Chu Lingyu was of medium height, with a decent appearance. He was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, but he was already showing signs of gaining weight. He wore a jacket with a dark honeysuckle pattern and mink fur, and a small jade seal and a purse hung from his waist.
There are people like this all over the streets of Beijing. If they were seen walking on the street, Kang Hongda would not even take a second look at them, and would even be too lazy to socialize with them.
Kang Hongda didn't recognize Chu Lingyu, but he had a vague guess about his identity. Sure enough, the Chu family's doorman's respectful shout from the back confirmed his guess: "Second Master."
The corner door of the Chu family was opened wide, and the doorman and several maids came out to welcome Chu Lingyu back home.
Chu Lingyu glared at the doorman, signaling him to shut up. When he turned to Kang Hongda, he smiled flatteringly: "Master Kang, how come you have time to come to my humble abode? Would you like to come in and have a seat?"
Chu Lingyu smiled and stretched out his hand to Kang Hongda as if asking for permission.
Kang Hongda on the horse pulled the reins, and the tall and agile white horse snorted, and the breath sprayed on Chu Lingyu's face.
Kang Hongda sighed and said, "Someone just told me that the mansion is full of women and children and there is no one to entertain guests, so I will not be invited in."
Chu Lingyu: “…”
Chu Lingyu's expression changed instantly, as if someone had slapped him in the face in public.
Everyone in the capital city knows that Kang Hongda is a big shot in the emperor's favor. He came to the house in person, but their Chu family actually drove away such a distinguished guest!
Chu Lingyu's heart suddenly shrank, he was shocked and frightened, he quickly bowed his hands and said flatteringly: "Sir Kang, my eldest sister-in-law is now in charge of our house, this woman's family..."
He stopped at that point and did not directly say that the Shen family was bad, but there was obvious contempt in his tone.
Kang Hongda just said "Oh" lightly, with a smile on his lips.
Chu Lingyu's heart immediately rose to his throat, and he was panicked: All the civil and military officials in the capital knew that Kang Hongda was narrow-minded and would bear grudges! Chu Lingyu swallowed his saliva and explained dryly: "Lord Kang also knows about my brother's matter. Because of this, my sister-in-law has been depressed and neglected Lord Kang. Lord Kang is magnanimous, so don't bother with my sister-in-law."
Kang Hongda only said "Is that so", his voice was so calm that no emotion could be heard.
There are so many officials in the court, and whoever sees him does not bow down and be polite? Kang Hongda has seen many people like Chu Lingyu and can see through what the other person is thinking at a glance.
Kang Hongda is more accustomed to and familiar with communicating with such people.
The corners of his lips curled higher and he smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes. He calmly brushed his cloak, with a sense of composure and condescension.
Chu Lingyu took another step closer to Kang Hongda, almost bowing his head, and asked tentatively with a smile: "Lord Kang is very busy with official duties, how come you have time to visit my humble home today?"
Kang Hongda opened his folding fan. It was so cold, but he fanned himself from time to time. He said, "Today, the Ministry of War went to the Imperial College to select the best students for the spring military exercise. Your eldest son did not show up. I heard that he was sick, so I came to check on him."
Is Chu Yunyi sick? Chu Lingyu was startled, showing a hint of surprise.
He really didn't know anything about Chu Yunyi.
Chu Yunyi studied at the Imperial College, and from time to time went to the Xuanjia Camp for training, leaving early and returning late every day.
Besides, Chu Yunyi is just his nephew. Chu Lingyu can't even take care of his own son, let alone his nephew. Now that he thinks about it, he finds that he hasn't seen Chu Yunyi for several days.
Chu Lingyu didn't think much about it. Since Shen had someone go to the Imperial College to ask for sick leave, Chu Yunyi must be really sick, and there was no need for Shen to help Chu Yunyi lie.
Chu Lingyu coughed twice and said ambiguously: "The weather has been cold these days, and Brother Yi is too diligent. This child is too stubborn and never listens to advice..." He seemed to mean that Chu Yunyi caught a cold because he was too busy with his homework.
