pay one hundred taels to buy it."
One hundred taels! The people around gasped. What kind of horse is so expensive! This First Madam Zhao is truly kind-hearted. This isn't buying a horse; it's clearly taking care of her son's classmate. She's a truly kind person.
Jin Shanyao realized that this wasn't scolding the maid at all; it was a veiled insult. She stretched her wrists, intending to treat First Madam Zhao with proper courtesy.
We need to teach her a lesson for her poor judgment, lest she develop a mental breakdown in broad daylight and start biting people randomly.
First Madam Zhao thought Jin Shanyao, but when she heard "one hundred taels," she was terrified. She covered her mouth and chuckled, "Oh well, what can I do? My son loves this horse so much that he can't eat or drink anything all day."
"Where are the horses? I'll send someone to fetch them."
"Can't you understand me? I said I'm not selling, and if you say another word, I'll slap you across the face..." After saying that, Jin Shanyao praised herself in her heart.
She's great; she knows how to use politeness first, then force.
People around whispered, "That girl is so ungrateful. People are trying to help her, and she doesn't appreciate it at all..."
Jin Shanyao cold. Just as she was about to treat everyone equally, she heard a laugh coming from behind her.
"Oh my, who do we have here? It's First Madam Zhao! What brings you here?!"
When First Madam Zhao recognized the person who had arrived, her smile froze for a moment. Madam Su of similar status to her, or rather, Madam Su's status in the prefectural city was higher.
After all, his father-in-law was no longer serving in the court, and Lord Su was in his prime, highly regarded by the emperor.
" Madam Su, what a coincidence..."
Madam Su stepped forward and grabbed Jin Shanyao, shaking it as she laughed, "Isn't that right? Yesterday, my mother-in-law wanted to buy some clothes for Miss Jin, and insisted that I come and choose them myself."
First Madam Zhao's expression stiffened. She looked at Madam Su and Jin Shanyao, "You two..."
Jin Shanyao to Madam Su's arms, the soft touch making her stiffen and dare not move.
Madam Su smiled and said, "Miss Jin and my mother-in-law are close friends despite their age difference. Oh, by the way... Miss Jin's divination is exceptionally accurate, and her talismans are incredibly effective. One talisman costs only twenty taels, and you can have five at a time..."
Madam Su paused for a moment, then said, "I just saw you mention one hundred taels of silver. Are you going to buy talismans? No wonder the Zhao Household is so lucky to have married you; they have good judgment..."
As he spoke, he nudged Jin Shanyao, Jin Shanyao by inspiration, strode over to the letter stall, snatched the scholar's pen, and, to the scholar's astonishment, quickly drew five talismans on paper. He then tossed down five coins and returned.
Jin Shanyao chuckled as she stuffed the talisman into First Madam Zhao's hand, then casually snatched the hundred taels of silver, chiding her, "You, if you're going to buy talismans, just buy talismans! Why bring up this whole 'classmate friendship' thing?"
First Madam Zhao gritted her teeth in anger, a sinister smile spreading across her face. " Madam Su, are you sure I want to buy the talisman paper?"
"Isn't that right? You don't really want to buy horses, do you? Oh dear..." Madam Su slapped her forehead, "Look at me, I meant well but messed things up."
She snatched the talisman back and laughed, "I've seen the horse at Miss Jin's house. It's a rare Akhal-Teke horse, costing at least a thousand taels. You're not going to buy it for a hundred taels, are you?"
Madam Su exclaimed in surprise, as if she had discovered a great secret. Turning to the onlookers, she said, "Quickly, stop looking! The Zhao Household isn't the type to bully others with their power. Everyone, disperse, disperse!"
Those around her, like weather vanes, instantly realized they had the truth. They pointed at First Madam Zhao and whispered among themselves. First Madam Zhao's face flushed red, and she forced a smile.
"Misunderstanding... misunderstanding..." Before she could even grab the silver notes, she turned and hurriedly fled. If this got back to her father-in-law, she would surely be punished.
As the crowd dispersed, Jin Shanyao's eyes gleamed as she stared intently at Madam Su. She didn't know a single word of the words Madam Su had spoken. Could this be what the books meant by winning battles without bloodshed?
Madam Su felt uncomfortable under her gaze and coughed twice. "Do you still want these five talismans?"
Jin Shanyao and laughed, "This is for summoning souls..."
Madam Su was so frightened that she shoved the talisman into Jin Shanyao and spat it out several times. "The prefectural city is not like the county town. There are plenty of officials' families, wealthy merchants and gentry here."
They speak with barbs; if you slap them, you'll regret it.
Jin Shanyao, not understanding what to eat and wanting to pack it up, just nodded in agreement, "Niece-in-law... you're amazing... I admire you... I want to learn from you how to win battles without bloodshed."
Madam Su blushed at the words, "Who's talking about your niece-in-law? Don't talk nonsense. I'll be going now."
Jin Shanyao froze, she had failed to become an apprentice... she had been rejected by others...
"Hey, niece-in-law... you don't have to teach me, but could you tell me what book you read to learn this skill?"
Madam Su couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Are there books about palace intrigue and power struggles? What a silly girl..." She thought for a moment, "Go to the study and find ' The Complete Practical Guide to Political Scheming ' and 'The Art of Winning Favor in the Inner Court'."
Jin Shanyao exclaimed in surprise, "You read storybooks too?"
Madam Su glanced around and coughed lightly, saying, "I just take a look when I have nothing else to do. If it's about managing the household and people, then it's still my mother-in-law who should be in charge. Oh, by the way, call your sister's son nephew. If you don't know how to use the generational naming system, then don't bother."
After saying this, he strode away. Jin Shanyao stood there pondering for a long time. It turned out that the prefectural city did not like fighting and killing, and preferred to fight without bloodshed.
When Madam Su returned home, she recounted the day's events to Old Madam Su Old Madam Su nodded and took a sip of her tea.
"You did the right thing. Miss Jin has done a great favor for our family. However, she is naive and inexperienced, and is easily taken advantage of."
When you're dating her, just be yourself. Don't try to manipulate her; only sincerity will lead to a lasting relationship.
"The mother-in-law's instructions to her daughter-in-law should be heeded, but she must never spend any more money..."
Old Madam Su glared at her, "The bond between my sister and me cannot be measured in silver... Go away, get out of my way."
Madam Su stood outside the door, bewildered in the wind. Had she said something wrong again?