Imperial Concubine

It was only when Jingwan saw the small jade comb she had crafted on Gao Yun's head that she realized that the young lady who had "splurged" thirty taels of silver was actually her.

After moving to Hefeng Courtyard, Wang would occasionally invite her to eat in the main hall. At those times, the whole family would be there, and she, Gao Yun, Gao Qian, and Gao Yun would all sit at the same table, seemingly a harmonious family.

She didn't know that Wang was just trying to win her husband's heart with a few meals.

Allowing Jingwan, a concubine's daughter, to dine at the same table was already Wang's biggest concession. Gao Yun was naturally pleased to see her yield and was happy to maintain the marital relationship, no longer staying overnight at the government office.

As soon as Jingwan arrived at the main hall, she immediately noticed the small jade comb on Gao Yun's head. The crescent-shaped jade comb was as big as a palm, with small, elegant lilac blossoms carved in openwork, and it was tightly fastened to her hair bun.

Because of the jade comb, even someone as domineering as Gao Yun appeared somewhat docile, which was why Gao Yun bought the jade comb.

After returning from Marseille that day, Qin Gang became the man of her dreams. Even when she was dressing up, she would smile foolishly at the bronze mirror. Madam Wang told her that Qin Xi, the daughter of the Qin family, was gentle and considerate, which meant that the Qin family liked such quiet and gentle girls. She told her to learn from Qin Xi in terms of manners and dress.

Previously, Gao Yun thought that people like Qin Xi and Gao Shijun were hypocritical. Now, in order to marry Qin Gang, she also pretended to be that kind of person. Seeing that Jing Wan was looking at the small jade comb in her hair, she touched it proudly.

Madam Wang also looked at the jade comb and praised it with satisfaction: "Yu Ying Pavilion has finally come up with some new things. Otherwise, it's always the same few items. I think the workmanship of this jade comb is also very good. Come with me to Yu Ying Pavilion again sometime."

Before she could finish speaking, she glanced sideways and saw her husband beside her coldly serving food to Jingwan. Wang Shi forced a smile, propping her chin on her hand: "Jingwan, why don't you go and take a look too!"

The food here was delicious, but when Wang invited her to eat, she found it hard to swallow. After complaining to Dongxia several times, she listened to her advice and came with the intention of eating and drinking for free. After a few times, she just buried her head in her food and ignored what others were saying. Now that Wang mentioned her, she was so frightened that the half-eaten chicken wing on her chopsticks fell into her bowl.

Gao Yun looked at her and said, "You're all grown up now, so you can go out and see more of the world. In a few days, go with your mother to Yuying Pavilion to buy some things!"

Of course she knew Yuying Pavilion; all the little things she carved were sold there.

Qin Ziyou once said that if she didn't believe anyone would buy it, she should go there and see for herself. She was worried about how to bring it up with her father, but the opportunity was right in front of her. She immediately put down her chopsticks and bowed to Gao Yun and Wang Shi: "Thank you, Father and Mother."

When Jingwan saw Qin Ziyou again, she gave him a pair of bamboo-shaped lotus bracelets. They were made from fine jade given to her by Bo Jun, and they were pure and lustrous. She loved them very much and originally wanted to keep them for herself, but after thinking about it, she gave them to Qin Ziyou.

Two days later, Wang took Gao Yun and Jing Wan to Yu Ying Pavilion.

Wang and Gao Yun went inside early, but she stood at the door, looking up at the three characters "Yu Ying Ge" on the plaque.

After dinner that day, Gao Yun thought Jing Wan was too unsophisticated, not even knowing about Yu Ying Pavilion, so she spent some time explaining it to her. Only then did Jing Wan realize that the shop was located in a bustling area but never served ordinary people.

The shopkeeper had a keen eye and recognized the families of officials of all ranks in Pingdu; only they were qualified to enter the shop.

Even the most favored concubine, Consort Dong, loved the jewelry from this shop. Every three months, the shopkeeper would present the best items from the shop to the concubine for her to choose from.

According to Gao Yun, the three characters "Yu Ying Ge" were personally inscribed by the Imperial Concubine. She stared at them intently and saw that the characters were plump and round, exuding a delicate and lovely charm. She wondered if the Imperial Concubine herself looked just like the characters.

Dongxia reminded her from the side, "Miss, let's go inside!"

She snapped out of her daze, lifted her skirt, and stepped over the threshold. As soon as she entered, she could smell the refreshing fragrance of osmanthus. There was no incense burner in sight, but there were vases on each windowsill, filled with osmanthus branches soaking in water.

September still has its summer heat. In the center of the shop is a large vat filled with ice. There are smaller vats in the four corners of the shop, which are also filled with cool air. When you enter the shop, it feels like every pore opens up and you can breathe in the coolness.

Jingwan shuddered and couldn't help but look around.

The shop was brightly lit, with oil lamps lit in some places. There were several square counters, with two shop assistants standing behind each counter.

The counter was made of red satin, with brocade boxes on it. When the boxes were opened, they contained the shop's jewelry: pearls, agate, gold and jade, some exquisite and grand, others small and delicate. Bracelets, necklaces, headdresses, armlets, and more were on display in a dazzling array.

These are small items, but there are also jade carvings as large as half a person's body. Judging from the craftsmanship, they are clearly the work of a master, and she couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Walking behind Gao Yun, the shopkeeper recognized the Wang mother and daughter and personally came out to welcome everyone to the second floor.