Chu Lingyu said a few vague words, and then smiled flatteringly: "Master Kang, you came to see him specially. It's really an honor for this kid!"
"Since Lord Kang is here, why don't you follow me in and have a seat to see Brother Yi."
Kang Hongda turned his eyes and wanted to agree, but when the words came to his lips, he turned them into rejection: "Forget it, since he is sick, I won't bother him."
He smiled, fanned his folding fan twice, looked very elegant, said "goodbye", put away the folding fan, and rode away.
Only a graceful back was left behind, with his cloak fluttering in the wind.
"Kang..." Chu Lingyu opened his mouth to call out to Kang Hongda, but was afraid that if he forced him, he would anger him instead, so he just stood there and watched him leave.
The curtain on one side of the carriage was lifted from the inside, revealing Liu's plump face, which was full of confusion.
"Master?" Liu called out, "Who is this Lord Kang?"
Liu had just quietly lifted the curtain in the carriage and looked at Kang Hongda for a while. From her master's attitude, she could tell that he was either rich or noble. It was a pity that the two of them were standing a little far away, so Liu didn't hear clearly what they were talking about. She only vaguely heard Chu Lingyu calling him "Master Kang" several times.
"..." Chu Lingyu didn't say anything and got on the carriage without saying a word.
After Liu pulled his sleeve, he said unhappily, "How many people in the capital are surnamed Kang?" He felt that Liu was really stupid! Liu thought about it for a moment and thought of a famous name. He gasped, stunned, and stammered, "Could it be Kang..."
She suddenly felt a little dry in the mouth, so she swallowed her saliva and asked in a somewhat fearful manner, "Master, what is Kang Hongda doing here?"
The carriage they were riding in continued to move slowly towards the corner gate.
Chu Lingyu touched the short beard on his philtrum and said in a deep voice, "He said he came to see Brother Yi, but he couldn't even get in the door. My sister-in-law had someone send him away."
Liu: “…”
Liu's eyes had already moved away from Chu Lingyu's face, and she was rubbing her handkerchief thoughtfully.
She thought of Uncle Jingyong's Meng Mingsi.
Chu Lingyu frowned deeply and could not help but complained to Liu: "As expected, she is a woman who has no sense of propriety!"
"Don't you think that we can afford to neglect Kang Hongda?!"
"That's Kang Hongda! He's a distinguished guest that other families can't even invite, but he can't even enter our Chu family's door." Chu Lingyu became more and more panicked. "Kang Hongda is a well-known person who haggles over every penny. I don't know if our Chu family will be punished later."
"Our family is already in chaos enough now. If we offend Kang Hongda again, wouldn't that be adding insult to injury?"
“…”
Liu endured it again and again, but finally couldn't help interrupting Chu Lingyu's words and asked pointedly, "Come to see Brother Yi? Master, why do you think he suddenly wanted to come to see Brother Yi?"
"..." Chu Lingyu raised his eyebrows and was speechless. How could he know? He couldn't ask Kang Hongda about it. Wouldn't that make him dislike him? !
Liu was speechless about her master's slowness. She pulled his sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Could he be interested in Yi'er?" Her voice was so low that only she and her husband could hear it.
"..." Chu Lingyu's eyes suddenly widened, as if he was struck by lightning, and he was shocked beyond words.
He had not thought about this at first. When he saw Kang Hongda just now, he only thought that it was a rare opportunity and he should make friends with the other party first. He had no time to think about anything else.
After hearing Liu's reminder, no matter how slow Chu Lingyu was, he began to understand and remembered some rumors in the capital.
There have always been rumors in the capital that Kang Hongda is fond of both men and women, especially handsome boys in their teens. He is a person who easily gets tired of the old and loves the new. Once his male favorite is over 15 or 16 years old, he will discard him.
Next year Chu Yunyi will be thirteen years old, which is exactly the age Kang Hongda likes the most. Could it be that he really likes Chu Yunyi?
