Chapter 440 - 159: Fate
Yueyao arrived at the Four Treasures Square and first went to the section filled with calligraphy and paintings. Works that could be hung here were all of high quality, if not from a current famous person. Yueyao carefully examined each one.
The shop assistant did not come over to explain the works to Yueyao, for such matters were usually beyond their superficial understanding. People who came here to view and buy paintings were genuine connoisseurs, and an explanation from someone with half-knowledge would only serve as a laughingstock. Additionally, patrons who came to buy calligraphy and paintings preferred to observe at leisure without the noise of shop assistants by their side.
Yueyao took her time observing each piece. Xi Yu exchanged a glance with Xi Juan, believing that the Third Miss was once again obsessed with paintings and probably wouldn’t leave for a shichen or two. And indeed, as the two had thought, Yueyao stood before the calligraphy and paintings for a full shichen.
After completing her examination, Yueyao’s gaze fell upon a Cold Mountain Painting. Seeing the price tag, she was somewhat surprised and chuckled to Xi Yu, "Xi Yu, tell the shop assistant to wrap up this painting for me." Yueyao was aware that the prices marked below these paintings were the selling prices. As Treasures Square never haggled, at most, regular customers would receive a discount, but someone like Yueyao, who had not visited Four Treasures Square before, would not receive such a concession.
The shop assistant retrieved and wrapped up the painting for Yueyao. When Yueyao approached the counter to pay, the shopkeeper checked the name of the item and then opened the painting for a look. Upon seeing the price tag, his smile instantly froze.
Yueyao smiled, "Wrap it up, will you?"
With a bitter smile, the shopkeeper said, "Miss, there has been a mistake made by our staff; this painting has already been reserved and can’t be sold to you. Please select another piece, and I will offer you a discounted price."
Upon hearing the shopkeeper’s words, Yueyao laughed, "They say Four Treasures Square deals fairly with both old and young, so are you trying to take advantage of me because I am a child?" The tag was marked at three hundred taels, but Yueyao knew this painting was worth more than three thousand taels, which is why she believed the shopkeeper was trying to play her for a fool.
It was indeed Yueyao’s fortune, for such mistakes rarely happened in Four Treasures Square all year round, yet she happened to encounter one.