Ao Bu indeed led He Family directly to Pan Rong, bypassing the other onlookers. He bowed and said with a smile, “Please forgive me, honored guests. It’s crowded today, so I’m afraid you’ll have to squeeze in with everyone else.”
Normally, making room wouldn’t be a big deal, but Pan Rong glanced at Liu Chang and saw his face darkening. Knowing he was upset, she decided to speak up on his behalf. “Are there no other places to sit? Why must we give up our spots?”
Ao Bu apologized with a smile, “You may not be aware, but there’s a reason for this. The seating at the Treasure Meeting follows strict rules based on seniority, not wealth or status. The He Family has been dealing with us for decades. They’re trustworthy and well-capitalized, and have held this spot for nearly ten years.” Seeing Pan Rong’s expression soften, he pressed on, “But they’re not unreasonable. They’re willing to give up the best seats to your distinguished guests, as long as you can spare some room. I hope you can accommodate us.”
Before Pan Rong could respond, a young man beside her abruptly stood up. He wore a bright blue robe with floral patterns and had pale skin, rouged lips, a flat nose, and narrow eyes. He kicked at Ao Bu, shouting, “You blind dog! Don’t you know who we are? Are you saying we don’t understand the rules? It’s already gracious of us to lower ourselves to sit with commoners like you! We’ve squeezed into this tiny corner, and now you want us to share space with disloyal, shameless scoundrels? What nonsense is this?”
Ao Bu deftly dodged, barely grazed by the boot. He cried out dramatically and fell to the ground, begging for mercy. A hush fell over the crowd as everyone turned to look at Pan Rong’s group. Most faces showed clear resentment—if they were mere commoners, why insist on attending such an event? No one had forced them to come. But with the host absent, no one dared to speak up. As foreign merchants of even lower status than local traders, they could only remain silent.
Pan Rong’s expression soured. She signaled with her eyes for the young man to be quiet, but he ignored her and continued berating Li Xing. His behavior seemed excessively rude and uncultured.
He Zhizhong stepped forward to help Ao Bu up, saying solemnly, “This is my fault. Ao Bu, don’t trouble yourself. If there’s no place for us, we’ll simply leave.” He quietly instructed Da Lang and the others to prepare to go. Ao Bu grabbed his arm, pleading, “If you leave, what will everyone do? They’re all counting on you to appraise their treasures and help them fetch good prices.” The other Persian merchants also urged the He family to stay. Others offered to make room while glaring at Pan Rong’s unmoving group with growing disgust.
It was clear that He Zhizhong didn’t truly intend to leave; he was using retreat as a tactic. Ao Bu’s words were somewhat disingenuous too. The Persians were extremely wealthy—the phrase “poor as a Persian” was used to describe impossibilities. They were expert appraisers of their treasures. How could He Zhizhong’s absence prevent them from evaluating items or getting good prices? This was merely their way of showing how much they valued their partnership with the He Family. And at this moment, that show of respect was exactly what He Zhizhong needed most.
He Zhizhong played his part well, putting on an air of swallowing his pride. He thanked those who had made room and prepared to sit down with Mudan and the others. Li Manniang tried to speak up several times but was stopped by Li Xing. Even Da Lang, unusually, held his tongue despite his reddening face.
Suddenly, the thin man in the moon-white robe who had arrived with Pan Rong stood up and moved aside. With a cold smile, he said, “Please, honored guests, take your seats. Yuan Shijiu is but a lowly commoner, unworthy to sit among you. I wouldn’t want to offend your eyes.”
The flat-nosed man turned to glare at Yuan Shijiu, about to unleash a tirade, when Pan Rong clamped a hand over his mouth. She whispered, “Shen Wu, do you want this whole trip to be for nothing?” The others also urged him to calm down. He finally fell silent, though his face still showed indignation.
Liu Chang, who had been quiet until now, suddenly stood up and sat next to Yuan Shijiu, making room. Seeing this, Pan Rong laughed and followed suit, saying to Ao Bu, “We’re here on business too, Ao Bu. We’ll follow the rules, whatever they may be.”
With the two leaders giving way, everyone else followed suit, except for the flat-nosed Shen Wu. He stood up, spat “Pah!” without looking at Liu Chang or Pan Rong, and stormed out. No one tried to stop him.
Ao Bu’s smile never faltered, acting as if nothing had happened. He courteously invited the He Family back, and He Zhizhong accepted without hesitation, thanking those who had made room as they took their seats. This time, Liu Chang’s group ended up sitting below the He Family.
He Zhizhong and Da Lang sat solemnly in the center, with He Ru, Li Xing, and two others flanking them on either side. Mudan and Li Manniang, being mere spectators, sat closer to Liu Chang’s group. Li Manniang had been sitting above Mudan, but noticing some noblemen staring at Mudan, she pushed the girl aside and used her large, plump body to shield her from their leering gazes. This arrangement put Mudan next to Li Xing.
