Opening (Part 1)

The crackling of firecrackers mingled with the rhythm of gongs and drums, accompanied by lively chatter.

Lanxuge has officially opened for business.

Qu Linghan stood at the door, greeting the customers who came in.

The lion dance performance was in full swing, making the children laugh.

Jing'er and Zhao Shizhong were handing out flyers to the endless stream of people on the street in an orderly manner. Zhao Shizhong was jumping and skipping, looking particularly excited.

"Lanxu Pavilion is now open! Don't miss it!"

There is a small but not very large open space in front of the entrance to Lanxu Pavilion.

Yesterday, Qu Linghan instructed his workers to set up dozens of lanterns in that small space. There were about a dozen lanterns on each shelf, and each one was filled with a riddle.

Anyone who answers the riddle correctly can claim their prize at the counter.

The reward is to spin a wheel; you get one spin for each correct answer, and so on, with more spins for more correct answers.

"A tall building made of a single log, without tiles or bricks, where people walk underwater and water flows above them—guess what kind of tool it is."

A girl who looked to be about the same age as Zhao Shizhong was standing on tiptoe, struggling to see the riddle.

I finally managed to see the whole thing, but I still can't guess the answer.

She stomped her foot in slight anger, the delicate butterfly hairpin on her head swaying gently with her movement, making her appear somewhat endearing.

Zhao Shizhong, who was handing out flyers, was caught by the butterfly that flew out and looked over at her.

He chuckled softly, then walked straight toward her.

"Let me see."

"A tall building made of a single log... Guess the tool."

He put away the riddle in his hand and looked at the little girl in front of him.

"Let's go, let's go claim the prize."

The little girl's grief and indignation instantly turned into excitement, and she jumped up with joy.

You guessed it!

The little butterfly on her head still swayed with her movements, but this time it was light and cheerful.

What is it?

The little girl's words were full of anticipation.

"umbrella."

"umbrella?"

She rested her chin on her fingers, as if deep in thought. An umbrella?

People walk underwater, and the water flows above them...

"I see, you're so smart!"

Qu Linghan took in all of this, and a smile crept onto his face without him even realizing it.

Children's friendships are always pure and enviable.

Zhao Shizhong and the girl went to the counter.

"Sister Linghan, the answer to this is 'umbrella,' right?"

Qu Linghan accepted the note from Zhao Shizhong with a smile.

"Let me see... Hmm, it really is an umbrella."

The two children looked at each other and smiled.

Qu Linghan took out the small throwing dart in his hand.

"Then, to whom should we give this?"

Zhao Shizhong pointed to the little girl beside him, who was standing tall and proud.

Give it to her!

"good."

After handing the small dart to the little girl, Qu Linghan walked to the turntable and held it steady.

This attracted several women who had finished solving the riddles.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Qu Linghan heard their calls.

"Shopkeeper, is this where I redeem my prize?"

Because of the distance, Qu Linghan drawled out his words.

"Yes! You claim your prize here!"

After speaking, Qu Linghan shifted his gaze to the little girl.

"Shall we begin?"

She nodded quickly, like a woodpecker, and then threw a dart.

Qu Linghan approached to examine it.

"Little sister, it's a small purse! Come on, let's go pick out a prize."

Qu Linghan led the little girl to the finished product area, where a dazzling array of small purses came into view.

The little girl was overwhelmed by the choices.

"Oh, this looks good, this looks good too, and this looks even better."

Her voice was so sweet and soft that Qu Linghan was completely charmed.

"Little sister, I'll teach you."

Qu Linghan then took her hand and gently tapped each of the small pouches with his fingertips.

"Like ants carrying bricks, whoever they hit is the one they kill!"

The two people's fingertips rested on a purse embroidered with delicate lotus flowers. The colors were well-matched, the stitches were fine, and the lotus flowers were white with a hint of pink. Green leaves were placed next to it as a backdrop, and the dragonfly that had come by was also lifelike, adding vitality to the whole picture.

Wow, it's so beautiful!

The little girl held the small purse in her hands, her eyes filled with delight.

Several middle-aged women surrounded the two of them.

"The stitches are so fine, it must be very expensive."

"Yes, they really do give it away. This boss is really generous."

Qu Linghan turned around, looked at the bustling crowd in front of him, and drew out his voice again.

"All items in this store are my own original creations, and you won't find another one like them on the market. Whether it's clothing or accessories, we strive to make the best!"

"Furthermore, all our promotions are genuine! Take this flyer to pay and get a 20% discount!"

"For groups of three or more people who join to pay the bill, there will be an extra discount!"

As soon as Qu Linghan finished speaking, discussions immediately arose among the crowd.

"Wow, this discount is amazing! And the clothes in this store are really nice too!"

Anyone want to join my group buy?

"We're a group of three, but we're currently two. We're missing one! Anyone want to join?"

"Give me a flyer!"

People kept coming in through the door, and the first floor was already at its maximum entropy level.

Qu Linghan gestured to Zhao Shizhong with his eyes.

"Let's go to the second floor and take a look."

Hmm, is he a little reluctant?

However, Qu Linghan didn't think too much about it.

Then Qu Linghan took the little girl out, after all, a little girl should be taken care of when she goes out.

