5. Forced Trade
Even before stepping inside, Ye Li frowned at the noise emanating from the shop. Antique shops were generally not bustling places; they were typically quiet and refined. Yet, the commotion from this particular establishment was clearly audible from the entrance.
Upon entering, she saw that the shop was filled with a dazzling array of antiques and curios. The shopkeeper, clad in rich brocade that spoke of his affluence, was looking with disdain at a young man dressed in shabby clothes. The young man appeared haggard and unwell, his once rather handsome face now sallow and gaunt. Although his clothes were old, they were meticulously clean and didn't give an impression of slovenliness; rather, they lent him a faint scholarly air. Currently, the young man's face was a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety, his demeanor palpably uneasy. "Shopkeeper, please take another look. This painting truly is an authentic work by Master Wu ZhiKai from the preceding dynasty."
With a contemptuous sneer, the shopkeeper eyed the young man. "A pauper like you, possess an authentic Wu... Wu ZhiKai? This painting is clearly a forgery! However, our shop does purchase replicas. Seeing as this imitation isn't half bad, I'll give you two hundred taels for it."
The young man's face flushed crimson with anger. "You… you…! Wu ZhiKai was a renowned master of the preceding dynasty! Even if this isn't one of his finest works, it's worth at least two thousand taels, possibly more if auctioned! And this shopkeeper wants to buy my family heirloom for a mere tenth of its value!" If I weren't in such dire need of money, how could I bear to sell this painting?
"This is preposterous! I'm not selling!" Angrily, the young man rolled up the scroll and turned to leave.
"Wait!" As the young man made to leave, a sinister glint flashed in the shopkeeper's eyes. He glared fiercely and said, "I'm doing you a favor offering two hundred taels! Could it be you stole this painting? Makes sense. How could a pauper like you possess such a valuable piece? Let's pay a visit to the authorities."
"Visit the authorities? So be it! Do you think I'm afraid of you? For a shopkeeper, you are utterly shameless!" the young man retorted angrily.
The shopkeeper sneered. "Shameless? Do you even know whose shop this is? Let me tell you, this business belongs to the maternal family of Her Highness Zhaoyi from the palace. And our family's Fourth Miss is about to become Princess Consort Li! Now, who do you think the authorities will believe—me, or a destitute scholar like yourself?"
The young man choked, "You…"
"Young Master, I will take this painting for two thousand taels," Ye Li stated calmly as she walked further into the shop.
Both men, still caught in their dispute, were momentarily stunned. The young man, recovering first, looked at the graceful young woman before him and stammered, "You… you believe me?"
Frankly, Ye Li might not have been able to tell if the painting was real or fake. However, she drew her conclusion from the reactions of the shopkeeper and the man, as well as the fleeting guilt on the face of the appraiser at the counter. Besides, even if the painting were fake, she was determined to buy it today!
Seeing his deal about to be snatched away by some slip of a girl, the shopkeeper seethed. Noticing that Ye Li's attire, though neat, was not made of expensive material, he assumed she wasn't from any prominent family. He said with a sinister sneer, "Miss, it's best you don't meddle in affairs that don't concern you."
Ye Li glanced at him, a faint smile playing on her lips. "This gentleman is unwilling to sell to you. I, however, wish to buy it. How is that meddling?"
The shopkeeper snorted. "Today, this painting is mine whether you like it or not! Our Fourth Miss is getting married soon, and we are precisely looking for antique calligraphy and paintings for her dowry!"
Ye Li's lips curled into a cold smile. "Such coercion—insisting on buying even when it's not for sale. Excellent. As it happens, I am determined to buy this painting today. Qingshuang, the money."
Qingshuang deftly produced a bank note for two thousand taels, pressed it into the young man's hand, and took the scroll, saying with a smile, "Young Master, here is the money. You should leave quickly."
The young man hesitated. "No, you two young ladies…" If I leave now, these two will likely be unable to exit this shop with the painting, he thought anxiously. As much as I need the money, I cannot implicate two kind-hearted women. Seeing several shop assistants moving to block the doorway, he shook his head resolutely. "I'm not selling this painting anymore. Miss, please return it to me."
Ye Li took the scroll from Qingshuang, unfurled it for a look, and nodded in satisfaction, a smile gracing her lips. "Excellent. I intend to use this 'Painting of Qingjiang River Moon Viewing' as a gift. Young Master, please take the money and go. I, for one, would like to see if there is any justice left in this capital, right under the Emperor's nose!"
"If that's the case, none of you are leaving!" the shopkeeper threatened.
Ye Li looked at him, amused. "Oh? Are you suggesting you dare to kill us?"
The shopkeeper's expression froze. He said in a chilling tone, "I may not dare to kill you, but I can certainly have you thrown in jail! Men, fetch the Madam's calling card! Arrest these three thieves and take them to the authorities!"
