“So, Your Majesty’s fundamental reason for favoring war over marriage alliance is because your beloved was forced to become a princess consort years ago?”
“How does Your Highness know about these past events?” Nineteen years ago, the person before him had just been born, still in swaddling clothes.
“Whatever I wish to know, be it from nineteen or even twenty-nine years ago, I can uncover it all.” Xiao Huayong rolled up his sleeve and poured fresh tea for Shen Xihe. “If Youyou has any questions in the future, just ask me. I’m willing to be your know-it-all.”
Shen Xihe could now remain composed in the face of Xiao Huayong’s attentiveness. She smiled politely: “What in this world doesn’t Your Highness know? What can’t Your Highness accomplish?”
Xiao Huayong had just raised the teacup to his lips when he heard her words. He paused, his eyes gentle and sparkling with emotion: “Youyou’s heart, I don’t know; winning Youyou’s heart, I cannot do.”
Shen Xihe was momentarily stunned, then her smile deepened: “Youyou has no heart.”
“That’s alright.” Xiao Huayong seemed to have anticipated her response, still smiling gently, “My having a heart is enough. Two people sharing one heart united in mind and purpose – that’s how it should be.”
Shaking her head helplessly, Shen Xihe stopped trying to persuade him to cease his constant flirtations with her, letting him understand her heart was like a solid rock, hoping he would eventually give up: “Thank you for clearing up my confusion today, Your Highness.”
Xiao Huayong had told her about Emperor Youning’s thoughts. Since Emperor Youning had no intention of arranging a marriage alliance, he naturally wouldn’t marry his daughter to someone he suspected might prefer men. Therefore, she didn’t need to rush to deal with Yangling.
More than the chess piece that was Yangling, she wanted to know who was behind all this.
After leaving the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe didn’t immediately return to the Princess’s mansion but went to check out the Doujin Jewelry Store that Bu Shulin had mentioned.
This was one of the largest jewelry stores in the capital, though its backing was currently unknown. The owner was a wealthy merchant from Luoyang who was quite skilled at social maneuvering.
The store was dazzling, filled with brilliant jewelry – gold, silver, and jade pieces that caught the eye.
The shop assistants at Doujin were all sturdy men, and it was said they had specially hired escort services for protection.
“This way, miss. What would you like to purchase?” A quick-witted saleswoman came forward to attend to the female customers, while male customers were served by male attendants – quite proper indeed.
Shen Xihe wore a veil, accompanied only by Ziyu, who rarely went out. The saleswoman could only judge Shen Xihe’s status by her clothing and bearing.
When she caught a glimpse of the jade pendant at Shen Xihe’s hem, her eyes brightened, becoming even more attentive: “Miss, perhaps you’d like to look inside? The inner hall contains our finest pieces, and upstairs we have our most precious items.”
Shen Xihe ignored her. Ziyu said, “My mistress prefers quiet.”
“Pardon my excessive words.” The saleswoman apologized with a smile, then quietly followed behind Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe casually looked around, from the outer hall to the inner hall, then went upstairs to sit in a private reception room: “I’ve heard that Doujin Jewelry Store is known for its ingenuity and elegant classical style, but seeing it today, it doesn’t live up to its reputation.”
“Please don’t be upset, miss. I’ll have someone bring some unique pieces right away.” The owner, having received word, came up with a smiling face.
Shen Xihe gave a slight “mm” in response. Her haughty attitude didn’t anger the owner; rather, it made him more eager to please. This was because the jade pendant hanging at her knee was carved from the finest jade, a piece of exceptional quality found nowhere else in the world – that single pendant was worth half the jewelry store.
The owner brought mostly jade ornaments, particularly white jade pieces, showing he understood how to cater to his customers’ tastes.
The jade hairpins were delicate and lustrous, elegant yet refined; the hair ornaments were interwoven with pearls, their jade and golden branches trembling together.
After carefully examining several pieces through a silk cloth, Shen Xihe chose a pair of swaying hair ornaments. They were made of white jade, tapering from thick to thin, with the thicker end having three fine golden tassels hanging down by golden threads, each tassel holding jade pearls and ending in a tiny white jade peace knot.
Just this pair of ornaments was priced at ten gold pieces, and Shen Xihe bought them without batting an eye.
“Princess, how can these things be worth ten gold pieces?” Ziyu felt that Doujin Jewelry Store was charging such an exorbitant price only because they saw their rich attire.
“These are hundred-year-old pieces – how could they not be worth ten gold?” Shen Xihe examined the ornaments, holding them down.
“Hundred-year-old pieces?” Ziyu hadn’t yet processed this. “Which prodigal son would sell off their family heirlooms?”
Shen Xihe smiled slightly, sighing softly: “These are burial items.”
“Ah?” Ziyu was startled. “Princess, items from tombs are inauspicious. Please put them down quickly!”
“Whether something is auspicious or not depends on whether one can handle it.” Not only did Shen Xihe not throw them away, but she inserted them into her hair, one on each side, symmetrically arranged. The peace knots, the size of fingernails, hung perfectly beside her earlobes. “How do they look?”
“Princess looks beautiful no matter what.” Zhenzhu praised, not merely flattering, but speaking from her heart.
Shen Xihe took them out again, holding them in her palm: “I originally thought there would only be one or two ordinary pieces from tombs, and perhaps the jewelry store was deceived, buying them only because they were exquisite, though their source might not be entirely legitimate, which is why they claimed they were made by the store’s craftsmen.”
But today she had seen many items that must have come from tombs. It wasn’t that she could smell a cold fragrance from each one – they had all been specially treated, though few retained as much residue as the jade comb Bu Shulin had given her previously.
However, many of the pieces didn’t appear to be items popular in the current dynasty. Because she researched fragrances, Shen Xihe studied the preferences of women from previous dynasties and looked into this as well. One or two pieces could be explained as family heirlooms from pawn shops.
But such a large quantity, each piece a treasure, was worth deep consideration.
“Mo Yuan, investigate the identity of Doujin Jewelry Store’s owner and who he associates with closely,” Shen Xihe felt this matter wasn’t simple.
Someone was robbing tombs on a large scale, collecting wealth, melting down gold and silver to recast, and selling jewels scattered across different regions – truly a highly profitable venture.
So who would dare to do such a thing? Was their tomb-robbing skill so exceptional that no one had discovered it yet? Or had someone been suppressing the information?
Hoarding such vast quantities of gold, silver, and jewels – was it merely for profit?
Shen Xihe’s attention had been drawn to Doujin Jewelry Store, setting aside the matter of Princess Yangling. After a few days, Bu Shulin came running over, worried: “Youyou, you said you would resolve this matter for me, but how will you resolve it? Princess Yangling has been trying every way to corner me these past few days.”
Since Princess Yangling had publicly requested an imperial decree for marriage, she had persistently pursued Bu Shulin, seizing every opportunity to send him food, pouches, and accessories. If she weren’t a princess, Bu Shulin would have truly wanted to lure her to a secluded place and give her a sound beating!
“What’s your hurry?” Shen Xihe remained calm, finishing the final touches on the clothes she had promised to send to Bu Shulin.
“If I’m not in a hurry, His Majesty might issue a marriage decree next time!” Bu Shulin held his head in both hands, agitated and anxious.