Thinking of this, Chu Lingyu's heart began to beat wildly.
"Could it be true?" Chu Lingyu seemed to be talking to himself.
Liu nodded affirmatively: "It must be, otherwise why would he come to our house when he has nothing to do?"
Given Kang Hongda's status, it was too condescending for him to specially greet the eldest son of a marquis who had no official position or rank.
Besides, although their Chu family is a marquisate, everyone in the capital knows that their Chu family has long been disliked by the emperor.
The Chu family now has no status at all in the court. The most they have is the plaque "Marquis Yongding Mansion" outside the mansion. It is simply a joke that only has the title of marquis, but there is no one to inherit the title.
Liu squeezed Chu Lingyu's sleeves tightly, and a light flickered in her eyes, becoming brighter and brighter, like two lit lanterns.
Chu Lingyu quickly recovered, pulled back the sleeve that was wrinkled by his wife, stroked it, and sneered sarcastically: "The habit of homosexuality is not worthy of being in a refined hall!" Chu Lingyu looked down on Kang Hongda's habit, and could not hide his contempt even when talking and laughing.
However, Liu was not like that.
"Master," Liu grabbed Chu Lingyu's sleeve again, her eyes grim, "This is an opportunity."
"Opportunity?!" Chu Lingyu raised his right eyebrow suspiciously before he could react.
Liu pulled his sleeve and pulled him over to whisper, "Think about it carefully. This is a 'good opportunity' for our Chu family."
Chu Lingyu: “…”
Liu continued, "I heard that Kang Hongda would take good care of the family of someone he liked, such as the Meng family, the Qian family, and the Tian family... You should have heard about this, Master, right?"
"Our Chu family..."
"My uncle has already been convicted, and there is absolutely no possibility of overturning the verdict. Even the Imperial Concubine and the Second Prince are powerless to do anything about it."
"But someone has to inherit the title of the Marquis' Mansion, and my sister-in-law is too selfish. She wants Mu Ge'er to inherit the title, but Mu Ge'er is only a little kid, and when he grows up and inherits the title, there will be too many variables."
"What if the emperor doesn't admit it?"
"Taking the title in hand as soon as possible is the best choice for the Chu family."
Liu's words were righteous and justified, but in fact her thoughts were obvious to everyone.
Chu Lingyu began to think seriously, and his eyes lit up like Liu's.
He understood what Liu meant. If he could make Kang Hongda fulfill his wish, with his support and his intercession to the emperor, then it would be a sure thing for him to get the title.
Liu was so happy that the corners of her lips couldn't help curling up. She sighed and said, "I didn't expect that Yi Ge'er, a boy who is neither good at literature nor martial arts, would have such luck to be favored by Kang Hongda. This is his blessing. Kang Hongda has never treated those who followed him unfairly. This is good for him and the Chu family!"
The more Liu spoke, the happier she became, as if the title of marquis was within her grasp.
It has to be said that Chu Lingyu was also moved by what his wife said.
In his opinion, since his elder brother was stripped of his title, the title of the Marquisate should have belonged to him, but the lady dowager was partial to him, and he was overwhelmed by the word "filial piety" and there was nothing he could do.
But if Kang Hongda persuaded the emperor to issue an order directly, then the matter would be done and no one would be able to object.
Although his heart was moved, Chu Lingyu was still somewhat rational. He pursed his lips hesitantly, rubbed the wrinkles between his eyebrows with one hand, and said with a headache: "Brother Yi has been willful since he was a child. He has been spoiled by his mother and eldest brother. He will not agree."
He could also imagine that no good man would be willing to be submissive to another man.
Liu had already let go of Chu Lingyu's sleeves, and leaned lazily against the carriage, giving Chu Lingyu a sidelong glance in annoyance: "Of course Brother Yi won't agree."
Isn't this obvious?! If Chu Yunyi easily let Kang Hongda succeed, would Kang Hongda still be so condescending as to come to the Marquis's residence to "visit the patient"?! Men are all cheap, how can they cherish something that is offered to them on their own initiative? That's why there is a saying that a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a secret lover, and a secret lover is not as good as not being able to steal.
