Chapter 81 The Princess's Fox Merchant
On the capital's busiest street, traffic was thronging with people and the sounds of the crowds were bustling. The golden sign of the Fengmingjiu Chamber of Commerce gleamed brilliantly in the warm spring sun, a truly magnificent sight.
Adjacent to it, the three-story building with carved beams and painted buildings, Yueji Pavilion, is even more crowded with people and has become the most eye-catching place on the entire street.
Women, dressed either in luxurious and graceful clothes or in simple and elegant clothes, came in and out, walking briskly with smiles on their faces.
The air was filled with the elegant and pleasant scent of cosmetics, flowers and fruits, mixed with the women's happy whispers and laughter, forming a unique and vibrant fragrance.
The guys were busy but orderly, their faces filled with joy and pride, as if they also had a share in the glory of Yueji Pavilion.
On the top floor, there is the most quiet and elegant quiet room.
On the large rosewood desk, the account book was spread out with ink still wet, and the densely packed and beautiful small characters recorded the flowing in and out of silver and money.
A hand with distinct joints yet still softness, the fingertips flew, and the abacus beads made of golden nanmu were plucked with crackling sounds, like sudden rain falling on a jade plate, with a soothing rhythm.
Nangong Yue wore a neat apricot-colored gold-woven skirt, and a half-sleeve embroidered with a lotus pattern in the same color. Her long black hair was simply tied into a single bun, and she only pinned it with a flawless, gentle and restrained mutton-fat jade hairpin, without any extra pearls or jade.
Her brows were slightly furrowed, her eyes were as sharp as a hawk, her lips were pressed into a calm straight line, and she exuded an unquestionable sense of control.
The weak eldest princess who was once shrouded in the shadow of a failed marriage and was at a loss about the future in the deep palace has long since been reborn from the ashes.
"Your Highness,"
The trusted maid Qingdai came in quietly and whispered,
"The palace has sent word that the Empress invites you to come in and chat with her when you have time. She says... the Imperial Household Department has recently donated several rolls of dazzling, shimmering, and colorful Xiaying gauze. The patterns are extremely novel and unique. Please take a look and make some new spring clothes."
Nangong Yue paused her pen on a questionable expense in the account, her eyes still fixed on the string of numbers. Her voice was steady and crisp, with the sharpness that comes from being busy with work:
"Report to my mother, Queen Mother, that Xiayingsha has taken so much trouble to keep it for me. Next month, Yueji Monarch is launching a new spring shirt from the 'Fire Rebirth' series, along with the matching 'Nirvana' fragrance. The blueprints, materials, and workshop schedules are all tied up these past few days, so I'm really unable to spare the time."
She finally raised her head and looked at Qingdai with clear eyes.
"After this busy period is over, I will personally bring the newly transferred Phoenix Yu Feixiang to apologize to her."
There was no hesitation or apology in his tone, only a clear understanding of his own responsibilities and a firm plan.
Qingdai retreated respectfully, without a trace of surprise on her face.
Ever since Her Royal Highness the Princess was enlightened by her astonishing, omnipotent and rebellious aunt, Princess Yuning, and received her full support to establish the Fengming Nine Chamber of Commerce and the Yueji Pavilion, which was created specifically for the physical and mental pleasure of women all over the world, Her Royal Highness has been like a phoenix that has broken free from its shackles and been reborn from the ashes!
Her business flourished, bringing in millions daily, and she grew more confident, dazzling, and powerful. The pearl that had once been worn down by the Prince Consort's family now shone brightly, her brilliance unleashed. Even His Majesty and His Majesty were amazed at her transformation.
Nangong Yue put down her pen, rubbed her wrist which was a little sore from writing for a long time, stood up and walked to the carved wooden window facing the street.
She half-opened the window, and the chilly spring breeze blew against her face. The hustle and bustle of people and the sound of cars and horses on the street downstairs were clearly audible.