There were no more jewelry displayed upstairs; instead, curtains were used to separate the space. Waiters served fragrant tea and pastries, and everyone sat down to listen to the shopkeeper talk about the new products that had recently come out of the shop. Waiters would bring out exquisite boxes with both hands and place them in front of everyone so that they could try them on and admire them.

Although the jewelry pieces presented were exquisitely crafted, they were all familiar and the styles were somewhat dull and lacked novelty.

Gao Yun casually rummaged through it a couple of times, somewhat dissatisfied: "I bought this little jade comb from your shop. What other new products did the craftsman who made this jade comb make? Bring them up and let me see."

The shopkeeper was in a bit of a dilemma. It was originally Qin Ziyou who put it in his shop. He didn't want to offend the young master of the Qin family, so he put it in a corner.

Unexpectedly, those few small items caught the eye of the young ladies of the capital and were sold out in no time. Before this Miss Gao arrived, other girls had also inquired about the goods!

Seeing the shopkeeper's predicament, the young shop assistant kindly reminded him, "You sent over another safety amulet a few days ago, have you forgotten, shopkeeper?"

The shopkeeper slapped his forehead and laughed, "Yes, yes, yes! There's also a safety amulet!" But when he turned to get the item, he glared fiercely at the waiter.

When Qin Ziyou delivered the items, even he was captivated by them. The workmanship was simple, but the design was novel. He thought he would keep them for now and wait for the master craftsman in the shop to draw the design before making a few more identical ones. Little did he expect that his own shop assistant would steal his secret.

But after the shopkeeper went downstairs, he didn't come back up for a long time. Gao Yun sent a maid down to look for him. When the maid returned, she said anxiously, "Madam, Miss, a group of men with knives came downstairs. They are guarding the stairwell and won't let me go down."

The maidservant had always served Gao Yun and had seen a lot of things. She knew that her mistress was backed by a top-notch minister of the Great Wei, so she was naturally unafraid. Therefore, she even had a few words of argument with the people downstairs when she went downstairs.

The commotion attracted the attention of the new customers downstairs. At that moment, she was surrounded by a crowd, with guards and maids bowing respectfully behind her, and the manager and shop assistants standing in front, their backs also bent.

She was holding a brocade box in her hands—she had taken a liking to the safety buckle in the shopkeeper's hand the moment she arrived at the shop.

Hearing the commotion, the shopkeeper raised his eyebrows and wiped away his cold sweat to explain that the second wife of the Duke's mansion had also come to the shop, and that it must be a misunderstanding. After saying that, he asked the waiter to invite the ladies down.

The waiter hurried up and bumped into Gao Yun, who was on her way to confront him. Upon hearing the name "Consort Dong," the group immediately got up and went downstairs. Gao Yun followed behind her mother and whispered to Jing Wan, "Don't make a sound later."

When Jingwan saw that Gao Yun, who was usually domineering, had also slowed down her footsteps as she came downstairs, she held her breath and her teeth trembled involuntarily. She quickly bit her lower lip and looked down at the stairs.

When they got downstairs, the main entrance was closed, and all the staff were only serving the customer sitting in the center.

Wang recognized the guest at a glance. It was indeed the Imperial Concubine. What a coincidence that they had run into each other today! She quickly knelt down to pay her respects, and the Gao family members who followed behind her did the same.

The Imperial Concubine did not tell her to get up for a long time, so Lady Wang could only kneel with her head touching the ground, feeling suffocated but unable to vent her anger.

Consort Dong was the emperor's favorite in the palace, and he could not afford to offend her.

Jingwan also knelt on the ground. Having been used to the arrogant and domineering behavior of this mother and daughter, this rare setback was truly satisfying.

"Get up!" The voice was young and gentle, like clear and clean spring water. Jingwan couldn't help but raise her head and look over. As she looked, she met a pair of clear and clean eyes.

The Imperial Concubine happened to look over, and their eyes met. Jingwan was stunned by those blue eyes and for a moment forgot to look away.

The surprised expression caught the eye of the Imperial Concubine, but she smiled gently, her beauty captivating.

This smile brought Jingwan back to her senses. Her heart pounded, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at him again.

For royalty, to stare at someone without permission is a grave offense, punishable by caning or even beheading!

Even Gao Yun didn't dare to look up. She actually looked so directly at her and was caught by the Imperial Concubine. Jing Wan's palms, back, and even throat were covered in fine cold sweat. She closed her eyes and felt that disaster was about to befall her.

She remembered when she first arrived in Pingdu, she was almost trampled by the horse of that "Left Army Lieutenant". After Bo Jun saved her, he also pressed her back heavily, and the two of them knelt on the ground, not daring to look at the face of the "culprit".

For those who wield power, even glancing at them is a sin.

My mind went blank, and I was so frightened that I couldn't breathe, when I heard the Imperial Concubine's voice again. She was exchanging pleasantries with Lady Wang.

She only said a few words casually, but Wang replied in a fawning manner, her attitude obsequious.

Consort Dong looked at the shopkeeper and said, "This safety buckle is really beautiful. I liked it at first sight. Put it in the box."

The shopkeeper presented the safety buckle with both hands and then personally offered several pieces of jewelry. After the imperial concubine selected them and saw that she was satisfied, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As usual, her maid placed several silver notes on the table.

Consort Dong did not linger. She bought a few things she liked and was about to leave when everyone knelt down to see her off.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Jingwan felt that this elegant and noble lady lingered in front of her for a very short time. Then, the white moon gauze trailed gently on the ground and brushed against her hand without her noticing. In the blink of an eye, she heard the woman chuckle softly.