Xuan Tian Hua Is a Special Existence in This World
The ice zither was made using thousand-year-old ice, thus it would not melt even if placed under the bright sun on a Summer day. The strings were made of silk from an ice silkworm. Every time the strings vibrated, a cold fog would arise, and the people listening to the instrument would be covered in a layer of frost, causing them to step back.
Xuan Tian Ming told Feng Yu Heng: "Seventh brother's ice zither was made five years ago. The structure of that zither is not of the same level of Qian Zhou's thousand-year ice. instead, it is an ice essence from the center of the North Pole. There is only one piece like this in the world, and seventh brother got it." While speaking, he looked toward Xuan Tian Hua, shrugging and smiling, "But he has never been willing to say how he managed to retrieve such a piece of ice."
Feng Yu Heng became interested and looked up at Xuan Tian Hua, pleading for Xuan Tian Hua to tell about how he had come across the piece of ice. Xuan Tian Hua, however, just shook his head, only saying: "The origin is difficult. It's fine if it isn't mentioned."
Xuan Tian Ming had guessed that this would be the outcome and did not seem to be particularly disappointed, saying: "Ever since this zither was brought back, seventh brother has only played it in front of others once. That one time it was played, everyone that was listening ended up covered in frost. After the song ended, a palace servant brought a brazier to warm the people up."
Feng Yu Heng clicked her tongue upon hearing this, "How is that a zither. That's clearly a weapon. The rumor of ancient people being able to kill people with a single sound, but it seems that seventh brother has this ability?"
Xuan Tian Hua only smiled faintly but did not reply. She, however, saw a look of acknowledgment in his smile. The admiration and curiosity in her heart could not help but be increased by a bit.
While they spoke, there were servants that brought a long wooden box into the yard. Feng Yu Heng noticed that they were not normal servants. Instead, they were experts from the Chun Palace. But even if they were experts like these, when they brought up the box covered in a layer of frost, their bodies still trembled.
It was not that they could not carry it. It was because it was cold. Although the icy aura coming from the ice zither would not spread, for a layer of frost to cover things in a small radius was normal. With the wooden box being frozen in ice, those people were effectively carrying a block of ice. The difficulty could be imagined.
Finally, the wooden box was placed on the wooden table, and Xuan Tian Ming took the initiative to splash it with wine. Feng Yu Heng leaned forward to bring her face closer to the wooden box. A strong cold force rushed over, causing her to shiver.
"Be careful." Xuan Tian Hua reminded, "This ice essence is cold. If you're caught off guard, you'll be shocked."
Feng Yu Heng, however, did not feel too cold. She even reached out to touch the box. Feeling it, she felt a cold enter her body, but it was very comfortable. "Very good." She said, "It's very comfortable."
The two revealed a shocked expression with Xuan Tian Hua saying: "To be able to say that the cold coming from this ice zither is comfortable, you're the first person aside from me."
"Really?" Feng Yu Heng rejoiced. She then looked toward Xuan Tian Ming with a look of provocation.
Xuan Tian Ming smiled bitterly, "This girl will show off as soon as she is given any benefits. She has never known the word modesty." While speaking, he went forward and pulled the little girl back a few steps then simply sat cross-legged on the ground.
Xuan Tian Hua also used inner strength to melt the frost on the box and open it. He then retrieved the ice zither from the box. No longer sitting at the table, he carried the zither and also sat on the ground. Placing the instrument on his knees, he looked at the two and faintly smiled. Moving his hands to the strings, a crisp sound rose, and a cold air filled the courtyard.
Xuan Tian Ming looked at Feng Yu Heng with a bit of concern to see if she could endure it or not. He, however, saw that the girl was staring straight at the zither. Not only did she not look uncomfortable, but she also moved a bit closer. She then reached out and took a deep breath, saying without concealing anything: "The cold is really comfortable."
The two princes laughed loudly, saying that A-Heng was more astonishing than this ice zither.
For someone that had no knowledge of ancient songs, Feng Yu heng could not tell what sort of song Xuan Tian Hua was playing, but melodies were still the same. She could still tell whether something sounded good or not. Xuan Tian Hua's zither was the best in the world. She had heard it before; however, listening to it on the ice zither brought it to a new height.
The ice zither's reputation was well-deserved. Even Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng had their hair covered in a layer of frost after a single song was completed. Even their eyelashes were frozen; however, this did not affect the actions of the two. There was also no sense of the cold penetrating their bodies. It was the ground covered in Autumn leaves that gradually became white. Autumn had become Winter, causing a mysterious change in seasons.
Xuan Tian Hua played the zither while Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng drank wine. Gradually, Feng Yu Heng's tipsiness surged forth. Without caring for Xuan Tian Hua's melody she began to sing a song. This song caused the two princes to feel astonished, as they had never heard it before. Feng Yu Heng's free and natural singing was not something that existed in this world. It could not be grasped or felt. Even for an expert at the zither like Xuan Tian Hua, it still required a large amount of time to barely manage to harmonize with her melody; however, without knowing it, this harmony created the most beautiful sound in the world.
"When will the moon be clear and bright, asking the dark sky with a cup of wine in my hand. In the heavens on this night, I wonder what season it would be..." She continued to sing until: "May all be blessed with longevity, so we may share the moon's beauty though we are a thousand miles apart."* The little girl's voice became quieter and quieter. Xuan Tian Ming looked over. Very well, this girl had gotten drunk and was about to fall asleep.
Xuan Tian Hua wanted for her to remain awake, asking: "What lyrics are those? It's really beautiful."
Feng Yu Heng, however, was not foolish. Smiling, she said to them: "It was taught by my Persian master! I'm the only one that knows them." After saying this, she tilted her head and fell asleep.
The sound of the zither stopped, and Xuan Tian Ming hugged the person that had fallen asleep in his lap; however, he heard Xuan Tian Hua say: "That Persian master that she speaks of will cause trouble sooner or later. I've gone to Persia. Where was there anything of that nature?"
Xuan Tian Ming sighed and said: "I've also considered this matter before. It's just that there is no better way to resolve this for the time being. She has never talked about what happened to her. Although I am very clear that she is different from other people, I can only do my best to try and hide it from others."
"I just fear that it will be used by someone with ulterior motives." Xuan Tian Hua had a concerned look on his face, but there was nothing that he could do. He could only smile bitterly toward the person that had passed out from being drunk, saying sincerely: "I just hope that everything goes well."
That night, the two remained in the Chun Palace. When Xuan Tian Ming carried her to a bed, he heard the little person in his embrace drowsily wake up and say: "I heard everything that you two said. Thank you." Her eyes then drooped, and she fell asleep.
