by Ning er
As the carriage gradually slowed down and stopped at a suitable place, the servants outside carefully reported, “da xiaojie, si xiaojie, we’ve reached Fu Gui Tang!”
Hearing this, Mu Chun and Yun Yi Yi’s personal maid, Yin’er simultaneously lifted the curtains of the carriage. After that, Yun Qian Meng was helped down the carriage, with Yun Yi Yi following closely behind.
Yun fu was a considerably influential family in Su City, the rules and customs they practiced were certainly not inferior to those of the various clans in the capital. As the Yun fu’s young miss, Yun Yi Yi considered herself to be quite experienced and knowledgeable.
However, when Yun Yi Yi stood before the main entrance of Fu Gui Tang, she finally understood that she was only a frog at the bottom of the well. Only a place like this, Fu Gui Tang, could be considered wealthy and luxurious; even the guardian lion statues here were carved from jade of the highest quality!
And above them, inscribed on a black board, was the writing of the previous Emperor; his flamboyant, dancing calligraphy spelling out “Fu Gui Tang“. This was a declaration from the previous Emperor, that this place was for wealthy and respectable people, that the grandeur of this place would not be usurped! For a moment, any feelings of superiority Yun Yi Yi had while at home were completely shattered, as she could only stare blankly, feeling hopelessly lost within the unending tide of people on the street.
Yun Qian Meng had expected Yun Yi Yi to be completely shaken by Fu Gui Tang. She did not comfort her wounded pride, and only faintly approached her, jostling her slightly while asking, “meimei, what happened? Why aren’t you going in?”
After that, Yun Qian Meng took Mu Chun’s arm and strolled leisurely into Fu Gui Tang.
Snapping out of her stupor, Yun Yi Yi stared at Yun Qian Meng’s refined elegance. Looking at her effortless display of picturesque nobility, Yun Yi Yi could not help but wish that she possessed all of these qualities as well!
Mimicking Yun Qian Meng’s demeanor, she also placed a hand on Yin’er’s arm before stepping into Fu Gui Tang.
All of this was actually seen by someone who was looking out of the window from a restaurant on the opposite side of the street. He was pinching a smooth and lustrous South Sea pearl in his hand while staring closely at the two silhouettes that had entered Fu Gui Tang one after another. Sighing, he said, “It really is like Dong Shi the mere copycat! That little brat wants to imitate the bearing of a well-bred young lady, it’s almost too funny!”
Standing behind him, a middle-aged man saw that his master was again starting to prattle on about something and looked worryingly at the South Sea pearl he was fiddling with. He quietly warned his master, “zhuzi, we should quickly return that thing! If someone notices……”
“So what if he notices? Does that fellow still dare to do anything to me? I was nice enough to let him come and choose a daughter-in-law, but that bastard is really something to dare to stand me up! He’d better watch out, because I’ll definitely beat him up every time I see him in the future!” The man suddenly shouted aggressively without letting his subordinate finish.
However, even though he said that, he still carefully returned the South Sea pearl into the brocade box and passed it to his subordinate for safekeeping.
While the middle-aged man thought his master was going to return to the fu, that man instead stroked his chin and stared directly at the entrance to Fu Gui Tang, murmuring, “Jiao Da, which one do you think is good? If it was you, which one would you like?”
Even though the question was not specific, the middle-aged man named Jiao Da had blushed scarlet; quickly retreating with three large steps as he pretended not to have heard anything!
If the scene at the entrance had caused Yun Yi Yi to open her eyes wide, the great lobby in Fu Gui Tang was now really shaking her to her core!
Even though the place was called Fu Gui Tang, it was not the slightest bit tacky. The lobby was elegantly furnished, exhibiting exquisite refinement in all respects. Various types of jewelry were finely sorted and laid out on the many display tables, each of them emitting a unique splendor!
Yet, the display of gold, silver and jade jewelry in the lobby was abnormally harmonious; unlike common stores, which had an unwritten rule not to put gold and jade together!
Yun Yi Yi carefully examined the vast lobby as the excitement, greed and ambition in her heart gradually floated into her eyes!
Yun Qian Meng caught all of it with her eyes, but only smiled coldly in her heart.
