The craftsman, Mr. Huang, was captivated by the perfectly round pink gemstone. Not wanting to ruin its original form, he spoke up for the first time in his career, trying to persuade his customer.
"No need. I bought this gemstone to make necklaces for my daughters. Just cut it in half. I have a blueprint here for you to see. I drew it myself."
Yan Xia took out the blueprints and placed them on the table.
"Did you really draw this yourself? Your talent is truly amazing. Your first drawing is almost as good as everything I've learned in my entire life. What shape is this gold? I've never seen it before. I only knew how to set gemstones into gold, but I never realized that gold could have all sorts of shapes. Gold paired with a pearl and set with a light pink gemstone—it's wonderful, truly wonderful! It's so simple, yet the overall design is so ingenious. This necklace will definitely look beautiful! No wonder Dad always tells me that there are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding."
Since craftsman Huang could make jewelry, he could also draw designs.
These skills were all taught to him by his father when he was young.
Huang's craftsmanship is the best in Shuangqiao Town, and even in Jiashu County and several surrounding counties.
He had always thought he was very capable, but seeing Yan Xia's casually drawn pattern, he felt somewhat ashamed.
No wonder his father left the capital and returned to this small town.
Craftsman Huang had an idea in his mind.
He wanted to take his wife and two sons to the capital for a while to broaden their horizons.
The frog couldn't stay in the well forever; he wanted his sons to become craftsmen even better than him.
"If you need it urgently, it can be cut for you in three days at most. However, I'm sorry I can't make the necklace in the design. I'm going to the capital and I really don't have the time."
Craftsman Huang put the blueprints back on the table and pushed them in front of Yan Xia.
Yan Xia was neither disappointed nor angry. She had never intended for this craftsman Huang to do it; she had only intended to show him, and he had misunderstood.
Yan Xia didn't explain either.
"What? Going to the capital? Why so suddenly? What are you going to the capital for? I was thinking of having you make me a set of jewelry. It's for Manager Zhou's only daughter to wear on her wedding day, and it's due next summer. If you leave like this, who am I supposed to get it made from? Manager Zhou is a big customer of my shop. His wife and daughter have bought a lot of jewelry from my shop." Manager Wan was anxious.
"This decision was made suddenly. Manager Wan, your shop doesn't just cooperate with me. You can find others to cooperate with. For a wedding dress, it's nothing more than pure gold with auspicious patterns. Madam, do you still need your gemstones cut?"
Craftsman Huang has a very easygoing personality.
He has made a lot of money over the years.
After explaining, he was too lazy to say anything more, so he simply asked Yan Xia.
“It needs to be cut,” Yan Xia nodded in reply.
"Alright, I'll just charge you half a tael of silver for the labor. You can pay me when you come back in three days to pick it up."
This price is really a bit expensive.
After all, it's just cutting, and it only takes three days. No wonder he can go to the capital so easily and afford to drink whole cups of tea.
Such extravagance, it seems they're not short of money.
Yan Xia raised her eyelids and nodded in agreement.
It was a quarter of an hour later when she and Manager Wan came out.
"Oh, Manager Yan, you're happy, but what am I going to do? That craftsman Huang just left like that, and I don't know when he'll be back. None of the craftsmen my shop works with are as skilled as him. What if Manager Zhou isn't satisfied with the jewelry he makes? Oh..."
Manager Wan sighed and couldn't continue.
"What are you afraid of? Even if he's not satisfied, are you going to order from Jiangnan County or the capital? Not to mention the long distance, what if you run into bandits? Even if you can get there, will you have enough time? The jewelry in your shop is already top-notch. If he's not satisfied, other shops will be even less satisfied. Don't worry. Besides, what if Craftsman Huang's skills have improved after he returns from the capital? You mustn't let your relationship with him become strained."
Yan Xia bought a lot of jewelry from his shop. The most beautiful pieces, such as the gold-inlaid jade bracelet and the silver-threaded hair ornament with pendants, were made by this craftsman Huang. His craftsmanship was impeccable.
"Manager Yan, you're right. I should treat him to a meal before he leaves."
Manager Wan understood immediately.
"That's right. Come on, I'll treat you to a meal too. You've helped me so much today."
"Oh dear, this is hardly a help. Manager Yan, you don't need to be so polite. Just come to my shop first whenever you want to buy jewelry in the future. Haha, just kidding. Alright, I have to hurry back to the shop now. Manager Yan, please take care on your way."
"Okay, see you next time."
After saying goodbye to Manager Wan, Yan Xia reappeared in Craftsman Huang's courtyard.
"Madam, you?"
Only Huang Wushi, the wife of craftsman Huang, was in the courtyard.
She is cleaning the table.
Upon seeing Yan Xia, she asked in confusion.
"Where is Craftsman Huang? I suddenly remembered something I forgot to mention. Could you please call him?"
Yan Xia was very polite.
"good."
Huang Wushi softly agreed and then went to the inner room.
Soon, Craftsman Huang came out looking completely bewildered.
"What's wrong? Don't you want me to cut it anymore?" Craftsman Huang asked Yan Xia.
"No, there's something I forgot to mention. The gem is special; it glows at night. I hope you won't tell anyone about this."
Yan Xia had considered cutting the gemstone in half herself, but she was too strong and might accidentally shatter it.
That would be a huge loss.
Even if it doesn't break, she still can't cut the gemstone very smoothly.
Furthermore, the skills of ancient craftsmen were passed down from generation to generation; it was impossible for someone to buy a servant from a brokerage firm and expect him to know how to do it.
The only option is to find a craftsman to cut it; there is no other way.
"It glows at night?"
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