Seeing that the meeting hadn’t started yet, Mudan whispered to Li Xing, “Cousin, it’s all because of me that they resent and slander you.” This was just the beginning—surely he would face more humiliation in the future?
Li Xing turned to look at her. The gold-inlaid jade spider hairpin in her coiffure trembled slightly, both lively and coquettish. Yet her beautiful phoenix eyes were filled with worry. His heart warmed, and he chuckled softly, “It’s nothing, I’m not afraid. Besides, people like them are the minority. Most folks can tell right from wrong.” He paused, then added quietly, “That night, when you came back for me, I was very happy…”
Mudan lowered her gaze and replied softly, “You were harmed because of me. How could I abandon you? I only wish I could have done more to help. You were bedridden for so long because of me.”
Li Xing’s heart felt as sweet as honey. He smiled, pressing his lips together, wishing they were alone without anyone else around. He paid no mind to the occasional venomous glares from Liu Chang.
Da Lang observed this exchange with joy, thinking to himself that if his sister could be with Li Xing, it would truly be an excellent match. Perhaps he should speak to their parents about having Li Xing propose.
Suddenly, He Zhizhong coughed lightly and said, “Quiet, the Treasure Meeting is beginning.” Indeed, everyone fell silent as a small, white-haired Persian entered and sat down on the empty cushion beneath the couch. With an air of authority, he announced the start of the meeting.
He was the first to present his treasure—a canopy that fits in the palm of his hand but expanded to seven feet square when opened. It was light and translucent, seeming to float on a layer of faint purple mist. The edges were adorned with gold, silver, pearls, crystals, amber, and other precious stones, creating a magnificent effect. Ao Bu introduced it: “This is called the Seven-Treasure Purple Silk Canopy. It’s light and airy, yet keeps out the winter wind and provides cool shelter in the height of summer.”
Mudan thought the canopy was indeed beautiful and precious, but she doubted Ao Bu’s claims about its protective qualities. How could something be both windproof in winter and cool in summer? It seemed contradictory. But seeing everyone else’s admiration, she kept her doubts to herself.
After much praise for the canopy, others began presenting their treasures in turn. There were agates, amber, pearls, gold, malachite, jade, red and green crystal, lapis lazuli, night-luminous pearls, and more. Each item was said to be rare in size, quality, and craftsmanship. Some claimed to have “thousand-year-old ice essences” from the Kunlun Mountains, “dragon bone lamps” from the deep sea, and pearls that could summon spirits. Everyone extolled their items as unique and peerless. The audience expressed wonder, but true awe was scarce. In comparison, the Seven-Treasure Purple Silk Canopy did stand out as one of the more impressive pieces.
Mudan and her nephew were dazzled by the display, while Li Xing and Li Manniang watched with great interest. Mudan stole a glance at Liu Chang’s group and saw Yuan Shijiu whispering to him occasionally. Liu Chang’s face grew increasingly dark, his brow furrowed with impatience. Even Pan Rong sat uncharacteristically straight, her expression grim along with the others. Mudan couldn’t help but ask He Zhizhong quietly, “Aren’t these considered treasures?”
He Zhizhong replied calmly, “Just wait. The best is yet to come.”
Indeed, after more than half an hour, when almost everyone had shown off their items, someone presented a golden pearl the size of a chicken egg, perfectly round and flawless. Liu Chang and Pan Rong’s faces lit up with joy. The Persians marveled at it, all rising to invite the owner to take the seat of honor. Just as they were about to bow, someone called out, “Wait, I have one more treasure to show.”
A shabby-looking Persian sitting at the lowest seat took out a box over a foot tall that he had been holding. He solemnly opened it before everyone and announced, “A branch of the Agate Lamp Tree.”
Mudan was too far away to see the Agate Lamp Tree clearly, but she heard the collective gasp of amazement from the crowd. Even He Zhizhong and Da Lang, who were used to seeing impressive sights, looked astonished.
The white-haired old Persian whispered something to Ao Bu, who stepped forward to take the box. He placed it in the center and carefully removed a foot-tall branch made entirely of red agate. It was semi-transparent with cloud-like patterns, free of cracks, sand inclusions, or impurities. The base was shaped like a lotus throne and the top split into nine branches for candles. Ao Bu placed and lit nine candles on it. Even in broad daylight, the room was filled with shimmering, colorful light.
Such outstanding quality and size in an agate piece was truly rare. The winner was clear, and excitement spread across everyone’s faces. Before anyone could invite the owner to take the seat of honor, Liu Chang stood up and said, “How much for this treasure? I’ll buy it.”
He Zhizhong calmly replied, “Lord Liu, you’re getting ahead of yourself. By rights, I have the first option to buy before you.”