He really wanted to wake the person up and talk for awhile, but this girl had drunk the most wine. How could she possibly wake up so easily. He also could not fall asleep, thus he simply put her down then went to the wander around in the yard.
When he wandered over to the small bamboo forest in the palace, he found that Xuan Tian Hua was still there. The white moonlight shone on the green bamboo and upon the figure in white. Even Xuan Tian Ming had to admit that this scene was no different from a paradise.
The person in the forest saw him walk over and said with a smile: "It's been a long time since I've gotten any exercise. Ming'er, accompany seventh brother for a few rounds."
Of course, Xuan Tian Ming was happy to do so and immediately pulled out a flexible sword to face off against Xuan Tian Hua's fan. Like this, they began to weave through the bamboo forest.
Xuan Tian Hua was most proficient in music, and he never used martial arts against others; however, there was nobody that suspected that he did not know martial arts at all. There was also nobody that believed that his martial arts would be weak. On the contrary, he was recognized in the world as a deity. There existed a feeling in their hearts that everything the seventh prince, Xuan Tian Hua, did was right. Everything that he did, he would be like a deity. If a deity said that he knew martial arts, how could this be fake despite it never being used.
And in this world, there was nobody that knew Xuan Tian Hua better than the ninth prince Xuan Tian Ming.
When experts exchanged blows, there would be times when they would not be physical blows. Instead, they would be with energy. The sword would not strike the fan, instead hitting an aura coming from the fan. A god of war in purple robes and a deity in white robes moved about. Even the moonlight lost a bit of its original luster.
Finally, the fight came to an end in a draw. Xuan Tian Ming sighed: "In this world, who would know that your Highness the seventh prince, Xuan Tian Hua, would actually be so proficient."
Xuan Tian Hua replied: "In this world, who would know that your Highness the ninth prince, Xuan Tian Ming, would not be inferior to me."
The two laughed loudly then gradually got closer to each other before standing together.
"Seventh brother, were there any happy encounters on your trip to the East?" Xuan Tian Ming leaned against some bamboo and asked him.
Xuan Tian Hua smiled bitterly, "There was no shortage of adventures. First, mother suddenly appeared from under my seat in my carriage. Then, Zi Rui and that little girl appeared in Fu Zhou. Say, don't you think these are considered happy encounters?"
Xuan Tian Ming shook his head, "You know that I'm not asking about that."
A silence suddenly came between the two. In the end, it was Xuan Tian Ming that spoke up, "Aside from her, I can give you anything else in this world, seventh brother."
The person across from him frowned but said: "Ming'er, aside from her, I can ask for anything from you in this world. Only she is off-limits." While speaking, he waved his hand with a look of a banished deity, "You know that normal matters will have a hard time slowing me down. Seventh brother will speak truthfully tonight. Even if it's A-Heng, this balance cannot be disrupted. As for me, whether it's you or A-Heng, or even if it's father Emperor and imperial concubine mother, don't make any requests of me. I will help you protect this country for half of my life. Once it's stable, I will leave. The world is large. Without settling down in any one place, that is my fate."
Xuan Tian Ming was naturally able to understand, and he was also able to understand what Xuan Tian Hua was asking for. This person should never be looked at from a normal perspective. His thoughts did not just encompass himself. Even for Xuan Tian Ming, there were times when he could not understand him.
"Go back and sleep." Xuan Tian Hua quickly urged him, "Seventh brother will stay here alone for a while."
The war god in purple robes left, leaving the deity in white robes to remain in the forest on his own. Just like when he had not yet come, there was one person, one forest and one moon. Who knew if the moon was illuminating the forest or if the person's heart was yearning for the moon, but it felt as if it was all one entity. At the same time, they were also separate.
Xuan Tian Hua was destined to be a very unique existence.
At around noon the next day, a certain person finally woke up from their drunken sleep. They just felt a piercing headache, and they could not help but let out a yelp.
Her memory was foggy from drinking, and she called for Huang Quan to get some water to drink. Reaching out to the side with her hand, she bumped into a person.
She felt the eyes, nose and mouth then sniffed. Un, it was a familiar scent. Thus lifted the sheets and shouted: "Little Ming, go and fetch some tea for this imperial daughter."
*TN: The song FYH sang is based on a poem from the Song dynasty.
Poem:
Song:
Girl With a Hidden Disease
Just as these words were spoken, she was forcefully picked up from her pillow by that person. Someone wrapped grabbed her neck and very impolitely asked her: "Did you make a mistake and want to use me like a maidservant?"
She was given a start and woke up, but the words that she said caused the person to become even angrier: "I can still tell the difference between men and women. I thought that you were a eunuch."
A certain person became speechless. The hand wrapped around her neck pulled back a bit. He had to tidy up this girl a bit.
Feng Yu Heng was in a troubled situation from being strangled and struggled to break free. Frowning, she looked at him: "Aren't I just using you once. You want to strangle me to death or something? Can I not be thirsty?"
"It serves you right that you're thirsty." Although he said this, Xuan Tian Ming still got up and very helplessly poured a cup of tea for her, "It was prepared earlier this morning for you. It's tea to sober you up. Drink up!" Seeing her receive the cup and down it before coughing a bit, he could not help but scold: "Serves you right!"
Feng Yu Heng could not be bothered to argue with him and handed the cup back over. She then lay back down in bed while cradling her head and whining: "My head hurts, and I'm dizzy. Xuan Tian Ming, I definitely have not sobered up yet. Let me sleep for a little longer!"
Xuan Tian Ming glared at her: "If you aren't embarrassed to, go ahead. Either way, I'll tell you that this is the Chun Palace. It's currently noon, and the servants outside are laughing at you."
She was given a start, but she did not focus on the point about her lazing about in bed. Instead, it was: "The servants of the Chun Palace dare to laugh at me? Does seventh brother not concern himself with these matters? Why would a master be laughed at by servants for sleeping? Tell me which ones are laughing at me. I'll have seventh brother chase them out of the palace later! They really are annoying."
Xuan Tian Ming smiled bitterly. This wife really was very stubborn!
The little girl held her head and began to argue, "I was quite good at drinking before! Why did I get so drunk last night?"
"Because the wine you were drinking was different!" He helplessly explained, "The wine from last night was not any normal wine. It's been aging for over 100 years. It's quite pure. It'd be weird if you didn't get drunk. Even we didn't dare drink too much. Only you downed it as if it was water. We couldn't even stop you."
