Xu Xi, with his mouth gagged, had been desperately trying to make noise, but upon hearing this counteroffer, he immediately forgot to struggle.

He was only worth fifty taels?

At this moment, the young man nearly exploded with rage, staring daggers at Luo Sheng with fire-spitting eyes.

The manager was also shocked: “Miss Luo, while it’s said that sellers name their price high and buyers bargain it down, aren’t you pressing the price a bit too hard?”

Luo Sheng’s expression turned slightly cold: “Who’s bargaining? Fifty taels is already too much.”

The manager smiled bitterly: “Miss Luo was just here and should have seen—we just bought Young Master Xu for three hundred twenty taels. The ink on the sale contract isn’t even dry yet. How has it dropped to fifty taels?”

Luo Sheng frowned: “According to your logic, wouldn’t doing business only involve profit and never losses?”

Hong Dou interjected: “Exactly! You paid three hundred twenty taels for Young Master Xu because your judgment was poor. Our miss thinks Young Master Xu is only worth fifty taels. Any more than that wouldn’t be worthwhile.”

The manager felt like rolling his eyes.

Then your miss should just not buy him—could you stop causing trouble?

Of course he didn’t dare say this, much less resort to force. After all, standing before him was Miss Luo, beloved daughter of the Jinlin Guard Commander.

“Miss Luo, losing nearly three hundred taels of silver in one transaction is a bit hard to bear.” The manager could only appeal to sympathy.

Luo Sheng sighed: “That’s still better than losing everything, don’t you think?”

The manager was startled, panic flashing through his eyes.

What did Miss Luo mean by this?

If the Jinlin Guard came to make trouble, they truly would lose everything.

Miss Luo was threatening him!

This was forcing a sale! And he’d just been appreciating Miss Luo earlier.

“Manager, don’t think I’m forcing this sale. When I say you’ll lose everything, it’s because I understand people like Young Master Xu.”

Following Luo Sheng’s words, the manager glanced at Xu Xi.

“Young Master Xu was born noble—can he endure being a male companion? If you don’t believe me, untie him and try. He’ll definitely seek death. If he dies, won’t you have lost everything?”

The manager smiled: “Miss Luo need not worry about that. We have methods to ensure even the most chaste will ultimately submit.”

Luo Sheng sneered: “Have you ever had a marquis’s son here before?”

The manager shook his head.

“There you have it. Those who come here are almost all children from poor families who can’t even eat their fill normally—how much spirit could they have to resist? Can Young Master Xu be the same as them?”

Seeing the manager fall into deep thought, Luo Sheng smiled: “Remove the rag from Young Master Xu’s mouth and give him a chance to speak. That way you can see what kind of temperament he has.”

The manager thought this made sense and nodded at someone.

The filthy rag stuffing his mouth was removed, and the cold air rushed in.

Xu Xi coughed violently several times, then immediately began cursing. After cursing enough, he spat in their direction: “What kind of things are you, haggling over this young master like merchandise? This young master may not be capable of much else, but I can still control my own life. You can bind me for a moment, but can you bind me for a lifetime? Make me a male companion? Dream on, you bastards…”

Listening to Xu Xi curse continuously for a full incense stick’s worth of time without stopping, the manager cupped his hands toward Luo Sheng: “Fifty taels. Miss Luo, please take him away.”

The cursing abruptly stopped. Xu Xi stared at the manager in disbelief.

He was being resold for just fifty taels?

Luo Sheng showed a satisfied smile: “The manager can cut losses in time—you have courage.”

Of course she wasn’t naive enough to think he was completely swayed by her words. The reason he was willing to concede was ultimately due to her status as the daughter of Grand Marshal Luo.

The manager gave Luo Sheng a thumbs up: “Miss Luo knows how to do business.”

How much sincerity was in this praise was hard to say.

The deal concluded, Luo Sheng walked before Xu Xi.

Xu Xi glared at her fiercely.

“Let’s go.”

Tossing out this light remark, Luo Sheng turned and walked away.

The manager watched with interest.

Would this troublesome lad obediently follow?

Then he saw the pretty maid in the red vest bend down, skillfully hoist the person onto her shoulder, and quickly catch up to the young lady walking ahead.

The manager stood stunned for a long while, slowly stroking his chin.

“They’re coming out, they’re coming out!” The crowd watching outside stirred with commotion.

“Did Miss Luo really buy Young Master Xu?” Those who hadn’t secured advantageous positions asked eagerly.

“She did. Miss Luo’s maid is carrying him.”

The questioner patted his chest: “Somehow, I actually feel this outcome is just right.”

“Who doesn’t?”

Luo Sheng walked out openly, casually scanning the surroundings. Her originally casual gaze suddenly froze.

Many people were watching the spectacle, and even some gamblers had joined this growing crowd.

With this glance, Luo Sheng happened to glimpse someone looking in her direction before turning and walking toward Qianjin Workshop.

She watched that person’s back disappear at the gambling house entrance, her heart surging with waves.

That person… was a former member of Prince Zhennan’s manor!

“Miss?” Seeing Luo Sheng stop, Hong Dou called out.

Luo Sheng suppressed the impulse to chase after them, saying lightly: “Let’s go.”

The spectators watched the master and servant depart with their newly purchased Young Master Xu, collectively sighing in relief.

This spectacle was finally over.

Halfway along the road, Luo Sheng encountered Wei Han.

The snow wasn’t heavy, but it fell continuously, accumulating a thin layer on that green oil-paper umbrella.

The man glanced at the young lady in the snow and moved the umbrella over her head, asking: “I heard Miss Luo went to watch the commotion?”

Luo Sheng took the umbrella, still able to feel the warmth he’d left on the handle.

She smiled broadly, looking quite cheerful: “Yes, and I happened to buy someone while I was at it.”

Wei Han glanced at the young man Hong Dou carried on her shoulder and asked with apparent casualness: “What does Miss Luo intend to do with this person? Is the tavern short of staff?”

Luo Sheng also glanced at the young man and frowned: “For now he probably can’t handle being a shop assistant—his aptitude is somewhat lacking.”

Hearing this, Shi Yan’s lips curved upward as he secretly nodded.

Miss Luo truly has a discerning eye!

“Can’t be a shop assistant?” Wei Han suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

Could Shi Yan have been right—was Miss Luo buying Xu Xi as a male companion?

Wei Han cast an evaluating gaze at the young man.

Within it was also disdain that he himself hadn’t detected.

Luo Sheng pondered briefly, then said: “First, I’ll have him care for Da Bai together with Fuxue.”

Care for someone?

Xu Xi’s eyelids moved, and his volatile mood calmed down.

If they weren’t making him do chaotic things, he could accept it.

“Your Highness, let’s walk forward a bit.” Luo Sheng held up the umbrella and quickened her pace.

Wei Han followed at a leisurely pace.

Hong Dou tried to speed up but was blocked by Shi Yan.

“Miss Luo and Master want to speak privately.”

Luo Sheng indeed had something to ask Wei Han.

That person she’d inadvertently glimpsed at the male companion establishment entrance had set her thoughts churning, making it difficult to remain calm.

“Your Highness’s people are still watching Qianjin Workshop, aren’t they?”

“They are.” Wei Han found it somewhat strange that Luo Sheng was asking about Qianjin Workshop at this time.

They had just discussed this matter yesterday.

“How many more days until you close the net?”

Wei Han nodded slightly.

“Then…” The young lady casually kicked at the snow. “Tomorrow, I’d like to visit Qianjin Workshop.”