Chapter 275: Spices and Orchids
The day before Concubine Lan’s birthday.
The emperor's chief steward brought a brocade box.
Concubine Lan knew that the box contained the "generous gift" prepared by the emperor.
She imagined that it would be priceless pearls, jade and red coral.
After opening it, I found that there was only a scroll inside.
Disappointment flashed in Lan Yu's eyes.
But she quickly cheered up and said, "It's okay."
Calligraphy and paintings by famous artists are not only valuable, but can also be passed down from generation to generation.
She opened the scroll, and the emperor's familiar handwriting appeared before her eyes.
She looked at the big words "Pine and Crane Prolong Life" on the canvas and was petrified on the spot.
The chief steward was standing by and saw all her expressions.
The chief steward explained on the spot: "Your Majesty, this is the emperor's original work. Ordinary ministers and scholars can't even get it if they want it."
Lan Yu was disappointed, but she managed a forced laugh. "Yes... yes! Your Majesty is truly thoughtful. My old lady will surely love it."
There’s no way I can’t put it down!
The emperor's calligraphy and paintings are precious, but they cannot be sold or given away. What's the difference between them and decorations that have no market value?
But she can't be picky and can't exchange the goods.
She could only force a smile and accept the things.
I would also like to express my gratitude for your grace.
The chief steward suppressed his laughter and left the palace where Concubine Lan was.
**
at the same time.
Wen Yan of "A Little Ink" closed the almanac.
Tomorrow is Concubine Lan’s birthday.
It's time for that 'Suguan Lotus Tripod' pot to show its value.
Wen Yan called Pei'er over and asked, "How's Wen Ruyue's search for flowers?"
Pei'er returned to Wen Yan after the festival. She replied, "She's been asked to search the capital twice. I think Wen Ruyue will go crazy if she can't find it today."
Wen Yan said to Pei'er, "Go call Qinghe and Lixia over here. I have something for them to do."
"I'll go right away." Pei'er turned and was about to leave.
"Wait." Wen Yan stopped her again, "I'd better go there myself."
Wen Yan put on a veil and went out with Pei'er.
The two did not go directly to the house, but instead went around to the spice market where Wen Ruyue's people most often frequented.
Half an hour later.
On Spice Street, a pair of bright and beautiful sisters, one carrying a basket and the other holding a pot of flowers, passed by the street talking and laughing.
The pot of flowers was covered with a semi-transparent gauze, making it difficult to see the true appearance of the plant, but one could tell from its outline and shadow that this flower was no ordinary one.
Not long after the two appeared, they were stopped by a man and a woman.
The woman pointed at the flowerpot and asked, "What kind of flowers are you selling? Can I see them?"
"This is a pot of orchids, named 'Suguan Heding'." My sister answered cheerfully.
The words "Suguan Heding" startled the woman. She suddenly stared at the flower pot with wide eyes. "What did you just say? What's the name of this flower?"
"'Suguan Heding', is there any problem?" Her sister gave her a strange look.
"Let me see it. If I like it, I will buy it." She reached out to grab the veil covering the flower, wanting to see its true appearance to see if it was the one the young lady was looking for.
My sister was very alert and subconsciously took two steps back, leaving her no chance to catch me.
"How dare you touch me?" Her sister looked at her warily and spoke harshly. "My flower essence is very valuable. If it gets even slightly scratched, the flower will be ruined. Even if I sell you, I won't be able to pay for it."
The woman thought that if this flower was really the one the prince's wife was looking for, and if it was damaged and its quality was affected, she would not be able to afford the compensation even if she sold herself.
She didn't dare to force it, and just said, "...It's nothing. How much does it cost? I want it."
The younger sister looked her up and down and said, "Judging from your clothes, you don't come from a wealthy family. You don't come from a wealthy family. I'm afraid you can't afford these flowers."
The woman said angrily, "Isn't it just a pot of flowers? What's so great about it? Just name your price."
As she spoke, she reached out to grab the flowerpot.
My sister was quick to stand between the two of them.
He separated the woman from the flowerpot and said loudly, "Miss, we told you this flower is not for sale. Do you think you can rob it? Why don't you take a look at our sachets?"
As she spoke, she handed the basket forward.
There are many sachets in the basket.
The sachet is quite exquisite in design and the embroidery is also good.
The woman picked at random until she picked up a sachet and smelled it, and suddenly her eyes lit up.
This smell is extremely similar to the scent of incense that the Crown Prince's wife is looking for.
Could it be that they are the sisters that the Crown Prince’s wife is looking for?
My sister observed her expression and tried to sell her on it: "Do you like this kind of fragrance? This one is called Ceylon Fragrance. This is real Ceylon fragrance. Try smelling it."
Her sister handed her another sachet.
The woman took it and smelled it, and then her eyes lit up. This was the smell.
The Crown Prince's wife had used that kind of incense once, and because the smell was so special, she remembered it immediately.
"Wait a minute." The woman suppressed her excitement, pulled her companion aside, and whispered something to her.
After a while, she came back and picked out one of each type of sachet.
I said to my sister, "I really like your sachets. I want to take them back to the mansion to show my master. If my master likes them, he will definitely ask me to buy more. Then you will definitely make money."
After the woman finished speaking, she took a few sachets and left.
Her companion stayed behind and invited, "How about I invite you two upstairs for a cup of tea?"
The sisters did not agree immediately.
Instead, he showed a look of fear and defense.
Not only did he refuse directly, he even wanted to run away.
Her companions knew how important the two of them were, so they would never let her go!
It was no use swearing to heaven that he was not a bad person. In the end, they had to invite the officer in charge of fair trade on the street before they agreed to stay in his teahouse.
The companion had originally booked a private room, but the two sisters did not feel safe and refused to go up.
Only then did his companions give up.
As time went by, the two sisters became more and more panicked and frightened. They had already made excuses to leave several times, but their companions persuaded them to stop: "If you don't want to believe me, don't you believe the officer in charge?"
The two sisters looked at each other and agreed to wait a little longer.
Half an hour later, a luxurious carriage slowly stopped at the door of the teahouse.
The woman who had just left jumped off the carriage first, and then respectfully helped another woman down.
The woman wore a veil hat, had a slim figure and elegant manners. One could tell at a glance that she had been raised in a wealthy family.
Wen Ruyue, supported by her maid, hurried to her seat.
She looked around and asked, "Are there no private rooms in the teahouse?"
The companion said with a bitter face, "Return to the world...Return to the madam, it is these two flower girls who are afraid of what we might do, so they only want to stay in the hall."
Wen Ruyue looked at the flower pot on the table through the veil.
Through the semi-transparent gauze, you can vaguely see the white orchid flowers.
It seems to be this one!
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