Only then did Feng Yu Heng remember the situation from the previous night and muttered to herself: "If I knew sooner, I would have eaten a pill to reduce the effects of the alcohol." She then slowly climbed out of bed and put on her shoes. She was still feeling a bit weak. "Where's seventh brother? Did you two get up late?"
Xuan Tian Ming shook his head, "We aren't like you. Seventh brother went to court."
"Oh, then what about you? Do you not need to go to court?"
"I already came back from court."
Very well! A certain person admitted defeat. It turned out that in the time she had been sleeping, they were able to do so many things. "I'm going into my space to get washed up. I won't trouble the servants of the Chun Palace." She said to Xuan Tian Ming, "I'll also take a pill to sober up. Keep watch outside for me." After saying this, she disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Xuan Tian Ming, however, recalled the conversation between him and Xuan Tian Hua from the previous night. Feng Yu Heng had always mentioned her Persian masters, and he had believed since long ago that it was completely fabricated, but if there really came a day when someone really used this to cause trouble, he would need to think of something to combat this.
Not long later, a sober young beauty suddenly appeared. She was no longer as dazed and weak as earlier. After washing up and getting prepared, she looked like a proper human. His mood improved greatly, as he grabbed her while saying: "Let's go and wander the streets. Didn't you always complain about this prince not spending money when strolling through the streets. There happens to be nothing happening today. Let's just go and take a stroll."
In truth, Feng Yu Heng was not too interested in strolling around, nor did she particularly like shopping, but she was quite excited to buy things with Xuan Tian Ming. She asked him: "Did you bring money?"
He shook his head, "I did not, but you can take some from seventh brother's place. I'll just return it later."
Thus the two happily left the palace to go shopping.
Since it was noon, they first needed to take care of lunch. They did not eat in the Chun Palace and could only eat outside. Xuan Tian Ming was someone that used his stature a bit more. He brought up going to Refined Deity Building, but Feng Yu Heng refused. They randomly chose a street stall and resolved their hunger there.
That afternoon, the two were like lovers strolling around half of the capital. They also bought quite a bit of stuff, most of which was food. As Feng Yu Heng put it: "The best accessories come from craftsman Bai. The best gold and jade items come from the imperial palace. If I want them, I'd naturally go and ask for them. What good stuff can be bought out here. Moreover, I have my own accessories shop. Could it be that I need to go there and buy stuff from my own shop?"
Xuan Tian Ming did not have any objections to this. It was as Feng Yu Heng had said. The best things in the world were in the imperial palace or his own palace. As long as she wanted something, what could she not get? This girl was no longer the Feng family's second young miss from back then. With great accomplishments, if she wanted something from the palace, there was no need for him to speak up for her. She could ask for it on her own. The old man almost treated her better than he treated him.
But there was a matter that he thought of, and he quickly grabbed a hold of her hand: "When you get back to the manor, I will send someone to take your measurements. It will be the mid-Autumn Festival in a few days time. There will be a banquet in the palace."
Feng Yu Heng had not participated in a banquet in the palace for a long time. Ever since they set out for Qian Zhou, the palace did not hold many banquets. Unexpectedly hearing about a banquet was a bit fresh, and she could not help but think of the mid-Autumn Festival from that year. Feng Chen Yu was still alive, and she had won the phoenix hairpin from Bu Ni Shang. In just a few years, the people of that time were no longer around.
"When they were around, there was a struggle for power, and I felt annoyed. With them gone and thinking about it, I feel that they all had their individual lives." She could not stop herself from sighing emotionally, "If the Feng family did not have Chen shi, Feng Chen Yu did not cause trouble, and Feng Zi Hao did not act stupid, perhaps the Feng manor would still be the Feng manor. Feng Jin Yuan also would not have fallen to his current state."
Xuan Tian Ming, however, shrugged and smiled, reminding her: "You've forgotten that everything was caused by Feng Jin Yuan? Whether it's Chen shi or Feng Chen Yu, those were just small trifles between women in the manor. If it was exposed, it would be mostly harmless. In the end, it was Feng Jin Yuan himself that could not control his own biases. This also caused him to go down the wrong path. This cannot be blamed on anyone else."
"That's right!" Feng Yu Heng nodded and recalled the matter with Prince Lian. She could not help but snort coldly, "Even at this point, he isn't obedient. Guess what he did? These days, he actually became interested in Feng Zhao Lian. He doesn't even differentiate between men and women. He isn't ashamed to cling to him."
Her words managed to cause Xuan Tian Ming to laugh, "When it comes to differentiating between men and women, it really was inherited! Back when you didn't know who he was, you completely thought that he was a beautiful woman."
Feng Yu Heng facepalmed, "Wasn't that a failure in technique for me. But Feng Zhao Lian too, he could have lived anywhere, but he insisted on living next to the Feng residence. He really isn't afraid of stirring the pot for entertainment."
The two talked while walking. Looking up, they had already reached the entrance to the accessory shop in the middle of the capital. Feng Yu Heng looked up and saw that words "Phoenix Pavilion" on the sign had already been changed to the current "Nirvana Pavilion". She was a little dissatisfied, "Isn't this still a phoenix? Qing Yu really is worry-free, casually changing it like that."
Xuan Tian Ming, however, observed something different from her. He was looking at the guests: "It seems that the mid-Autumn Festival's banquet has brought quite a bit of business to your shop. As I see it, the madams and young misses coming and going from your shop are mostly people from families with the right to attend the palace's banquet. Thinking about it, the revenue from this month should be quite high."
Feng Yu Heng smiled like a criminal and said to him: "I'll tell you that I don't even see the income from the shops. Aside from the money being paid to the workers, everything else is sent to Hundred Herb Hall's side to be used."
Xuan Tian Ming was puzzled, "Hundred Herb Hall is losing in money? So much so that it needs money from the other shops to supplement it?"
She shook her head, "It's not losing money, but I gave the order to open some more clinics, not just in the capital. It needs to be in the other provinces too. Like this, the initial costs will not be low. Just relying on this shop's income is not enough. I need to add more on my own. That's why relying on these proper businesses is slow."
He could hear something of a clue: "What is it, you want to do some things that aren't as proper?"
A certain person smiled like a criminal, "For example, scamming those shameless foreign countries. Millions of taels of gold can be scammed each time!"
He was speechless. This damn girl had become addicted to scamming people.
At this time, they saw two young misses accompany each other out. One of them tightly covered their mouth and nose, saying very unhappily: "I paid close attention. It was the young miss wearing red clothes. Who knows what makeup she's wearing, but it's truly too strong."
The friend to her side also said: "It's not just too strong. I could faintly smell something smelly coming from her. It really was disgusting."
