After receiving a definite answer from Matthew Perry, she began to size up the trio with great interest. That dark-faced guy needed no further comment—lecherous and glib, clearly not a good sort at first glance. The one who started out scolding people seemed to be some kind of strategist, probably quite capable. The other, broad-shouldered and burly, was likely a bodyguard—his hands looked solid, and he seemed rather taciturn.

Seeing her newly acquainted friend standing there with a face full of curiosity, Matthew Perry hurriedly stepped forward and introduced the three one by one: “This is Fifth Brother Locke, the bookkeeper of my household. This is Seventh Brother Rowe, the steward in charge of procurement. And this is Second Brother Brooks, who has been protecting me along the way.”

With this introduction, Eric Blake immediately understood the identities of the three, and gave Matthew Perry a big smile. The dark-faced young man was Seventh Brother Rowe; the one who had scolded her earlier was the bookkeeper, Fifth Brother Locke; and the especially burly one was Second Brother Brooks. With this distinction, it was actually quite easy to remember.

She was delighted, but the other three were not so happy. Matthew Perry, this usually dull young master who seemed clueless about everything, was now being so warm toward a girl of unknown origin—what did that mean? Fifth Locke even pictured his own master flying into a rage, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Matters of budding romance—who can control them?

Seeing his young master still gazing at the girl’s face, Fifth Locke really couldn’t hold back any longer and coughed lightly: “Young master, weren’t you going to the South Market to buy pearls today? It’s getting late, and we’ve finished our business. Why don’t we hurry back to the inn and check the quality of the goods?”

It would have been better not to mention the pearls. As soon as pearls were brought up, Eric Blake immediately recalled how Matthew Perry had knocked her over earlier and had offered pearls as compensation. A vein bulged on her forehead. Without waiting for the dazed boy beside her to answer, she turned and asked, “Hey, take out the pearls and let me have a look. Don’t let yourself get swindled!”

The three “loyal” attendants hadn’t even had time to object before Matthew Perry unhesitatingly took out the brocade pouch containing the pearls from his chest and handed it to Eric Blake, while saying, “That person said these are Hepu southern pearls. I thought they were really big, so I spent a full two hundred strings of cash to buy them!”

“This is your first time buying pearls, isn’t it?” Eric Blake took out a single pearl from the pouch and held it up to the sunlight, then shot Matthew Perry a look of annoyance. “When it comes to pearls, it’s not just about size—you also have to look at color, weight, and luster. This bag of pearls is big, sure, but unfortunately, they’re all fakes. You’re new to Luoyang, so how would you know where in the South Market sells the best pearls?”

After this speech, not only was Matthew Perry left speechless, but the three attendants were also dumbfounded. They had already thought this little rich-girl type was quite extraordinary, but now she even knew these tricks—could it be that anyone you run into in Luoyang is an expert? With no way to refute her, and considering the hefty sum spent on the pearls, the three could only follow behind Eric Blake as she led them back to the shop where Matthew Perry had bought the pearls, ready to help clean up the mess their young master had made yet again.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and gold makes the Buddha. Even though Luoyang is the imperial capital, there are still those who take advantage of outsiders under the emperor’s nose. So at first, the shopkeeper flatly refused to admit the pearls were sold from his shop, and nearly threatened to report Matthew Perry for slander. At this, the honest Matthew Perry turned red in the face, and his three attendants were even more furious.

“Shopkeeper, I see the gold-lettered sign hanging outside—you’re an old and reputable business. If word gets out that you’re passing off fakes as genuine, I’m afraid your reputation will be ruined.” Eric Blake tossed the brocade pouch in her hand lightly, her expression seemingly casual. “It’s true my cousin is an outsider, but my family has been established in Luoyang for generations. The granddaughter-in-law of Mr. Zhang is my cousin, and Lady Chai, who serves Empress Wei, is my aunt within five degrees of kinship. If I mention this to them, your shop won’t be able to stay open.”

The shopkeeper was an old hand and wouldn’t be scared off by such talk. He sneered and was about to retort, but then saw Eric Blake wave something at him with her left hand. The pattern on it was one he’d seen a few times before—belonging to someone he absolutely couldn’t afford to offend. He was instantly terrified, his eyes darting as he quickly apologized, took out a bag of genuine, top-quality Hepu southern pearls, and even threw in two revolving pearls as a bonus, all the while smiling obsequiously as he saw them out the door.

After this ordeal, Matthew Perry naturally regarded Eric Blake as a miracle worker, and the trio of Second Brooks, Fifth Locke, and Seventh Rowe also looked at her with newfound respect—though even more with caution. They had come to Luoyang on an important mission; if their identities were exposed, it would be a huge problem.

When it was time to part, Matthew Perry originally wanted to tell her which inn he was staying at, but was stopped by Fifth Locke. He could only agree to meet tomorrow—on the night of the Lantern Festival, at the hour of the dog, by the main gate near Yongtai Ward in the South Market—before leaving reluctantly. Eric Blake stood there watching his departing figure for a while, then suddenly burst out laughing. She had only taken a few steps when, unexpectedly, a sudden gust of wind came from behind. She was about to dodge, but before she could, something sharp pressed against the back of her head, and a hard, gruff voice sounded in her ear.

“My young master may be wealthy, but don’t you even think about making a move on him!”