The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

"Miss Jiang is joking. How can you buy something without paying?"

A clear female voice rang out, instantly silencing the bustling shop.

Everyone turned to look at the newcomer.

Chen Yiru walked in with her maid, bypassing Jiang Xiaoxiao and the other two, and stood next to Qin Yao.

“Sister Qin, it seems I’ve arrived at the perfect time. I’ve caught up with this good stuff! Don’t worry, I’ve brought enough money, and I won’t delay payment.”

Chen Yiru smiled as she looked in the direction of the shopkeeper, seemingly oblivious to the three people beside her.

"Of course! It's an honor for Diancui Pavilion that Sister Chen has come. Come! Take Miss Chen upstairs."

Qin Yao gave instructions to the servant beside her.

The young ladies didn't have to call out prices themselves; the maids would raise the prices at the master's behest. That's why Diancui Pavilion had a special place for them to rest.

Chen Yiru glanced meaningfully at Jiang Xiaoxiao and the other two before looking at Qin Yao.

"No need to go upstairs, I think downstairs is fine, I'll just sit in the back for a few days."

There are seats available in the back, but usually more people go upstairs. Chen Yiru didn't want to go upstairs because she didn't want to miss this good show.

"Okay!" Qin Yao naturally wouldn't refuse.

With Chen Yiru gone, the excitement continues.

At this point, the price had already been driven up to 500 taels.

Qin Yao was not surprised at all. In the past, it was common for ordinary jewelry to cost 1000 taels.

After all, it is a unique existence.

Who wouldn't want to have this unique treatment? Anyone with a bit of wealth would want to find a topic to talk about and show off.

Diancui Pavilion is the place where their wishes come true.

Qin Yao stood to the side, completely unaware of Jiang Xiaoxiao's angry face beside her.

"Mother!" Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn't stand Qin Yao's neglect, so she ran over to Liu Shi to ask for help.

She knew that Qin Yao was very afraid of making her mother angry. If Liu Shi showed even the slightest displeasure, she would have no choice but to rush to coax her.

In the past, whenever Jiang Xiaoxiao wanted something, if Qin Yao hesitated even slightly, she would go to Liu Shi. Needless to say, as long as Liu Shi stood there, Qin Yao would have to put on a smiling face and offer the things.

This time is no exception.

Liu was well aware of this tactic and immediately began to put on a stern face. However, even with Liu's face drawn long, Qin Yao did not turn around.

"Qin Yao!!!" Jiang Xiaoxiao grabbed Liu and angrily pointed at Qin Yao.

How dare Qin Yao! Her mother is her future mother-in-law!

Qin Yao slowly turned around, not looking at Liu Shi at all, but looking at Jiang Xiaoxiao with a puzzled expression.

"Does Xiaoxiao also want to raise the price?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao choked and couldn't speak for a moment.

She had just been mocked by Chen Yiru for not paying for what she bought, so she was too embarrassed to say anything more. But where would she get the money to raise the price?

Liu, with an air of superiority, gave Qin Yao her orders.

"Qin Yao, we're here today to pick out a gift for the future Crown Princess. That hairpin is quite nice, go and get it!"

She didn't lift her eyelids even once throughout the entire process.

Qin Yao was used to her behavior and wasn't annoyed.

While she was still under the old matriarch's control in the Marquis's mansion, she was somewhat restrained. But after the old matriarch died, she became completely unrestrained. If it weren't for Qin Yao cleaning up her messes, she would have died countless times over.

Just then, the sound of bidding came from the other side.

"One thousand taels!"

Qin Yao smiled at Madam Liu and said, "Madam Hou, would you like a thousand taels wrapped up?"

Liu's eyes widened. "You... what did you say? 1000 taels?"

In recent years, although life in the Hou family has been good, most of it has come from gifts from Qin Yao, and there hasn't been much real money.

1000 taels? How could Lady Liu not be surprised?

"Yes, Madam Hou! Diancui Pavilion sells items through bidding. Is 1000 taels a lot?"

Qin Yao asked, seemingly not understanding.

The clothes, jewelry, paintings, and calligraphy that Qin Yao sent were all top-notch, and they were used to it. Naturally, they didn't understand that things had to be exchanged for silver.

Even if the lady of a noble family maintains her status, she wouldn't break down and snatch things on the spot.

But if she doesn't get what she wants today, how can she, as the future mother-in-law, establish her authority in front of Xia Qiutang?

Liu steadied herself, looked at Qin Yao with great resentment, and threatened:

"Qin Yao, think it through. Who will you rely on to make a living in the future?"

"Huh?" Qin Yao covered her mouth, as if she had just realized something.

Both Liu and Jiang Xiaoxiao looked smug, thinking they had Qin Yao under their control.

"1000 taels! Congratulations, Miss Chen!"

The curtain had already fallen over there, and Chen Yiru's maid had gone over to pay the bill.

Liu and Jiang Xiaoxiao weren't in a hurry, and instead instructed Qin Yao, "Go! Bring it here!"

