Chapter 376: A Sky-High Price
Hearing the price, Yu Luo immediately frowned, displeased.
Considering all the supplies A’Bai had prepared for their journey when they left, which far exceeded the value of this dagger, she wanted to find something even better.
“Oh dear, if even a 1,200-tael dagger is too expensive for you, why did you even come up to the third floor? You should’ve just stayed on the first floor instead of wasting people’s time!”
Just as Yu Luo was about to ask the shopkeeper to bring out a more expensive one, a sharp female voice interrupted her.
The situation felt strangely familiar.
She lifted her gaze and saw a mother and daughter pair approaching, surrounded by a large group of maids and old servants. There was also a manager-like figure with them as they arrogantly strutted toward the counter.
At the sight of their faces, Yu Luo felt an even stronger sense of familiarity, though she couldn’t immediately recall who they were.
“What are you staring at? If you can’t afford it, don’t block the way.”
Seeing Yu Luo looking at her, the young woman who had spoken earlier snapped at her with a harsh tone. She even stepped forward and shoved Yu Luo aside.
“Ah Yue, don’t be so reckless. Be careful not to hurt yourself.”
That name—Ah Yue—suddenly triggered a flood of memories in Yu Luo’s mind. In an instant, she remembered why these two looked so familiar.
How could they not?
If lineage were to be traced, the older woman was none other than the original host’s biological aunt.
Though she and Yu Luo’s father were only half-siblings, they still shared the same bloodline.
And the young woman whom she called “Ah Yue” was Qin Xueyue, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites’ household and Yu Luo’s cousin in name.
Yu Luo hadn’t expected that on her very first outing in the capital, and in the very first shop she entered, she would run into these two.
Looking at their luxurious silk robes, dazzling jewelry, and extravagant air, she couldn’t help but compare them to the miserable state of the Yu family, who had been exiled to the desolate wastelands.
And then there was Old Madam Chen, who was now laboring as a servant, and the old master of the Yu family, whose fate was unknown—whether he was dead or alive.
The irony made Yu Luo want to laugh.
“Mother, what do you think of this dagger? As a congratulatory gift, it should stand out well. The gemstone inlays alone exude grandeur.”
As Yu Luo was lost in thought, Qin Xueyue eagerly pulled her mother toward the dagger Yu Luo had been eyeing earlier.
“A dagger worth only 1,200 taels? That’s hardly suitable for a grand occasion. If you truly want it to stand out among other gifts, this won’t do.”
Hearing this, Yu Luo immediately tugged on the shop assistant’s sleeve and led him aside.
“Bring me the best dagger in your store.”
At her request, the shop assistant’s eyes lit up. He immediately thought of the black iron dagger worth over 100,000 taels. If he managed to sell it, his commission alone would be over 100 taels—more than two years’ worth of wages!
Completely ignoring the wealthy customers on the other side, he eagerly nodded and led Yu Luo to a seating area.
“Miss, please have a seat for a moment. I’ll bring it right away. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied. However, the price…”
“The price isn’t a concern as long as it’s worth it.”
Hearing her confident reply, the shop assistant had no further doubts. Beaming with joy, he rushed downstairs.
“Mother, it looks like the shop assistant went to get an even better dagger for that woman. Why don’t we take a look?”
Qin Xueyue, having observed Yu Luo’s interaction with the assistant, discreetly tugged on Yu Chuman’s sleeve, suggesting they check it out.
“Good idea. Judging by her attire, she seems fairly ordinary. But given her attitude, she might be able to afford something worth a few thousand taels. Still, with Manager Yun here, if we decide we want it, he’ll sell it to us first.”
With that, Yu Chuman turned to the shop manager, smiling.
“Manager Yun, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes, yes, of course. Madam Qin always has priority.”
Hearing this, Qin Xueyue smirked triumphantly at Yu Luo.
Yu Luo took a deep breath, shaking her head in exasperation.
Not long after, the shop assistant returned with a senior manager, who carried a wooden tray made of fine nanmu wood, draped in a rich red silk cloth.
As they reached Yu Luo, the assistant quickly introduced her to the manager.
“This young lady is the one looking for the best dagger in our store.”
Upon hearing this, the senior manager bowed slightly, his smile warm and eager.
Yu Luo felt slightly uncomfortable with his excessive enthusiasm and immediately stood up, her gaze fixed on the tray in his hands.
“Miss, this is a newly arrived premium item. We have yet to find a suitable buyer. Given your keen eye, I believe you may be the one.”
“If it’s truly premium, then it’s fate. Show me.”
“Of course!”
Seeing Yu Luo’s eager expression and how she hadn’t even asked about the price yet, the manager was even more delighted.
Just as he reached for the silk cloth to reveal the dagger, Yu Chuman and Qin Xueyue had already approached, their eyes locked onto the tray as well.
The silk cloth was lifted, revealing a sleek black dagger resting on a plush red velvet lining. The blade was sharp, gleaming faintly under the light.
The moment Yu Luo saw the dagger, she immediately recognized why it was considered a premium item. Her eyes lit up with excitement.
“Oh, I thought it would be something truly exceptional! But it’s just a pitch-black dagger. Compared to the ones in the display case, it’s not nearly as impressive. If someone gave this as a gift, it would be downright embarrassing. I don’t see what makes it so special!”
Before Yu Luo could speak, Qin Xueyue had already begun to sneer, her expression filled with disappointment.
Yu Chuman’s enthusiasm also faded as she nodded in agreement, losing interest in the dagger.
“How much is this dagger?”
Seeing their disappointment, Yu Luo suppressed the urge to laugh and turned to the manager.
“Miss, this dagger is priced at 128,000 taels of silver.”
“What?! Are you trying to rob people? A pitch-black dagger with not a single gemstone, and you’re asking such an outrageous price?!”
As soon as the manager announced the price, Qin Xueyue lost her composure. Her delicate face, once full of arrogance, was now pale with shock.
Even Yu Chuman frowned deeply, seeming to question the store’s integrity.
Meanwhile, Yu Luo was also slightly taken aback.
She had seen a black iron dagger auctioned for 50,000 taels of gold in Feng City.
Even though Feng City had significantly higher prices for daily necessities, rare treasures like this dagger retained their value regardless of location.
In theory, a black iron dagger should still fetch around 300,000 to 400,000 taels of silver in a weapon shop or specialty store.
But this one was priced at only 128,000 taels.
Was it truly a black iron dagger, or was there something amiss?