Things that are hard to get become more precious.
This is called first suppressing and then praising.
Liu smiled and said, "Master, it is precisely because Lord Kang cannot get what he wants that if you let him have a taste of what he wants, he will definitely remember your kindness."
Liu felt very happy: she had been holding a grudge against the eldest house for a long time, because of Chu Lingxiao, because of Shen, and because of Chu Qianchen... In her opinion, the existence of the eldest house was blocking the way of their second house.
Now if they could let the son of the eldest house make profits for their second house and help them get the title, wouldn't that be the greatest pleasure!
"It's not up to him." A meaningful smile appeared at the corner of Liu's lips, and her eyes flashed with complex light, a mixture of sympathy, joy and coldness.
Chu Lingyu hesitated for only a moment before he was suddenly overwhelmed by his desire for the title.
After all, Kang Hongda is a person who likes novelty, and his love for Chu Yunyi will probably not last for a few months. If this small sacrifice can be exchanged for such a huge benefit, it will be worth it.
The more Chu Lingyu thought about it, the more excited he became. His heart was burning with passion, and the way he looked at Liu became even more passionate. He praised her as his good wife, and then said, "For the sake of the Chu family, this title should be decided sooner rather than later."
Chu Lingyu pretended to be doing it for the Chu family.
As a couple for more than ten years, Liu knew what he was thinking. She softened her tone and tried to comfort him, "Master, our Chu family has now been marginalized in the court. This is all because of the things that my uncle caused."
"Brother Yi is the eldest brother's son. Now is the time for him to do something for the Chu family. This can be considered as him atoning for his father's sins. This is also a good story, isn't it?"
"Besides, this is not a bad thing. If the Chu family can rise again because of this, Brother Yi'er's efforts will be worth it. Our ancestors in heaven will also be pleased."
"Think about it, if your title is really revoked, how will you face your ancestors in the afterlife?"
Liu spoke a lot of sensible words, just because she was afraid that Chu Lingyu would be soft-hearted.
Chu Lingyu listened to Liu's words and nodded repeatedly, agreeing deeply: "To achieve great things, there must be sacrifices."
The couple didn't know whether they were convincing each other or themselves.
As they were talking, the carriage entered the mansion and stopped at the outer ceremonial gate.
The old woman called out from outside, and the couple got off the carriage one after another.
This topic was also temporarily suspended.
As Liu got on the sedan chair, she urged Chu Lingyu, "Master, Brother Yi is ill. Go and see how he is doing and find out what he has to say."
Chu Lingyu was still very excited at the moment, and didn't feel the chill at all. He nodded and said, "I'll go over to see him now."
Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the gate of Qingfeng Pavilion, he was stopped by a servant in blue and was turned away.
"Second Master, the eldest master has caught a cold. We just asked a doctor to see him today. After taking the medicine, the eldest master went to bed and is now sleeping."
"Besides, it would be bad if the disease spread to the Second Master."
The servant's implication was that Chu Yunyi was unable to entertain guests, and asked Chu Lingyu to go back.
How dare you! Chu Lingyu was a little annoyed at first. He wanted to push the servant away and force his way in, but when he raised his right arm a little, he changed his mind: Chu Yunyi was sleeping. Would he just sit by the couch and wait for Chu Yunyi to wake up after he broke in? ! Chu Lingyu cleared his throat and said pretentiously: "Let your young master have a good rest. When he wakes up, tell him that I came to see him."
The servant nodded in agreement.
Chu Lingyu turned around and walked away again. This time, he went towards the inner courtyard, but he did not go to the courtyard of the second house, but to Rongfu Hall.
His purpose was naturally to seek an audience with the lady.
In Rongfu Hall, not only the lady was there, but Chu Qianhuang was also there.
There was a faint smell of incense in the room. The lady was lazily leaning on the kang. Chu Qianhuang used a hot towel to apply hot compress to her eyes and asked her softly whether the temperature was appropriate.