The two walked away while talking. Following this, another group of guests quickly came out. Even more people were angrily saying: "If you're lacking in money, obediently stay at home. When you come out, there's nobody happy to see you. Either way, you're covering your face. Why put on so much makeup? Using lower-quality makeup, you're going to leave us with headaches and watery eyes."
Following these insults, even more people agreed. They were all pointing to a young miss in Nirvana Pavilion that had used lower-quality makeup. The disgusting smell drifted all the way up to the third floor. People truly could not go inside.
Finally, more and more people came out. In the end, a girl wearing a long red dress came outside with her head down. Her face was covered by a veil. The view was not clear, and she had a maidservant at her side, quickly pulling her away.
It was as everyone had said. There was indeed a very thick smell coming from that girl's body. It was neither fragrant nor disgusting, but it was very unpleasant. But Feng Yu Heng could not compare to the others. Once this smell entered her nose, she realized something. Watching the girl anxiously depart, she said to Xuan Tian Ming: "That's quite a pitiful person."
Xuan Tian Ming was puzzled, "How is she pitiful? No money to buy good makeup?" He looked up at Nirvana Pavilion then said: "People without money would come here to buy accessories? The things you have here are not cheap. The first floor is alright, but the higher the floor, the more expensive the items. I saw that girl just come down the stairs. It's clear that she went upstairs."
Feng Yu Heng shook her head, "I'm not talking about this. It's the smell that's coming from her body. It's not that she used lower-quality makeup. On the contrary, she's using high-quality stuff that's very famous. I'm saying that she's pitiful because she has a hidden illness and is using large amounts of famous makeup to cover it up. She has no way of covering up the smell from her body. On the contrary, she's making things worse by covering it up."
As she spoke, she began to think of something. Only when Xuan Tian Ming tugged on her sleeve did she say: "That girl had her face covered with a veil, but why did the maidservant at her side look a bit familiar?"
Wait While Shopping and Be Willing to Spend
Feng Yu Heng remembered that when Lu Yao had married into the Yao manor. On that day, there was also a group with gifts that accompanied the bride to the manor. According to the rules, after they watched Yao Shu bring the bride into the manor, they would turn back around, leaving behind just the maidservants that would accompany the bride. At that time, she had taken a look, and she had seen a few maidservants in that group. The one that she had just seen seemed to have been seen among that group.
"Someone from the Lu family." She scratched her chin and said to Xuan Tian Ming: "I seem to have seen that maidservant before when the Lu family was sending gifts during the wedding."
The people of the Lu family visiting to buy jewelry was quite normal, but Xuan Tian Ming was puzzled, "You said that she has a hidden illness? What hidden illness? I've never heard of any Lu family's young miss having a hidden illness."
Feng Yu Heng laughed at him, "If everyone knew about it, how could it still be considered a hidden illness."
Xuan Tian Ming shrugged, "But coming out like this, does she not fear being found out?"
She thought for a bit then said: "Perhaps she was feeling anxious and wanted to come and look at the jewelry. Also, she was wearing a veil, and I was the one that could tell what was wrong. Others would just think that she had put on some low-quality makeup."
Xuan Tian Ming was a bit interested, "The hidden illness that you are speaking of, what is it? What illness is it?"
Feng Yu Heng thought for a bit, "Body odor or stinkiness as you might call it, if the palace is selecting consorts, will they make accurate assessments in regards to this issue. I heard that a large number of people were turned away because of this sort of problem. They would then have trouble getting married for their entire lives. After all, who wants a wife that stinks. Our Da Shun court has not taken anyone in for many years. That Lu family's young miss does not need to worry about it. It's just... I don't know which young miss from the Lu family that is." She used her elbow to prod Xuan Tian Ming: "How many young misses are there in the Lu family?"
Xuan Tian Ming thought for a bit then said: "It seems that there are three. The eldest young miss was born from a concubine, and there are two young misses from the first wife, but they were born from different mothers. The Lu manor's current madam is Ji shi."
While they spoke, Qing Yu had already come out of Nirvana Pavilion. Upon seeing them, she saluted then said: "They're getting rid of the smell inside first. Your Highness and young miss, please wait a little before entering." As she spoke, she looked around in the street, but the girl had already disappeared. Qing Yu frowned and said: "Who knows which family that young miss is from. It does not look like she's lacking for money, but the cosmetics that she is using are too terrible! It's such that it causes people's throats to hurt."
Feng Yu Heng asked her: "Did she order any jewelry?"
Qing Yu nodded: "She ordered two sets of head ornaments, and they were both to be made of expensive materials. Aside from the initial deposit, they also paid for the majority of the cost for the materials in accordance with our rules. They were quite generous with their spending."
"Un." Feng Yu Heng thought for a bit then said: "That young miss has a hidden illness. There's no need to mind too much. She's a customer, so just treat her as one. In the worst case scenario, prepare a private room for the next time she comes. Just don't let it disrupt the normal flow of business."
Qing Yu complied. At this time, a clerk came over, saying that the smell inside had dispersed and to invite them inside. Qing Yu told Feng Yu Heng: "The jadeite mine has sent a good amount of materials, and they were all of the highest quality. Young miss, come upstairs to take a look to see if there's anything that you like. If you want them, just have craftsman Bai make accessories out of them. This servant felt those materials looked very good."
In the end, Feng Yu Heng was a girl. Upon hearing that there was good stuff, she happily ran up the stairs.
Xuan Tian Ming was behind her with a wry smile, but he also went up the stairs. Feng Yu Heng said to him that the mark of a good man was waiting for a woman when shopping and being willing to spend money when she wanted. He was in agreement with the second point, but waiting when the woman went shopping was a test of his patience.
But accompanying his wife was something that he was happy to do. After all, this wife was very pleasing and very satisfying. The two would not get tired of the other, and Feng Yu Heng was a moving treasure trove. She also had a space that moved with her. This caused Xuan Tian Ming to mind even less.
The group ascended to the third floor, and Qing Yu brought out a box of jadeite materials. The group did not go into a private room. They just sat inside the hall of the third floor. The box of jadeite materials was opened before her. Even for someone that had become accustomed to seeing jewelry from the modern era like Feng Yu Heng, she could not help but express: "Too beautiful!"
The pure-white jade had a warm texture. It gave off the feeling of having some sort of spirit. It made people feel as though they were feeling a hand that belonged to someone very kindred to them. It did not feel unfamiliar in the slightest, and she did not want to let go. She wanted to remain connected forever.
She suddenly felt shocked, as she looked at Xuan Tian Ming and said: "This jade has a spirit."
