Chapter 38 : He is worried about money

Yue Shaozhi sat in the carriage, resting his head on a soft pillow with one hand. When he heard the door open, he lifted his head and pushed the window open.

Faer ran down the steps and bowed respectfully.

Yue Shaozhi asked, “Where is Song Ying?”

Faer answered honestly, “The young lady is dead.”

Faer blinked.

Yu Liang, standing nearby, was worried about Faer.

Passersby occasionally walked by. They would pause for a moment, then leave when they saw nothing was happening.

Yue Shaozhi said patiently, “Tell Song Ying I’m here to buy medicinal herbs.”

“Okay.”

Faer answered and turned back, remembering to shut the door behind her.

Not long after, Faer came out again and asked, “Miss wants to know, how much is the prince willing to pay?”

Yue Shaozhi handed over the list. “Five hundred taels for each herb.”

Faer took the list and went back inside, then came out again.

“Miss said the first four herbs cost three thousand taels of gold, and the last one costs two thousand taels of gold.”

Yue Shaozhi clenched his fingers, clearly furious. “She owns more than one herbal shop in Yinchao.”

Faer nodded, “Miss said: take care, I won’t be seeing you off.”

The carriage departed, and Faer trotted back to Song Ying.

“Miss, the regent is gone.”

Song Ying replied with a blank “mm” and began using the abacus.

The crisp sound of the beads moving made Faer dizzy, but she loved listening to it.

She especially liked watching Song Ying work, serious and focused. To her, her young lady was so capable, solving any problem with ease.

“Why are you staring at me?” Song Ying asked without looking up, her fingers still moving.

Faer giggled, “Miss, aren’t we making money off the regent?”

Song Ying: “You want to make money?”

Faer: “Just think, Madam said anyone who doesn’t make money is a fool.”

Song Ying: “I’ve already set the price. If he’s willing to pay, then let him.”

Faer brought over a small stool, sat at the table, rested her chin in her hands, and swayed slightly. “The regent isn’t stupid, he’ll definitely compare prices at other stores. But many shops in the capital are already out of these herbs.”

Song Ying: “Whatever. If he wants to buy from me, he can pay the price. I don’t need him as a customer.”

Faer: “I’m confused. Why did the regent suddenly come to you? Is it because of Miss Ruoer? He already knows about you and Master Yu, and for Miss Ruoer’s health, he shamelessly came to see you.”

After finishing the first account, Song Ying moved on to the second. The clicking of the abacus rang out again in the room.

Song Ying: “There are plenty of imperial physicians in the palace. More than enough for Song Ruoer.”

Faer: “If they were useful, the regent wouldn’t have come to Master Yu. I think the regent will come again soon then we can raise the price again.”

Song Ying stopped and tapped Faer’s forehead with a smile. “You’re even greedier than me.”

Faer pouted, “This money isn’t even worth as much as the pearls the regent gave to Miss Ruoer.”

Just as dinner arrived and Song Ying was about to take her first bite, Xiaomi came in to report that Yue Shaozhi was back.

Song Ying: “He dares to disturb me while I’m eating? Tell him I have nothing to discuss today.”

Xiaomi left and returned shortly after. “The regent said he’ll pay the price you named.”

Song Ying: “Too late. The price is now double what it was this afternoon.”

Xiaomi left again and this time, came back in worse shape.

He had been grabbed by the collar and thrown to the ground by Yu Liang.

“Oh, sorry, Miss. I couldn’t stop him.”

Song Ying: “Go treat your wound with some medicine.”

“Yes.” Before leaving, Xiaomi gave Yu Liang a fierce glare.

Hmph. Like master, like dog.

Song Ying looked at Yue Shaozhi. “Your Highness, come in. I take it you’ve agreed to my offer.”

Yue Shaozhi said coldly, “If you’re angry, take it out on me. This has nothing to do with Ruoer. I was the one who seduced her that night.”

Song Ying was stunned. “Your Highness, what are you talking about?”

Yue Shaozhi assumed she was just pretending not to understand after being exposed.

“How much do you want? I’ll pay it. Medicinal herbs are scarce right now, and Song Ruoer can’t wait.”

He didn’t mention at all that the herbs were for Zhou. He knew with Song Ying’s current attitude, if she found out, she would raise the price several times over.

His money didn’t come from the wind.

It’s not worth that much to Zhou.

Song Ying put down her chopsticks and said coldly, “Your Highness, you’ve really misunderstood.”

“First, I’m speaking objectively. You should be aware of the current market situation for medicinal herbs. After your trip just now, you should also know that some medicines can’t be bought even if you have money otherwise, you wouldn’t have come back.”

“Second, you’ve delayed me for so long, and the amount of medicinal herbs I have has also decreased. As the saying goes, rarity makes things valuable. The price I’m offering you is already based on our past relationship as husband and wife.”

“Third, I looked at the medicine you just gave me. That medicine isn’t for Song Ruoer at all. It’s for Zhou. Since it’s for her, I have every reason not to give it to her.”

“Of course, if you want to resort to force, I can’t stop you. After all, I’m just a weak woman without any weapons. At worst, I’ll consider it a loss. I’ll just go back to the Marquis’ Mansion and make a scene with Zhou to vent my anger. If she suffers, she’ll run crying to my father. If my father gets annoyed, she still has you, the Regent son-in-law, to rely on. I don’t care how this all goes, if we’re going to make a mess, then let’s all make a mess together.”

Yu Liang was stunned. He knew the former princess had changed, but this was too much. There was a ringing in his ears, and everything else went quiet.

Was she just pretending to be that silent, obedient princess before?

Yue Shaozhi’s breath grew heavier after hearing all this. “Song Ying, is this really you?”

Song Ying gave him a polite smile. “Here in Xiaohanju, I’m Song Ying.”

The air suddenly went still.

Faer looked between the two of them, not knowing how to help the young lady next.

Let alone the Regent, even Yu Liang and the others wouldn’t be able to beat him.

Hmm… if only General Huo were here right now.

He’s so strong, he could definitely take on two people at once.

“Fine, we’ll do it your way. Yu Liang, give her the money.” Yue Shaozhi didn’t want to argue anymore, he just wanted to take the herbs and leave.

Song Ying counted the herbs in front of Yue Shaozhi and said with satisfaction, “Business is business. I can give you the first four herbs immediately, but you’ll have to wait for the last one.”

Yue Shaozhi narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with anger. “You don’t have it?”

Song Ying replied, “No. That herb was brought into the palace from other countries for royal use in previous years. You won’t easily find it in an ordinary herbal shop.”

“Song Ying, are you kidding me?”

“I can find an alternative that works just as well.”

“Really?”

Song Ying: “If you don’t believe me, you’re free to find someone else.”

Yue Shaozhi suddenly realized he felt powerless when talking to Song Ying.

“Fine, I believe you. Give me a specific time.”

Song Ying: “In five days, I’ll have someone deliver it to your residence personally.”

Yue Shaozhi: “Alright, it’s a deal.”

Song Ying: “Faer, see the Regent out for me.”

Yue Shaozhi: “No need. Just count your money.”

Faer walked to Song Ying’s side, stared at Yue Shaozhi’s departing figure, and whispered, “Miss, the prince doesn’t seem as imposing as he used to be.”

Song Ying: “He cares about money.”

Faer: “Looks like, in the prince’s heart, Miss Ruoer isn’t as important as money?”