Harem Daily Life

Chapter 999 Why provoke the Empress? Are you just bored?

Xiao Nan was stunned for a moment. He coughed lightly and said, "It belongs to a friend of mine." After saying that, he ignored Tao Yanyan and went on to explain the carving requirements to the shopkeeper. He repeatedly emphasized that it must be carved exactly the same before carefully putting away the broken pink jade.

Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper quickly intervened, saying, "Young master, I think your broken piece of pink jade can still be salvaged. Why don't you spend some money, and I'll find the best craftsman to make you a pair of earrings? They'll be a perfect set with your newly purchased jade pendant."

Xiao Nan hesitated, but Xiao Da, concerned about the cost, quickly asked, "How much is the labor fee?"

The shopkeeper estimated for a moment: "Give me three taels of silver. It's all fine craftsmanship, but I guarantee it will look beautiful. You've no use for this broken jade anyway, so you might as well make the most of it. The pink jade pendant is so pretty, the young lady will definitely like it."

Xiao Nan's ears turned red, and he opened his mouth: "She is my friend, not... a girl who has nothing to do with me." But these words sounded more like a joke, so Xiao Nan shut his mouth.

Tao Yanyan listened silently, subtly observing the man before her. He had a high nose bridge, large, deep eyes with long eyelashes, and striking features; he was quite handsome. He was 1.85 meters tall, tall and slender, but looked rather thin, and with a limp, he resembled a frail, down-on-his-luck scholar.

Xiao Da did the math and advised his master, "It's such a good deal to get a brand new pair of earrings for three taels of silver. Anyway, we can't do anything with the broken jade."

Tao Yanyan spoke up at the opportune moment: "Indeed. Broken jade has no value, but it can be made into ornaments to make the most of it."

Xiao Nan glanced at Tao Yanyan, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "But this jade belongs to my friend. Even if I want to make it into something else, I have to ask my friend first. Please trouble the shopkeeper to finish carving today's jade pendant as soon as possible. I will come to pick it up in a few days."

Xiao Nan did not act on his own initiative, but carefully wrapped the broken jade and put it in his bosom. As he turned around, he nodded slightly to Tao Yanyan: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam." Only then did he let Xiao Da help him out the door.

After everyone had gone, Tao Yanyan chuckled, "What an inflexible young man." Then, she looked at the shopkeeper, "The shopkeeper is quite good at business, never missing a chance to make money."

The shopkeeper chuckled, "If you're taking wages from your master, you have to think about making money for them. Three taels of silver is still money. Anyway, our master craftsman is skilled; he can make anything look beautiful from any material." He then glanced at the jade hairpin in Tao Yanyan's hair, "This hairpin of yours must also be the work of a highly skilled craftsman. The intricate patterns on it are not something just anyone can carve. This jade hairpin is worth four hundred taels; the design and material are worth three hundred taels, and the carving is worth one hundred taels."

Tao Yanyan raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself that the shopkeeper was indeed sharp-eyed; her hairpin was indeed worth four hundred taels, and it was specially made for her by the Bureau of Jewelry.

"However, we have a hairpin in our shop that is very similar to yours, but our price is much cheaper. Would you like to take a look?"

Hearing that he was launching a product at the right time, Tao Yanyan raised an eyebrow: "Then let's take a look."

The shopkeeper was overjoyed and immediately went to another counter, took out a hairpin, and promoted it, saying, "Madam's hairpin is carved with peonies in bloom, while our Zhenbaozhai hairpin is carved with twin begonias. Look at the patterns and the feel of it; they are all of the highest quality. The most valuable part is the two pearl pendants, which are large and round. Paired with the jade hairpin, they sway gracefully when worn, exuding an air of nobility. For only 268 taels, you can fully appreciate the value of 400 taels."

Tao Yan smiled and gave Xianglan a look. Xianglan immediately took out her money pouch, counted out the silver notes, and handed them over.

"It's a blessing for your mistress to have such a professional manager like you." No wonder Treasure Shop is doing so well; this manager is a real business expert.

The shopkeeper respectfully put the jade hairpin into an exquisite box, handed it to Xianglan with both hands, and smiled as he escorted Tao Yanyan to the carriage: "Madam, please take care. If you need any repairs, you can bring them here anytime. Welcome to visit us again."

Xianglan carefully put the hairpin away: "Your Highness was just staring at that young master's broken jade in a daze. Is there something amiss?"

Tao Yanyan tapped her fingers lightly on the seat surface, leaning against the car wall: "That jade, if there are no surprises, belongs to the Third Princess."

Xianglan was shocked: "Ah? If it belongs to the Third Princess, how could it be in the hands of a young master?"

The princess never even steps outside the palace gates, so she wouldn't have any involvement with a stranger.

Tao Yan said calmly, "Why don't you just go and check? When you get back, have Chang Tai investigate, but keep it low-key." After all, it concerns the Third Princess's reputation.

Xianglan nodded and made a note of it.

Princess He Min had already given up the search. Consort Xian noticed that she hadn't worn the pink jade recently and assumed that she was tired of wearing it, so she didn't pay any attention.

After two days, the well-informed Chang Tai finally figured out the cause and effect and returned to report to the Empress.

"I see. So, the Third Princess still doesn't know that her lost jade pendant was picked up by someone?" Tao Yanyan asked, wiping her mouth after finishing her bird's nest soup.

Chang Tai nodded: "They probably don't know. We searched quite diligently a few days ago, but we've stopped these past two days. Since the Third Princess can't remember where she lost it, we haven't been able to find out who might have picked it up."

Tao Yan waved her hand: "No need to investigate anymore, let's leave it at that. The most important thing now is Prince Jin's wedding. Xuan'er gave birth smoothly, and I can finally calm down and manage Jin'an's wedding. How are the wedding clothes coming along? And Prince Jin's mansion, it was agreed that he would move to his fiefdom in Qianzhou after the wedding, so no mansion was built for him in the capital. What's the progress on the renovation and additions to Qingyun Palace?"

Xianglan answered first: "Your Majesty, the wedding dress is almost ready. The Imperial Clothing Bureau said it will be finished in three or four days at most, and then it will be sent over for Your Majesty to see."

Chang Tai then reported, "The Imperial Household Department has allocated special funds to renovate Qingyun Palace. I go to check on it every few days, and it's almost finished. A list of items that need to be added has been made, and we'll put them in one by one once the palace is renovated. However... recently, some gossip has been circulating in the inner palace, saying that Prince Jin is not the Crown Prince, so how can he live in the palace after getting married like the Crown Prince?"

Tao Yanyan raised an eyebrow: "Which troublemaker is it that can't stand Jin'an being favored?"

Chang Tai glanced at Tao Yanyan's face: "It seems that the news came from Consort Liang and the Fourth Princess."

"Hmph." Tao Yanyan curled her lips: "He Qian's marriage is before Jin'an's. They should worry about their own affairs. Why are they talking about Jin'an?" After saying that, she glanced at Xianglan: "Didn't I ask you to add a pair of jade ruyi to the Fourth Princess's dowry before? Take them out. I'm not giving them to her."

Xianglan stuck out her tongue. The Empress is truly generous; if you're one of her people, she'll absolutely protect you. But she's also truly stingy. So why did Consort Liang and the Fourth Princess provoke the Empress? Are they just bored?