Of course, jade could not have a spirit; however, Xuan Tian Ming knew what her words meant, thus he told her: "This is where the value of good jade lies. Otherwise, why would it be said that jade chooses people, and people choose jade. Once they have chosen the other, the person must take care of the jade, and the jade embellishes the person. The two support each other to allow the jade to appear more beautiful and to allow the person to prosper even more."
He reached out to touch the piece of jade, and his heart was also caught; however, he was not as surprised as Feng Yu Heng, only saying: "It is indeed good jade. Something that can only be found every thousand years." After he finished speaking, he asked Qing Yu: "How many pieces of jade of similar quality were sent?"
Qing Yu replied: "Not much. There's only this one box. They were all chosen by the head master. But the other materials are also very good. Although they cannot compare to this piece, they would still be top tier when placed in this shop. They definitely are not worse than the things sent into the palace over the years."
Feng Yu Heng was very happy to hear this. Holding a large piece of jade in her hands, she sighed: "How much would this sell for?"
"Young miss, it's something that's seen every thousand years." Qing Yu laughed and said: "Can you not think about how much it would sell for? This material was specially kept for young miss. Have it made into jewelry for yourself or for engravings. That would be better than selling it to someone else."
Xuan Tian Ming also nodded, saying: "That's right. Could you be lacking in money? Only nice things are hard to come by. If you sell this, it's possible that you will never see such a good piece of jade again."
Feng Yu Heng was feeling very pained, "If I have it made into accessories, I don't usually wear accessories. You see me wearing a lot of stuff on my head, but that's because I participated in seventh brother's feast yesterday. That is a situation that requires I wear accessories. How many situations will call me for to wear them! Also, the things that I have are not bad."
Xuan Tian Ming was very puzzled. Was this girl really a woman? He dared to guarantee that if it was any other woman facing this sort of nice thing, their eyes would be staring straight at it. Not to mention that it was given to her, even if it was not, they would think of a way to obtain it. There were also some people that would do anything to obtain it. Why was it that when it came to his wife, she would try to push away the things that were given to her?
Very well, he had not forgotten what his wife's intention was with pushing it away. It was to sell it for money, "Exactly how much money are you lacking?"
Feng Yu Heng rolled her eyes, "Do you think that there's too much money?" After saying this, she asked Qing Yu, "Don't worry about whether or not I will keep this. Just estimate a price first. How much would this box cost?"
Qing Yu was very troubled, but seeing that Xuan Tian Ming helplessly nodded, she said: "This price is pretty hard to estimate because there are very few people that will buy raw materials. There's always a need for it to be worked on. Only something that has been crafted can be sold for money. As for this process, the quality of the work will also factor in the value. For example, if craftsman Bai was asked to work on it, to say that he added to the value would not be an exaggeration."
Xuan Tian Ming picked up on this topic: "For something this good, there is nobody in this world that can touch something like this aside from craftsman Bai."
"Then it would be too expensive." Even Qing Yu sighed, "There's no way for this servant to estimate it. There really is no way."
Feng Yu Heng thought for a bit then asked: "What if compared to the five million taels of gold sent by Qian Zhou?"
Xuan Tian Ming replied to this for her: "Just this untouched material has far surpassed that gold."
Bang!
Feng Yu Heng decisively closed the box, "Put it away. Store it safely. Nobody is allowed to touch a piece."
Qing Yu helplessly said: "Young miss, turn it into accessories for yourself."
Xuan Tian Ming also advised: "We really are not lacking for money. However much money you want, I'll give it to you."
"Isn't your stuff going to be mine in the future?" Feng Yu Heng raised an eyebrow, "Is there any point in moving it around? This thing needs to be put away properly for me. In the future, if I want to scam, I will scam some outsider. If I scam them well, I could get a small country."
Xuan Tian Ming had a good insight into her scamming abilities, thus he held onto the box: "This prince will personally take care of it for you."
Feng Yu Heng was very satisfied.
While they were speaking, a clerk led another customer up to the third floor. It was a wealthy madam that looked to be in her early 30s and was on the thinner side. She was very well dressed. Wearing a verdant autumn dress, she looked rich and elegant.
Seeing that an important customer had come up to the third floor, Qing Yu quickly pardoned herself and personally went to receive her. It had to be said that this was the first time Feng Yu Heng had spent a long time sitting inside this jewelry shop. Watching Qing Yu take care of the customer, she felt it was quite fresh. She decided to sit around and watch for a bit. It happened that the wealthy madam spoke up at this time and said: "My family and I came from the South. Because it was a long distance, I did not bring anything particularly expensive. However, who knew that we would arrive around the mid-Autumn Festival's banquet. Thus I could only come here as an emergency. Bring out your best items for me to choose. Price is not a problem."
Qing Yu heard her say that she would be participating in the palace banquet, thus she subconsciously looked toward Feng Yu Heng. Feng Yu Heng quietly asked Xuan Tian Ming: "Which family's madam is that? Do you recognize her?"
Xuan Tian Ming smiled bitterly, "Even if I recognized the official, how could I recognize the females of their family."
She thought about it and thought the same, thus she shook her head to Qing Yu. Qing Yu continued to warmly take care of her.
A clerk brought a box of ready-made accessories out, and Qing Yu said: "These are the shop's best ready-made accessories. Of course, madam can also choose materials and have someone make them the way you would like. Here, we have everything from jade to crystal to gold. The gold content also ranges from low to high, with the highest being of the same quality as what's sent into the palace." While she introduced these things, she said: "But if madam is rushing to get them done before the banquet, I fear that making them now would be too late. How about madam chooses from what has already been completed. Because of the banquet for the Mid-Autumn Festival, our Nirvana Pavilion has made some preparation ahead of time. We had quite a large amount of accessories made for the madams and young misses to choose."
Qing Yu was a good talent in business. Her words were elegant, but the rich madam looked at the things before her and shook her head with a look of disdain. "No good, no good. Everyone says that this place is the best jewelry shop in the capital, but these things only seem so-so to me. If you only have things of this quality, what sort of best in the capital is it?"
Every Action Has a Cost
This madam was not the usual picky. In fact, she was looking at the jewelry before her with disdain. Those things that seemed like superior goods to Feng Yu Heng were not worth a cent to her. Even the maidservant at her side let out a faint snort and said: "If it wasn't for us coming such a long distance, we definitely would have brought nice things with us. We thought that the capital would be a treasure trove, and we would be able to get anything that we wanted; however, who knew that this place known as the best in the capital would actually only have such low-quality items."
Qing Yu laughed angrily, looking at the madam and asking: "If these are low-quality items, then may I ask madam, what would be considered good?"