Since the old madam was so heavily guarded against her, then she should not blame her if she were to mercilessly destroy the old madam’s favorite granddaughter!
At the very least, she wanted to take some of the attention that the old madam had fixed onto her and pass some of it on to Yun Yi Yi!
At this moment, the Fu Gui Tang’s shopkeeper hurriedly rushed down from the third floor. Seeing Yun Qian Meng, she immediately bowed and said, “Greetings to da xiaojie!”
Yun Qian Meng slightly nodded when she saw the shopkeeper and asked, “Is everything ready?”
Even though Yun Qian Meng’s face was concealed behind the muslin veil, her voice that was as clear as moving water carried grace and esteem. Hearing her voice for the first time, the shopkeeper who had seen countless people still felt her heart tremble slightly, as she respectfully answered, “According to xiaojie’s instructions, I have already set aside Pin Yu Xuan for xiaojie. In a moment, I will personally bring send the jewelry xiaojie has chosen over!”
Listening from the sidelines, Yun Yi Yi asked, somewhat puzzled, “da jiejie, what’s going on?”
Hearing her immature voice, the shopkeeper slightly raised her eyebrows as she saw Yun Yi Yi pulling at Yun Qian Meng while asking all sorts of questions. Immediately grading the girl in her heart, she only felt that this young miss was unfit to wear the jewelry from their store!
Yun Qian Meng noticed the shopkeeper’s expression from behind her veil and also turned to look at Yun Yi Yi.
Since Yun Yi Yi was not of age, she did not put on a muslin veil. While she sweetly asked all sorts of questions, the greed in her eyes was only becoming more and more intense!
“Please lead the way!” As far as Yun Qian Meng was concerned, she did not need to explain anything. Saying a few polite words, she followed the shopkeeper to the third floor.
However, just as they reached the third floor, they heard some gasps of admiration coming from Mu Dan Xuan.
“xiaomei, this jade bracelet truly only suits you! Your arm is fair and slender like a white lotus; it just matches the dark green jade too perfectly!”
“In my opinion, this gold buyao suits our princess more! Tian’er is a blue-blooded peerless beauty, of course she would match this golden phoenix buyao well!”
“I think both of your views are far too vulgar! With Tian’er’s beauty, does she really need any embellishment? Even is she just set her hair casually, it would be enough turn heads anywhere!”
Every one of their words praised the person who had yet to speak to the high heavens. Yun Yi Yi’s eyes flashed with jealousy when she heard them, and suddenly clutched towards Yun Qian Meng, whispering, “Yi Yi still feels that da jiejie is matchless under the Heavens!”
Yun Qian Meng looked at the shopkeeper who was still in front of them, feeling somewhat annoyed by Yun Yi Yi’s hot-headedness. If her whispers were overheard, it would just needlessly create more enemies for herself!
She only coldly retorted, “Don’t say nonsense! You’ve only met with a few people before, how can you boast to the ocean? If other people overheard you, won’t they feel antagonized by our xiangfu? Besides, in this world, no matter how good you think something is, there is always going to be something better! There are plenty of exceptional beauties; when did it become my turn? Next time, you shouldn’t simply say some conceited nonsense!”
Yun Yi Yi did not expect her flattery to backfire, nor did she expect Yun Qian Meng to openly reprimand her with such ruthle
ssness. For a moment, she felt a bit of anger rising in her heart.
However, thinking again, she realized, since she was now living under someone else’s roof,
the xiangfu was really her only source of shelter. If this matter really caused the xiangfu to land in danger, then it really wasn’t worth it! Hence, she quickly lowered her head to admit her mistake, “jiejie’s scolding is right! meimei was being rude and impetuous!”
Of course, Yun Qian Meng had long since figured out the identity of the other person from the few isolated phrases they had heard just now!
Someone who had the identity of a princess, had a maiden name of Tian’er, and was able to elicit such flattering remarks from these women, could only be the young lady controlled half of the affairs of Hai wangfu, Princess Hai Tian!
For such a young lady to be able to cause these women of similar status to bend and scrape their knees just to curry her favor, it could be seen that Hai Tian not only had her own methods, but her mind was likely quite sharp!