Looking at the women who were radiant, their brows relaxed, and their steps brisk because they had stepped into Yueji Pavilion; looking at the endless stream of caravans and carriages loaded with goods from the north and south passing by the gate of Fengming Jiu Commercial Association;
Feeling the veins of wealth controlled by her flowing in this quiet room under her fingertips...an indescribable sense of satisfaction and power, like warm spring water, filled her limbs and bones, warm and solid.
It’s great to be busy and fulfilled, to have everything under control, and to win respect, wealth and value through your own wisdom and ability.
It was so good that she even felt that if she could live like this for the rest of her life, focusing on her career and taking care of these women whose destinies had changed and whose smiles were restored because of her, it would be perfect.
However, my mind suddenly resonated with the memory of my aunt Dongfang Yuning that afternoon, on the rooftop terrace of Yueji Pavilion, lazily basking in the sun, playing with an exquisite model of a musket in her hand, and speaking with her unique, nonchalant yet earth-shattering tone, these wise words:
"Yue'er, remember what your aunt said,
We are not born to please others, but to please ourselves. Pleasing ourselves is the first priority in this life.
The phoenix sings in the sky, pleasing oneself and taking pride in oneself. Only when your wings are strong enough, the sky will be big enough.
Love is about mutual consent and equal effort. It should be a flower on a brocade, not charcoal in the snow, and certainly not shackles on the feet.
When you meet someone and your heart is moved, enjoy it openly, just like tasting a cup of good tea. If it suits your taste, then the relationship will last a long time; if not, let it go without hesitation. Don't compromise yourself just to compromise!
As for the gossip of others? Oh, that's just gravel that won't hurt their feet, so let them chew it! It's not their place to point fingers at the path you're on!
These words were like thunder in her ears, shocking her mind and overturning her cognition of the past twenty years.
Now, it has long been integrated into her bones and blood, becoming the most solid confidence and principle in her heart. She is no longer a vine that depends on others, but a tree that can hold up the sky on its own.
Imperial Palace·Fengyi Palace
In the warm room, silver frost charcoal was burning brightly in a charcoal basin inlaid with gold dragon and beast patterns. The warmth dispelled the last bit of chill in early spring.
Queen Dongfang Qiwu was not wearing the complicated and heavy phoenix robe of the palace, but only a comfortable homely goose yellow brocade dress, reclining on a beauty couch covered with thick silver fox fur.
What she held in her hands was not poetry or embroidery, but a thickly bound book with the words "Fengyi Bookstore·A-Character Account Book" written in vigorous small characters on the cover.
She was watching with great concentration, sometimes making annotations with her fingertips dipped in cinnabar ink, sometimes picking up the small ivory abacus beside her to work out the details carefully. Her dark eyebrows were sometimes slightly furrowed with doubt, sometimes relaxed with satisfaction. Her expression was unprecedentedly calm and devoted, with a calmness that came from being in control of the overall situation.
Emperor Nangong Yu walked in with his hands behind his back, a barely perceptible, deliberately gentle, flattering smile on his face:
"Wu'er, those green jade peonies in the Imperial Garden's greenhouse have bloomed early. They are of excellent quality, truly the most beautiful in the country. Would you like to accompany me to admire them? You have always loved the graceful beauty of peonies."
Dongfang Qiwu raised her eyes at the sound, her gaze shifting from the densely packed numbers. Those eyes, once filled with tenderness, were now as clear as autumn water, radiating a calm and independent radiance that Nangong Yu had only recently seen in her. They were no longer the soft, submissive, and utterly devoted person they once were.
The corners of her lips curved into a gentle arc with a clear sense of distance:
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I, Yuning, and I co-founded the Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce, but we haven't yet sorted out this month's accounts. Next month, we have to print a batch of elementary textbooks for new-style schools, called 'Thousand Character Classics for Enlightenment.' The paper selection is sensitive to children's eyesight, the engravers' wages must be calculated fairly, and the distribution contracts with various bookstores must be reviewed item by item. I personally oversee every detail, and I simply cannot spare the time."
She paused, her tone gentle but with unquestionable persistence, and even kindly pointed out the direction of the candidate:
"If Your Majesty feels the flowers are lonely, with no one to appreciate their beauty, why not summon a few talented women skilled in gardening or painting to accompany you in appreciation? They will surely be able to decipher the flowers' language and live up to their green jade splendor."
