Chapter 488 Jin Manlou
Lan Xiyue left the Baihua Theater. An Yi, who had been standing by her side like a shadow, asked, "Princess, are we going back home now, or...?"
Lan Xiyue paused slightly, her bright eyes turned, and a hint of subtle cunning flashed in them.
She opened her red lips slightly and said in a clear voice: "Since we are out, let's go to Jin Man Lou for a stroll." As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes swept over the several secret guards at the door of the theater, "Let's all go." Then she got on the carriage beside her.
An Yi replied with a low "yes", and with a flash of his body, he jumped onto the shaft of the carriage nimbly. With a shake of the reins, the carriage drove steadily towards Jin Manlou in the capital.
At the theater entrance, several secret guards saw the carriage disappear from their sight, and then they retreated quietly as if blending into the shadows.
The wheels rolled over the smooth bluestone road, making a regular and steady rumbling sound.
Soon, the carriage stopped steadily in front of the magnificent building with flying eaves and brackets.
An Yi jumped off the carriage nimbly, "Princess, Jin Manlou is here."
The curtain was lifted by a delicate hand and Lan Xiyue got off the carriage.
She looked up and saw the vermilion lacquered gate that was heavy and imposing. The gold-plated plaque "Jin Man Lou" hanging on it sparkled in the sun, making it look even more wealthy.
She turned her gaze to An Yi and gave a simple instruction: "Just wait outside." After that, she turned and walked in.
The shopkeeper, Jin Man Lou, was fiddling with his abacus when he caught a glimpse of the newcomer from the corner of his eye. His pupils suddenly shrank, and then an extremely warm smile broke out on his face. He hurried out from behind the counter, bowed deeply, and his voice was filled with sincere respect and joy: "I pay my respects to the Regent Princess! May the Princess be safe!"
His thoughts raced through his mind: the person before him was not only the extremely noble Princess Regent, but also their wealthy benefactor!
Nearly half of the store's trendsetting, best-selling jewelry designs come from designs the princess herself created. Without her ingenuity, how could Jin Man Lou be so bustling with customers today? Not to mention, the regent princess's eldest brother is about to marry their eldest daughter! This relationship is even closer!
Lan Xiyue waved her hand casually, a hint of a smile on her lips. "No need to be so polite, boss." Her eyes slid across the dazzling array of jewels in the store. "Bring out all the new, top-quality jewelry you have in the store so I can see it."
The shopkeeper Zhang Fugui smiled and rubbed his hands, saying, "In reply to the princess, this store has the latest batch of exquisitely crafted jewelry... Our master specifically ordered that it be kept as a dowry for the eldest lady..." As he spoke, he carefully observed the princess's expression.
Upon hearing this, Lan Xiyue's faint smile deepened, and her eyes flickered with a hint of lazy interest: "Oh? That's quite a coincidence. Today, I am also helping my brother...select some betrothal gifts."
The shopkeeper's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he said repeatedly, "Oh my! So that's how it is! I understand! This is truly a great joy! I'll go get it right away! Princess, please take a seat here and wait a moment!"
His mind raced: Hey! The master craftsman is still working day and night on new designs, so why not give this batch of fine jewelry to the Regent Princess first? This betrothal gift, after all, will eventually end up in the hands of their eldest daughter? Keeping the money within the family, and satisfying the Princess, this is a rare opportunity!
Lan Xiyue nodded slightly, and following the shopkeeper's instructions, she walked calmly to an elegant tea table by the window and sat down.
A clever servant had already swiftly served freshly brewed premium tea and several plates of exquisite pastries, carefully placing them on a small rosewood table inlaid with multicolored mother-of-pearl. He bowed his head respectfully and said, "Princess Regent, please enjoy your meal."
Lan Xiyue picked up the celadon teacup that was as transparent as glass, and with her slender fingers like jade, she gently fiddled with the green tea foam in the cup, her eyes leisurely cast at the bustling street scene outside the window.
But in just a moment, the shopkeeper Zhang Fugui came over with a heavy, polished mahogany tray, walking briskly but steadily, and carefully placed the tray on the tea table beside Lan Xiyue.
On the dark purple velvet lining, several brocade boxes of different sizes, but equally exquisite and luxurious, are placed in an orderly manner.
The shopkeeper's face was all smiles, filled with pride. "Princess, please look here. These are some of Jin Man Lou's most valuable products, recently completed. Each one is the product of the painstaking efforts of several master craftsmen. The selection of materials, design, and polishing have all been meticulously executed. A few more are in the warehouse, and I've already sent the servants to fetch them."
Lan Xiyue put down the teacup and her eyes fell on the tray.
She stretched out her fingertips and opened the small brocade box closest to her first.
The box was padded with soft satin as white as snow, and a pair of earrings lay quietly on it, shining brightly.
It was an extremely exquisite gold-inlaid jade craft: the gold was pulled into curves as thin as a gossamer and as tough as a vine, and the strands were entwined and wrapped around two plump and lustrous teardrop-shaped mutton-fat white jades.
The jade is delicate and smooth, without any flaws. Against the backdrop of deep purple velvet and plain white satin, its creamy luster is even more apparent. The collision of gold and jade exudes an unparalleled elegance and refinement in its luxury and grace.
Her eyes then moved to the slightly larger brocade box next to it, and she lightly lifted the lid with her fingertips.
Inside the box, a jade bracelet lay quietly on the dark green velvet, instantly absorbing all the light.
The bracelet was flawless throughout, made of extremely rare and pure ice-glutinous jadeite. Its color was like the clearest spring water condensed in a deep mountain pool. It was very watery, and light flowed slowly inside, reflecting a restrained and warm luster.
The bracelet was polished to be round and smooth, with flowing and perfect lines. Lan Xiyue couldn't help but stretch out her fingertips to touch it gently. A warm feeling emanated from the jade, and it felt warm to the touch.
Undisguised admiration flashed across her eyes, and the smile on her lips deepened. Her voice was filled with satisfaction and affirmation: "They are indeed made of top-quality jade, and the craftsmanship is ingenious. Their reputation is well-deserved." Her gaze seemed to penetrate the jewelry before her, and she added with a firm and intimate tone, "It suits Duoduo very well. It will look great on her."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper smiled warmly and quickly agreed, "Your Highness is right! This is a batch of high-quality material that the master just bought a while ago. The master specifically ordered it to be used as a dowry for the eldest lady!"
Lan Xiyue's lips curled up slightly, and she smiled. "Well, very good. Then I will take this batch as a betrothal gift." She gently tapped the brocade box on the tray with her fingertips, and her eyes were full of mischief. "As for Duoduo's dowry... Shopkeeper Zhang, let the craftsmen work harder and work harder to make it. Anyway..."
She drew out the last syllable of her words, her smile deepening, "Didn't this end up in Duoduo's hands?" Before she finished her words, she had already taken out a thick stack of silver bills from her wide brocade sleeves and handed it to the shopkeeper.
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