If she couldn't afford to smash the blue and white porcelain vase, she could at least smash the cup. Just as she was about to reach out, the servant reminded her, "The cups are a set. If you break one, you have to pay for the whole set at the original price."
"Why?" Chen Jiaojiao laughed in anger, and even her maid Liu Lu was very surprised. "Do you think the cups have to come in sets?"
Seeing that the two men didn't believe him, the servant went to get a list of the furnishings in the house. The prices of the decorations were clearly marked on each one.
The cup in Chen Jiaojiao's hand was a Tang Dynasty sancai pottery. It was a complete set of thirteen cups used by the store to entertain VIPs. A set of cups cost over a thousand taels of silver.
After reading it, Chen Jiaojiao was dumbfounded. "Was the Yingkelou opened by Jiang Xuqing?"
The servant shook his head. "It's owned by our boss, Li He, but Master Li and Lord Jiang are relatives. Master Li's cousin married Lord Jiang as his concubine—that was truly a great blessing."
Haha. What's so good about being a concubine? It's called a great blessing. It's really laughable.
Huang entered the room and overheard the servants discussing Jiang Xuqing's concubines. Her ears pricked up. "Young man, please tell me more carefully. What kind of character does Lord Jiang's concubine have?" If she was a fierce one, her daughter would be in great trouble if she married into one.
The servant refused to speak, so Wang Keren slipped him a silver leaf, and the servant smiled. "This lady is so polite. If you ask me, all the women in Jianzhou envy Madam Yun, who is by Magistrate Jiang's side. Madam Yun is virtuous, good-tempered, and always kind. It's a shame that Madam Yun is of humble status. For a mere merchant to be Mr. Jiang's concubine is a great honor bestowed upon her ancestors. Fortunately, Mr. Jiang refused to marry a wife for Madam Yun's sake, which means he only favors her."
Huang Shi was unhappy to hear this. What does it mean to only favor one person? Isn't that disrupting the moral code?
In her opinion, marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. In the end, Jiang Xuqing's marriage still needs the approval of the Jiang family, so what does his vow mean?
Chen Jiaojiao was quite envious after hearing this. What she wanted was a life together as a couple. She was not willing to share a man with other women.
Originally, her brother Changge could have done it, but unfortunately, the only candidate was also imprisoned by Jiang Xuqing. Jiang Xuqing was really despicable.
Chen Jiaojiao continued, "So, Jiang Xuqing is truly bold for daring to disobey his parents for a concubine. It's ridiculous that someone so disloyal and unfilial deserves to be praised by everyone in Jianzhou."
"Jiaojiao." Huang wanted to sew her mouth shut. She glared at Chen Jiaojiao and said, "Young man, it's my fault for not disciplining my daughter properly. Magistrate Jiang is a very kind man, and I speak my mind. I absolutely did not do anything to offend him."
The servant said with a fake smile, "Madam, if you want to know anything else, please wait until tomorrow to see the master." If it weren't for the silver leaf, he really didn't want to serve this brainless woman at all. It's true that there are all kinds of birds in the forest. How could the prefect Chen raise someone so ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth? Could it be that he didn't have a brain when he gave birth to her?
No matter what, the servant doesn't want to serve this rich young lady anymore.
He found an excuse to slip away, leaving Chen Jiaojiao and Huang alone chatting in the room.
The next day, Xiao Wang came to pick up Huang and Chen Jiaojiao on time to go to the election meeting.
After a night's rest, the two recovered quickly. Yingkelai truly deserves to be called the best restaurant experience. The service alone is very attentive, and there's hot water available 24 hours a day. Whatever you want to eat, someone will immediately prepare it, and the food is just as good as the private dishes they usually eat.
Huang had originally thought she'd just make do with it, but she didn't expect the inn to have all the amenities, not only baths, but also a good night's sleep, a rare treat for a light sleeper. Huang decided she'd have to bring Lao Chen along to experience it someday.
After Chen Jiaojiao had a quarrel with Huang last night, she went for a walk on the street. Unexpectedly, Jianzhou was particularly lively at night.
She brought a bag of small change and wanted to buy everything she saw. The merchandise was incredibly diverse, with varieties ranging from rosemary from the Western Regions. She and Liu Lu were completely spoiled for choice, and in the end, they lost all their money in Jianzhou.
After spending all the money, Chen Jiaojiao did not feel disappointed, but instead had a very good experience.
She also saw lion dance and other performances, which were well worth the money.
Moreover, when going out shopping at night, there is no need to worry about the wallet being stolen, because there are soldiers patrolling the streets at any time. This gave Chen Jiaojiao a big surprise.
She was naturally bold and daring, never wanting to be a good girl. Back in Jingzhou, she'd always been suppressed by her family, afraid to go out and play. But now, in Jianzhou, she'd found a whole new world. It was truly captivating.
After last night’s novel experience, Chen Jiaojiao is particularly looking forward to today’s event.
In the boiling crowd, she immediately caught her eye of Jiang Xuqing, who was wearing a green official uniform.
Not to mention her, even Huang was staring in amazement.
Old Chen told her that Jiang Xuqing was good-looking, and Huang thought he was just handsome with a generous temperament. She didn't expect that he was such a handsome and talented person.
Huang was led by Xiao Wang to the VIP seats on the left. She watched Jiang Xuqing walk towards her with a smile on his face. At that moment, it was as if she had seen her childhood sweetheart, and Huang's eyes were red.
Xu Jing smiled and bowed to Huang. "Did you sleep well last night, Madam Huang? If I have been inadequate in my hospitality, I hope you will be more tolerant."
Huang was brought back to reality by a cough. She lowered her head and said, "Master Jiang, that's not right. I'm living very well here. I hope you'll forgive me for disturbing you."
"No, madam, you are being too formal." Xu Jing ordered Bai Shinian to serve tea. Bai Shinian also knew that he was an honored guest and could not afford to offend him by serving tea of lower quality than Bai Yong's.
After a few pleasantries, Xu Jing returned to the main seat.
Chen Jiaojiao glanced at the person twice, and saw Huang's face flushed from the corner of her eye. She asked in confusion: "Mom, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No." Huang was stunned by Jiang Xuqing's stunning appearance. After finally coming to her senses, Huang patted Chen Jiaojiao. "What do you think of Governor Jiang's appearance?"
"fine."
Huang was delighted and was about to persuade her when she heard Chen Jiaojiao say, "No matter how good she is, she can't compare to Changge."
Well, whoever wants this daughter can have her. Huang thought Jiang Xuqing relied on a face reminiscent of her first love. If she were ten years younger, there would be no point for Chen Jiaojiao. She would have been clinging to him shamelessly.
The mother-in-law liked her son-in-law more and more. Seeing how calm and composed he was, and how neither humble nor arrogant he was, Huang made up her mind that she would have a good talk with the Jiang family when she returned, and try to marry her daughter, who had not abandoned her, to Jiang Xuqing. This would also make her youthful dream come true.
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