On the other hand, He Yunze obtained the most important Buddha statue dressing box on one hand, and received guidance from Zhao Qianlan on the other.
Being naturally wary, he couldn't put his mind at ease, so the next day he took his makeup box and went to visit Zhao Qingshu.
Inside the Prince Yu's residence at this moment.
Upon hearing the servant's report outside, Prince Yu looked up and saw Zhao Qingshu hurrying into the study.
He put down the book in his hand, raised his eyes, and asked, "Uncle, what brings you here in such a hurry today?"
Zhao Qingshu stepped into the study with a smile: "Naturally, it's because your uncle has resolved your worries. Before, you searched the world for rare treasures for the Empress Dowager's birthday gift in half a month, but you still couldn't find a clue."
"But now, I realize that everything is both far away and right before my eyes!"
Upon hearing this, Prince Yu was taken aback, but then his face lit up with joy: "Uncle, you've found a birthday gift to give to the Empress Dowager?"
You see, he is currently out of favor and must rely on this birthday gift to make a name for himself at the birthday banquet and turn the tide. However, the day is drawing ever closer, and a suitable birthday gift has yet to be found, which has made Prince Yu unable to sleep soundly these days.
Zhao Qingshu nodded, then darted into the study, whereupon Prince Yu noticed an extra person behind him.
That person... was actually He Yunce?
Prince Yu's face, which had been beaming with joy, instantly darkened, and his voice carried a hint of displeasure: "Uncle, why did you summon him...?"
He Yunze hurriedly stepped forward, presented the makeup box, which was wrapped in a wooden box, to Prince Yu's desk, and bowed to Prince Yu again.
"Your Highness is wise. I have come here today to present His Highness Prince Yu with a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager. Lord Zhao has also heard about this matter, so there is no mistake."
Feeling the Prince Yu's suspicious gaze directed at him, Zhao Qingshu nodded confidently: "I have always known about this matter."
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is fond of Buddhism, so it is not appropriate to give overly extravagant or luxurious gifts, as this would tarnish the reputation of the Zhao family. This makeup box was purchased at a restaurant in the capital for only three thousand and fifty taels of silver, and it is carved with Buddhist images, which is just right."
Zhao Qingshu clearly quoted the price of the makeup box, which made He Yunce pause slightly. He looked up at Zhao Qingshu's face and frowned slightly at his cheerful appearance.
He Yunze did not tell Zhao Qingshu the price of this item because he was worried that Zhao would think it was too cheap, but little did he know that Zhao already knew...?
He Yunze felt something was off, but before he could sort out his thoughts, he saw Prince Yu slightly raise his hand and open the makeup box in front of him.
He looked at He Yunce coldly, his gaze still tinged with prejudice because of past events.
"It is cheap, but it is nothing special and not presentable at all. If this is presented to my grandmother, the world will know that my Zhao family is so poor that we cannot even afford a decent birthday gift."
Upon hearing this, He Yunze didn't have time to ponder the strange feeling that had just arisen in his heart, but hurriedly explained to Prince Yu.
"Your Highness is mistaken. This item is not ordinary; it is a treasure from the previous dynasty, made using a special lacquer mother-of-pearl inlay technique. The craftsmen not only carved the Buddha image to lifelike detail, but also used materials including rare and precious treasures such as luminous mother-of-pearl, which is why it has such an unexpected effect."
Prince Yu grew impatient and stood up abruptly from his chair; he simply refused to believe it.
"You said the same thing to me before, and then you used incense to fool Prince Xiu, making him lose face in front of everyone. Now you're trying to take advantage of me again?"
He Yunze's voice stopped abruptly. The mention of Prince Xiu made him feel a little guilty, and he was speechless.
“This item is different from incense. We belong to the Zhao clan and are originally in the same boat. Moreover, I have been extremely cautious this time and there is no way that any mistakes will occur.”
"If Your Highness is unwilling to believe it, I am willing to demonstrate it. Seeing this item is like seeing the Buddha manifest himself. May I ask, if the Buddha were to manifest himself, would it shake the world?"
He Yunze is very confident in himself this time. Having suffered so many losses in his previous life, he is now fully prepared and there is no possibility of any mistakes.
He couldn't even think of any reason why something might have gone wrong.
Prince Yu stood with his hands on his hips, silently watching him.
Zhao Qingshu was also waiting for He Yunce's reply.
In the past, he had simply followed Zhao Qianlan's wishes, but if He Yunce could not persuade him and Prince Yu with the birthday gift today, given his wary nature, he would naturally not use the gift.
He Yunze cautiously reminded Prince Yu to dismiss those around him in the study, then extinguished all the candles in the study, and finally had someone block the sunlight shining into the study from the outside.
"This is to simulate the light at night. On the day of the birthday banquet, as night falls and the sky is filled with stars, His Highness will present this birthday gift to the Empress Dowager..."
As He Yunze spoke, he slowly lifted out the makeup box from the wooden box. He had carefully cleaned the makeup box, and the dusty places were now spotless.
He slowly lifted out the makeup box, and Prince Yu felt a faint glow appear before his eyes.
A small Buddha statue slowly appeared in the darkness. The statue was exquisitely carved and beautiful, with kind and gentle features. As He Yunze moved, the statue seemed to come to life for a moment.
He Yunze slowly opened the makeup box, and more scenes appeared in the darkness. There were scenes of Xuanzang traveling to the west to seek the true scriptures, as well as scenes of translating scriptures. Later, there were scenes of Xuanzang enlightening all living beings.
Zhao Qingshu and Prince Yu were utterly stunned by the scene before them: "This thing glows! It glows! In the darkness, it truly seems as if the Buddha has descended!"
Although the makeup box is small and looks like an antique, all the images on it are incredibly detailed.
"The ingenious mechanisms within are simply masterpieces of craftsmanship!"
Prince Yu couldn't help but sigh. Although this item looked ordinary and even a bit shabby during the day, its underlying meaning was different!
No one has ever seen such a mysterious object before!
He Yunze's triumphant voice came from the darkness, carrying a hint of seduction: "And more importantly, this item is extinct, a unique treasure in the world, symbolizing Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager's unparalleled nobility, and even more so, your unparalleled filial piety."
"Once you present this birthday gift, no one in the world will be able to surpass you."
Having lived for so many years, Zhao Qingshu had never seen anything so profound before. He was completely captivated and clapped his hands with a hearty laugh, exclaiming, "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
"I will now send word that His Highness Prince Yu has found an extremely rare birthday gift!"
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