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The shopkeeper of the pawn shop was an elderly man, looking to be in his fifties or sixties. He stroked his white beard and took out a pair of gold-rimmed glasses to examine the pendant.
A series of expressions passed over his wrinkled face, making it difficult to tell whether he was pleased or displeased.
Old Tan leaned in and asked, “Shopkeeper, have you seen this jade pendant before?”
The shopkeeper’s surname was Bai. Although he was a typical merchant, he was much more approachable than the county magistrate.
He spoke honestly, “I haven’t seen this exact jade pendant before, but the quality of the jade is definitely top-notch. You could get a very good price for it.”
Old Tan quickly shook his head and said, “Shopkeeper, I’m not here to pawn it. I’m here to use the jade pendant to find someone.”
Shopkeeper Bai raised the pendant again and inspected it. “What if I told you this jade pendant could be worth five hundred taels?”
Old Tan was stunned. “W-What? Five hundred taels?”
Shopkeeper Bai nodded with a smile. “That’s right, five hundred taels.”
Five hundred taels! For someone like Old Tan, from a poor family, it was something unimaginable, something he’d never even dared to dream about. With that kind of money, not only could he build a house, but he could buy land and property as well. His family would never have to worry about food or clothing again.
But this jade pendant wasn’t his.
Old Tan quickly snapped back to his senses and furrowed his brows, rejecting, “No, this jade pendant isn’t mine. I can’t pawn it.”
Shopkeeper Bai’s eyes remained squinted as he asked, “What if I offered you one thousand taels?”
Old Tan, who had been sitting in the chair, was so shocked by the amount that he fell off the chair. “What?! One thousand taels?!”
Such a large sum was something he had never even dared to utter before.
Not only would he never dare dream of such a thing, but even if he lived two more lifetimes, he couldn’t have imagined it.
Shopkeeper Bai had encountered many poor, struggling farmers, and few could resist being tempted by such a sum.
Old Tan quickly snapped back to his senses and furrowed his brows, rejecting, “No, this jade pendant isn’t mine. I can’t pawn it.”
Shopkeeper Bai’s eyes remained squinted as he asked, “What if I offered you one thousand taels?”
Old Tan, who had been sitting in the chair, was so shocked by the amount that he fell off the chair. “What?! One thousand taels?!”
Such a large sum was something he had never even dared to utter before.
Not only would he never dare dream of such a thing, but even if he lived two more lifetimes, he couldn’t have imagined it.
Shopkeeper Bai had encountered many poor, struggling farmers, and few could resist being tempted by such a sum.
And indeed, this jade pendant was worth at least one thousand taels.
However, Old Tan didn’t think so. He believed there was no such thing as a free lunch, especially when the item didn’t belong to him. No matter the temptation, he couldn’t allow himself to gain such ill-gotten wealth.
After a moment’s thought, he stood up, waved his hand, and said, “This isn’t about the money. Let me make it clear—no matter how much silver you offer me, I won’t give you this jade pendant. If you don’t know where it comes from, then return it to me.”
Shopkeeper Bai was taken aback and couldn’t help but look at Old Tan with newfound respect. He handed the jade pendant back to him and said, “Old Tan, the quality of this jade is exceptional, unlike anything from these remote, poor areas. You should just leave it with me for now. Don’t take it to any other shops, and make sure you hide it well on the way. Otherwise, it could bring you unnecessary trouble.”
Old Tan, hearing the shopkeeper’s mysterious words, quickly tucked the jade pendant into his pocket and said, “Alright, alright, thank you, Shopkeeper.”
Shopkeeper Bai glanced outside to make sure no one was around, then leaned in and whispered, “Old Tan, may I ask where you got this jade pendant?”
Old Tan’s eyes grew cold at the question. “Where else could it come from? It’s someone else’s. I’m just inquiring on their behalf. Don’t overthink it. If I were after money, I would have pawned it already.”
Seeing that Old Tan wasn’t willing to share more, Shopkeeper Bai didn’t press further. He stood up, returned to his desk, and smiled. “Based on my years of experience, this type of jade quality is something only the palace would have.”
“The palace?” Old Tan felt like the conversation was getting more absurd. Pingyang County was far from the capital, and a small farming family like theirs could never have any ties to the imperial palace. He waved his hand dismissively and laughed, “That’s impossible. Shopkeeper, don’t joke around.”
Shopkeeper Bai shook his head. “I’m not joking. When I was young, I accompanied my grandfather to the capital, where I saw a jade pendant of similar quality. But it’s been so long, I don’t remember the details. Otherwise, I could have told you straight away that it came from the palace.”
Old Tan was even more skeptical after hearing this and chuckled. “Alright, alright. If you ever remember, let me know. Anyway, thank you again, Shopkeeper Bai.”
Shopkeeper Bai smiled. “No need to thank me. Honestly, when I saw you today, I felt like you had a good vibe. Didn’t you come by a few days ago with your son to sell eggs?”
Old Tan’s mind quickly clicked, and he answered, “Yes, that’s right. A few days ago, I did bring my son to sell eggs.”
Shopkeeper Bai became a little excited. “Was that your second son who was selling them?”
Old Tan thought for a moment, then guessed it was likely Tan Erqian, and replied, “Yes, my second son.”
Shopkeeper Bai slapped his hand on the table. “Your son really has a knack for business. Old Tan, if you’re willing, let him come work with me and learn the trade.”