lcionline Chapter 71 Running into an acquaintance while shopping
Chapter 71 Running into an acquaintance while shopping
That evening, upon returning home, Su Mowan personally cooked another meal for him.
Before leaving after finishing his meal at Huangfeng Garden, Murong Jing tossed her an official document and left her with the words, "You are not allowed to leave the city alone in the future."
Su Mowan picked up the document.
Upon opening it, she was surprised to find that it bore the seal of the Minister of Works himself. As for how Murong Jing knew she needed this, Su Mowan didn't delve into it.
The next morning, Feng Yue came over to ask her where the building was to be built.
When Su Mowan told him her idea, Feng Yue said not to worry, he would handle the matter.
After handing Feng Yue three thousand taels of silver, Su Mowan became a hands-off manager.
Of course, she wasn't idle; she took Yinshuang Qinghe to the street to browse jade shops.
Su Mowan only learned a day ago that the imperial decree brought by the Seventh Princess but not announced was to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in ten days.
She remembered that Murong Jing had told her earlier that the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was coming soon and that she should prepare well.
At the time, she didn't understand what it meant. She only found out later, after asking Qinghe, that she was asked to prepare a gift.
Jade shops are mainly concentrated on Xuanwu Street.
The most famous and largest shop is called 'Yipinzhai'.
It was still early, and there were hardly any people in the shop. Su Mowan led Qinghe Yinshuang inside, and the shop owner personally came to greet them as soon as he saw the commotion.
"What would you like to see, miss?"
Su Mowan looked around and smiled at the shop owner, "I need to give something to my elders. How about you recommend one?"
Upon hearing this, the shop owner knew it was a big spender and immediately asked solicitously, "I wonder if it's an elder in your family or something else?"
The meaning was quite clear at this point. Su Mowan thought for a moment and said, "I want something that's absolutely top-notch. The shop owner can just recommend whatever they like."
It wasn't that she was rich and powerful, but she simply couldn't afford to lose face. The thought of Su Huayue and Shen Muyue also having to send things to the palace made Su Mowan realize she couldn't be outdone.
The shop owner smiled and introduced her to more than ten jade items.
The prices are not cheap.
Qinghe, who was following behind, felt a pang of pain upon hearing the price, while Yinshuang remained expressionless.
Su Mowan actually had her eye on a jade ruyi and a jade Guanyin statue.
Unfortunately, the jade ruyi is a pair, and giving it to the Empress would displease the two imperial concubines. The jade Guanyin, however, would be acceptable.
In the end, Su Mowan told the shopkeeper to wrap up the jade Guanyin, and then she had to consider who would be the right person to give the pair of jade Ruyi after buying them.
Just then, a woman's voice came from behind: "Shopkeeper, I'll buy that pair of jade ruyi scepters. Wrap them up!"
Su Mowan turned around and saw a woman dressed in luxurious clothes walking gracefully towards her with four maids.
She is Princess Consort of Chu, Su Huayue.
"Oh, it's you, little sister! I thought you were some official's daughter. This pair of jade ruyi scepters costs three thousand taels of silver. If you don't have enough money, I'll pay for it for you."
Su Mowan smiled casually and glanced at Su Huayue.
"The Chu King's mansion is indeed lavish, but our Qin King's mansion is not so shabby."
"Then you can have this jade ruyi, sister. I'll find another one," Su Huayue said generously with a smile.
This is like forcing a duck onto a shelf.
Su Mowan looked at the shop owner and said gently, "Let's give this pair of jade ruyi to Princess Chu. Do you have any other recommendations?"
The shopkeeper immediately instructed his staff to wrap up the jade ruyi. Su Huayue, standing to the side, gritted her teeth and said, "Then thank you very much for your generosity, sister."
"You're welcome. I wouldn't normally give away something this cheap."
"..."
Su Huayue was speechless for a moment after hearing this.
Three thousand taels is considered 'so cheap'?
She glanced at Su Mowan with suspicion, then sneered, "Little sister, you make it sound so easy! I wonder what kind of 'not cheap' you're looking to buy?"
