5 Coercive Buying and Selling

s. She gave away such priceless treasures without even looking at them.""Fourth Sister is being too modest. Grandfather and the two aunts are not strangers after all. Moreover, both uncles and aunties...The Capital's Assignment 5. Forced Buying and Selling

5. Forced Buying and Selling

Even before entering the shop, Ye Li frowned at the commotion inside. Antique shops were usually quiet and elegant places; it was unusual to hear such clear noises from outside.

The moment she stepped in, however, the shelves were filled with a dazzling array of items. The wealthy-looking store owner wearing brocade clothes was looking down on an old-fashioned young man with a look of disdain. That man looked pale and ill; his normally handsome face now appeared waxen and dry. Although his clothes were worn out, they were clean and did not look repulsive but rather had a faint scholarly air about them. Now, however, he looked embarrassed and anxious, even slightly fearful as he said to the store owner, "Master, please take another look. This painting is truly an authentic work by Mr. Wu Zhikai from the previous dynasty."

The store owner sneered at him with a disdainful expression, saying, "Looking at your poverty-stricken face, how could you possibly own something as valuable as one of Wu... Wu Zhikai's genuine works This painting is obviously a fake! However, we do buy fakes too. Your imitation isn’t bad, I will give you two hundred taels."

The man’s face turned red with anger, "You... You..." Wu Zhikai was a great artist from the previous dynasty; an original work of his would be worth at least two thousand taels even if it wasn't one of his best pieces. If he raised the price further, it could go much higher. The shopkeeper actually wanted to buy this family heirloom for only one-tenth of its value! If not for the dire need for money, how could he bear to sell such a valuable painting at such a low price "That’s outrageous! I won’t sell it!" The man angrily rolled up the scroll and was about to leave.

"Wait!" When the shopkeeper saw him trying to leave, a sinister look flashed in his eyes. He stared at the man menacingly, saying, "I am offering you two hundred taels out of courtesy! Could it be that this painting is stolen goods You’re right; with your poverty-stricken appearance, how could you have such an exquisite piece Let’s take this matter to the authorities."

"Let's see if they believe you or me!" the man said angrily.

The shopkeeper laughed disdainfully. "Belief Do you know who owns this shop I will tell you, it belongs to the Empress Dowager’s family from the palace. Our Fourth Miss is soon to become the wife of Prince Li. Do you think they would believe a poor man like you"

"You... "

"Young Master, I'll take this painting. Two thousand taels."< Leaf Li walked into the shop and said softly.

The two people who were arguing were stunned for a moment. The man reacted and saw the elegant young lady in front of him and asked, "You... Do you believe me"

Actually, Leaf Li couldn't tell if the painting was real or fake either, but she came to this conclusion from the reactions of the shop owner and the man, as well as a flash of guilt that passed over the appraiser's face. Besides, even if it were a forgery, she would be buying it today!

The shopkeeper was furious when he saw his deal being disrupted by this young girl. Looking at Leaf Li’s clothes which did not seem to be made of expensive material, he concluded that she must not come from an important family and sneeringly said, "Miss, you'd better stay out of this." Leaf Li glanced at him with a faint smile and said, "How is it meddling when the young master isn't willing to sell it to you but sells it to me" The shopkeeper snorted coldly and said, "Today, whether you want to or not, you have to buy it! Our Fourth Miss's wedding is coming up, and she needs some antique paintings."

Leaf Li sneered. "Very well, then I must buy this today. Qingshuang, pay the money."

Qingshuang quickly took out a silver ticket for two thousand taels and handed it to the man, taking the painting with her smile. "Young Master, here is your payment, now you can go."

The man hesitated, "No, the two misses..." If he left now, these two misses would likely not be able to leave the store with the painting. Although he urgently needed money, he couldn't harm these kind-hearted ladies either. Looking at several servants who had already blocked the door, the man firmly shook his head and said, "I don’t want to sell this painting anymore; please return it."

Leaf Li took the painting from Qingshuang's hand, opened it up and was satisfied with what she saw, nodding and smiling. “Perfect, I’m going to give this 'Moonlit Clear River' as a gift. You take the money and leave. Let’s see if there is still any justice under heaven.”

