The next day, Emperor Kangxi arrived, bringing with him a bracelet, a Hetian jade bracelet.
Wang Shu wasn't an expert on antiques, but he certainly knew a thing or two. However, anything that Emperor Kangxi would bring out was definitely not an ordinary item.
"This bracelet is milky white all over, it's so beautiful!"
"This is a Hetian jade bracelet, so it's not particularly rare."
Kangxi didn't mention the value of the bracelet, so Wangshu deliberately didn't ask: "Thank you, here's the music box for you. I see you like it quite a bit. I'll make you an even better one when my skills improve."
"OK!"
After Kangxi finished speaking, he magically produced another box: "This is a gift for you. Your sister has a bracelet, so you should have one too."
Wang Shu was very happy, but also a little conflicted. She felt embarrassed about receiving so many gifts and wondered how she should reciprocate.
Kangxi noticed her hesitation: "When you have time, you can make me a music box. I went to a lot of trouble to choose one, so please accept it!"
Wang Shu accepted his gift with a look of "helplessness" but also happiness.
Seeing her express all her emotions on her face, Kangxi felt for the first time that giving gifts was a happy and joyful thing.
"Take a look!"
Wang Shu opened the box, and there was another white jade bracelet: "Is this also a Hetian jade bracelet?"
Emperor Kangxi shook his head: "This is a white jade bracelet with dark patterns carved on it."
Two bracelets that don't know their value might look similar to each other, but in reality, they are very different.
The one prepared for her cousin was expensive, but not rare. The mutton fat jade bracelet for Wangshu was made of top-grade mutton fat jade, and the craftsmanship, materials, and production techniques were all top-notch.
If released, those items will be highly sought after by everyone.
Even now, none of the concubines in the imperial harem might possess a reward that can compare to this bracelet.
Wang Shu touched the bracelet, feeling the dark patterns and its delicate texture; it was indeed extraordinary.
Her mother had a bracelet, but it was a jade bracelet. She had also worn a bracelet before; it was a prop provided by the film crew when she was acting. It was supposedly a genuine antique, but she didn't feel much about it compared to this one.
As expected of the emperor, he is very generous.
Looking at Kangxi again, Wangshu's starry eyes now held a touch more genuine emotion; this man was truly generous! This was just the beginning; one could imagine how wealthy her treasury would become in the future.
"This bracelet is so beautiful, I really like it."
As she spoke, she gave him a radiant smile, slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, held it up in front of him, and gently shook it twice. Her slender, fair wrist was even whiter than mutton-fat jade, making Kangxi's throat tighten and leaving him completely mesmerized.
A beautiful woman should be adorned with beautiful and precious jewelry.
This was Kangxi's true thought at that moment. He felt that after she entered the harem, he would definitely give her many beautiful pieces of jewelry so that she could change them every day without ever running out of them.
Seeing Kangxi's expression, Wang Shu was satisfied. In fact, as a mature and talented actress, she also had high commercial value, so she knew exactly how to showcase her products.
At this moment, she and the white jade complemented each other perfectly, making Emperor Kangxi, the "sugar daddy," want to spoil her.
How could Wang Shu not be satisfied with this?
She was a vulgar woman who loved fine clothes and gourmet food. With many years left before her natural death, she naturally wanted to express to her future "sugar daddy" what kind of treatment she deserved to match her stunning beauty.
She wanted gold and jade, she wanted silk and satin, she wanted something passionate and grand...
She is a greedy person!
Since that bracelet gift, it seems that Emperor Kangxi has opened a floodgate, sending more and more jewelry, and the reasons he gives make it impossible for this foolish beauty to refuse.
Kangxi invested more and more materially and emotionally in her. According to the sunk cost principle, she would only be worthy of this investment if she lived well in the future. As long as this investment was worthwhile, Kangxi would protect her.
During this period, what Wang Shu needs to do is to increase the intensity of the measures.
This subtly made it difficult for Kangxi to sever this affection; after all, the more one invests, the harder it is to let go.
As long as she doesn't do anything excessive, even if she does something bad, Kangxi will habitually make excuses for her, since she's used to listening to her older sister and isn't very smart! Or perhaps she's been framed or something.
As for whether it will ruin her public image, Wang Shu is not worried at all.
The emperor's arrogance made it absolutely impossible for him to believe that he would be deceived by a palace maid who was only fourteen years old at first meeting, even if someone shouted it in his ear, he would not believe it.
After all, Wang Shu's performance was so real, and her experiences could not be faked; she was innocent, naive, and impeccable.
No one would believe that someone is born with the ability to pretend. Who would know that the original owner had already died from that serious illness and that when she woke up again, the person inside was someone who was good at acting?
There was no one but her and the system.
Kangxi showed her more and more "care," and she was somewhat reluctant to leave this place, but she still had to leave.
The strategy of playing hard to get was almost complete; too long wouldn't be good either, and Wuya became pregnant again.
The silly little palace maid complained to her best friend with a puzzled look: "I've noticed that the people in Jingyang Palace are being a little too nice to me, it's kind of weird!"
Kangxi was taken aback. He had secretly instructed the people in Jingyang Palace to take care of her, as he was used to her not being very clever. He never expected her to find out.
surprise!
However, after his initial surprise, Kangxi realized that it wasn't entirely incomprehensible. After all, she wasn't very bright and seemed like a little fool, but she wasn't really stupid.
People who can make music boxes by hand are not inherently stupid; they are just not clever in the way of social interaction.
"Isn't it good that I'm good to you?"
Wang Shu shook her head: "No, not at all. I firmly believe that there is no such thing as a free lunch. I haven't done anything wrong, and I feel a little apprehensive about being treated so politely."
Emperor Kangxi had seen many people who became arrogant after gaining power, and many who were knocked unconscious by a windfall and then happily ate it. But Wang Shu was as cautious and self-reflective as he was, though he was very rare.
This attitude, when displayed in an innocent young girl, possesses a pure and natural simplicity, making Kangxi feel that she is like a flawless piece of jade, inspiring endless imagination, exploration, and then carving and shaping.
When you want to make a move, you don't know how to do it in a way that wouldn't do this beautiful jade a disservice.
The more Kangxi interacted with her, the more interesting he found her, and the more he wanted to interact with her, and so on in a cycle.
Kangxi couldn't resist and affectionately stroked her fluffy head; it felt very comfortable.
His actions aroused Wang Shu's suspicion. She looked at him with puzzlement, as if asking: Why are you touching my head?
So cute!
Don't overthink it, you'll find out the answer eventually.
Wang Shu's eyes were still full of doubt, but she knew in her heart that this person couldn't help but reveal his identity.
That's good, but she feels it's not good enough.
The silly little palace maid only sees this eunuch as a friend. How to elevate this feeling? She thinks that a hero rescuing a damsel in distress would be perfect. It's a cliché, but it's timeless.
It's quite easy for a young palace maid to fall in love with a eunuch, but to fall for an emperor who saves her from dire straits, especially at the age when she's just beginning to experience romantic feelings.
Moreover, it leaves enough room for the emperor to have his own thoughts and reflections.
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