Chapter 13: Competition
"The provincial examination will be held in ten days, and we have to prepare now." Shen Shilang explained.
After they left Xibaozhai, Shen Shilang said, "How about I take you for a walk on the street?"
Shen Shilang had now guessed that Su Jinshi could only stay close to him and could not go too far away from him.
So Su Jinshi didn't come shopping, but followed Shen Shilang all the way, like a curious baby, asking questions here and there.
Shen Shilang whispered and secretly explained to Su Jinshi all the way.
"Won't it delay your studies?" Su Jinshi asked, "Didn't you say that the provincial examination will be held in ten days?"
"It doesn't matter if you have this little bit of time. You need to combine work and rest." Shen Shilang said gently, "Real knowledge is accumulated over time and engraved in the mind, not just by cramming a few days before the exam."
Su Jinshi thought that only a top student would dare to say such a thing.
Like her, she always has to cram for every exam.
Su Jinshi was walking with Shen Shilang, but saw Shen Shilang slowly stop.
Su Jinshi followed Shen Shilang's gaze and saw a carriage just stopped in front of a jewelry store called Zhenbaozhai.
Then he saw Madam Wei and Wei Ruyan getting out of the carriage.
Su Jinshi was surprised and asked, "Are they here to buy jewelry?"
"Didn't Wei Zhaoxian use the money in the mansion to support the army? The mansion's expenses have just been cut, and the palace has also taken the lead in donating jewelry. Madam Wei is bringing Wei Ruyan to buy jewelry now. Isn't it a bit inappropriate?"
It’s not that she doesn’t have money to buy it. Even though the Wei Mansion is supporting the army, Mrs. Wei still has enough money to buy some jewelry.
But at this critical juncture, it is inappropriate to do so, as it may easily cause trouble for Wei Zhaoxian.
Especially given Wei Zhaoxian's current position, it would not be too cautious.
According to what Shen Shilang said, the emperor was probably worried about not being able to find any fault with Wei Zhaoxian.
The emperor is also ridiculous. He wants to employ people but is also suspicious of them.
Working for that emperor was exhausting.
Su Jinshi then asked Shen Shilang, "Do you want me to go see what they bought?"
"It would be fine if it was just a cheap little gadget." Su Jinshi said.
"Then I'll leave it to you." Shen Shilang said.
Su Jinshi slid the screen of his mobile phone and switched the scene to the shop.
Seeing Madam Wei and Wei Ruyan, the shopkeeper came forward in person to greet them.
"Mrs. Wei, Miss Wei." The shopkeeper greeted them with a smile and cupped his hands.
"Boss, is the hairpin I saw last time still there?" Wei Ruyan asked.
"Yes, Miss Wei has good taste. That hairpin is destined for Miss Wei and is still waiting for you!" The shopkeeper said as he led them over. "To be honest, this hairpin was almost bought by someone today, but the lady said that she didn't have enough money, so she asked me to keep it for her and she would come back to buy it later."
"I can't make the decision on this. After all, Miss Wei also likes this hairpin." The shopkeeper said with a smile.
"You are used to being a good person." Wei Ruyan was so happy to be praised by the shopkeeper that she felt a little flattered.
"This is it." The shopkeeper took out the gold hairpin.
The hairpin is not heavy, but it is exquisitely made.
It is inlaid with emerald green jadeite with excellent water content, and next to it is a slightly smaller agate bead, and next to it is a round pearl with excellent luster, emitting a faint glow.
"It's quite exquisite and low-key." Mrs. Wei thought Wei Ruyan had good taste.
This hairpin is not of the high-profile and eye-catching style. Instead, it is delicate and simple, just right for Wei Ruyan's age and status among the noble ladies.
Wei Zhaoxian was the great general of Guide, and Wei Ruyan was not inferior to him even if she was in the capital.
"This pearl is extremely special. It is a pearl from the deep sea of the South China Sea. It is round, plump and lustrous." The shopkeeper reminded Mrs. Wei to turn the hairpin. The pearl on it exuded a faint and lustrous luster. It was indeed beautiful.
"It is indeed rare to see such lustrous pearls." Mrs. Wei nodded.
"The shortcoming of this pearl is that it is a little small," said the shopkeeper, "but if it were bigger, it would steal the limelight from the jadeite, and the price would not be as high as it is now."
"Nanyang pearls are beautiful and rare. I guarantee you won't find another one like this in Chong'an."
"Mom, am I right?" Wei Ruyan held Madam Wei's arm, "This hairpin is beautiful, and not too ostentatious."
Madam Wei nodded and asked the shopkeeper, "How much is this hairpin?"
"Since you are the one who bought it, Miss Wei will be a living signboard when she wears it, so I will give Miss Wei 100 taels of silver." The shopkeeper said, "If someone else came to buy it, it would cost 170 taels."
Mrs. Wei smiled faintly, "Just give me a real price, no need for any fancy words."
Please...collect 6...9...books...!
"Yes, shopkeeper, you also know that our family is unique in Chong'an." Wei Ruyan said, "When I attend gatherings of noble ladies in Chong'an, I always attract a lot of attention. People will ask about what I wear and use. When they know that I bought it from your store, your business will definitely be better."
"Yes, that's why I'm offering you 100 taels," said the shopkeeper. "It really can't be any lower. Look at the craftsmanship. It looks simple and elegant, but the workmanship is complicated. The pearls were sent all the way from Southeast Asia. One in the south and one in the north, the journey alone is very long!"
Su Jinshi turned the phone screen back on and told Shen Shilang what he had just seen.
Shen Shilang sighed, "Mrs. Wei is confused."
But Mrs. Wei is confused and will implicate Wei Zhaoxian.
Since Shen Shilang had seen it, he couldn't just ignore it.
It's impossible for Wei Zhaoxian to fight hard in the front and let Madam Wei and Wei Ruyan lag behind.
Shen Shilang walked into the shop and was about to speak when a girl accompanied by a maid hurried in behind him.
Shen Shilang recognized the other person as Cheng Ruoyu, the daughter of Cheng Zhidao, the prefect of Chong'an.
"Boss, is that hairpin still there?" Cheng Ruoyu asked as she entered the room.
"You came at the right time. Mrs. Wei and Miss Wei are watching right now." The shopkeeper said with a smile.
If both sides start competing for it, the price may go up further.
He did not immediately agree to keep it for Cheng Ruoyu at first because he knew that Wei Ruyan also liked this hairpin.
When Wei Ruyan left that day, she was reluctant to leave and looked back every few steps.
The shopkeeper knew that Wei Ruyan would definitely come back.
Cheng Ruoyu and Wei Ruyan have always been at odds with each other. Now that they both like her, there is no avoiding a fight between them.
Sure enough, after hearing what the shopkeeper said, Cheng Ruoyu hurried over and said, "Shopkeeper, I was the first one to see this hairpin."
"What do you mean you first? I have already taken a fancy to this hairpin two days before you." Wei Ruyan said bluntly.
"Then did you ask the shopkeeper to keep it for you? If he did, it wouldn't be here today." Cheng Ruoyu said, "I asked the shopkeeper to keep it for me."
"You didn't bring enough money today, so I asked the shopkeeper to leave some for you. Did he agree?" Wei Ruyan raised her chin proudly and looked at Cheng Ruoyu sarcastically.
(End of this chapter)