Chapter 13, Liangzi
Because of the delay caused by the fight over the little parrot, Huiyi arrived at the Hundred Plays Hall much later than usual.
Fortunately, I managed to snag the last set of the latest shadow puppets.
"Young lady, you've come just in time. Our shadow puppet set is going on sale today, and there are only ten sets available. This is the last one left."
Huiyi examined the set of shadow puppets carefully. They were of superior quality and exquisitely crafted. What was most remarkable was that they included puppets representing all walks of life. Huiyi even saw an emperor puppet dressed in glittering gold clothes among them.
"My father doesn't have clothes like that," Huiyi thought with a smile.
"This set of shadow puppets is our latest style, and we only have this one left, so the price may be a bit higher. Eight strings of cash. Would you like it, madam?"
"Pack it up for me!"
Huiyi agreed without hesitation, and from her voice, one could tell she was a young lady from a wealthy family.
The shopkeeper was a shrewd and quick-witted man. Seeing that the customer was so straightforward, he readily agreed, "The shop is a bit busy right now. Why don't you wait in the side room for a while, madam? I'll bring you some other trinkets to choose from later."
Indeed, the room was too crowded and messy, and Huiyi wanted to find a quiet place to sit.
"Yes, that works too."
The shop assistant led her to a side room, where she was served tea and snacks, which Huiyi enjoyed with ease.
As summer approaches, the sun begins to feel increasingly hot, and a light sweat beads on one's forehead after walking a few steps outside.
Especially since I had been sitting in the sun for a long time just now, fighting over the little parrot, I was already exhausted.
Now is the perfect time to take a break.
Picking up a piece of jade dew pastry from the side, Huiyi took a bite and recognized it as a pastry from Ruyi Zhai in the West Market.
Ruyi Zhai's Jade Dew Dumplings are quite good; Huiyi remembers them well.
After a few bites, he got tired of it and took a sip of tea.
The tea-making method of the Tea Sage is indeed excellent. Ever since I drank the new tea-making method of the Tea Sage Lu three years ago, Huiyi no longer wants to taste the old tea that was a mixture of sour, sweet, bitter and spicy flavors.
Thinking that the shopkeeper should be coming soon, Huiyi wiped her hands with a handkerchief, removing the crumbs of pastry from her fingertips.
Inside the shop, Manager Ding had just packed the last set of shadow puppets, named "Huaying," into an exquisite rosewood box. Before he could even send it to the side room, a distinguished guest arrived.
It was none other than the second son of the Prime Minister Lin family, the close nephew of General Guo, and the Imperial Guard General Lin Erlang, who was favored by the Emperor.
Now that he was the son-in-law of a saint, Manager Ding dared not be negligent and immediately greeted him with a smile.
"It's Young Master Lin. What would you like to see? Please tell me."
Having just returned from horseback riding, Lin Lanting was dressed in a bright red, narrow-sleeved brocade robe, its vibrant color as fiery as fire. Moreover, it was worn in the latest trendy style of both civil and military sleeves, with the right sleeve wrapped around his narrow waist and abdomen, revealing a half-sleeve with gold floral patterns underneath. He looked dashing and heroic, immediately attracting the attention of many onlookers.
Carrying the dust and smell of grass from the wild, Lin Lanting looked around but couldn't tell which one was the most popular shadow puppet "Huaying" in the Hundred Plays Hall. So he simply said, "I heard that you have several sets of shadow puppets called Huaying. My mother likes them and wants to buy one as a birthday gift. Do you know where I can find them?"
Upon hearing that this was the set he wanted, Manager Ding immediately became troubled, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.
"What? It's gone?"
Lin Lanting asked with a smile, but the raised eyebrows made Manager Ding very uneasy.
No matter how wealthy these merchants are, they are inevitably subject to the control of powerful figures.
Even though the nobleman only showed a displeased expression, it was enough to make them feel extremely apprehensive.
Shopkeeper Ding had no choice but to tell the truth: "It's just that the Second Young Master came at an inopportune time. A lady just asked for this last set."
Lin Lanting frowned, displeased, and asked, "Hmm? The person has already been paid for and taken away?"
