Chapter 587 – Spendthrift Women, Where Did the Money Go? (Part Four)
“…What should we do…”
As I watched the priceless “Celestial Palace Glass” sets sold off one after another, the amount of silver returned was pitifully low, and the financial discrepancies grew larger. The steward was on the verge of tears. Everyone knew what kind of behavior those wealthy women exhibited, right?
The business alliance was a hybrid of public and private, but for those noblewomen from powerful families, it was purely private property. It was a courtesy to give a little silver or provide an IOU; anything less was downright rude.
Once the items got into the hands of these spendthrift women, the steward could only think with his toes that those IOUs were as good as worthless.
Worried sick, he reported the situation to the general steward.
The general steward was equally troubled, scratching his head over the issue.
His own sister had also racked up debts buying several sets of “Celestial Palace Glass” at the merchant house. He had discreetly spoken to her about it, but she was utterly unconcerned. The general steward found himself at an impasse. Noblewomen in Northern Border were greatly favored; even if married, their status in their families remained high.
These spendthrift women never hesitated to open their wallets, and when it came to their own belongings, they were all too eager to take. The financial holes in the business became gaping chasms.
The steward nearly had his hair turn white from worry, muttering complaints, “These women were quick to pay Gu Xin; they never bothered with IOUs before… Why is it that now every single one of them is expecting to get something for nothing? Really, how rude…”
The general steward replied irritably, “Gu Xin is a businessman from Dongqing. He follows the rules of trade; no cash, no goods. But the merchant house is practically a family to these spendthrift women. Have you ever seen them genuinely pay for anything from their own stuff?”
The steward shrank his neck and said fearfully, “But… this isn’t a solution…”
If all the “Celestial Palace Glass” was gobbled up by those noblewomen, the merchant house would incur heavy losses.
If we didn’t plug this financial leak, when the higher-ups audited the accounts, no one would be able to bear the consequences.
Left with no choice, the general steward thought of a not-so-great plan.
On the surface, they claimed that the “Celestial Palace Glass” had sold out; privately, they would sell below the average price to some lower-ranking noblewomen. These noblewomen had one thing in common: their families had little involvement in the merchant house’s business, or their standing in it was low.
Even at “discounted prices,” their set price was still over double what they had “paid” before.
There were many wealthy noblewomen in the Northern Border. Previously, the “Celestial Palace Glass” had been monopolized by the top-ranking noblewomen; others couldn’t buy it even with money. Now, having “black market goods” delivered to their door at a convenient price was irresistible, far below their perceived maximum value; they snapped it up.
With such sly dealings, the merchant house successfully sold off a batch of “Celestial Palace Glass,” raking in gold by the day.
If everything went smoothly, once the inventory was completely sold, the financial deficits could be cleared up.
But alas, fate was not on their side. Just as things looked promising, the spendthrift women at home stirred up trouble.
It all started at a banquet.
“Celestial Palace Glass” had practically become standard for high-class noblewomen in the Northern Border, symbolizing immense wealth and power. They wore a set every time they went out to receive guests. When they learned that the merchant house had plenty of “Celestial Palace Glass,” they were overjoyed, changing outfits every day.
This banquet was no exception.
The three noble families of the Northern Border had strict racial divisions, with class distinctions that were clear and unyielding.
Wu Libai’s wife was undoubtedly the standout among all the noblewomen.
As the main wife, her greatest disdain was for those pretentious Central Plains women and the female slaves who served men.
No one expected her to ignore decorum and directly tear the face of a beloved concubine, beautiful as a flower, belonging to some high-ranking noble.
The concubine had been sitting in a secluded corner chatting, completely oblivious to Wu Libai’s wife approaching her with aggression.
“Who allowed a lowly female slave to wear ‘Celestial Palace Glass’? With your cheap skin, how dare you think you’re worthy!”
Wu Libai’s wife yanked all the jewelry off the concubine’s head and threw it to the ground, shattering glass shards everywhere. Those nearby were startled and instinctively moved away. Upon hearing Wu Libai’s wife’s words, the surrounding noblewomen finally grasped the situation.
A female slave’s concubine dared to wear the same precious “Celestial Palace Glass” as them?
The noblewomen were furious, but since Wu Libai’s wife had already lashed out with her whip, they refrained from intervening.
The concubine was bewildered, her long hair grabbed by Wu Libai’s wife and slammed to the ground, her tender cheek scraping against the earth, drawing blood. Regret coursed through her; had she known the Northern Border women were so fierce and unreasonable, she would never have flaunted her prized headpiece here.
Who would have thought that even at a banquet hosted by a grand princess, they would dare to resort to violence?
The perpetrator was Wu Libai’s wife; her family was strong, and her husband held immense power, so this incident was easily brushed aside.
As for the concubine who got beaten up?
What a pity, getting hit for nothing; even the concubine’s husband didn’t make a peep.
However, this incident didn’t end simply.
Those noblewomen wouldn’t let it go easily.
How could a female slave’s concubine afford to wear such expensive “Celestial Palace Glass”?
Especially the legal wife of the concubine’s husband, who nearly flipped the entire household upside down upon returning home.
After some digging, they discovered these “Celestial Palace Glass” were sold for nearly half their normal price, all from the merchant house.
Now, the noblewomen were utterly enraged.
Just as business was looking up, they were suddenly cut off from their income, and the merchant house’s general steward was furious enough to gnash his teeth.
With no other recourse, they had to seek an alternative route, preparing to sell the Celestial Palace Glass to Dongqing; the business in the Northern Border was done for.
But this year seemed to be the Northern Border’s unlucky year; just as the merchant house was about to finalize a deal, the smugglers from Dongqing pulled out.
“Business should follow principles; switching sides like this…”
The general steward suppressed his urge to spit blood and tried to patiently negotiate with his business partner.
The opponent sneered coldly, mocking, “Northern Border merchants often ridicule Central Plains merchants for being cunning and dishonest in business, claiming to uphold business principles. But from my perspective, it seems no better. What this ‘Celestial Palace Glass’ really is, is merely some cheap wares made from gravel. Had I not received timely news… by the time this deal closed, my family would have been forced into a corner.”
What?
Cheap wares made from gravel?
The general steward, fuming mad, knew that the “Celestial Palace Glass” in his possession was authentic.
When the deal fell through, the general steward suddenly realized something was amiss and hurriedly sent someone to investigate; the returned intel made him dizzy, his brain briefly lacking blood, and blackness clouded his vision… He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The so-called “Celestial Palace Glass” was just an utterly ordinary glass item in Zhong Zhao!
That damned Gu Xin had deceived everyone!
