Chapter 15: Can You Lend Me Some Silver?

Jiang Huaiyue blinked and gave an embarrassed smile.

Pei Ji said coldly, “Stop with the nonsense and hurry up and send the person back.”

Jiang Huaiyue glanced again at the drunken man, noticing his clothing looked like that of a martial arts person — were they all Pei Ji’s friends?

Could it be that Pei Ji called them to discuss rebellion? Thinking this, Jiang Huaiyue shivered involuntarily.

“I think you’re just jealous because I’m better looking than you,” He Lan snorted lightly, snapping his fan shut.

Seeing the carriage arriving with Mo Ying driving, he had someone help Shen Yanli: “Pei Ji, borrow the carriage for a while. Since the mistress is with you, you two can walk back together.”

After saying this, he waved and immediately got into the carriage.

Mo Ying, seeing the prince didn’t refuse, got down from the carriage.

Jiang Huaiyue thought for a moment and recalled that the man had just called himself “this prince,” so he must be Prince He Lan of Pingyang.

But why was he friends with Pei Ji? Could it be that his playboy persona was just an act to confuse others?

The more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed.

Pei Ji noticed her gaze lingering on He Lan and narrowed his eyes, “Is he good looking?”

“Good looking,” Jiang Huaiyue blurted out subconsciously.

When her eyes met Pei Ji’s cold stare, her mouth twitched and she quickly explained, “I mean, the scenery across the street looks pretty.”

It was springtime, and by the distant arched bridge, the willows swayed gently in the breeze, and the pink peach blossoms bloomed like a beautiful landscape painting.

Pei Ji glanced imperceptibly, then withdrew his gaze. “Where did the mistress just go?”

“I just wandered around a bit. Haha, it’s getting late. How about we head back?” Jiang Huaiyue gave a perfunctory answer and turned to walk ahead.

Watching her figure, Pei Ji’s expression was cold, his eyes gradually darkening.

Lying repeatedly, not a single truthful word from her mouth — did she really think others were fools?

Jiang Huaiyue nervously walked beside him, not daring to breathe too loudly.

What a curse — how did she end up meeting such a jinx? If only she had delayed going back a bit.

At this time, the sky darkened, and shops on both sides of the street were closing up to go home, making the place look somewhat empty.

After walking a few more steps, Jiang Huaiyue saw a crowd ahead clapping and cheering, making for a lively scene.

She hesitated and glanced at Pei Ji, “Prince, shall we go watch the excitement?”

Pei Ji neither refused nor agreed. Jiang Huaiyue felt she was just asking for trouble, wrinkled her nose, and turned to look on her own.

She stepped into the crowd, tiptoeing to see inside but still couldn’t see much — she could only jump up and down.

Beside her, Mo Ying saw Pei Ji stepping forward with an imposing aura and took two big steps ahead. The surrounding spectators sensed they were not to be trifled with and willingly cleared a path.

Jiang Huaiyue quickly squeezed through the gap to get a better view.

This was an animal performance and acrobatics stall. Looking up, monkeys, dogs, and parrots performed amidst the crowd’s cheers.

The stall owner held a whip in his hand. He looked fierce, with dark, rough skin. Whenever an animal slacked off, he would lash it with the whip.

Jiang Huaiyue looked at the people jeering around her, then at the animals struggling to perform despite their fear, feeling very uncomfortable inside.

But what could she do? She couldn’t even protect her own life.

To put it bluntly, from another perspective, she wasn’t much different from those animals. Her life was in the hands of those above her — if they wanted her dead, she had to die.

Just as she was about to leave, she noticed in the farthest corner of a cage a small cat. The cat was so thin it was just skin and bones, with one leg apparently injured, its fur stained red with blood.

The vendor used this to attract customers: “Ladies and gentlemen, this little beast has heterochromia—a sign of bad luck. If you’re feeling troubled, feel free to take it out on this little creature.”

As soon as he said this, many onlookers started throwing stones, and some even used silver coins to hit the poor cat.

Jiang Huaiyue pressed her thin lips tightly. If before she could watch coldly, now she really couldn’t stand it.

“Stop! What bad luck? That’s utterly ridiculous. It’s just a little cat—how can it be bad luck?”

A woman’s angry voice carried through the crowd, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

The vendor saw it was a woman, dressed richly, obviously a wealthy lady, so he smiled and said, “Miss, you don’t know. This cat is a rare species, inherently unlucky.”

Jiang Huaiyue kept a serious expression and replied, “As the saying goes, the world is full of wonders. It’s fine if the boss is ignorant, but this little cat’s mismatched eyes are simply because it’s a different breed from other cats. How does that make it unlucky in your mouth?”

“So, Miss, you’re familiar with this kind of cat?” a young man in the crowd asked skeptically.

Others echoed the question.

Jiang Huaiyue raised her voice, “It’s called a Ragdoll cat, one of the most beautiful breeds among cats. As for its origin, it’s a mix of Persian and short-haired cats.”

“I see,” the young man nodded, as if he suddenly understood.

Some people in the crowd realized the vendor was likely lying just to make money.

The vendor, annoyed that his business was disrupted, said, “Miss, what I do for a living is none of your business.”

He originally thought she was a wealthy person to engage with her, but now realized she was there to ruin his stall.

“Name your price—I want to buy it,” Jiang Huaiyue said, glancing at the dying cat in the cage, her heart aching.

The vendor’s eyes flicked, then he stretched out a hand: “Thirty taels.”

Jiang Huaiyue scoffed at the price. “This cat looks like it’s about to die. Why should I pay thirty taels?”

He could have just snatched it away, but insisted on bargaining.

“These animals are carefully trained by me, and I’ve put a lot of effort into it. Thirty taels. If you can’t pay, then leave.”

The vendor smiled greedily, unconcerned.

Qiuchan realized her mistress wanted to buy the cat but had counted their money and knew they only had thirty taels.

She whispered, “Mistress, we only have thirty taels.”

Knowing this, Jiang Huaiyue spoke again, “Thirty taels. If you sell, I’ll buy it; if not, never mind.”

“Thirty taels, no less,” the vendor said, sensing Jiang Huaiyue’s predicament but still refusing to lower the price.

Jiang Huaiyue looked once more at the little cat, then turned away. She wanted to buy it, wanted to save it, but she had no money.

Just as she took a step forward, she bit her lip, noticed Pei Ji nearby, and walked over to him. “Prince, could you lend me some silver? I promise I’ll pay you back soon.”