After Mo Xuetong visited the Old Madam, she stayed in the Fu General Manor to have lunch with the Old Madam. The Old Madam was feeling alright and had just caught a cold. Older people were like so. She felt better after seeing that Mo Xuetong had come especially to visit her and she immediately felt better. She even had an additional half a bowl of rice at lunch.
When Mo Xuetong left, she even held Mo Xuetong’s hand tightly and told her to visit when she had time. The two manors were closer now that Xu Yan had married into the Mo Manor. Now that Xu Yan had taken charge of the household matters, it was not hard for Mo Xuetong to go out.
Mo Xuetong smiled and agreed. Then, she guaranteed the Old Madam again that she would visit in a few days. Then, the Old Madam allowed Mo Xuetong to leave reluctantly.
After the horse carriage pulled out from the manor, Mo Xuetong was not in a hurry to return home. Instead, she went to a famous jewelry shop on Yushui Street. The styles in the shop were the most famous in the capital. There were many beautiful accessories that were custom made in the shop. Mo Xuetong had drawn a picture of a phoenix and got someone to make it into a hairpin. She could probably collect it today.
It would be the Fifth Princess’ birthday in a few days. She heard that it would be a big affair. As Princess Anping, she naturally received an invitation. The Princess Royal had told her that she just had to send a passable gift. Mo Xuetong heard that the Fifth Princess had fallen ill after falling into the lake the other day. It was the first celebration since she got better. As such, the celebration was different and there would be a banquet.
Mo Xuetong, however, knew that this was just a reason told to the public. The true reason was that the Fifth Princess and Bai Yichen had been hugging together with their clothes in disarray. There were many people who were talking about it. A royal daughter served as an example for all young ladies. Emperor Zongwen had ordered the Fifth Princess to marry to the Yan Kingdom.
The Fifth Princess refused and made a huge fuss. As such, she had been locked up!
However, there was now a grand banquet set up for her. Did that mean that the Fifth Princess had agreed?
Mo Xuetong truly did not dare to compliment the prissy and vicious Fifth Princess. She only wanted to leave quickly after sending the gift.
A worker in the shop spotted Mo Xuetong and hurriedly brought her to a room that was the deepest within the shop. The most expensive and precious accessories were placed there. They were all custom made, unique and very expensive. Most of them were ordered by someone. This was also one of the reasons why the shop’s accessories were always at the front of the accessory industry.
“Miss, look, this is the phoenix hairpin you ordered. See if there’s anything wrong with it. If not, I will package it for you.” The worker quickly took the order form that Mo Lan handed him. He looked at it and then picked up a nine-feathered phoenix hairpin from the counter. The golden phoenix had ruby eyes. Coupled with wing feathers that were carved out of jade, the hairpin looked gorgeous.
“Miss, look. This gem is carved from a large ruby that was formed naturally. We only have these two gems in our shop. The other is being made into a smaller hairpin and the color cannot be compared to yours. It is the most exceptional in terms of its color and clarity.” The worker brought out a set of ruby head accessories in order to sound more convincing.
There were a pair of earrings, a set of ruby hairpins, and a ruby necklace. Other than a tiny ruby phoenix on the hairpin, the set could not compare to the hairpin in Mo Xuetong’s hands.
“Look, even though this is our new style, one can tell the difference in size at one glance when they see the one in your hands. This is an order from the palace. I heard that the Fifth Princess wanted this. Our shop worked hard on it. Look at the color of this, this is really good. Most importantly, the ruby you hold in your hands is much more precious than these small chips of ruby. That is why it looks so much better.”
The worker said with practiced ease and passion.
The Fifth Princess ordered it? Mo Xuetong had a sudden thought. She smiled and picked up the earrings and placed it next to her ears. She seemed rather satisfied. She asked after putting it down, “Since it is your shop’s new style, can you make me a set as well? It is so beautiful, it is really rare. One item itself might not be able to compare to the phoenix hairpin that I ordered but the entire set put together is much more beautiful than just one item.”
The worker said a little awkwardly, “Miss, the only two rubies that we have were used for your hairpin and this set of head accessories. If you want to order another set, we do not have any more rubies.”
“I heard that this shop has a special channel that can purchase precious stones and items such as opals. If I give you double the price, can you make me a similar set within the next three days? The Fifth Princess’ set is really nice and suitable for young ladies.” Mo Xuetong said harmoniously with a slight smile.
Her gaze landed on the red ruby accessory set. Her eyes were a little dark and deep.
The set of red ruby head accessories were suitable for a normal young lady. The style, color, and clarity of the stone were all top-notch. It was extremely suitable!
The Fifth Princess could have any kind of head accessory set she wanted. There were special craftsmen in the palace who would do everything they possibly could to make her what she wanted. Because it was a special group of craftsmen, the goods they produced could not compare to the goods in the market no matter in terms of beauty or luxury.
