Since ancient times, jade has been considered a spiritual object.
The jade has shattered; this is not a lucky thing.
What's more, the jade carving depicts tiny figures...
Even though Xie Zhi was usually all smiles, he couldn't smile now.
He opened his mouth: "How could this happen..."
The jade shop owner stammered, "Young master, I don't want the money for these jade carvings."
"I won't charge you extra for this little jade figurine, young master..."
Xie Zhi at this moment is just like Yuan Yao after the river lanterns went out last night.
Looking at Xie Zhi, Yuan Yao understood him completely.
She glanced at the Ninth Prince, opened her mouth, and spoke to comfort him: "Xie Zhi, don't be sad, it's just a piece of jade after all."
Besides, that jade, though said to depict you and me, isn't actually carved with you and me.
Xie Zhi turned his head with difficulty and forced a smile: "Really?"
“Of course it’s true!” Yuan Yao said, “Before the jade carving was delivered to you, it didn’t belong to you, so the fact that it broke has nothing to do with you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the owner of the jade shop went weak in the knees.
If this young master is alright, then isn't he the one who's in trouble?
At this moment, the Ninth Prince slowly took a sip of white porridge and said to the shopkeeper, "Bring the jade carving for me to see."
Danqing stepped forward, walked to the shopkeeper's side, carried the box to the Ninth Prince, and opened it.
Inside the pearwood box, a layer of extremely soft satin was laid out, on which a pair of jade-carved figurines were neatly arranged.
One ink and one white, both rich and clear.
The one made of mutton fat jade is a bit more rounded, and its features, from the facial features to the little bun on the top of its head, are very cute and charming.
The one carved from black jade is rather slender and tall, with delicate features, smooth lines, and a spirited expression.
The Ninth Prince raised his hand, picked up the black jade carving, curled his thin lips, and said coldly, "In my opinion, this black jade is perfect for carving the young prince."
The man carved from mutton-fat jade, in the end, appeared somewhat delicate and frail.
Yuan Yao seized the opportunity to chime in: "I think so too! Xie Zhi, don't you like military campaigns?"
Those who march and fight are exposed to the wind and sun all day long, and they can easily be tanned into charcoal, just like this black jade.
It's fate that you're destined to lead troops into battle!
After she finished speaking, she blinked sincerely.
Although she had already internally criticized herself.
It's so hard to fool kids!
My conscience is bothering me!
Seeing Yuan Yao and the Ninth Prince comforting him, Xie Zhi felt somewhat embarrassed.
The paleness on his face gradually faded.
Xie Zhi grinned: "I think you're right! Jade is an inanimate object, and an inanimate object can't control this young master!"
“That’s right!” Yuan Yao nodded emphatically in agreement.
Xie Zhi then smiled.
He took the small figure carved from black jade from the arms of the Ninth Prince.
He had his eye on this piece of black jade yesterday, and now that it's his, it's fate.
The black jade is smooth and flawless, with an excellent feel...
The more Xie Zhi looked at it, the more he liked it.
He held the little figure, completely captivated by it.
Seeing this, Yuan Yao smiled and said, "This jade suits you even better. And this little figure is also carved with a particularly heroic spirit."
Xie Zhi looked up and smiled brightly: "Little Yao'er, do you like this? If you do, I'll trade with you."
exchange?
In exchange for her mutton fat jade figurine, I'll use the black jade figurine.
That won't do!
Although the black jade figurine was exquisitely carved, she preferred the mutton fat jade figurine!
The little jade figure is so dark!
She still prefers white!
People are the same; no matter how good-looking someone is, if they get tanned dark, they won't look as good...
Yuan Yao, as if possessive of her food, refused Xie Zhi: "What if I offend you later, and you take my jade carving and use it to make voodoo dolls for me?"
No way! Don't even think about it!
Xie Zhi wasn't angry: "If you don't want to change it, then don't. Xiao Yao'er is being too stingy."
"How am I being stingy?" Yuan Yao puffed out her cheeks. "After all, you tricked me with those foxtail grass flowers!"
Xie Zhi said helplessly, "I've already sent an apology gift..."
Sending foxtail grass was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Having not seen her for a long time, he just wanted to tease her a bit.
It's quite amusing how they manage to coax the little one into a daze.
To everyone's surprise, she actually planted those grass seeds as flower seeds and even had someone take good care of them.
Harmful!
They really shot themselves in the foot!
Taking the opportunity, Xie Ning smiled gently and said, "Your Highness, Xiao Yao'er is so soft and fair. It would be inappropriate to leave her with a dark, black jade carving."
Little girls like pretty things, so black jade is more suitable for boys.
That piece of mutton-fat jade shattered; perhaps it shielded you, young master, from disaster. Therefore, you should keep this piece of black jade safe with you.
That little jade figurine was there to protect him from disaster.
Xie Zhi also thought this reasoning made sense.
After thinking for a moment, Xie Zhi smiled, revealing a set of white teeth that had not yet fully grown in: "Let's put this matter behind us."
I will keep this little jade figurine safe and sound.
As he spoke, he put the jade carving back into the box and said to the Ninth Prince, "Before returning to the capital, I would like to trouble you to keep it safe for me."
The Ninth Prince glanced at him dismissively and said to Danqing, "Put it away."
The jade shop owner hesitated before speaking, "That jade..."
The Ninth Prince looked at him coldly: "Whether that jade cracked on its own or you broke it while you were dozing off, it's all just your one-sided story."
"I won't delve into this, yet you're trying to ask for money?"
"I wouldn't dare," the jade shop owner said, wiping his sweat. "I'll take my leave now."
Although he didn't recognize the identities of the people here, they didn't seem like ordinary people.
I'm afraid that each of them is of even higher status than him...
If you offend someone important, you're likely to suffer the consequences!
Money versus life, of course I'd choose the latter.
The jade shop owner, hunched over, ran out of the restaurant.
It wasn't until a cool breeze swept through the street that he realized not only were his legs weak, but his back was also soaked with sweat.
Restaurant.
After having breakfast and rinsing his mouth with tea, the Ninth Prince said, "Leave two people in Copper City; the rest of you shall all come with me."
He could find whatever he needed in the village ten miles east of Tongcheng.
He was very curious as to who could gather enough rice and grain before the imperial court could in such a short time.
Canfeng appeared silently in the lobby: "Your Excellency, those assassins..."
The Ninth Prince looked at Yuan Yao: "Little Yao, what do you think?"
Yuan Yao said sweetly and softly, "What Father means is what Yao'er means."
She wasn't that kind; she left behind an assassin who wanted to kill the Ninth Prince...
The Ninth Prince nodded: "In that case, there's no need to leave a single survivor."
Canfeng accepted the order: "Your subordinate will go and return immediately."
Canfeng was efficient; when he returned, he was carrying a string of silver medals.
The signs were engraved with the numbers of those assassins.
Yuan Yao glanced at them briefly and saw there were more than a dozen signs...
She frowned slightly: "Take all these signs back to Huaishui City and let the people from the Assassin's Guild take a good look at them."
She had to make sure the members of the Assassin's Guild remembered that anyone who disobeyed her orders or dared to harm her or the Ninth Prince would never have a good end!
After packing their luggage, the group headed to the village ten miles away.
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