The South Bridge area was where the capital’s nobility preferred to gather. With numerous entertainment venues offering diverse attractions, young masters particularly enjoyed seeking amusement here. Even the well-mannered ones appreciated its refined environment, finding pleasure in elegant teahouses where they could drink tea and listen to music.
At the foot of South Bridge stood a spacious, bright shop. Though simple and unadorned, it exuded an extraordinary sense of wealth. The golden sign above the door displayed a single large character: “Pawn” – it was a pawnshop.
Inside, the old shopkeeper was busy. The second floor featured an elegant balcony, resembling a restaurant.
Looking down from the second floor, one could see not only the bustling crowds below but also the clear stream flowing under South Bridge to the east, pristine and lively like fine jade.
“This place is truly excellent, probably commanding the finest view in the area,” said the man in red robes as he took a sip from his wine cup. His alluring eyes sparkled – if such eyes were on a woman, they would have been devastatingly beautiful.
The hanging gauze curtains were of the capital’s newest “After Rain” pattern in vine design, swaying with fresh elegance like sky washed by blue waters. Outside the pearl curtain, two beautiful women gently strummed their pipa, creating melodious sounds like pearls dropping on jade plates, enchanting the listeners.
Lounging on the other side was a man exuding wealth, wearing a light gold robe with buttons intricately sewn with silver thread, and a pearl-adorned crown – as if the word “wealthy” was written on his face. While using jade chopsticks to eat, he said: “Never seen someone freeloading like you. I don’t entertain idle people here – what business do you have running here daily? The Young Master of the He Lian family coming to my Fu Gui Lou to mooch meals – aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
He Lian Yu smiled at this: “What’s there to fear? You, Jiang Yu Lou, are the world’s wealthiest man. It’s just one meal – why be so stingy? Besides, I’m not the only one freeloading,” he pointed his chin across: “Why don’t you mention him?”
“He’s paid his silver, you haven’t,” Jiang Yu Lou looked him up and down: “Why not join my Fu Gui Lou? Sing some tunes or such. With your beauty, within three days, countless young masters would throw their silk at you.”
“You!” He Lian Yu hated most being told he looked feminine, but his opponent was thick-skinned and impossible to deal with. Annoyed, he turned his gaze: “Yun Xi, you’ve been staring downstairs since earlier. What’s so interesting? Perhaps you’ve taken a fancy to some lady?”
That man was Fu Yun Xi, who now sat by the railing, his ink-black eyes fixed on a very ordinary carriage below.
The driver stopped the carriage before the pawnshop. After a moment, two maid-like women emerged. The maid in blue stood before the carriage, lifted the curtain, and helped someone step out.
It was a small-framed young girl, appearing about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a thin ink-colored cotton jacket with only a dark cotton vest outside – extremely simple. Her hair was styled in two round buns, her face unclear from above, and she carried a wooden box half her height.
He Lian Yu had moved closer, startled at first glance. Forgetting his earlier displeasure, he asked Jiang Yu Lou: “Doesn’t your shop only accept treasures?”
Jiang Yu Lou shook his head: “Anything of value has no reason to be rejected. Whether it’s a treasure is secondary.”
“That’s strange,” He Lian Yu muttered: “Dressed so shabbily, yet daring to enter your shop – perhaps she’s lost her way?”
“You think my Fu Gui Lou is somewhere anyone can wander into by mistake?” Jiang Yu Lou retorted: “Wealth needn’t be displayed – those with true treasures tend to keep them hidden.”
He Lian Yu snorted but noticed Fu Yun Xi showing rare interest, so he continued watching below.
The simply dressed young girl was Han Yan, accompanied by her maids Ji Lan and Shu Hong. Today they had come to pawn something. However, ordinary pawnshops likely wouldn’t accept this item – only Fu Gui Lou, the capital’s largest pawnshop, might take it. Though even that was just a possibility.
The shopkeeper, an elderly man with a graying beard, didn’t treat Han Yan’s group poorly upon their entry. Instead, he welcomed them to the main hall, served tea, and asked kindly: “Young Miss, are you here to pawn something?”
Appreciation flashed in Han Yan’s eyes. Every businessman in the capital was skilled at reading people, all quite shrewd. Today she deliberately dressed – at other shops, seeing her seemingly common background and young age, she would likely have faced disdain. Yet this shopkeeper showed no such attitude and remained friendly – no wonder this shop was the capital’s finest.
“Trouble the shopkeeper – I have a small item here. Please see how much it’s worth.” She instructed Ji Lan to open the large wooden box.
The pawnshop’s main hall was separated from the outer area by a thick curtain with guards – protection against criminals. So Han Yan wasn’t worried as Ji Lan stepped forward to remove the box’s lid, exposing its contents to everyone.
“This…” the shopkeeper was greatly shocked.
Han Yan tilted her head, smiling: “Shopkeeper, please appraise it.”
“Young Miss, what do you mean?” The old shopkeeper’s expression darkened: “Are you making fun of me?”
Han Yan asked: “The shopkeeper doesn’t recognize this item?”
The shopkeeper was startled by her words. Honestly, he didn’t recognize what was before him, and it looked far too ordinary. Since starting work at Fu Gui Lou, he’d seen countless treasures daily and developed a sharp eye. Earlier, though the young girl was dressed and unremarkable, her careful handling of the box had made him take its contents seriously. Yet he hadn’t expected this upon opening it.
He looked at the box again, confirmed it wasn’t anything valuable, and became displeased: “Even if I recognized it, it’s worthless! Young Miss, if you have nothing else, please try other pawnshops.”
Before Han Yan could speak, Shu Hong said: “Old shopkeeper, if you send our Young Miss away like this, your master might blame you when he finds out.”
The pawnshop and restaurant of Fu Gui Lou weren’t owned by the old man but by the current wealthiest man, Jiang Yu Lou. This man was extremely skilled in business – before even turning twenty, he had built such a large enterprise and opened this respectable shop in the capital.
The old shopkeeper looked at the young girl before him – small in stature, her baby-fat face showing a confident smile, calmly staring at him as if absolutely certain the item was valuable. He grew suspicious, then heard Han Yan say: “Old shopkeeper, rest assured – when your master arrives, he definitely won’t blame you.”
The shopkeeper looked at her again and finally decided, telling a nearby servant: “Go inform the Young Master that this Young Miss has a big transaction to make.”
Jiang Yu Lou was just tasting hundred-tael Western grape wine when a gray-robed servant appeared outside the pearl curtain: “Young Master, a Young Miss downstairs wishes to pawn a treasure. Master Fang can’t determine its origin and requests your presence.”