Wanbaolou.

This is the most famous jewelry shop in Yong'an City. Not only are there rare and precious treasures to dazzle people, but it is also said that the owner of Wanbaolou used to be a craftsman.

His surname is Hu, so most people call him Manager Hu.

Shopkeeper Hu is skilled in carving and craftsmanship. Anything he makes, whether it's a jade bracelet or a hairpin, is highly sought after.

Unfortunately, such a precious item is only produced once every few years.

Firstly, because Manager Hu is extremely wealthy and has considerable influence behind him.

In Yong'an, many high-ranking officials and nobles spared no expense to commission rare and precious jewelry from him, but he almost always turned them away.

Secondly, because Manager Hu was naturally easygoing and not a very diligent person.

Recently, however, an extremely exquisite hairpin suddenly appeared in the display case of Wanbaolou, attracting widespread attention.

It is a golden begonia bead hairpin.

Although it is made of gold, the hairpin is made entirely of mutton fat jade, and the petals of the begonia flower are carved from rare pink chalcedony, which is crystal clear and pink but not vulgar.

The gold chain adorned with crabapple blossoms is delicate and exquisite, clearly showing the effort that went into its creation.

Clearly, this hairpin was made by Manager Hu.

Manager Hu simply displayed it at Wanbaolou without setting a price, only saying that the hairpin already had an owner.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Min couldn't resist going to Wanbaolou herself.

She hadn't had high hopes, thinking it was just empty praise from ignorant people. But when she saw the hairpin with her own eyes, her eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Exquisite and ingenious! There's probably only one like it in the world. Even if Manager Hu is incredibly skilled, it would be difficult for him to create a hairpin exactly like it."

Rare and precious things, once they appear, are very difficult to surpass or replace.

Pearls and agates are like this, and so are beautiful women.

Hearing such praise, Manager Hu beamed with delight: "This young lady is right, this hairpin is one of a kind in the world."

Jiang Min turned to look at Manager Hu: "How much silver did the owner of this hairpin ask for? I'll offer double, and Manager Hu, you can sell it to me, how about it?"

Shopkeeper Hu quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no, young lady. In business, we value integrity in addition to profit. This hairpin was ordered by another customer a long time ago. It's not about the money."

Chun Tao, the maidservant beside Jiang Min, said dismissively, "In that case, my young lady should also have a hairpin made. The requirement is that it be more beautiful and exquisite than this one."

Shopkeeper Hu replied with a smile, "Well... it's not impossible, but it will be hard for you to wait another three to five years."

Chun Tao immediately objected: "Three to five years! Manager Hu, are you joking? Do you know who my young lady is?"

Manager Hu replied calmly, "Haste makes waste. If you are so aggressive, Miss, I will have no way to proceed."

Why would he care about the identity of the person in front of him?

In other words, given Manager Hu's personality, even if the Empress Dowager came later, he would still have the same attitude.

Compared to Chun Tao's bullying attitude, Jiang Min had the air of a well-bred young lady: "It's alright, Manager Hu, I can wait. Then it's settled. You can have any amount of deposit you want. I'll send someone to deliver it to you tomorrow."

Chun Tao pursed her lips, her expression not very pleasant.

Just then, a tall and straight figure appeared at the entrance of Wanbaolou. Chuntao's eyes widened, and after confirming the person's identity, she hurriedly lowered her head and whispered in Jiang Min's ear, "Miss, it's that eunuch."

"The one you asked me to inquire about... the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs," Chun Tao repeated in a low voice.

Jiang Min turned her head and looked towards the door, and sure enough...

It was him.

Xiao Heye was the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

She was so engrossed in watching that she didn't even realize Xiao Heye was approaching.

When Chuntao told her that day, Jiang Min couldn't believe it.

How could the one you've set your sights on possibly be a eunuch?