The Beloved, Money-Grubbing Shopkeeper

Jin Erbai was the youngest, prettiest, and greediest matchmaker in Xiangsu City. There were only two things she loved in life: gold and silver. The Xiaoxiang House made a fortune every day and employed countless matchmakers. She spent her days sipping tea, listening to music, and having her maids at her beck and call. Life was carefree and delightful. Then one day, a powerful figure arrived in Xiangsu City and completely disrupted Erbai’s peaceful life. The heir of the Great Yan Empire’s foremost clan, the son of the regent, and the grand marshal in charge of the nation’s five hundred thousand cavalry: just that string of titles told you how important this man was. His arrival sent the whole city into an uproar. The streets were cleaned up, public safety improved, and there were fewer fights and arguments. The young wife at the butcher shop next door stopped cursing in the street. Even the prefect, who usually slept in seven days a week, got up at three in the morning to direct traffic. Erbai was happy, too, because it meant she could make more money. But why wasn’t anything going the way she’d expected? She’d gone to the Jun residence to propose marriage on behalf of two wealthy young ladies in the city. How had she ended up becoming a maid in the Jun household? Being a maid was one thing, but now they wanted her to be a concubine? Would she get silver for being a concubine? No? Then she wasn’t doing it! She had food, clothes, and more silver than she could spend. She’d have to be out of her mind to become a concubine! The powerful man left, and Erbai regained her freedom. Within days, she found herself a husband and got engaged: a poor scholar. What was wrong with a poor scholar? He was honest and obedient, and most importantly, she’d be his proper wife. Who knew the poor scholar wouldn’t be safe either? He went to the capital to sit the imperial examinations, and a commandery princess took a fancy to him. Jun Ye smiled with wicked charm. “Serves you right!” Erbai flew into a rage. They’d stolen her husband without even asking! “Come on, let’s go to the capital and extort some silver!”