Lin Lanting thought that if they hadn't left yet, he could catch up and buy them at five or ten times the price.
Shopkeeper Ding was taken aback, then shook his head and said, "No, it's not that. I just verbally requested it and was about to send it over."
Manager Ding tossed the box in his hand as a gesture.
Lin Lanting immediately laughed and said, "Then that settles it. I'm willing to buy this item at ten times the price. Go and tell that lady that as long as she's willing to give it up, all the expenses she incurred at the Hundred Plays Hall today will be on my tab!"
"this……"
Manager Ding looked troubled, but Lin Lanting's smiling gaze pierced him, making him feel a sudden chill.
Although there was no overbearing oppression from other nobles, as a merchant, there was always some inexplicable fear of the powerful and wealthy.
Manager Ding immediately replied, "No problem, Young Master Lin, please wait a moment."
Hearing that there was more, Lin Lanting showed a satisfied expression, sat down on the soft couch next to him, crossed his legs, and indulged in unrestrained pleasure.
Lin Lanting came today specifically for this set of shadow puppets. His mother has always loved these little trinkets, and since it's her birthday today, he has to cater to her tastes and find a gift that his mother would like to give her.
The newly released shadow puppets from Baixifang are the most suitable.
Only Manager Ding sighed inwardly.
He had made a good promise to the woman, but then suddenly told her he couldn't sell it. He really didn't know how to bring it up.
Huiyi finally saw the shopkeeper. She stood up and said, "Give the items to my maid. The money is here."
Biqing was about to pay when she saw the shopkeeper looking apologetic. He cupped his hands and said, "I'm sorry, madam. I just remembered that this last set was reserved a long time ago. I just forgot for a moment, which is why I've kept you waiting. How about this, madam, take a look at something else?"
No matter how kind and friendly the shopkeeper's smile was, it couldn't hide the final outcome.
She didn't believe such a lame excuse; there must be something else behind it.
"The shopkeeper's words are really unbelievable. He forgot such an important thing so easily. How interesting."
After being mocked by Huiyi, the shopkeeper's face showed embarrassment, and he apologized, "Please forgive me, madam, it was truly unavoidable. A distinguished guest has come..."
Manager Ding didn't want to offend anyone, and only hoped that mentioning the name of the second son of the Lin family would make the young lady back down.
But it would have been better if she hadn't said anything. As soon as she heard Lin Lanting's name, the woman immediately exploded.
"What? It's that scoundrel Lin Er!"
The young woman slammed her hand heavily on the table, cursed angrily, and the action made the remaining jade dew ball bounce.
"My wife, you..."
The gesture and the angry shout made it seem as if the two knew each other, leaving Manager Ding somewhat confused.
Huiyi stopped listening to Manager Ding's nonsense and led Biqing and the others directly to the front hall.
"Let's go, I'm going to have a go at it!"
Without saying a word, Huiyi rushed to the front hall under the horrified gaze of Manager Ding.
Lin Erlang was still waiting there, and Manager Ding dared not imagine what would happen next.
"My dear wife, my dear wife~"
He chased after him, his old face filled with panic.
"Lin Lanting!"
As the largest shadow puppet shop in Chang'an, Baixifang is always packed with customers, and today is no exception.
Suddenly, a clear shout rang out, and everyone looked over, their gazes falling on the young woman whose anger could be felt even through the veil.
Lin Lanting was the first to turn his head, not only because he was the protagonist, but more importantly because he recognized who the voice belonged to.
That spoiled princess?
What is she doing here?
His gaze followed the swaying of the woman's white veil. Even though he couldn't see the woman's face clearly, he was still absolutely certain.
Lin Lanting stared intently as the person approached, then asked with a smile, "What brings the princess here? And what brings you here?"
Upon hearing what he said, Manager Ding, who had rushed to catch up, turned pale.
Princess!
She's actually a princess from the imperial family!
He offended Princess Chang Le for the sake of the Second Young Master Lin!
I'm going to die.
But Manager Ding couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only watch nervously as the two gods fought, while he sent his young apprentice to quickly inform the master to handle the situation.
This has caused an utter disaster!
"You took the shadow puppet I was just about to buy. What do you want?"