The smile on Nangong Yu's face froze. Looking at his wife who seemed to be getting farther and farther away from him, but radiated a charming and confident glow from the inside out, he felt a mixture of emotions in his heart, as if a bottle of five flavors had been overturned.
His queen has completely changed since she was led astray by her rebellious yet extremely capable younger sister, Dongfang Yuning.
She is no longer the dodder whose heart and eyes are filled with only him and whose joys and sorrows are the guiding principles of her life.
She had her own thriving business - a chamber of commerce that gained popularity among the people and benefited women and children;
He had a like-minded partner, even though he loved and feared that partner, and was always nervous every time they met, fearing that his sister-in-law would come up with some earth-shattering "little thing";
Even... have their own temper, opinions and inviolable personal space.
He admired her current self-confidence, composure, and vitality, like a pearl brushed off the dust. It made him vaguely see the smart, bright, and talented eldest daughter of the Dongfang family when they first met.
But deep down in my heart, I feel inexplicably lost, and I miss the feeling of being completely relied upon and regarded as the only center of the world.
"Ahem...it's alright, it's alright. National affairs are more important...er, the Chamber of Commerce's affairs, educating children, and publishing rare books are also serious matters that benefit the country and the people."
Nangong Yu waved his hands awkwardly, found a staircase and sat quietly on the rosewood armchair covered with brocade cushions beside him, watching his wife immerse herself again in the boring but invigorating account book numbers.
I just felt that the focused silhouette, illuminated by the charcoal fire, was more dazzling than any green jade peony, but it was also... like there was a layer of invisible glass between them, making it even harder to approach.
He couldn't help but think again of the "heresy" that Dongfang Yuning had instilled into him with her hands on her hips:
"Brother-in-law! Wake up! My sister is a phoenix rising from the ashes, not a canary in your cage!
Only by looking at the world side by side with her can we truly be worthy of her splendor! 'Surrounding you all day is a waste of a gift from heaven!'
She has her own wings. When she wants to fly, the tighter you hold them, the more likely she'll peck you! Don't cry when that happens!"
At that time, I just thought that this lawless little girl was talking nonsense, but now when I think back to every word, it feels like a revelation, and also like a needle piercing my heart.
Beijing Suburbs·Qihuangshan Hot Spring Villa
A few days later, outside Beijing, at Qihuang Mountain.
This place is surrounded by lush green mountains and hot springs. It is Nangong Yue's private property and also the safe haven and recharging place she carefully built for herself.
Yueji Pavilion's business was back on track, and Fengmingjiu Chamber of Commerce was also in good order. Having been on edge for so long, I could finally relax a little amidst the mountains and rivers.
She firmly remembered her aunt Dongfang Yuning's advice that only a combination of work and rest can lead to sustainable development and that a steady stream of income can last a long time. She decided to stay in this hot spring villa for a few days, soak in the hot springs, sort out her thoughts, and reward herself for her hard work.
In the afternoon, the spring sunshine was just right, radiating warmth across the mountains. Nangong Yue had changed into a light, comfortable plain brocade dress, covered with a moon-white, thin cape embroidered with silver thread and a plum blossom pattern. Her long, dark hair was loosely tied up, pinned diagonally with a translucent white jade plum blossom hairpin. She looked pure and elegant, free from all worldly desires.
After dismissing the maidservants, she walked alone along a quiet and winding stone path in the back mountain of the villa.
The mountain air is crisp and sweet, a mixture of the fragrance of pine needles, the scent of soil, and the steam from distant hot springs with a faint smell of sulfur, which is refreshing.
Halfway up the mountain, a viewing pavilion with a superb view comes into view. Half-hanging on the cliff edge, its eaves and corners tilted upward, it offers a panoramic view of the mountains and the distant outline of Beijing.
Nangong Yue was about to stop and look into the distance, but she saw someone sitting at the simple stone table in the pavilion.
The man had his back to her, with a tall and slender figure. He was wearing a dark green brocade robe of excellent texture and well-tailored. The corners of the robe were embroidered with flowing cloud patterns with dark silver thread, which exuded luxury in a low-key manner.