"Tsk!" The wealthy madam did not speak, but the servant asked: "I must ask you, if the imperial concubines in the palace want to buy things, are you willing to send these into the palace?"
Qing Yu smiled and replied: "Naturally, we could not. The imperial concubines of the palace receive higher quality things."
"Then there it is!" The servant's eyes became fierce, "It's clear that you're looking down on our madam. Quickly bring the things that you send into the palace. Don't waste your words."
Qing Yu let out a cold snort, "You want things that can be sent into the palace? Then may I ask this madam, would you be a consort of the palace?"
"Why do you care so much..." The servant wanted to interject; however, she was stopped by the madam. She then asked Qing Yu: "We said earlier that we came from the South. Naturally, we cannot falsely declare ourselves to be imperial concubines, but I must ask you. If we did not say, how could you know that we are not from the palace? If I was, would you not have offended an imperial concubine?"
Qing Yu looked at the madam as if she was an idiot then said after a long time: "Indeed, you are from the South; otherwise, anyone from near the capital would not say such a thing. Madam, if you really were an imperial concubine from the palace, you would have been easy to take care of."
"Oh?" The madam was puzzled, "How do you mean?"
Qing Yu told her: "Because the imperial concubines of the palace definitely would not come to Nirvana Pavilion to cause trouble. They, even more, would not come here to try and cause trouble."
"You're saying that our madam came to cause you trouble?" The servant began shrieking, "Are you running a business or not? We came here with money to buy things, yet you actually say that we're causing you trouble?"
Qing Yu spread her hands, "But I already brought out the best things that can be sold, but you were not satisfied. That's just how doing business goes. This shop doesn't have the things you want, and you can go to another shop. You cannot cause a disturbance because there's nothing that you like. You said today that Nirvana Pavilion has low-quality items. I am not arguing with you because you came from a long way. Madam, please go back!" After she finished speaking, she immediately directed the clerk to put away the things on the table.
The servant was extremely indignant; however, she also felt that Qing Yu was hard to deal with. She had to look to her madam and heard the madam say: "How about bringing out the accessories that are only sold to the imperial concubines in the palace? If there is anything I like, there will be no shortage of money for you."
Qing Yu shook her head, "No."
"Why not?"
"You're not qualified."
The two went back and forth, but it left the madam feeling ashamed. The servant, however, was unhappy once more, fiercely saying: "Do you know what you are saying? Our madam isn't qualified? Aren't they just some accessories? How could our madam not be qualified?"
Qing Yu felt that explaining the reasoning to these two was truly difficult, and she could not help but get up and say: "Because those are things that only the imperial concubines of the palace can use. If madam feels that your position is on the same level as the imperial concubines, I would not mind immediately sending you into the palace to have the imperial concubines make the final decision. Also, I will remind madam that the so-called imperial concubines are all masters above a certain rank. What status do you think you have?"
Qing Yu was very resolute when she said this. Whether it was in the capital or in the imperial palace, who did not know that imperial daughter Ji An, Feng Yu Heng, owned this jewelry shop. Who would have nothing better to do and come cause trouble here? Even the imperial concubines of the palace needed to give a bit of face. Even if the Empress herself visited, she would speak kindly. She definitely would not put on such airs and act so picky. The one before them really did not know the depth of the world.
"Madam, watch your step. I won't be sending you." Qing Yu was a bit impolite, directly chasing them out.
The servant wanted to say some more; however, she was stopped by the madam. She did not immediately go down the stairs and leave. Instead, she walked around the third floor until her gaze landed on Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng; however, she let out a "huh" sound and stared straight at the box Xuan Tian Ming was holding.
"Did you two also come to buy things?" She directly asked Xuan Tian Ming.
How proud of a person was Xuan Tian Ming! Was he someone that just anyone could speak to if they desired? He immediately rolled his eyes then leaned back in his chair to rest.
The madam was embarrassed, and the servant was furious, rushing to saying: "Hey! Our madam is speaking to you. Are you deaf?"
Once this was said, the people in Nirvana Pavilion were scared witless. Qing Yu quickly went forward to step in front of Xuan Tian Ming, quietly saying: "You must not be rash. This place cannot stand up to a fight. If things are broken, it's your own money being lost."
When Xuan Tian Ming heard this, his anger dissipated. The hand that was reaching into his sleeve for a whip pulled back. Qing Yu was right! If he started something here and broke something, his wife would feel extremely distressed. He could not hit them. He could not hit them.
"Madam, please have your servant know some manners!" Qing Yu turned around and raised her voice, "This is a place that conducts proper business. It is not a place that tolerates impudence! All of the businesses in the capital are protected by the government. If madam's servant truly does not know how to speak, I can have her sent to the government office to be taught."
Qing Yu's words were totally rude, and her gaze was frigid. The madam clearly understood how to read the situation. Seeing that a worker in a shop dared to speak to her like this despite knowing that she was the madam of an official, she knew that the supporter of this shop had some sort of background. She recalled what her husband had said on their way. He had said that the capital could not compare to the outer provinces. The imperial family is near, and any random person could be related in some way to a large family. Some of the shops in the capital might be owned by people with great power. It's even possible that some are owned by the imperial family. That's why she had to be extremely careful in the capital. She must not act as recklessly as she did in the South.
Thus she held down her servant and no longer allowed her to speak. She then walked past Qing Yu and asked Feng Yu Heng with a smile: "Are you with this gentleman?"
Feng Yu Heng rolled her eyes at her, "If madam wishes to ask me a question, you should at least say may I ask before that question. You also cannot just use you. You must use miss." After she finished speaking, she shook her head, "People from the South really don't know the rules."
The madam was still angry, but she did her best to suppress it, repeating her question: "May I ask this miss. Would you be with this gentleman?"
Feng Yu Heng nodded, "That's right."
The other side then said: "I saw that you have a wooden box that looks very expensive. For such an expensive piece of wood to have been turned into a box, the contents must be quite expensive. Was that something that was purchased in this Nirvana Pavilion?"
Qing Yu was also getting angry and immediately replied for Feng Yu Heng: "There is no need for madam to worry about it."
Feng Yu Heng, however, stopped her and said with a smile: "That's right. Indeed, it was some good jade materials. I was preparing to bring it back to have it made into some things."
The madam's eyes lit up. Jade materials, she loved jade the most. She had been wanting to visit the capital to search for some top-quality jade. Who knew that she would actually end up running into such a treasure.
She quickly asked: "Could I be allowed to see?"
Feng Yu Heng was puzzled: "Why must I let you see?"
"If our madam thinks it's good, we will buy it at a high price. We guarantee that it would not be a loss for you." The servant was quick to speak and could not stop herself from interjecting.