Su Mowan simply stopped looking at it.
She said directly to the shop owner, "I won't trouble you today. Just wrap up the previous Guanyin statue from the South China Sea, and I'll come back another day when I have time."
After saying that, he turned to Su Huayue and said, "It's not expensive, only ten thousand taels."
"..."
Su Huayue was stunned.
Qinghe, standing behind her, felt a pang of heartache. Although Consort Su was now wealthy, she couldn't afford to spend money like this!
After paying the silver notes and leaving Yipinzhai, Qinghe immediately expressed her opinion: "Consort Su, this isn't a fixed price, why not try to bargain with the shopkeeper?"
"It's alright, it's just ten thousand taels. At worst, I can go back and settle the score with the accountant. Anyway, Murong Jing also has a share in this gift, so I can't pay for it all by myself, can I?"
"..."
Qinghe remained silent.
It turns out that Consort Su had already planned to trick the prince!
Su Mowan took two steps and then suddenly stopped. She turned around and stared at the two of them with a serious expression.
"By the way, this South China Sea Jade Guanyin was bought for 20,000 taels, remember that?"
"..."
Qinghe nodded blankly.
Yinshuang held the jade Guanyin box without saying a word.
After walking a few steps, Su Mowan turned back.
Qinghe was startled and hurriedly said, "Consort Su, twenty thousand taels is about right! We can't cheat the Prince any further, can we?"
"..."
Su Mowan cleared her throat. "I wanted to ask where I can buy embroidery tools around here?"
"embroidery?"
Qinghe's eyes widened.
“…Then forget it,” Su Mowan changed her mind: “Let’s go look at some calligraphy and paintings.”
Who would have thought that I would run into an acquaintance in the calligraphy and painting shop?
"Young Master Tang?"
Tang Minzhi was accompanied by Young Master Xue, and the two were talking in front of a painting. When they heard her greet them, they quickly turned around.
"Miss Su?"
Tang Minzhi's eyes lit up, but she quickly concealed her emotions after seeing the two maids following behind her.
"You've come to look at calligraphy and paintings too?"
he asks.
Su Mowan walked over with a smile: "Yes, what a coincidence to meet Young Master Tang. Why don't you tell me about it?"
Tang Minzhi was momentarily speechless, until Young Master Xue quietly nudged him.
Then Young Master Xue smiled at her.
"I wonder which type Miss Su prefers?"
"Anything is fine, it's for gifting."
"Then how about this one?"
Young Master Xue turned halfway around and pointed out to her the painting the two of them were discussing.
Tang Minzhi also said, "This painting is from the hand of the master painter Han Qiu, who was a hundred years ago. Xue Ting and I were just about to take a look. If Miss Su likes it, I will give it to you."
Judging from their expressions, you can tell that the painting is genuine.
Su Mo took a look at it before evening and was quite satisfied.
She asked with a smile, "Does Young Master Tang also like this painting?"
Tang Minzhi's eyes flashed: "Of course I like the work of a master, but if Miss Su is interested..."
"Then I thank you very much, Young Master Tang, for your generosity. I will accept this painting."
After Su Mowan finished speaking, she gestured for Qinghe to pay the bill.
Tang Minzhi was about to stop him, but Xue Ting pulled her back.
After the shop owner finished rolling up the painting, Su Mowan said to Tang Minzhi, "Thank you for your help the other day, Mr. Tang. I will repay you another day. Please come and sit down with your friends when you have time."
Tang Minzhi's face lit up with joy, and he immediately said, "Miss Su, I forgot to tell you, the document has been approved, and I will take it to Zui Jinzhao tomorrow."
Su Mowan smiled and agreed.
After Su Mowan took her leave and walked out of the hall, Tang Minzhi was still staring at her retreating figure, unwilling to come back to his senses.
Xue Ting, standing to the side, couldn't help but tease, "Minzhi, isn't that enough? It's just a meal, why are you so flattered?"