mesbooks Chapter 165 Ye Wenbo’s Dilemma
Chapter 165 Ye Wenbo’s Dilemma
The situation of the Ye family in the capital is becoming increasingly difficult.
Apart from anything else, he spent all his family wealth just to raise the betrothal gift for Murong Jin.
Of course he felt distressed, but thinking that when Murong Jin married into the Ye family, her dowry would naturally be much more generous, he gritted his teeth and emptied out all the family assets in his hands.
Now, all efforts have been in vain.
If he were an ordinary commoner, he could still go to return the betrothal gifts, but that was the Palace of Prince Shun, how could he go there?
Moreover, ever since Murong Jin was convicted and exiled, his position in the capital has become increasingly embarrassing.
He, the former fiancé of the princess, has now become a complete laughing stock.
Will Your Majesty re-employ him in the future?
Old Madam Ye’s crying made him upset, but he couldn’t completely ignore his mother’s emotions.
Every time he faced his mother's crying, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
He really regretted it. If, at that time, he had not thought about hanging out with the princess, studying hard for the imperial examination, and bringing Yunniang to the capital, with the treasures in Yunniang's hands, how could he be like this now?
His mother cursed Murong Jin every day. He used to feel sorry for her because he thought she was also innocently implicated. However, the longer time went on, the more embarrassing his situation became. His mother's curses were like a reminder of his stupidity over and over again.
Perhaps, if Murong Jin had not appeared, his and Yunniang’s current situation would not be like this.
I must be the one who enjoys unlimited glory and is highly valued by His Majesty.
Outside, Ye Wenbo also faced a lot of pressure.
Once upon a time, because of the engagement with Murong Jin, the Ye family was considered to be very popular in the capital. Many people looked up to Ye Wenbo.
However, now that Murong Jin has fallen, Ye Wenbo clearly feels that those people are looking at him with contempt and ridicule.
The Ye family has so many servants, three meals a day, and monthly wages, which are all huge expenses.
Thinking about the plight of the mansion and really not wanting to hear his mother yelling for money again, he took Ye Quan to the pawnshop again.
"Sir, this jade pendant of yours should be a pair, right? I'm afraid it's hard to say the price of this one. If it's possible..."
The pawnshop owners were all shrewd men, and seeing this customer frequent the shop, they naturally understood that his situation must be difficult.
The jade pendant is of high quality and this lady is a die-hard pawn. Once she gets a pair of them, the price will naturally double.
Ye Wenbo felt bitter in his heart. This jade pendant was given to him by Old Man Liu, his former father-in-law, Yunniang's father. It was a pair with the one in Yunniang's hand.
But now he has to pawn it in order to support his family.
He gritted his teeth and said,
"Shopkeeper, the other one is not for sale, so just give me a suitable price."
The shopkeeper twisted his beard, with a calculating look in his eyes.
"Master Ye, it's not that I don't give you face, but it's not easy for me to sell this single jade. I can only give you this amount at most."
As he spoke, he stretched out three fat fingers.
"Then let's make three thousand taels!"
Ye Wenbo was a little disappointed. He knew that the jade pendant was worth three thousand taels. His father-in-law could have said that it was worth ten thousand taels at that time. However, it was a pity that he only had one jade pendant in his hand.
Although the price offered by the pawnshop owner was not much, it was still acceptable. After all, these three thousand taels of silver could keep the mansion going for a long time.
"Master Ye, you must be joking. I said three hundred taels. How could it be three thousand taels?"
Ye Wenbo's face changed and he cried out in surprise.
"Three hundred taels? Shopkeeper, this is too little. The value of this jade pendant is much more than that. Aren't you just taking advantage of the situation?"
The shopkeeper was not in a hurry.
"Mr. Ye, you know that this pawnshop has its own rules. Your jade is not a pair, so I would be taking a risk if I accepted it. If you think it is not suitable, you can go to another shop to ask."
Ye Quan couldn't help but mutter to himself,
"Master, how about we go to another store? This shopkeeper is too shady."
Ye Wenbo turned around and left in anger.
The shopkeeper had obviously seen him come to pawn his things many times, and figured that he was short of money now, so he took advantage of the situation to rob him.
Ye Wenbo and his servant asked three pawnshops in succession, but the prices they offered were lower and lower.
He even suspected that his father-in-law had deliberately deceived him.
Is this jade pendant really worthless?
Finally, Ye Wenbo shook his head helplessly and turned back to the first pawnshop.
"Shopkeeper, can you give me a little more? After all, it's very easy to sell this jade pendant. You can tell from its texture and luster that it's not an ordinary item! Five hundred taels of silver, no lower."
Ye Wenbo never thought that one day he would have to bargain with others just to get more money from pawning, which was simply a disgrace to himself.
The shopkeeper's eyes flickered slightly, and he was afraid that if he lowered the price too low, he would lose this customer.
"Master Ye, four hundred taels, no more. If that doesn't work, you can go back and try again!"
"You are too cruel..."
Ye Quan was furious, as the master had specially found this jade pendant, and it would be a huge loss if the price was so low.
"Ye Quan, that's it. I'll be the shopkeeper!"
Ye Wenbo gritted his teeth and handed over the jade pendant.
The shopkeeper immediately revealed a barely perceptible smile on his face and swiftly placed four hundred taels of silver on the counter.
Ye Wenbo looked at the pile of silver with mixed feelings.
He carefully put away the silver, turned around and left the pawnshop with Ye Quan.
All along the way, Ye Quan was muttering indignantly.
"This pawnshop owner is really too bullying. The value of this jade pendant is far more than four hundred taels. If it weren't for our Ye family's current situation..."
Ye Wenbo waved his hand slightly, interrupting him.
"Stop talking, Ye Quan. Given the current situation of the Ye family, it is not easy to exchange for this silver. What we need to consider now is how to make the most of this silver and support the Ye family through this difficult period. Go back and take a look at the people in the mansion. We don't need so much now, so sell what can be sold!"
Ye Quan was shocked. Has the situation in the mansion come to this point now?
Before he could come back to his senses, he heard Ye Wenbo continue,
"In the next few days, go and look at the manors outside the city. If the price is right, report to me first."
"Master, what are you doing..."
Ye Quan looked at Ye Wenbo in disbelief.
Ye Wenbo said with a bitter face, helplessly,
"Ye Quan, do you think I want to go this far? The Ye family is now notorious in the capital and is ostracized everywhere. The expenses of this mansion are too high. If we don't make some sacrifices, we can't hold on. Right now, if we don't sell this mansion in the capital, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold on soon."
Ye Quan frowned, looking worried.
"But, Master, can't we go back to Jiangnan? If we sell the house, we can go back to Jiangnan and buy a yard. Then, we will be more comfortable than we are in Beijing!"