He leaned leisurely against the vermilion pavilion pillar, holding a thin-bodied porcelain cup as white as jade in his bony hands, and was leisurely gazing at the misty and verdant mountains outside the pavilion.
The mountain breeze blew gently, lifting a few strands of his long, untied black hair and brushing across his clean-cut jaw.
As if sensing something, the man slowly turned around the moment Nangong Yue stepped onto the stone steps in front of the pavilion.
Nangong Yue's breathing stagnated slightly, almost imperceptibly.
It was a face so handsome it could take one's breath away. His features were as distinct as if they were chiseled by a knife or an axe, his sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, his nose was high and straight like a hanging gourd, his lips were slightly thin, and the corners of his lips were naturally slightly upturned, holding a hint of a smile, as if everything in the world was under his careless control.
What is most striking is his eyes.
The tails of his eyes are slightly upturned, and his pupils are an extremely rare, clear and translucent amber color. In the spring afternoon sunshine, they exude a luster as warm as jade yet cunning and smart, just like the agile and unpredictable red fox that lives in the deep valleys and forests.
At this moment, her slightly surprised yet calm figure was clearly reflected in those fox eyes. Deep within those eyes, a flicker of undisguised amazement first flashed across her eyes, then settled into a deep, playful, extremely aggressive and appreciative appreciation.
That gaze seemed to carry real warmth, sliding from her plain jade hairpin, across her pretty face, and finally landing on her eyes as calm as water.
Nangong Yue is no longer a naive girl who would be easily fooled by appearances. Having experienced the pain of love and the ups and downs of the treacherous business world, she understands this kind of look too well.
He was a mature and confident man who had the most direct desire and determination to win over the prey he had set his eyes on and who was equally matched with him, or in other words, the woman who was enough to arouse his desire and interest in conquering her.
Without any cover, he was naked and frank, but because of his outstanding appearance and calm demeanor, he did not appear frivolous or vulgar, but instead exuded a dangerous, heart-pounding charm.
A slight alarm bell rang in her heart, but more importantly, a new and bold idea, ignited by her aunt Dongfang Yuning's shocking "golden words", took over:
"Let it be and see what tricks it can come up with. It's just a pair of shoes waiting to be tested. Whether it fits or is comfortable, you won't know until you try it on!"
She, Nangong Yue, the dignified Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the helmsman of Fengming Nine Chambers of Commerce, controls the livelihoods and dreams of countless women. Is she still afraid of his gaze?
Nangong Yue's expression calmed down in a flash. She even met that scorching gaze with a proper, yet distant smile. She nodded slightly, her voice clear and melodious, carrying the inherent dignity of a royal family, like pearls falling on a platter:
"I didn't expect that someone would have arrived here before me in this quiet place. I am sorry to have disturbed your pleasure."
The man who called himself Chen Yan put down his teacup and stood up. His movements were graceful and smooth, with a calm demeanor honed by the ups and downs of the business world.
He bowed to Nangong Yue, his gesture respectful but not flattering, and he struck the right tone:
"It is I who have been rude and disturbed Your Highness's peace. My surname is Chen, my given name is Yan, and I am a traveling merchant. I passed by Qihuang Mountain and heard that the mountains here are beautiful and the hot springs are nourishing, so I wanted to take a rest here. I didn't expect to have the honor of meeting Your Highness. It is truly a great honor."
He raised his head, and his amber fox eyes locked onto Nangong Yue again. The smile on his lips deepened, with a clear understanding of the world and just the right amount of compliment.
"I've long heard that Your Highness is in charge of Fengming Nine Merchants Association and Yueji Pavilion. He is dignified and outstanding. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved and even better than the rumors."
Obviously, he had recognized her identity and was not completely ignorant of her. Nangong Yue knew in her heart that it was no coincidence that he could meet her in the quiet place behind the Royal Villa.
This man came prepared, his mind deep in thought. She walked into the pavilion and sat down calmly on the cushioned stone bench at the other end of the stone table, her posture relaxed, as if this pavilion was her territory.
