Chapter 308 He couldn't go, so he had Chen Jiaying personally escort him back.
Pei Yuan felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water, and his drunkenness vanished instantly.
He grabbed Jinbao, his gaze deep and intense.
"Gone? When did you leave?"
Jinbao wiped away her tears and calculated the time.
"About two hours ago, Your Highness. If you had ridden fast now, you might have been able to catch up with Lord Shen's carriage."
Pei Yuan released Jin Bao, turned around, and strode out.
After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped.
They met this morning; Ah Chu wouldn't leave without saying goodbye.
Unless something unexpected happens.
Sun Yan rushed over.
"Your Highness, His Majesty suddenly sent Eunuch Cai to deliver an imperial decree, saying that the Yangzhou case is urgent and that Lord Shen must go to Yangzhou immediately."
Pei Yuan's hand, which was hanging by his side, suddenly clenched into a fist.
Achu was supposed to go to Yangzhou soon, and the Emperor would never suddenly issue an edict for Achu to leave now without a reason, unless someone told him something.
He whispered instructions to Sun Yan.
"Go and investigate who went to the palace this afternoon to request an audience with His Majesty."
"yes."
Sun Yan responded and left.
Pei Yuan stood in the darkness for a moment, then asked softly, "What did A-Chu leave for me?"
Jinbao was furious. "Lord Shen left a box of calming sachets and a recipe for incense, saying it would help His Highness sleep better."
Miss Chen just came over and snatched my purse without saying a word, saying she wanted to study incense.
Pei Yuan clenched his hands at his sides, a flash of coldness crossing his eyes.
"Leave the palace and return to your residence."
Jinbao was stunned for a moment, then quickly jogged to catch up.
"Your Highness, are we not going to chase after Lord Shen? And what about the purse he left behind? Aren't we going to ask for it back?"
It's not that I don't want to go, it's that I can't go.
The Emperor's sudden departure of A-Chu was likely due to his knowledge of the incident where he and A-Chu went boating on the lake that day.
He was careless!
He was puzzled as to why his father insisted on having him and Prince Heng discuss state affairs at the victory banquet, and why they talked for so long.
His father deliberately kept him in the palace, which was also a warning to him.
If he insists on going out of the city to chase after Achu or going to Chen Jiaying to get his purse back now, it will only bring more trouble to Achu.
So for now, he can only endure until everything is arranged and he can go to Yangzhou to see A-Chu.
Ah Chu, you must wait for me.
As for the purse that A-Chu gave him, haha, Chen Jiaying is not worthy of touching it.
"I will have Chen Jiaying personally deliver the purse back."
Jinbao was completely confused.
The following day, in the Empress Dowager's palace.
Chen Jiaying picked up the purses one by one and looked at them, then threw them on the table with disdain, but her face was full of worry.
“Grandmother, these are all left by Shen Chu for Prince Rui. Jia Ying has seen them; they are all medicinal herbs.”
The prince is of noble birth and cannot be allowed to use medicines that are casually prepared by outsiders.
Who knows if what's inside is poisonous? What if it harms the prince?
The Empress Dowager leaned back on the couch, playing with the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her gaze towards Chen Jiaying filled with loving kindness.
“Our Jiaying is so thoughtful and considers things thoroughly. Xiao Liu is so lucky to have married you.”
Chen Jiaying blushed, but said sweetly, "It's all thanks to my great-aunt's good teaching. Without her careful guidance, how could Jiaying understand so many principles?"
One sentence pleased the Empress Dowager immensely.
As people get older, they enjoy the company of younger generations, and even the high-ranking Empress Dowager is no exception.
The Empress Dowager patted Chen Jiaying's hand, her face full of affection.
"Among the Chen family of this generation, you are the best looking, well-educated, filial and capable. If your great-aunt doesn't love you, who will she love?"
Don't worry, after you and Xiao Liu get married, your great-aunt will still support you and never let you suffer any injustice.