Huiyi looked at the rosewood box that the servant behind him was carrying, and her anger flared up even more.
Lin Lanting was taken aback, and immediately looked at the timid shopkeeper on the side, and said abruptly, "So that lady is the princess."
Shopkeeper Ding's knees buckled and he knelt on the ground, almost bursting into tears.
Huiyi snorted, "Since you know it's me, you'd better hand over your things obediently, or you'll be sorry!"
How dare that scoundrel Lin Er compete with her!
However, seeing the other party shake his head, he said with a grin, "Please forgive me for not being able to give in today. My word still stands. As long as the princess is willing to give me this set of shadow puppets, whatever the princess of the Hundred Plays Hall takes a fancy to will be credited to me."
Huiyi felt a pang of anger, and with a flick of her veil, she revealed a face that appeared even more striking with anger.
Why didn't you just say you'd let me have my way?
Not to mention she was the first one there, she's also a young woman. Lin Er has no manners at all!
Lin Lanting chuckled, bowed apologetically as if to apologize, but his meaning still remained unchanged.
"My mother's birthday is approaching, and this is the only thing she really likes. I can't bear to part with it, and I hope that the princess can part with it."
He even tried to negotiate with her, constantly adding to the benefits, saying, "If the princess wants any hairpins, dresses, or cosmetics today, you can pay for them all."
Lin Lanting immediately remembered his newly arranged marriage with Li Huiyi, so he figured he could buy these things too.
But Huiyi saw these attempts at compensation as nothing more than provocations.
"Who cares if you buy me these things? I just want this set of shadow puppets. So, tell me, are you going to give it to me or not!"
To an outsider who doesn't know the situation, it would seem as if the assertive Princess Chang Le was the one bullying others.
But most of the customers at the entertainment venue knew about seven or eight parts of it, and watching the two fight was no different from watching a couple having a good time.
They watched with great interest.
Lin Lanting remained silent, a serious expression creeping onto his face.
Judging from his judgment, the set of shadow puppets from Baixifang should be his mother's favorite, and was undoubtedly the most suitable.
But this spoiled princess's behavior is unlikely to end well, and Lin Lanting is having a headache.
A good man doesn't fight with a woman, and just as he was thinking of giving her the prize, the owner of the entertainment venue arrived.
He was a plump, cheerful-looking middle-aged man who immediately rushed between the two and tried his best to mediate.
"Please don't be angry, please don't be angry. Actually, I have another set of shadow puppets. My subordinates were blind and didn't recognize my worth, which angered the princess. To apologize to the princess, I'm giving her this set of shadow puppets to enjoy."
"The princess and the second young master Lin will be husband and wife in the future, so please don't let our Hundred Plays Hall cause any discord between them!"
Upon hearing that her employer also had a set of shadow puppets, Huiyi's lips curled up unconsciously, and she almost burst out laughing.
But in front of Lin Er, Huiyi suppressed her emotions, glanced at the owner of the Hundred Plays Hall indifferently, and snorted coldly, "You're quite sensible."
"However, Lin Lanting, you just wait!"
She remembered the grudge of having her shadow puppets stolen!
Lin Lanting was helpless, but he thought that at most Li Huiyi would complain to the Emperor. Given the Emperor's favoritism towards him and the Lin family, especially since he was about to become the Emperor's son-in-law, nothing serious should happen.
I might get a few scoldings, but that's all irrelevant.
But Lin Lanting never expected that the spoiled princess's retaliation would be far from childish petty tantrums like complaining.
A few days later, Lin Lanting saw a child being forcibly dragged into an alley by a strong man. He heard the child crying for help, and Lin Lanting followed without thinking.
After subduing the thief and rescuing the child with a few punches and kicks, he was immediately slapped in the face with a sleeping potion by the child.
Before losing consciousness, Lin Lanting exclaimed that the other party's methods were cunning and was filled with regret.
A note from the author:
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Update [heart emoji]
Yesterday I wrote a preview of Xiangxiang's novel, "Startling Spring," with keywords including widowed uncle and aunt, and the dual lineage of two families. Those who are interested should check it out! [kissing emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