After the madam heard this, she also nodded, expressing that she had such an intention.
As a result, once she nodded, it was Xuan Tian Ming that laughed, saying: "There really isn't a lack of strange things in this world. I really have not seen such a strange matter or such fools in many years."
Feng Yu Heng, however, did not feel that it was funny, as she thought quickly and said: "You can look, but you cannot look for free."
"Oh?" The madam also became interested and asked: "Do tell, how much would be considered enough?"
A trace of a sly smile appeared on her lips; however, it was not noticed by them. Feng Yu Heng then said: "Madam has good eyes, recognizing the materials used for this box as out of the ordinary. It is as you said, the contents of a box made with materials that are out of the ordinary will naturally be out of the ordinary. But as for how out of the ordinary, and whether it will be enticing to madam is not something that I can take responsibility for. Either way, this box is mine, and the thing inside is also mine. Madam is asking me to take a look, thus I will allow you to take a look with compensation." After thinking a bit, she spread her five fingers: "500 tales of silver to take a look."
"What?" The servant shrieked, "Are you stealing money?"
Feng Yu Heng nodded, "That's right, I am stealing money. Who told your madam to insist on looking at my things. Why should I show my things to people at random?"
"Who do you think you are?" The servant was sizing her up with great disdain. Although she was wearing quite nice clothes, she was far inferior compared to her madam. People like this were mostly young misses with a bit of money. At most, they would be young misses from officials' families. They could not possibly have too high of a status. Thus the words that she said were even more impolite, "Our madam wants to see your things. That is a favor to you. Don't turn down face when given it."
Smack!
Qing Yu suddenly raised her hand and very fiercely slapped the servant's face. A handprint immediately appeared on the left side of the servant's face. "Little girl does not pay attention to the weight of your words. I will teach you a lesson for your master. It will also save your master the trouble of losing face when going out."
The servant was dazed from being hit. She had been with her madam for many years. When they were in the South, they would move as they pleased. No matter what they did, nobody dared to offend them. Why was it after they came to the capital, a person doing business dared to slap her like this?
And this slap also gave the madam a shock. She did not pay attention to her own servant. Instead, she pointed at Feng Yu Heng and asked Qing Yu: "What is her relation to you?"
Qing Yu replied: "Master and servant."
"Nirvana Pavilion's owner?"
Qing Yu nodded, "Indeed."
The madam was puzzled. She was just the owner of a jewelry shop, but she had such a grand bearing. She could not help but look at Feng Yu Heng once more, wanting to ask who exactly this little girl was.
But at this time, she heard Feng Yu Heng ask her once more: "500 taels of silver, will you take a look or not?"
The One Being Scammed Is You
500 taels of silver was not a small amount, but it was clear that it was not much to this madam, as she very happily pulled out a banknote and handed it over. She then stared straight at the wooden box.
Xuan Tian Ming placed the wooden box on the table, and Feng Yu Heng gestured for Qing Yu to open it. When a piece of a pure-white jade appeared before the madam, she immediately felt that spending this 500 taels of silver was truly too worth it. She had never seen such a beautiful piece of jade before. Even if it had not yet been worked on and turned into a completed product, it was still enough to attract her attention. The madam was someone knowledgeable of the industry and immediately understood that this was a treasure with an extremely high value.
But she wanted it! The more it was a treasure, the more she wanted it, even if the price was many times higher. She trusted that her family would also be able to afford it.
Thus she spoke up and said: "I want the thing in this box. Please provide a price!"
Qing Yu glanced at Feng Yu Heng and did not say anything. She knew that Feng Yu Heng had already been planning on selling this piece of jade. As long as the other side was able to provide the money, it did not matter who they sold it to. But precisely how much this was worth, it was a bit hard to estimate.
Feng Yu Heng looked up at the madam then smiled and said: "Madam really is magnanimous. You're able to consume so much good jade?"
The quick-to-speak servant immediately replied for her master: "You just need to worry about providing a price. It's just a bit of silver, isn't it. Our madam is not lacking for silver in the slightest."
"Oh." She nodded and thought to herself. What should the price of this be?
At this time, Xuan Tian Ming, who had been quietly sitting to the side, said: "50 million taels."
"50 million taels?" The servant at the madam's side was shocked. 50 million taels was a large amount of silver!
But Feng Yu Heng glanced at him, the look in her eyes obviously said: Just 50 million taels? But she immediately accepted the response that Xuan Tian Ming gave with his eyes. She knew that he understood, thus she did not speak.
The servant on the other side, however, tried to negotiate: "Although your things are nice, they are too expensive. Just a box of these things is not worth that much money... Five million taels is more like it."
Qing Yu felt that this servant was truly unable to learn her lesson. Even after being slapped, she still had so much to say. She could not help but coldly snort: "The masters are speaking. Where is there any room for you to interject?"
"You..."
"Shut your mouth!" The madam scolded her: "Shut your mouth for me!" After saying this, she turned her attention back toward the box of jade materials. The more she looked, she more she was unwilling to part with it. The more she looked, the more she felt that her heart was being pulled in by the piece of jade, and they were becoming one. It was as though this box of jade was her life. If someone wanted for them to separate, she would definitely fight with them. "50 million is 50 million. Ji Xiang, go back and have the servants bring the banknotes over." Her gaze did not shift, only telling the servant, "This box of jade, I must bring it back."
"Madam!" Ji Xiang quietly advised her, "On this trip out, we did not bring that much in banknotes. Although we do have 50 million taels, I fear that master will also have other uses for that money. It's rare that we come to the capital. We need to have some money prepared for bribes. If it's all used to buy these things, if master has a need for the money, what should be done?"
What the servant said was reasonable. Unfortunately, her madam had already been dazed by this beautiful piece of jade. Who cared about needs or bribes. Right now, all she wanted was to bring this piece of jade home. As for whether or not the money had any other uses, this was already cast out of her thoughts.
"I told you to get it, so just go and get it. If husband asks about it, I will take responsibility. What are you worrying about. Quickly go and fetch the banknotes." She rushed the servant, and there was nothing that the servant could do. She could only obey and turn to leave.
The madam sat on a chair brought over by a clerk, but her entire body was leaning on the table to hold the box of jade. It gave off the feeling of a lecher holding a beauty. All that was lacking was her drooling.
Today, she had truly found a treasure. Based on her many years of appreciating jade, the box before her was worthy of being called a rarity that could only be seen every thousand years. 50 million taels of silver sounded like a large amount, but people that knew the industry could tell that this box of jade was not just worth 50 million taels of silver. But just how high that price could be, even she could not begin to estimate. It was also because of this that she did not care too much about her husband's uses for the money, whether that was for bribes or to improve relationships.