Seeing Chu Lingyu coming, Chu Qianhuang took away the still warm cloth covering the lady's eyes, then stood up gracefully and bowed to Chu Lingyu: "Second Uncle."
Chu Qianhuang had a smile on her lips, but Chu Lingyu frowned and subconsciously wanted to send her away.
However, before he could speak, Chu Qianhuang took the initiative to leave: "Second Uncle, Grandmother has a poor appetite these past two days. I want to ask Grandmother to make some food that is easier to digest, so I'll take my leave first."
The lady opened her eyes, and sat up with the help of Chu Qianhuang, with a relieved expression on her face.
Chu Lingyu absentmindedly praised Chu Qianhuang with a few polite words like "filial piety, good child" and so on.
Chu Qianhuang smiled, bowed to the lady, and then walked out.
After walking around the screen, she slowed down her pace and listened attentively to what Chu Lingyu wanted to say to the lady.
Chu Qianhuang's eyes moved slightly, and her eyes were deep.
She had noticed at a glance that Chu Lingyu looked so excited when he came over. He walked like the wind and his eyes were shining. He seemed impatient to get rid of her. He must have something important to say to the lady and didn't want her to hear it.
It was not until Chu Qianhuang lifted the door curtain and walked out of the warm room that she heard Chu Lingyu's anxious voice: "Mother, did you know that Kang Hongda is here today? He has taken a fancy to Yi Ge'er."
What do you mean? Chu Qianhuang was confused and reluctant to leave.
So, Chu Qianhuang stopped outside the door curtain and waved to a little maid guarding the door.
The little maid walked towards her, and Chu Qianhuang whispered, "The Madam has not been resting well at night these past few days. Be careful not to give her refreshing tea during the day."
Chu Qianhuang whispered the instructions while pricked up her ears, trying to listen to the movements inside.
Chu Lingyu inside had no idea that Chu Qianhuang was still eavesdropping outside, and said in an excited voice: "Mother, our Chu family's chance has come!"
Chu Qianhuang's eyes narrowed.
A draught suddenly blew in from outside, the cold wind became stronger and stronger, blowing on the little maid's exposed neck, as sharp as a knife, and she subconsciously shrank her neck due to the cold.
The whistling sound of the cold wind made the room especially quiet, along with the sound of swaying branches, the sound of pounding hearts, the sound of the lady slapping her hand on the coffee table... and the sound of falling snow.
It started snowing again in the sky, and everything was white.
The weather is getting colder, and the festive atmosphere in the capital is getting stronger. Everyone is counting on their fingers and looking forward to the arrival of New Year's Eve.
Perhaps Jingle, who was temporarily living in Chu Qianchen's dowry house, was the only one who had no expectations for the New Year.
Jingle originally planned to just get by like this and spend the next Spring Festival.
Unexpectedly, Chu Qianchen suddenly came to her and said, "Jingle, do you want to go buy New Year's goods together?"
Although Chu Qianchen herself had not been to the house for a few days, she would ask Amber to come over every day to check on Jingle's recovery.
Chu Qianchen came here today just to see Jingle, but when she got here, she saw that the house was so deserted that she suddenly asked this question. Anyway, Jingle definitely didn't want to go back to the princess's mansion for the New Year.
Go shopping for New Year's goods with the Ninth Emperor's wife!!! Before Jingle's brain could react, her body did, nodding repeatedly.
She was two beats late before she added a word in a strong voice: "Okay."
"Then let's go out for a walk." Chu Qianchen smiled and patted Jingle's hand. It seemed like a little intimate gesture between a sister-in-law, but Amber could see at a glance that her princess' hand gently touched the eldest princess' wrist, and then raised her lips.
Without asking, Amber was sure that Jingle was almost recovered.
Over the past few days, Jingle's condition had visibly improved day by day, and her face had a blush, but there were still purple marks on her forehead from the collision, making her look a little weak and sick.
