Chapter 55 The Sensation Caused by the Music Box
Cheng Fang had overheard their conversation when he entered the room. Fortunately, the steward came to report that the Crown Prince was waiting at the door.
Otherwise, he'll be labeled an unfilial son!
Cheng Fang stepped forward, carrying Miss Jiang's congratulatory gift.
She bowed gracefully to her mother.
"May your son wish you boundless happiness and longevity, like the Eastern Sea and the Southern Mountains! May you live as long and healthy as the pine and cypress, and enjoy the long life of the pine and crane!"
Madam Cheng happily helped her son up, saying, "My son is so thoughtful."
He then presented the oddly shaped box to his mother.
"This is a birthday gift that a friend of my son specially asked him to bring when he learned that it was his mother's birthday."
Son's friend?
Madam Cheng's eyes lit up: Could it be that Goddess Jiang?
She looked at her son, and Cheng Fang's eyes gave her an affirmative answer.
The congratulatory gift from Goddess Jiang! Madam Cheng was at a loss for words.
"Have you properly thanked that friend on behalf of your mother?"
Cheng Fang nodded. "Of course. Mother, please open it and take a look."
He was in a hurry and didn't have time to check it; he just tied it to the saddle and brought it back with him.
But he knew in his heart that Miss Jiang's things were by no means ordinary.
The guests' attention was also drawn to the box. Who could have given such a gift that made Mrs. Cheng so happy?
For a moment, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and all eyes were fixed on the box.
Qin Zhao knew they had just returned from Miss Jiang's place, so this gift must have been from Miss Jiang as well, and his gaze couldn't help but fall on it.
Jiang Yi also looked curious.
Madam Cheng took a few deep breaths before her trembling hands prepared to open it!
This box is strange; it's close to the color of wood, but it's not made of wood; it looks more like it's made of paper.
Mrs. Cheng carefully opened it, only to be met with a shocking sight of white!
white?
The crowd erupted in uproar!
Giving a white flower as a birthday gift? That's way too much!
These aren't friends! These are clearly enemies!
Madam Cheng looked bewildered, and Lord Cheng stood up in shock.
Cheng Fang had seen many things in Jiang Ling's shop, so he naturally knew that this thing was for shockproofing, to protect the contents of the box from being damaged during the bumpy journey.
He calmly removed the foam from the top.
"Mother, quickly take the contents out of there and let us see."
Mrs. Cheng then realized that the congratulatory gift wasn't white. She immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
She peeked inside at the red object and carefully scooped it out.
An exquisite ornament the size of a round plate!
The workmanship is exquisite, and the figures on it are lifelike!
Mrs. Cheng was already very pleased with this.
Cheng Fang remembered Jiang Ling saying that the switch was at the bottom of the box.
He took the ornament, fumbled for a small paddle, and gently pushed it.
In an instant, an incredibly melodious tune, like heavenly music, emanated from the box!
The figures on the entire ornament seem to come alive. The turntable rotates clockwise, and the ladies in Tang Dynasty attire dance to the music, while the drummer in the center strikes his drum in time with the rhythm.
What's that noise?
"What a beautiful voice!"
Where is the music coming from?
"The sound came from Madam Cheng's hand!"
"Look! The thing in Mrs. Cheng's hand is moving!"
The guests who were originally waiting to see a joke were instantly shocked!
What kind of celestial treasure is this?
They can actually sing and dance?
Madam Cheng was also speechless with surprise, her eyes wide with amazement as she stared intently at the dancing figurine in her hand.
You can't hear the noise outside, only the heavenly music!
Cheng Fang had seen light-emitting lamps, black boxes that could start fires, and special medicines that could save lives.
This was the first time he had ever seen a box that could sing and dance!
No wonder Jiang Ling called it a music box!
The singing was so beautiful, it was like music from another world, and even he was momentarily captivated by it!
Not to mention the guests present!
As if their souls had been captured, they were completely absorbed in the music.
Qin Zhao's voice rang out, "The melody is melodious and the craftsmanship is ingenious. This birthday gift is indeed special. Prince Cheng's friend is very thoughtful."
Cheng Fang then came to his senses and found that his younger sister, Cheng Jiaojiao, was tugging hard at his sleeve, but her eyes were still fixed on the music box in her mother's hand.
"Brother, I want one too! I want one too! Can you talk to Sister Jiang and ask her to give me one of these as a birthday present as well?"
She treasured the lamp and tinder as soon as she got them.
But compared to this treasure, it suddenly seemed rather uninteresting!
The guests then came to their senses, and several ladies who were on good terms with Madam Cheng had already gathered around, getting closer to examine the still singing and spinning treasure, marveling at it.
"Wow! How did you do that? How was that sound produced?"
"The little figures on it can actually dance! Amazing skill! Truly ingenious!"
"Where are Young Master Cheng's friends? I'd like to pay them a visit another day!"
Mrs. Cheng finally recovered from her shock and held the music box steadily in her hands as if it were a rare treasure.
She looked at her son, her eyes filled with indescribable joy:
“I love the gift; it’s truly the best birthday present I’ve ever received. My son, please be sure to thank your friend for your mother!”
Even the usually dignified and composed Lord Cheng showed a rare look of intoxication and emotion on his face at this moment.
He had seen lamps and tinderboxes before, but none of them were as shocking as this.
This is simply beyond the realm of the ordinary!
It is truly a blessing for the Cheng family that Cheng Fang has made such a friend!
————
I received a definite reply from Mr. Zhou.
Jiang Ling picked up the vase and prepared to go out.
In addition to a celadon-colored Ge ware vase with crackled ice patterns, Jiang Ling also selected a pure gold, gem-encrusted, openwork wine vessel from Qin Zhao's gift of gratitude.
She decided to pay off all her debts today, but worried that the vase wouldn't fetch a good price, so she picked out a smaller item from the pile of gifts to sell as well.
Old Zhou's shop was a bit far, so Jiang Ling took a taxi there.
It only took half an hour to get there.
Old Zhou's shop is located on an antique street, but it's easy to find because it's the largest shop on the street and has the most eye-catching signboard.
Old Zhou received her call and waited at the door early in the morning.
As soon as Jiang Ling got out of the car, Old Zhou came to greet her.
"Miss Jiang, you must be tired from your journey. Please come in."
"You're too kind, Mr. Zhou." Jiang Ling nodded in acknowledgment and followed him into the shop.
The shop was quiet, with no other customers besides Jiang Ling.
After all, it's an antique shop, and ordinary people wouldn't come here to browse.
Old Zhou personally brewed the tea.
Ever since he heard over the phone that Jiang Ling had a celadon Ge ware vase, Old Zhou's heart hadn't slowed down.
He has spent his whole life dealing with porcelain, and one of his lifelong wishes is to acquire a Ge ware gall-shaped vase.
However, most of the Ge ware gall-shaped vases made these days are imitations.
But when he saw that the box containing the bottle was made of Phoebe zhennan wood, he inexplicably gained more confidence.
Jiang Ling saw the urgency in his eyes, and without beating around the bush, she placed the box directly on the glass counter and gently opened it.
The blue-green crackled Ge ware vase lay quietly in its box.
"I would appreciate it if Mr. Zhou could take a look and give me a reasonable price."
In fact, Jiang Ling knew absolutely nothing about antiques.
As for why I trust Old Zhou so much, perhaps it's because my appearance reflects my heart.
Old Mrs. Zhou had a kind face and looked somewhat similar to her late grandfather.
She believed that Mr. Zhou would give her a reasonable price.
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