Feng Yu Heng watched the person's look of joy and could not help but sigh to herself. She just thought, did women really not have any defense against this sort of thing? Looking at this madam's appearance, if she did not sell this jade to her, blood might very well be spilled.
But... she then turned to look at Xuan Tian Ming, mouthing to ask: "Isn't 50 million too little?"
Xuan Tian Ming shook his head, "It's not."
"But I feel like it's not much. I wanted to trade it for even more."
The other person, however, said: "Don't worry. I won't do any business that will allow you to suffer a loss."
Feng Yu Heng felt a little more at ease. With people bringing tea, the servant only returned after they had finished two cups of tea. A guard followed behind her. It was only after she came up the stairs and saw her madam did she say to the guard: "Alright, we've arrived. Just wait in the carriage outside."
The guard nodded then went down the stairs. When the madam saw the servant return, she immediately waved her over. The servant placed a stack of banknotes in her hand. She did not even count it and directly handed it to Feng Yu Heng: "Count it yourself."
Feng Yu Heng did not receive it, nor did Xuan Tian Ming. Qing Yu looked at the two and did not receive it either.
The madam was puzzled, "The banknotes have been brought. Someone take them!"
Only then did Xuan Tian Ming say: "Madam might have misunderstood. Or perhaps you did not understand what I said."
"Hm?" The opposition was startled, "What did I not understand? What did I misunderstand?"
Xuan Tian Ming said: "50 million taels, I was talking about gold, not silver. Even if you were to give me banknotes, they should be for gold."
Feng Yu Heng smiled and let out a sigh of relief. 50 million taels of gold, this price was more like it. But while she was happy, the madam was dazed. Even the servant opened her mouth not knowing what to say.
50 million taels of gold? The madam blankly fell back in her seat. The warmth that had once been there seemed to have had a bucket of cold water poured on it.
It was as she was saying, how could a box of such beautiful jade be bought for just 50 million taels of silver. But if it was gold, not to mention not having it right now, even if she returned to Lan Zhou, she could not get that much. 50 million taels of gold could compare to the national treasury of a small country. These two... were truly just stealing money, right?
"Don't go too far." The madam's shock had subsided slightly, as she looked coldly toward Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng. For the first time, there was no need for the servant to speak, as she coldly spat out: "I have already been sufficiently respectful to you two. Know how to be satisfied. If you make too many threats, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Hmph." Feng Yu Heng shrugged. Who was she scaring!
Xuan Tian Ming was even more disdainful than her. While sipping the tea, he closed the lid on the box containing the jade.
The servant with the quick mouth was finally unable to endure and began cursing: "Impudent lowly people, going back on your word, how could the capital have such shameless people like you!"
With her cursing like this, Qing Yu wanted to hit her again; however, the servant dodged. This caused Qing Yu to angrily call for people to come.
As for Feng Yu Heng, when she spoke up this time, she said to the madam: "I'll offer you some advice, keep your servant's mouth cleaner. Don't believe that there will be nobody to hurl abuse for me. I just can't be bothered to use this sort of method to resolve problems. Our policy is to take action without arguing if possible. If you continue to speak impolitely, don't call out in pain if you're hit."
"You would dare!" The servant was extremely shocked: "Our madam is the head madam of the prefect of Lan Zhou. You actually dare to act out against us?"
Finally, their identity was exposed, but this identity did not cause any waves. Even Qing Yu said with great disdain: "A family member of the lowly prefect of Lan Zhou dares to come to the capital and go wild?"
Feng Yu Heng, however, muttered: "Lan Zhou! It sounds like a very large place. Is it in the South?"
Xuan Tian Ming nodded, "That's right. It's in the South."
The two began to chat between themselves, with Feng Yu Heng asking: "I heard that Lan Zhou is a vast and abundant land. The fruits grown in Lan Zhou are especially sweet."
Xuan Tian Ming replied: "That's right, that Lan Zhou is connected to Gu Shu. The temperature is hot and dry. that's why the fruit grown there is extremely sweet. I heard that Gu Shu and Lan Zhou have become intimate through trade. With the merchants passing through, Lan Zhou's regional government is richer than the others."
"Oh! That's why the madam of Lan Zhou's prefect is so magnanimous in her spending and is able to spend 50 million taels. But in the end, she is still lacking. When it comes to gold, she is powerless. Hah!" She sighed, "Unfortunately, it seems that madam will not be able to bring this box of jade back."
Feng Yu Heng smiled slyly. The smile left the madam hating that she could not go forward and tear her smile apart. But just as her anger reached its apex, she suddenly heard Feng Yu Heng say: "Ah! Madam too, why did you not provide your identity earlier? If we knew that you were the family of such a powerful official, how could I not give you a bit of face."
The madam's eyes lit up, "What do those words mean?"
Feng Yu Heng frankly said: "50 million taels of gold is to fool outsiders. Since madam has such a background, we naturally cannot ask for such an expensive price." While she spoke, she pondered, "How about this, 80 million taels of silver. How about it?"
"Hm?" The madam was startled and did not dare believe it, "Is this true or false?" She really began to see a glimmer of hope!
"Of course, it's true." Feng Yu Heng's attitude was very sincere, "It will be 80 million taels of silver. Madam has 50 million taels here; however, 30 million is still missing. As you see it..."
"I don't have it right now, but I will definitely get it for you in a couple days." The madam had set out her capital. Gritting her teeth, she pushed the banknotes in her hand over. "This shall be considered the deposit. Let me bring this jade back with me. At present, we are staying in the posthouse. How about you send people to come and collect in a couple days?"
Feng Yu Heng pushed the banknotes back, "Since you are the head madam of Lan Zhou's prefect, how could we take a deposit from you. Naturally, we trust you. You can take this jade back with you. In two days, I will personally come and ask for the money. When that time comes, just give the 80 million taels to me."
"Really?"
"Really."
The madam saw Feng Yu Heng nod and did not say a word before stepping forward to pick up the box. She did not even let the servant hold it. She just nodded to Feng Yu Heng and said: "Many thanks." She then quickly descended the stairs.
Qing Yu was quite anxious: "Young miss, are you not afraid that she'll flee? In the end, whether or not she's really the head madam of Lan Zhou's prefect is not known."
Feng Yu Heng smiled and said: "Her identity should not be an issue. Normal people wouldn't be able to bring out that many banknotes at once, but..." She put on a sly smile then said: "In four hours, go and file a report. Just say that imperial daughter Ji An lost a box of pure-white jade. The price is extremely high."