Seeing Jingle getting into her carriage with Chu Qianchen, her chief maid was hesitant to speak.
Jingle has been staying at home these days, and her dress and makeup are very casual. At this moment, she just has her hair tied up in a loose bun, and there is no jewelry except a jade hairpin in her hair. She is also wearing a plain casual dress.
Because Jingle rejected the Princess's Mansion and even did not want the head maid to go back to the Princess's Mansion to pack her bags, the clothes she wore now were either new clothes that Chu Qianchen had never worn, or clothes bought directly from the ready-made clothing shop. For example, the one she was wearing was not as good as the clothes supplied by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the past.
In the past, Jingle would never go out in such casual attire.
Thinking that her master's expression had been noticeably more relaxed recently than in the past few days, the senior palace maid finally shut her mouth.
Just like that, the carriage that had just entered the house turned around, drove out of the gate, and drove slowly along the wide street.
Amber was also in the carriage and asked, "Princess, where do you want to go with His Highness?"
Jingle looked at Chu Qianchen with bright eyes and a face full of anticipation. She had never bought New Year's goods before.
Chu Qianchen: “…”
Strictly speaking, Chu Qianchen had never properly purchased New Year's goods. The only time he did so was a few days ago when he went shopping with Gu Jue and bought some red paper.
She picked at random in a jewelry box and said, "Then let's go to Campbell Road."
You can also stop by Duobaozhai.
Jingle nodded frequently.
So the carriage turned right at the next intersection and headed towards Jinbao Road.
Chu Qianchen finally picked out a two-finger-wide lilac-colored beaded headband from the box, pointed it at Jingle's cheek, and said, "Jingle, I think this headband goes well with your clothes today. Let me try it on for you."
Jingle obediently moved closer to Chu Qianchen, tilted her head slightly, and faced the back of her head towards her.
Chu Qianchen gently helped Jingle put on the headband. Jingle's eyes were half closed, and her eyelashes trembled like a frightened butterfly, as if she was happy but also shy.
Chu Qianchen adjusted the headband on Jingle's forehead from the front, then withdrew his hand and nodded with satisfaction.
Amber put a bronze mirror in front of Jingle and asked her to look at it.
The width of the headband just covers the scar on Jingle's forehead that has not yet healed, without looking abrupt, but rather dignified and bright.
Jingle gently stroked the edge of her headband, smiled gently, and her eyes became brighter.
The Ninth Emperor’s wife is so nice!
Jingle's heartbeat quickened. After getting off the carriage at Jinbao Road, she bravely stepped forward and took Chu Qianchen's arm.
Chu Qianchen's body stiffened slightly.
She has lived two lives and is used to being alone, so it is difficult for her to completely trust someone.
She still remembered that the prince in her previous life once jokingly said that she was like a chestnut. At that time, she naively thought that chestnuts were great, fragrant and sweet, until one day she saw what the chestnuts that grew on trees like hedgehogs looked like.
Chu Qianchen's body relaxed and the corners of her lips curled up slightly. She could feel that Jingle beside her was even more nervous than her and seemed to be holding her breath.
She pointed forward casually: "Let's go to that shop to buy some dried fruits."
As the Chinese New Year is approaching, Jinbao Road is even more lively today than the last time Chu Qianchen and Gu Jue came here, and everyone has a happy face.
The skill of buying things does not need to be taught. The waiter just needs to boast a little and the two of them will start buying.
Melon seeds, nuts, candied fruits, bacon, sausages, fireworks, firecrackers, etc., all that looked good, they bought some and asked the waiter to load the purchased New Year's goods onto the carriage.
When the two arrived outside Duobaozhai, the carriage was half loaded with New Year's goods.
"I ordered some silver ingots and gold melon seeds from Duobaozhai, and I happened to pick them up on the way today." Chu Qianchen pulled Jingle into Duobaozhai, and they talked and laughed happily.
Chu Qianchen is now a distinguished guest of Duobaozhai. Everyone in Duobaozhai knows the young and beautiful Madam Gu and knows that she and her husband are generous.