As soon as Qu Linghan stepped outside, he saw Lu Shuyu walking over in a grand and imposing manner.

"Ling Han, look what I brought you!"

Lu Shuyu gestured for the maid behind her to come over. The maid was carrying a tray covered with a cloth, and it was unclear what was on it.

Qu Linghan looked at Lu Shuyu with a mixture of surprise and doubt.

What is it? I really want to know.

"Then I'll lift it up!"

"Uh-huh!"

Qu Linghan gently lifted the covering cloth, and from just a corner, a burst of golden light caught her eye. She simply lifted it all off at once.

"A golden abacus?!"

Oh, Mom, it seems like I've hooked up with a rich woman.

Qu Linghan's tears were about to fall from the corners of her mouth, but she managed to hold them back.

"Sister Shuyu, this..."

Qu Linghan pointed to the gleaming abacus.

"This is too valuable, I cannot accept it."

"You've helped me so much before the opening, I really can't accept this, please take it."

After speaking, Lu Shuyu took Qu Linghan's hand and looked at her with a smile.

"Ling Han, do you know? You are my first friend here."

The first one?

“A few months ago, my father was demoted from Qingzhou and our whole family came to Guishu City. Although I am the sister of the Imperial Concubine, we are not close relatives. No young lady in the capital pays any attention to me, a commoner from a poor and remote place. Only you, Ling Han.”

Lu Shuyu gently stroked Qu Linghan's hand again and again.

"So, I, Lu Shuyu, have decided that you are my best friend for life."

Qu Linghan looked at Lu Shuyu with a loving expression.

"You're also my first good friend here!"

Really?

"Of course it's true."

"Actually, you're my first friend here too!"

Really?

"nature."

The two held hands, looked at each other, and smiled.

Qu Linghan picked up the abacus.

"Then I'll accept it this time!"

"Don't send such expensive gifts next time."

"If you need anything in the future, just let me know."

"good."

...

"Oh, right, little girl."

Qu Linghan was about to squat down and ask her where she lived and if anyone was coming with her when she heard a high-pitched, thin shout.

"Oh my, my little darling, you're so easy to find!"

It could be said that their voices arrived before they did.

However, the man arrived shortly afterward.

He was dressed in a blue casual suit, which should have been clean, but he exuded an air of obsequiousness.

Like a gust of wind, or a puddle of mud, he quickly knelt and slid to Qu Linghan's side.

Oh, no, I should say it slid right up to the little girl.

"Princess, we've finally found you! My head was almost in danger!"

He was crying his eyes out, but what shocked Qu Linghan even more was that the little girl beside him was a princess, and her age was perfect.

Could it really be true?

Qu Linghan stood up and looked at Lu Shuyu.

"Princess Huaqing?"

Lu Shuyu nodded, "That should be true."

However, she had never seen it.

Qu Linghan tried hard to search her memory for anything about Princess Huaqing.

Princess Huaqing, Liu Qingxuan, was the youngest princess of Emperor Liuzhong. Emperor Liuzhong personally named her and raised her by his side.

She was also the younger sister of the Third Prince, and was spoiled and pampered since childhood.

Princess Leji was generous and approachable. Historical records say that during a plague outbreak in the Liu Dynasty, the princess even pretended to be a doctor and treated poor people who could not afford medicine for free.

She is the most benevolent and kind princess in the hearts of all the people.

He was admired by thousands.

However, after the former crown prince was deposed and the third prince ascended the throne, the Xia Kingdom invaded. Without a second thought, the new emperor sent her to marry a foreign ruler.

Even if ten thousand people beat the drum to appeal for justice…

It is said that on the day Princess Huaqing got married, the streets were deserted as everyone flocked to see her.

"elder sister?"

Liu Qingxuan's soft voice pulled Qu Linghan back from her memories.

"Um?"

"Sister, I'm going back now."

Qu Linghan patted her head.

"Okay, drive carefully."

"Um!"

Qu Linghan watched Liu Qingxuan's retreating figure.

At that time, Liu Qingxuan was only a little over ten years old.

Alas, I only wish her a peaceful and worry-free life.

A scream from inside Lanxu Pavilion pulled Qu Linghan back to reality.

She looked at Lu Shuyu, "What happened?"

"I don't know."

"Let's go inside and take a look."

"Let's go, let's go."

Just as Qu Linghan and Lu Shuyu stepped into the house, their feet still dangling in mid-air, a woman who looked to be in her thirties rushed over, and Jing'er couldn't stop her.

"Shopkeeper!"

"Sister, we really aren't selling this."

The woman was holding a green amulet. It looked so familiar. Wasn't this the amulet she had made for herself and Bai Hui?

She quickly touched her waist. Oh no, when did it fall off?

"Shop owner, you're foolish not to advertise this!"

Qu Linghan accepted the amulet that the woman handed him.

I gently stroked it.

Then he shouted.

"Does everyone want one?!"

She was immediately met with an even more enthusiastic reply.

"think!"

"good!"

"Every customer who comes to my Lanxu Pavilion, regardless of the amount, will receive a personal amulet embroidered with one of the characters from their name."

"Come and register now!"