"Mr. Shen, you are too kind. Since we are enjoying the mountain scenery together, why bother to disturb us?"
Her eyes fell on the plain yet obviously valuable white porcelain tea set in front of him, with steam still rising from the spout of the teapot.
"Sir, you have quite a refined taste. Even in this remote mountain area, you can prepare such fragrant tea?"
Chen Yan chuckled softly. The laughter was low and pleasant, with a magnetic hoarseness, like the finest velvet brushing across the heart:
"Your Highness, please forgive me for making fun of you. I have traveled extensively, often sleeping in the open air. I have no other hobbies but to indulge in the taste of tea. I carry this crude tea with me, just to comfort myself and relieve my fatigue."
He picked up the plain white porcelain teapot with a familiar and graceful posture, tilted his wrist slightly, and poured a stream of clear tea into another equally plain white porcelain cup.
The moment the tea was poured in, a clear and distant tea fragrance with a cold breath like mountain clouds spread instantly, domineeringly dispelling the scent of grass and trees in the mountains. It was definitely not what he called "crude".
He gently pushed the cup of tea in front of Nangong Yue, staring at her with his amber eyes. His eyes were like the finest, thick honey wine, carrying an intoxicating temptation and an undisguised temptation:
"Your Highness, please. This tea is called Cold Pond Moon Soul. It's harvested from the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains in southern Xinjiang, atop isolated peaks shrouded in mist year-round. There are only a dozen tea trees, and around the spring equinox each year, only a single bud and leaf are picked. Elder monks in the ancient mountain temples hand-roast the tea, yielding only a few ounces a year. Its fragrance is clear, cold, and solitary, like the moon shining on a cold pond; its flavor..."
He paused deliberately, his eyes burning, like tiny hooks, entwining her sight, and his voice lowered, with an ambiguous hoarseness,
"…It tastes cool and refreshing at first, but upon closer inspection, it develops a lingering sweetness and warmth that... makes one's heart itch."
He almost whispered the last few words, with the intimacy of a lover's whisper, his burning gaze fixed on hers, trying to capture every ounce of her emotion.
The atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly grew thick and delicate. The mountain breeze seemed to have tactfully died down, and the sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows. The only notes in the air were the clear, solitary scent of tea and his aggressive, masculine scent, a blend of light pine and tea.
If it were in the past, facing such blatant teasing and burning gaze, Nangong Yue would probably have blushed, her heart pounding like a drum, and she would have been at a loss.
But at this moment, she only raised her eyebrows slightly, as if appreciating an interesting object. She stretched out her slender, jade-white, pampered fingers and steadily picked up the cup of tea.
Her fingertips touched the warm wall of the cup, delivering just the right warmth. She lowered her eyes, looking at the clear, translucent, slightly rippling tea in the cup, as if examining the so-called heart-scalding magic.
Then, she slowly raised her eyelashes, and the eyes that were once filled with confusion were now as clear as the deep water of a cold pond, and she looked back calmly at Chen Yan's aggressive, fox-like, and fiery eyes.
There is no shyness, no dodging, only a deep and quiet pool.
Under Shen Yan's determined and interested gaze, Nangong Yue suddenly made a surprising move.
She didn't drink the tea or put the cup down.
The right hand holding the teacup remained steady. Her left hand, however, across the small, cool stone table, accurately, gently, and with an unquestionable sense of control, touched the left side of Chen Yan's chest—the spot where his heart beat.
Through the fine dark blue brocade fabric, her fingertips could clearly feel the firm and warm texture underneath, as well as the steady and powerful pulse that seemed to skip a beat the moment she touched it.
At that moment, Chen Yan's body was instantly stretched tight as if by an invisible bowstring! His amber pupils suddenly shrank to the size of a needle tip!
This sudden touch, which implied absolute control and a sense of taking the initiative, was completely beyond his expectations and disrupted the rhythm he had carefully woven!
An unprecedented electric current, a mixture of astonishment, offense, and a deeper throbbing, instantly ran through my body!