A smile flashed in Chen Jiaying's eyes as she tugged at the Empress Dowager's hand and acted coquettishly.
"I knew my great-aunt loved me the most. So, these purses... how about Jiaying takes care of them for you?"
The Empress Dowager nodded, "Yes, throw away anything of dubious origin."
Chen Jiaying curtsied to the Empress Dowager and left with the purse in her hand.
There is a pond in the yard, and the lotus flowers in the pond are in full bloom.
Chen Jiaying stood by the candy, her face no longer bearing the sweet smile from before.
She picked up a purse expressionlessly, squeezed it, and then gave a cold laugh.
"Chen Chu, how dare you lay a finger on Prince Rui? You even dare to use a purse to express your feelings. You are shameless."
She raised her hand, ready to throw the purse in her hand.
Just as they were getting started, the personal maid suddenly ran over and screamed, "Don't throw it!"
Chen Jiaying stumbled and nearly fell headfirst into the pond.
She grabbed the railing and steadied herself, glaring impatiently at the maid. "What are you wailing about? If I fell into the pond, I'd skin you alive!"
The maid shrank back in fright and whispered, "The 'Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains' painting that Miss has been looking for has been found."
The "Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" painting is the last work of Song Duan, a famous painter of the previous dynasty. The painting is magnificent, with spectacular scenery and a majestic atmosphere.
I heard that His Majesty greatly admires this painting and sent people to search for it for a long time.
She became suspicious and secretly sent many people to inquire about it.
If this painting is found and presented to His Majesty, he will be overjoyed and will surely bestow great favor upon her, the future Princess Consort of Rui.
Chen Jiaying asked excitedly, "Where is the painting? How much is the seller willing to offer to sell it?"
The maid said, "It's in the hands of Young Master Liufeng of Qingfeng Tower. I heard that Young Master Liufeng is preparing to sell this painting recently, and the price is 20,000 taels."
Twenty thousand taels?
Chen Jiaying felt a pang of regret, but thinking of the benefits she would receive in return for giving up the painting, she steeled herself.
"Twenty thousand taels it is, let's leave the palace immediately to find Young Master Liufeng."
"Please wait a moment, young master Liufeng has another condition. He said he has been having trouble sleeping lately, and he is willing to give this painting a 20% discount if someone can provide a good pack of calming medicine."
A calming herbal pack?
Chen Jiaying paused for a moment, then suddenly looked at the calming sachet she was holding in her hands.
Isn't this readily available?
It seems that Heaven has destined this magnificent landscape painting to be hers. With a 20% discount, that's 16,000 taels of silver.
Unexpectedly, Shen Chu's purse could save her four thousand taels of silver.
Chen Jiaying was overjoyed and immediately took the calming purse to find the elegant young master.
Upon seeing her calming sachet, the young master Liu Feng looked on with suspicion, "Is this medicine sachet even effective?"
Chen Jiaying patted her chest and assured, "It's absolutely effective; even Prince Rui uses this kind."
Young Master Liu Feng examined the purse for a long time, turning it over and over, and muttered, "Alas, what a pity. It would be even better if I could find a recipe for incense."
Incense recipe?
She has one too.
Chen Jiaying immediately took out the wisteria incense-making recipe left by Shen Chu from her bosom, and before handing it over, she shrewdly bargained for a price.
"I can give you this recipe, but give me a discount if you want me to draw yours."
Young Master Liufeng gritted his teeth, "I'll give you a discount of one thousand taels at most, a fixed price of fifteen thousand. If you don't like it, forget it. There are plenty of people queuing up to buy paintings outside."
"If you hadn't said this purse was the same style as Prince Rui's, I would never have agreed to this price."
Despite the financial strain, Chen Jiaying paid 15,000 taels of silver.
Upon receiving the "Map of Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains," he couldn't help but look at Young Master Liufeng with suspicion.
"You didn't just make a fake to fool me, did you?"
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