"If that's the case, none of you will be leaving!" The shopkeeper threatened.

Leaf Li looked at him with amusement. "Don’t tell me you actually dare to kill us"

The shopkeeper's expression stiffened as he coldly said, "Even though I don't dare to kill you, I can take you to the authorities! Servants, take these three rascals to the government office with Lady’s name card!"

"How dare you! Beware, I'll chop off your hands!" Qingshuang stood in front of Ye Li and knocked down a servant who was about to grab her. She glared at the shopkeeper and shouted, "Open your dog eyes and look closely, this Shen De軒 is my miss’ property!"

The crowd was taken aback again. The shopkeeper's face paled as he looked at Ye Li with suspicion, "Y-You…"

Ye Li stared at him calmly and said indifferently, "My surname is Ye, I am the third in line."

"Miss Third" The shopkeeper exclaimed involuntarily. His face turned ugly.

Ye Li handed the scroll to Qingshuang and coldly swept her gaze at the surrounding servants as she said, "Don’t you want to keep your job " A few of them looked warily at the shopkeeper and then Ye Li before stepping away.

The shopkeeper recovered quickly, hesitated for a moment and then smiled apologetically, "Miss Third, what brings you here"

Ye Li leisurely strolled around the store before turning back to ask one of the servants who had slipped out quietly. "The name Shen De軒 was personally given by my eldest uncle. What does it mean The shopkeeper doesn't know, Mr. He, can you explain"

The appraiser, hiding behind the counter, nervously walked out and said softly, "Re-Regard Miss Third, Uncle hopes we antique dealers should mind our morals, be cautious with our words and actions, that’s what Shen De means."

"Well explained. Then… what are you doing Passing off real antiques as fakes"

The manager strongly argued, "Third Miss doesn’t understand business. We are doing this for the sake of Shende軒’s business. These days, it's not easy to do business."

Ye Li gave a cold laugh and said, "I may not be good at business, but I know that honesty is crucial in commerce. Without trustworthiness, who would want to deal with you Moreover… The current state of Shende軒’s accounts is rather bleak."

"I…"

Ye Li interrupted coldly, "No need for explanations. From now on, you no longer have a role here. As for the previous financial records, I expect the rest of you to explain them clearly. If it’s unrelated to you and you wish to stay, you will each receive fifty taels of silver as a reward. Otherwise, if things remain unclear, off to jail with all of you! Let's see if your masters are willing to bail you out!" Several employees hesitated; they had heard about Third Miss marrying the Prince Ding. The shop would naturally accompany her to the Prince’s residence. If an explanation cleared them, then fine, but failure could mean imprisonment.

The manager, seeing everyone wavering, rushed forward and said, "Third Miss, I am Lady’s man; you have no right to dismiss me."

Ye Li smiled faintly, “Sorry, Shende軒 is mine. Once the accounts are settled, go back where you came from. If not… Even if you’re Lady’s brother, it won’t help. Don't tell me your Wang family likes taking what doesn’t belong to them and then claiming it as their own”

"You... You..." The manager's face turned red and white.

Ye Li no longer looked at her but turned towards the young man who had been standing there dumbfounded. She already knew that several years ago, this shop’s manager was replaced by Lady Wang’s youngest brother.

"Sir, for my oversight leading to your embarrassment, please accept my apologies."

"N-no, it's alright." The young man waved his hand awkwardly; he hadn't expected such a graceful lady to be the owner of this shop. He thought about it and couldn’t help but say despite feeling that it was somewhat unnecessary, "Since you are the owner of Shende軒, I hope… You’ll take good care of it. Otherwise…" If not for encountering her today, he would have been wrongfully jailed.

Ye Li didn’t get angry and smiled as she nodded, "Thank you, sir, for your advice. As this shop's new owner, I will certainly manage it strictly. Seeing how attached you are to the painting, take it with you first; consider it a loan from me, repay it at your convenience." as he walked atop the fortress walls, brows furrowed deeply. Ever since being posted to defend Snowflake Pass, he knew it wouldn’t be peaceful, but he hadn’t expected danger coming not only from Nan...