"This...we'll have to ask Miss Chen first," Qin Yao said, looking troubled.

"Miss, not only that! Even if Miss Chen agrees, she still has to pay compensation!" Qingzhi reminded her.

In business, reputation is paramount; how can you ask for something back after it's already been sold?

Even if you sell the wrong item, you still have to apologize, let alone go back on your word.

"Then just pay up!" Jiang Xiaoxiao said without a care.

"That's true! Qingzhi, go and invite Miss Chen!"

Mrs. Liu was satisfied and patted Xia Qiutang, who had remained silent, reassuringly.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was also very smug, waiting arrogantly.

A short while later, Chen Yiru arrived gracefully.

Qingzhi had already told her about the situation here, and Chen Yiru cooperated very well, saying in a serious tone as soon as she arrived:

"It's okay to help others achieve their goals, but the compensation should be adequate!"

Qin Yao replied immediately:

"Of course, Sister Chen, that's settled then. You can give up your things, and besides the 1000 taels for the hairpin, I'll compensate you with another 500 taels, okay?"

Chen Yiru nodded and looked at Liu.

Liu and Jiang Xiaoxiao on the other side didn't care at all, and didn't even look at Chen Yiru.

Qin Yao had to remind her, "Madam Hou? Miss Jiang? It's already settled! 1500 taels, just give it to Miss Chen."

Without even glancing at their shocked expressions, he turned and exchanged pleasantries with Chen Yiru.

"This Lady Hou is choosing jewelry for her daughter-in-law. The amount of money doesn't matter, as long as she likes it. I just arrived and heard her say she liked it, but Sister Chen made the first move and had to give it up."

Jiang Xiaoxiao was the first to lose her composure.

"Qin Yao, what do you mean? You want us to pay for this?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao's angry appearance made Chen Yiru laugh out loud. Naturally, Jiang Xiaoxiao yelled at her again.

"why are you laughing?!"

The Marquis's mansion has a high social standing, but it has nothing inside. Jiang Xiaoxiao has been brainwashed by Liu Shi since she was a child, and she thinks that although her family is not rich, they have a noble title!

She was certainly far superior to the women of minor officials, so she looked down on women like Chen Yiru.

They certainly wouldn't be polite to her.

Chen Yiru's smile faded, and her gaze towards Jiang Xiaoxiao was tinged with pity.

"Miss Jiang, you're the ones who wanted the items, so who else is going to pay for them? Do you expect me to pay?"

“That should be Qin Yao’s responsibility! Qin Yao!…” Jiang Xiaoxiao wanted to say something, but Liu grabbed her arm.

It was as if they had just realized something was wrong.

Qin Yao could see clearly that it was Xia Qiutang who pulled Liu Shi, which is why Liu Shi stopped Jiang Xiaoxiao.

"Mother!" Jiang Xiaoxiao protested.

"Shut up!" Liu shouted angrily.

“I won’t take Miss Chen’s beloved place away, Auntie. Let’s go look somewhere else!” Xia Qiutang said softly.

"Miss Xia, don't you like it?" Chen Yiru asked knowingly.

Xia Qiutang originally wanted to pull Liu Shi away, but she didn't expect Chen Yiru to ask such a question, and her smile faltered.

Qin Yao also added fuel to the fire.

"Yes, Miss Chen is willing to part with it! Does Madam Hou not want to part with 1500 taels?"

Xia Qiutang knew the situation of the Marquis's mansion. It wouldn't be a problem to scrape together 1500 taels, but they would be poor for a while.

She didn't want to have to clean up a mess as soon as she got married.

Qin Yao is acting very strangely! Wasn't it agreed that Qin Yao was willing to be a concubine? This attitude is completely out of the ordinary!

Xia Qiutang was anxious and didn't respond to Chen Yiru's words, which gave Jiang Xiaoxiao another opportunity.

"This little bit of silver, Qin Yao, who do you think you are! Making you pay is a favor! Sister Xia will be your mistress in the future. If you dare to act like this again, be careful Sister Xia won't let you into the house!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao unleashed a torrent of words, leaving Xia Qiutang no time to stop her.

Sure enough, the next moment, she heard something she didn't want to hear.

"Sister Qin, this is strange. Didn't you break off your engagement with the Marquis's family? Why is Miss Jiang still saying that you want to enter the Marquis's family?" Chen Yiru asked, puzzled.

“Miss Chen, I know that,” Qingzhi added from the side.

“Young Master Jiang came to see my young lady a few days ago, and made it clear that he wanted my young lady to agree to be his concubine. How could my young lady possibly agree? I don’t know what Young Master Jiang said when he went back. Now they still think my young lady is willing to go in as a concubine!”

"Huh?" Chen Yiru suddenly realized, and looked at the three people opposite her with a meaningful look.

"Who would eagerly become a concubine?"

"Break off the engagement? Mother..." Jiang Xiaoxiao had fallen ill after falling into the water last time and had no idea.

Liu was also completely bewildered. She knew about the annulment of the engagement, but her son had said that Qin Yao was willing to be a concubine!