Hai wangfu had gained outstanding achievements during the reign of the previous Emperor, and Hai Wang also loved guests; leading to lots of countless people falling under their wing!
Even though she was a girl, Hai Tian was personally appointed to manage the Wang fu’s matters by Hai Wang. This was not something that any normal woman would be able to accomplish!
It was also reported that before this, there was also a Princess Lin that could be considered her equal in Hai wangfu. However, she had been married off early due to one of Hai Tian’s schemes. It could be seen that Hai Tian was not a tolerant or broadminded person!
If a little difference in opinion over their beauty was to lead to a conflict between the xiangfu and Hai wangfu, it would not be good for them at all!
This was the main reason Yun Qian Meng had openly reprimanded Yun Yi Yi!
The shopkeeper who was walking in front of them didn’t miss a single word between the two sisters, immediately gaining a whole new level of respect for the xiangfu’s eldest young miss.
If any other girl was praised by someone else, they would surely be beaming from ear to ear!
Only in front of her, Yun Qian Meng was confident and fully aware of true meaning of showing off one’s ability!
In the shopkeeper’s eyes, Yun Qian Meng was certainly an exceptional young lady. And she was not merely talking about her appearance, but also her ability and her bright, clever mind!
She just didn’t know who would come out on top if this mysterious eldest young miss was pitted against Princess Hai Tian who was just inside Mu Dan Xuan.
“da xiaojie, we’ve reached Pin Yu Xuan! I will now go and prepare!” The shopkeeper led Yun Qian Meng into the pavilion before she slowly retreated.
As soon as the doors to Pin Yu Xuan were closed, Yun Yi Yi’s eyes lit up as she quickly swept them around the pavilion. Her hands felt around the place curiously as if she needed to touch the things in order to feel certain of their existence!
Yun Qian Meng just took a seat before the table and received the tea that Mu Chun had offered her. While drinking carefully, her mind was busy contemplating the moment Su Qing would surrender to her demands.
After Yun Yi Yi was satisfied, she somewhat tiredly sat beside Yun Qian Meng. After finishing a cup of tea, she widened her eyes and asked curiously, “da jiejie, how are the prices here?”
Recollecting her thoughts, Yun Qian Meng smiled faintly and answered, “Don’t worry about the money! As long as you like something, jiejie will buy it for you!”
Seeing how generous Yun Qian Meng was treating her, a grateful expression floated into Yun Yi Yi’s eyes. However, she was also not an entirely stupid person. Although Yun Qian Meng did not state a bottom line, she still understood that she could not go too far this first time. Otherwise, she might never have a chance to come here again!
Yun Yi Yi’s heart was filled with admiration and envy as she looked at Yun Qian Meng gracefully sipping her tea. Although she was extremely curious about the jewelry Yun Qian Meng had chosen for her, she still restrained herself and imitated her, slowly lifting her cup to take careful sips of tea.
At this moment, a polite knock came from the door. Mu Chun checked who had arrived before she opened the wooden door, letting in the shopkeeper and eight servant girls who each carried a display tray. Small boxes of various textures were displayed on the trays, but as they were currently closed, it was impossible to see the jewelry inside. Seeing this, Yun Yi Yi was almost at the edge of her seat!
The eight servants stood in a row as the shopkeeper walked forward and said smilingly, “da xiaojie, these are the things you ordered. Please look over them!”
Finishing ,the shopkeeper stopped before the first servant and opened the small box made of the finest topaz, a brilliant luster radiating from within……
Yun Yi Yi was already itching to take a look at the valuables, but Yun Qian Meng only stood up and sauntered over slowly and unhurriedly. Even though Yun Yi Yi’s heart was burning with excitement, she had no choice but to follow behind Yun Qian Meng and walk over slowly.
“Yi Yi, come take a look. Do you like this set of head ornaments?” Yun Qian Meng intimately pulled Yun Yi Yi’s hand and pointed at a full set of pearl-encrusted, topaz jewelry, gently asking the already enraptured Yun Yi Yi.
