C10 A Bargaining Chip(part I)

Jiang Ann and Danzhu exchanged glances, the two people standing before them mirrored each other in matching attire and similar features, like a perfectly matched pair. Yet, they were negotiating terms? Why would there be terms for marriage? And if there were, shouldn't it be the business of their elders?

"What did your Third Miss whisper to our Second Young Master just now?" Jiang Ann asked Danzhu quietly.

"I'm standing here just like you, how would I know?" Danzhu retorted, glaring at Jiang Ann.

If it weren't for the last sentence being a bit louder, they wouldn't have known there were terms being discussed.

"A good maid should know what her master wants as soon as they open their mouth," Jiang Ann said, slightly raising her chin.

"A good servant should address what the master needs, not guess what they're thinking," Danzhu shot back with an eye roll.

"Sharp-tongued!"

"Monkey-faced!"

Jiang Qiyun and Su Yu'an both turned to Jiang Ann and Danzhu, "You two, be quiet!"

Danzhu and Jiang Ann exchanged one last glare before turning away, both holding their breath.

"Shall we sit and discuss?" Jiang Qiyun gestured towards a nearby stone table and benches.

Su Yu'an nodded, and Danzhu quickly pulled a cotton cushion from her basket to place on the stone bench—after all, a young lady shouldn't catch a chill.

Only then did Danzhu step aside. Jiang Qiyun noticed the cushion was simply made of cotton fabric, without any embellishments, and couldn't help but smirk.

The third wife of the Su family wasn't the daughter of a wealthy merchant. A lavish dowry? Hmph, the richer they are, the stingier they get.

Thinking about "money," an inexplicable sense of regret welled up in Jiang Qiyun's heart. It's something he truly lacked!

After sitting down, Jiang Qiyun pretended to be magnanimous and waved his hand, saying, "Ladies first, you go ahead!"

Su Yu'an glanced at Jiang Qiyun, who was lounging with one leg casually crossed over the other, and smirked. This posture was the quintessential playboy stance.

"First, after we get married, we mind our own business. I won't demand you to be ambitious, and you can't expect me to be the perfect wife," Su Yu'an stated.

"You don't plan on making a fool of me, do you?" Jiang Qiyun jumped up. "Even if the marriage is fake, a man has his pride. How am I supposed to face people if you do that? I absolutely can't agree to it."

His imagination really was all over the place!

"I didn't..." Su Yu'an started to say, then changed her approach. "I promise you, but you have to promise me the same. You can't make a fool of me either."

"Do women even call it that?" Jiang Qiyun looked at Su Yu'an, puzzled.

"It's the same idea. Do you agree or not?" Su Yu'an looked up at Jiang Qiyun.

"Agreed. I don't even like women, so how would I make a fool of you?" Jiang Qiyun sat back down, still wondering if Su Yu'an was a bit off her rocker.

"You can't go to the brothel," Su Yu'an added.

"No way!" Jiang Qiyun immediately retorted. "If I don't go, Ho Cann and the others will mock me endlessly."

"Why not?" Su Yu'an glared at Jiang Qiyun. "You keep going there, and where does that leave my reputation?"

"For... for drinking," Jiang Qiyun replied.

"If it's just for drinking, go to a tavern," Su Yu'an said firmly, then asked, "And how are you after drinking?"

"After drinking?" Jiang Qiyun's expression suddenly became animated.

Sensing a story, Su Yu'an gestured for Jiang Ann to come over and asked again, "Does your master have any habits after drinking?"

Many men have a tendency toward violence after drinking, and if that's the case, it needs to be addressed carefully.