Therefore, the waiter of Duobaozhai greeted them with great hospitality and endless pleasantries, and led them to the second floor.
The shopkeeper personally brought over the things Chu Qianchen ordered, very politely.
These silver ingots and gold melon seeds were specially prepared by Chu Qianchen as New Year's money. The silver ingots were formed into various cat shapes, each no bigger than a longan, and were very delicate and cute.
As soon as Jingle saw it, she couldn't let it go and played with it in her hands.
"Here you go. It's my New Year's money in advance." Chu Qianchen casually grabbed three or four silver ingots and stuffed them into Jingle's pockets. He asked casually, "Guess who drew these silver ingots?"
If Chu Qianchen hadn't asked, Jingle wouldn't have thought too much about it, but since she asked, Jingle's thoughts diverged. Stroking a silver ingot, she guessed that the person who drew the picture was either Chu Qianchen or -
"Ninth brother?"
Jingle asked weakly.
Even though she felt that this guess was 90% certain, there was still no confidence in her tone.
"It's your ninth brother!" Chu Qianchen put the silver ingots into his pocket one by one while laughing happily.
Jingle suddenly felt the silver ingot in her hand was heavy.
She liked this exquisite silver ingot very much, but when she thought that it was drawn by her ninth brother, she felt like she wanted to enshrine it.
Chu Qianchen originally planned to take the reserved silver ingots and gold melon seeds and leave, but when he saw Jingle's plain bun, he changed his mind and said to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, bring out some hairpins and pearls so we can take a look."
Seeing that business was coming, the shopkeeper agreed and quickly asked the clerk to fetch some jewelry. He introduced enthusiastically, "Madam Gu, these jewelry are all the latest styles of the season. Look at these pearl flowers. The filigree craftsmanship on them was also improved by our master. Isn't it exquisite?"
As the gold ornaments inlaid with various colors of agate, coral, jade, pearls and gems were displayed one by one, the room was filled with jewels.
Chu Qianchen picked up a hairpin with a lotus flower pattern and put Jingle on it. He said generously, "Jingle, you can pick whatever you want. It will all be on your ninth brother's account!"
When the waiter heard that Jingle was the sister of Mr. Gu Jiu, he became excited and praised his own jewelry to the sky.
After a while, another clerk came and whispered a few words to the shopkeeper, who then came over and said to Chu Qianchen, "Madam Gu, your custom-made hair crown is almost complete. It just needs to be inlaid with gems. Would you like to take a look first?"
This is the hair crown that Chu Qianchen customized for Gu Jue, so she naturally would not treat it lightly.
After saying hello to Jingle, she and Jiang Yuan followed the shopkeeper to the VIP room at the back.
Jingle continued to pick the pearl flowers, occasionally glancing in the direction of the VIP room.
After a while, footsteps were heard coming up the stairs, accompanied by a girl's delicate voice: "Third brother, you are so good to Sister Ling!"
"That filigree golden phoenix hairpin is really beautiful, especially the bunch of flowers with rubies as stamens that the golden phoenix spits out, which is unique."
Even if Jingle didn't look at the person coming, she could still recognize the owner of the voice.
The senior palace maid looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man and two women appear at the stairs.
Walking in front was a young man in his twenties, tall and straight, with delicate features and a dignified appearance.
He wore a purple robe with a dark pattern of five bats holding longevity, a sash around his waist, and a small purse seal. He looked handsome and was a famous handsome man in the capital.
The senior palace maid almost blurted out "Prince Consort", but when she saw Jingle sitting there motionless, she closed her mouth and pursed her lips.
Prince Consort Lu also saw Jingle who was choosing jewelry. Although they only saw Jingle's back, after being married for several years, Prince Consort Lu naturally recognized Jingle.
Besides, Jingle’s senior maid was standing aside.
"Jingle!" Prince Consort Lu blurted out.
His long eyebrows were deeply furrowed, his eyes flashed with displeasure, and his handsome face became somewhat sinister.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