Yun Yi Yi just stared at the, delicately crafted, exquisite, noble and elegant jewelry. Seeing the new and original as well as beautiful patterns and designs, Yun Yi Yi only forcefully nodded her head!
Yun Qian Meng smiled lightly and then pulled her to the second box, made of red sandalwood. The box was opened to reveal many layers; and all sorts of women’s jewelry, from earrings to golden hairpins could be found in this box; the dazzling radiance of it all almost blinding Yun Yi Yi’s eyes!
Yun Qian Meng did not mind Yun Yi Yi and continued to drag her along the entire row. After they had looked over the final set, she finally let go of Yun Yi Yi’s hand and asked with a slight smile, “jiejie has prepared these. So, which ones did meimei take a liking to?”
Hearing this question, Yun Yi Yi only wished she could say that she wanted everything!
Even though she understood, don’t mention taking all eight sets, even a single earing from one of those sets was already of considerable cost; she really liked all of the jewelry she was shown! Feeling sorry if she let go of this piece, and feeling regret if she lost out on the other, her wide eyes couldn’t stop flittering between the boxes, unable to come to a decision after a long time!
Yun Qian Meng saw how difficult it was for her to decide and immediately knew that Yun Yi Yi was definitely feeling greedy, wishing to keep everything. Her smiling expression slightly faded as she said, “jiejie still feels that the last set is most suitable for meimei! Since meimei is still young, the brightly colorful and cute jewelry from that set suits you the most!”
Yun Yi Yi listened to Yun Qian Meng’s opinion and quickly moved in front of the jewelry set, reaching out to put on each piece. Looking at her even more dainty appearance in the mirror, her smile widened as she replied happily, “jiejie’s insight is really good! meimei couldn’t decide after so long, but jiejie managed to discern it so easily!”
However, beneath her broad smile, a heavy sense of disappointment still flashed across her eyes.
Yun Yi Yi couldn’t help but think to herself that it would so much better if all of this could be given to her!
Yun Qian Meng already saw through her thoughts. But she knew that she must not indulge these types of people. Otherwise, in the future, their appetites would only get bigger and bigger, their greed and selfish desires leading them to plot against others for riches!
Yun Qian Meng only stood up and calmly said, “Since this is the case, shopkeeper, we’ll take this set! As for the two sets for laotaitai and san xiaojie, we’ll settle the accounts after sending a messenger to the xiangfu’s treasury room!”
The shopkeeper, having also seen through Yun Yi Yi’s inner thoughts, imm
ediately expressed her approval of Yun Qian Meng’s actions.
After all, Fu Gui Tang’s jewelry was not cheap. The set that Yun Yi Yi had just picked was itself worth almost five thousand and two hundred liang of silver!
“Yes!” The shopkeeper quickly replied before she led Yun Qian Meng outside.
At the same time, the door to Mu Dan Xuan were pushed open as an elegant, cool beauty emerged from within.
Such a strong presence could only belong to Hai Tian!
Hai Tian was currently completely made up, with her black hair adorned with numerous openwork amethyst jade hairpins encrusted with pearls about the size of the tip of her finger while her dainty ears were pierced with similarly colored amethyst jade earrings. The penetrating gaze from her clear eyes exhibited a brilliance that was impossible to ignore, causing most people to feel cold just looking at her.
And Hai Tian was surrounded by three pretty young women, which were presumably the same three people they had overheard earlier!
However, at the moment, Hai Tian’s attention was not focused on the three women beside her. Instead, her sharp eyes pierced through the crowd and fell on Yun Qian Meng. As she looked at the muslin veil on Yun Qian Meng’s head, she couldn’t help but carelessly crease her eyebrows.
This subtle action from her immediately aroused the attention of the people beside her!
A young servant ran through the crowd with a panicked expression and kneeled before Hai Tian, lifting up a light purple muslin veil with her hands.
Another servant saw this and immediately took the veil, carefully helping Hai Tian put it on. After that, everyone heard a severe voice from behind the veil say, “Take her back and beat her to death!”
Even though Hai Tian was so ruthless in public, the people beside her did not seem to disapprove of her actions. Instead, the three women seized the opportunity to scold the young servant, none of them having even a shred of pity for the young girl.