The Fifth Princess was a person who loved to show off. Why would she have someone else make her accessories? Unless she had other use for it. The Fifth Princess should be more concerned about her marriage now. Mo Xuetong found it odd that she would especially get someone to craft a set of red ruby head set that did not befit her status. If she remembered correctly, she should be the person the Fifth Princess hated the most!
“Miss, if you can wait for a second, I will go and ask the shopkeeper.” The worker was not in a position to decide and he rubbed his hands uneasily.
Mo Xuetong nodded in agreement.
The worker left and came in after a moment with a smile. He said, “Miss, it is a coincidence, there was a shipment of red rubies about the same size earlier that came in. However, the quality is not as good but it looks the same. If you need it, maybe we can make you a set just like the one earlier?”
Mo Xuetong nodded and then made some slight changes to some of the designs she was not satisfied with before she left with Mo Lan.
There were many people on the streets. Mo Yufeng sat in a teahouse with a dark expression. His face looked a little pale. It was already spring and the weather was decent. The heavy drapes hanging outside the small booth had been removed and a lighter bamboo curtain was hung up instead.
Watching the people come and go on the street from the window with a slightly warm breeze should make one feel refreshed. However, Mo Yufeng was not in a good mood because of the thoughts in his mind. He put down the teacup he held in his hand heavily.
The curtains were lifted lightly and a clear voice with a hint of laughter in it could be heard. “What’s the matter? You look so frustrated. What’s making you so anxious?”
Then, a handsome young man entered. He wore blue robes that looked elegant and he seemed like a gentleman.
“Yufeng, you have to help me this time or I’m screwed.” Mo Yufeng stood up hurriedly when he saw Qin Yufeng enter. He knocked into the corner of the table because he was too anxious. However, he did not even yelp in pain when he held on to Qin Yufeng and pushed him into a chair beside him.
“What’s the matter?” Qin Yufeng sat down unhurriedly and accepted the tea Mo Yufeng poured him. He sipped at the tea and smiled slightly.
“Something big’s happened. The woman I told you about last time, you know, the one I met in the alley dressed in red…” Mo Yufeng stuttered and he scuffed his foot anxiously on the ground and wiped the sweat on his forehead before he continued, “You said she was beautiful the last time and she looked like she was from a wealthy family.”
“I know, it’s just a woman we met on the street. What has it to do with you?” Qin Yufeng turned around and asked in confusion.
Mo Yufeng could not answer the question. He sat down and poured himself a cup of tea while muttering to himself. He drank half the cup of tea and put the cup down before wiping his mouth casually. Then, he pulled Qin Yufeng’s chair toward him and said softly and shyly, “I did it with her!”
“You did it with her?” Qin Yufeng repeated again as if he had not understood it. Then, he widened his eyes and asked hurriedly, “Why did you do it with her? She was dressed really plainly and is obviously a widow. Why did you…?” …
“I know, I know…” Mo Yufeng swallowed hurriedly.
“Why would you do something like that if you knew? Your father will break your legs if he finds out. I told you that the woman looked like a new widow even though she seemed like a girl from a wealthy family.” Qin Yufeng cocked his head and asked. Sunlight streamed in from the window and onto his face. There was an imperceptible lift on his lips on his face, which carried a worried expression.
“I know, but when I heard what you said, I felt pity for the woman, so…” Mo Yufeng said anxiously. “Who would expect that the slut would be someone’s mistress?”
“Mistress, then who is she mourning for?” It was obvious that not even Qin Yufeng expected that. He was startled and put down the cup in his hand with a frown.
“It’s for her mother. She is from the brothel and was bought by someone. He has her live out there and was at her place and caught me. He took my handprint and told me to give him 5,000 taels of silver. How would I have money right now?” Mo Yufeng gritted his teeth angrily when he thought of what happened that day. She’s really a slut. He thought he had seduced the daughter of a good family but did not expect her to be such a person. He was embarrassed and now could not solve the problem.
“If I don’t give him the money, he will take that paper with my handprint to the Yamen. Forget what the Yamen would do. If my father is to find out, he will break my legs immediately. Yufeng, you have to save me, you have to save me.”
“5,000 taels of silver. That’s too much.” Qin Yufeng said with difficulty.
“Yufeng, you have to help me this time, or I’m dead. I swear I will return you the money and give you two percent interest. How about that?” Mo Yufeng was highly flustered. He felt his wits leaving him when he thought of how the paper might end up before Mo Huawen. Ever since Xu Yan entered the manor, Mo Huawen had caught him trying to make trouble. He had given him a beating in front of everyone. From then on, his life in Mo Manor had gotten even harder.
Anyone would expect the new Madam to have a legal child. He was just concubine-born and would not be thought highly of by his father. Even his younger sister, who was the smartest, had been locked up by their father. Mo Yufeng had no one to discuss his problem with. Qin Yufeng used to live in the Mo Manor and they were on pretty good terms. He was the only one Mo Yufeng could think of.
No matter whether Qin Yufeng had money or not, he would just have to do what he could. He only hoped that he would be able to hold on to Qin Yufeng, his safety float. He did not care whether he could return the money in the future or not but he dared to say anything right now.
