Chapter 447: Where’s the Money?!

Chapter 447: Where's the Money?!

Zhou Yunyi, who already found Yu Yongbai utterly detestable and irritating, was instantly infuriated by Yu Yongbai's provoking words. His face turned red with anger, and he sneered, his voice rough and harsh. "Fine! You said you'd wait for me to pick first, right? I'll take all three! Let's see what you can buy then!"

Wang Jiajia, stunned with disbelief and joy, immediately clung to Zhou Yunyi's arm before he could retract his words. She cooed softly, "Yilang, you're so good to me! You're really going to buy me all three pieces of Warm Jade? Isn't that too extravagant?"

The shopkeeper quickly chimed in, "Heavens, young lady, you're truly blessed to have such a doting husband. Six thousand taels of silver for Warm Jade, and he's willing to spend it just like that! How lucky you are!"

"Six... six thousand taels?!" Zhou Yunyi's expression twisted slightly.

Even Wang Jiajia gasped, her voice quivering with shock, "Yilang, maybe... maybe we should forget it?"

Just as Zhou Yunyi was about to seize the opportunity to back out, Yu Yongbai let out a light chuckle, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Yu Yongbai pulled out a stack of silver notes and slapped them on the table, speaking in a leisurely tone, "No worries, shopkeeper. It seems some people are trying to act big but can't handle the price of six thousand taels. I, on the other hand, have no issue with the cost of such premium Water Mist Warm Jade. Go ahead and wrap up all three pieces for me. My sister, being of high status, deserves the best. As for others, if they can't afford to buy such treasures for their loved ones, it just shows how little they value them."

His words struck deep, and Zhou Yunyi was nearly driven to the edge of his sanity by Yu Yongbai's taunts. Wang Jiajia's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Zhou Yunyi, wanting to speak but holding back.

Zhou Yunyi's blood boiled with rage!

The shopkeeper, sensing the perfect opportunity, smiled at Yu Yongbai and said, "Esteemed guest, shall I wrap up all three pieces of premium Water Mist Warm Jade for you?"

Before Yu Yongbai could even finish his 'Sure,' Zhou Yunyi slammed the table, his face red and neck bulging, "I'll take them all! Wrap them up for me!"

"What's six thousand taels?! I've got money to spare!"

Wang Jiajia, trembling with excitement, exclaimed, "Yilang~"

Yu Yongbai clapped his hands mockingly, "What a touching display of true love! To spend six thousand taels just to make a beauty smile." He gestured with a "please" motion, "Young Master Zhou, these three premium Water Mist Warm Jade pieces are yours... but, do you have enough money on you?"

Zhou Yunyi glared fiercely at Yu Yongbai and growled, "None of your business! I'm the legitimate son of the Marquis of Weibei. Six thousand taels is nothing to me!"

With that, Zhou Yunyi slightly lifted his chin and instructed the shopkeeper to wrap them up, "I'll have my accountant send the money over later!"

It was common for nobles to purchase on credit at major establishments, and this treasure pavilion was no exception.

However, Yu Yongbai subtly exchanged a glance with the shopkeeper.

Catching the hint, the shopkeeper immediately feigned a troubled look and said, "...Actually, esteemed guest, our shop operates on a small scale. These three premium Water Mist Warm Jade pieces are our store's treasures. Our owner has instructed that we must receive payment upon delivery... Why don't you relax with some tea while your Head Servant fetches the money?"

Zhou Yunyi's brow furrowed deeply, "What do you mean?!"

Just as he was about to press for an explanation, Yu Yongbai cut in with a relaxed smile, "...Shopkeeper, don't trouble Young Master Zhou. I can pay immediately. Why don't you just sell them to me?"

The shopkeeper looked conflicted, "This..."

At this point, Zhou Yunyi couldn't possibly let the three pieces of Warm Jade fall into Yu Yongbai's hands. Clenching his teeth, he ordered his Head Servant to go home and get the money:

"Go to my mother and get the token to withdraw the money from the accounts."

After a moment's hesitation, Zhou Yunyi added in a hushed, almost uneasy tone, "Make sure to avoid my father, especially my grandmother."

The Head Servant obeyed and left.

Yu Yongbai, in no rush to leave, idly looked over some nearby items.

Zhou Yunyi found his presence completely grating and snapped coldly, "Why are you still hanging around here?!"

Yu Yongbai smiled and said, "Young Master Zhou, that's an odd thing to say. Didn't you already buy all three pieces of the top-grade water-mist warm jade? I still have to find something else for my sister. Besides..."

Yu Yongbai chuckled leisurely, "Who knows, maybe some folks are just putting on airs, pretending to be rich? Maybe, in the end, these top-grade water-mist warm jade pieces will still land in my hands."

Zhou Yunyi was seething, wishing he could punch Yu Yongbai's face in. He snapped coldly, "We'll see about that!"

Zhou Yunyi flicked his sleeve, took Wang Jiajia with him, and headed to the Treasure Pavilion's private room for tea.

After over half an hour, the head servant came back empty-handed.

Even through the private room door, you could hear the furious yelling: "Where's the money?! Didn't you tell my mom I need it now?!"

The head servant knelt there, sobbing, "Young Master, I went to see the Marquise, but she said the old lady took the housekeeper's token a while back..."

Zhou Yunyi was furious but powerless.

From the private room came the sound of Wang Jiajia's quiet sobs.

When Zhou Yunyi and Wang Jiajia, both pale, stepped out of the private room, the shopkeeper, tipped off by Yu Yongbai, immediately approached with a smile: "Young Master Zhou, I see your head servant's back. Which bank's notes will you use to pay?"

Zhou Yunyi's face turned red, and he stammered for a while, unable to speak.

The shopkeeper, all smiles, patiently asked, "Young Master Zhou?"

Yu Yongbai, watching coldly from the side, seized the moment to laugh, "Oh my, the young master of the mighty Marquis of Weibei's house is broke? You should've said so earlier, would've saved me waiting around—"

Zhou Yunyi couldn't take it anymore, his eyes blazing: "Shut up!"

With that, he gritted his teeth and turned to Wang Jiajia: "Jia Jia, wait here! I'll get the money!"

Wang Jiajia, tears in her eyes, looked hopefully at Zhou Yunyi: "Yilang, I'll wait."

Clearly, she wasn't ready to give up on the three top-grade water-mist warm jade pieces.

Zhou Yunyi stormed out of the Treasure Pavilion, jumped on his horse, turned it around, and galloped off in a certain direction.

Yu Yongbai couldn't help but blurt out in surprise.

This direction... It didn't seem to lead to the Marquis of Weibei's place.

Yu Yongbai's heart stirred slightly.

Most of the Gong Family's shops were in furs and fabrics, and this direction seemed to head towards their shops, didn't it?

Yu Yongbai was even a bit suspicious, could it be?

He just wanted to see Zhou Yunyi make a fool of himself, but surely Zhou Yunyi wouldn't go to his former fiancée's shop to ask for money, would he?