Nangong Yue's fingertips didn't press hard, merely tapping lightly, like a queen surveying her territory. She tilted her head slightly, the faintest smile on her lips like a snow lotus blooming on a frozen lake, carrying a condescending, all-seeing scrutiny and amusement.
Her red lips parted slightly, and she spoke clearly and calmly, each word falling like a drop of ice on a jade plate:
"Private collection?"
She scoffed softly, her laughter carrying the eldest princess's innate majesty and a subtle hint of mockery.
"Mr. Shen, you know that the laws of this dynasty are strict. Seizing royal property is considered treason, and the crime is punishable by the death of nine generations of the family. Mr. Shen's thoughts just now..."
She tapped his chest with her fingertips, neither lightly nor heavily, as if she were tapping a piece of merchandise for sale that was labeled "dangerous."
"...Listen, this is a bit hot."
Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, with the sound of metal and stone, striking at Shen Yan's suddenly accelerating heartbeat.
Seeing the momentary astonishment and the fleeting embarrassment in his eyes, the smile on Nangong Yue's lips deepened a little, with a kind of playfulness and boldness like a cat teasing its prey.
That boldness comes from the soul imprint that Dongfang Yuning has given her——
"I still have the courage to inspect the goods!"
"But..."
She dragged out the last syllable, and a sharp light flashed in her eyes, like a cold blade drawn from its sheath, with an almost rebellious, aunt-like courage and boldness.
"I have the courage to test the quality of the goods... I am not lacking in it."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly withdrew her fingers, as if the shocking action just now was just to brush away a petal that accidentally fell on the other person's clothes.
She gathered her moon-white cloak gracefully and calmly, her movements smooth and natural.
She stood up and glanced condescendingly at Chen Yan, who was still frozen in place, as if under a spell.
That look was calm and composed, yet it was like a queen inspecting the territory she had just demarcated and was awaiting assessment, with a natural sense of detachment and control:
"The tea is good. Thanks."
Leaving behind these four ambiguous and thought-provoking words, Nangong Yue turned around, her skirt drawing a cold and resolute arc on the bluestone ground. Without looking back, she walked along the quiet stone path she had come from, and left gracefully in the direction of the villa on the mountainside.
The sunlight cast a layer of light gold on her plain back, and the white jade plum blossom hairpin reflected a warm and firm glow in her black hair as she walked.
The mountain breeze passed through the empty pavilion, carrying the whimpering of pine waves, instantly blowing away the sticky and ambiguous scent, and also blowing the corners of Chen Yan's dark blue robe.
He still maintained that slightly forward leaning posture, about to say something. His left hand, subconsciously, pressed tightly against the spot on his chest where her fingertips had just touched.
There seemed to be a lingering, slightly cool touch, and... a strange throbbing and burning scar left behind by being completely seen through, being turned hostile, and instantly suppressed by an even more powerful aura. His heart, belatedly aware, pounded heavily and powerfully in his chest.
In the amber fox's eyes, the initial astonishment, the offended anger, and the pride of being determined to win slowly faded away like the tide.
Instead, there was a deeper, more intense, almost scorching ecstasy and interest, like suddenly discovering a priceless treasure in the boundless desert!
He stood up slowly, ever so slowly, his movements carrying the grace and power of a wild animal awakening.
His deep gaze was fixed on the cold, aloof, yet radiant figure that disappeared at the end of the bluestone path.
The curve of the lips grew uncontrollably, and finally turned into a low and extremely happy chuckle, which echoed faintly in the silent and empty mountain pavilion, carrying the excitement of meeting a worthy opponent.
"Inspect the goods?"
He murmured to himself, savoring the world's finest wine. His slender fingertips unconsciously caressed the spot where the icy jade fingertip had just touched, his eyes gleaming with the kind of excitement and extreme danger that only the most elite hunters experience when they encounter a powerful and beautiful prey truly worth a lifetime's pursuit.
"Nangong Yue...my Princess,"
He looked in the direction where she disappeared, his voice as light as a sigh, yet as heavy as a vow.
"You really... gave Chen Yan a huge surprise."
This game of "inspecting goods" had just begun, and he couldn't wait to play through it all.
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