"Insolence! Careful, or this young lady will chop off your paws!" Qingshuang stepped protectively in front of Ye Li, swiftly felling an attendant who lunged for her mistress. Glaring at the shopkeeper, she spat, "You dog of a slave, open your cur's eyes wide and see clearly! This Shende Pavilion belongs to my Young Miss!"
Everyone was stunned again. The shopkeeper's face turned a shade paler as he looked at Ye Li with dawning suspicion. "You… you are…"
Ye Li met his gaze steadily and stated calmly, "My surname is Ye. I am the third in my generation."
"Third Miss?" the shopkeeper cried out, his expression instantly falling.
Ye Li handed the scroll to Qingshuang, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding shop assistants. "Still not backing down?" she said, her voice cold. "Do you no longer wish to work here?" The assistants exchanged uneasy glances between the shopkeeper and Ye Li, then hesitantly stepped aside.
The shopkeeper was not slow to react. After a brief moment of hesitation, he hurried forward, forcing a smile. "Third Miss! What brings you here today?"
Ye Li took a leisurely stroll around the shop, only then turning back, feigning ignorance of an assistant who had quietly slipped out the door. "The name 'Shende Pavilion' was personally bestowed by my mother's eldest brother," she said. "Shopkeeper, you are perhaps unaware of the meaning of 'Shende.' Master He, why don't you enlighten us?"
The appraiser, who had been cowering behind the counter, emerged, trembling. "Replying… replying to Third Miss, the Old Master, your mother's eldest brother, hoped that we in the antique trade would emphasize moral integrity: to be cautious in speech, cautious in action, and to uphold virtue."
"Well said. So then… what exactly were you doing just now? Forcing the sale of an authentic piece by claiming it's a forgery?"
The shopkeeper tried to argue, "Third Miss, you don't understand the ways of business. We were only doing this for the sake of Shende Pavilion's turnover. Business is difficult these days."
Ye Li sneered. "Indeed, I may not know how to run a business. But I do know that in commerce, integrity is paramount. I also know that a person cannot establish themselves without credibility. Without a reputation for trustworthiness, who would do business with you? Besides… the way you've been conducting business… the accounts of Shende Pavilion are currently in a truly dismal state, are they not?"
"I…" the shopkeeper began, but Ye Li cut him off sharply.
"You need not explain. From this moment on, you are dismissed. As for the previous state of the accounts, the rest of you had better explain it clearly. If you are found to be uninvolved and wish to remain, you may stay, and I will reward each of you an additional fifty taels of silver. If matters remain muddled, then you can all go to jail. We shall see then if your master will come to bail you out!"
The shop assistants hesitated. They had all heard that Third Miss was to marry Prince Ding. This shop would naturally become part of her dowry, managed by Prince Ding's Mansion. If they spoke up, they might still have a future there. If not, jail awaited. Moreover, fifty taels of silver was no small sum—it was nearly two years' wages for them.
Seeing the others waver, the shopkeeper hastily interjected, "Third Miss, I am Ms. Wang's man! You have no authority to dismiss me!"
Ye Li smiled faintly. "My apologies, but this Shende Pavilion is mine. Once you have clearly accounted for everything in this shop, you may return whence you came. If the accounts are not cleared up… it will avail you nothing, even if you are Ms. Wang's own brother. Or could it be that your Wang Family has grown so accustomed to using others' possessions that you've begun to consider them your own?"
"You… you…!" The shopkeeper's face alternated between red and white.
Ye Li paid him no further heed, turning instead to the young man who still stood by, stunned. She had known for some time that the original shopkeeper of Shende Pavilion had been replaced a few years ago by Ms. Wang's youngest brother. "Young Master," she said gently, "to have you suffer such indignity today, it is my oversight in management. Please accept my apologies."
"No… no, it's quite alright," the young man stammered, waving his hands awkwardly. He had never imagined that this serene and graceful young lady was actually the proprietor of this establishment. After a moment's thought, though feeling it might be presumptuous, he couldn't help but add, "Miss, since you are the owner of Shende Pavilion, I implore you… please manage it diligently. Lest…"
If not for this young lady today, I would likely have been unjustly thrown into jail. And judging by that shopkeeper's conduct, this probably isn't the first time he's done such a thing.
Ye Li was not offended. She nodded with a smile. "Thank you for your reminder, Young Master. I have only just taken charge of this shop, and I will certainly ensure stricter management going forward. I can see you are quite reluctant to part with this painting. Why don't you take it back with you? Consider the silver my loan to you, to be repaid when you find it convenient."
The young man shook his head vehemently, though his heart ached at the thought of parting with his family's heirloom. "I cannot accept reward without merit. I only ask that you, Miss, hold onto this 'Painting of Qingjiang River Moon Viewing' for two months. Within that time, I will certainly find a way to repay the silver."
Seeing his firm insistence, Ye Li did not press further. She smiled and said, "Very well, I shall keep the painting here in the shop. You may come to redeem it at any time. Qingshuang, give this Young Master an additional one hundred taels as a token of apology."