Chapter 438: A Fine Jade Token for Princess Shu

Chapter 438: Chapter 438: A Fine Jade Token for Princess Shu

Shen Ningning’s method for controlling the locusts was extremely effective.

The rain stopped the locusts from multiplying, and the common people even began treating fried locusts as a delicacy.

Now, you could see vendors buying and selling locusts everywhere on the streets.

After Xie Ming’an left for Shu State, Shen Ningning helped by bringing two more heavy rains to the Capital City.

After each rainfall, the sky would become as clear as a blue mirror. A few carefree white clouds drifted across it, and as the spring breeze blew, colorful kites would rise all over the city.

The spring breeze was gentle. The locust plague was already ending before it could even leave a shadow on people’s hearts.

The Emperor and the common people all knew this was Shen Ningning’s doing.

If not for the blessed girl watching over them, how could they have such peaceful days?

Xie Mingxu took the little girl out to fly kites a few times, and they were always followed by enthusiastic commoners.

They brought freshly butchered chickens, ducks, or pork from their homes, or carried baskets filled with seasonal vegetables.

Every time Shen Ningning went out empty-handed, she would return with her arms full.

The little one decided to just stay home, waiting for this wave of enthusiasm to pass.

On this day, there were no classes at the National Academy. Shen Ningning was in Xiangyun Village, helping everyone check on the maintenance of their loquat trees.

Lu Shaoyuan came to the village to find her.

"I heard from my mother that a group of wealthy Persian merchants have arrived recently. They’ve got a lot of jade, and it’s being auctioned today at Chaoxing Building."

"Don’t you like jade? I heard they have an Emperor Green Jade Token, as big as my palm. Want to go take a look?"

After speaking, he patted his heavy pocket. "I brought enough silver notes. If you like it, we can get it today!"

The moment Shen Ningning heard there was Jade, she immediately put down what she was holding.

She then rinsed her small hands with clean water and shouted into the house, "Grandma, I’m going into the city with Lu Shaoyuan!"

With that, she grabbed Lu Shaoyuan’s wrist and hurried outside.

"When does it start? Are we going to miss it? Why didn’t you tell me sooner!"

Lu Shaoyuan raised his sharp brows, revealing a bright white smile. "What’s the hurry? We still have half an hour. We’ll make it."

The two took the Lu family’s carriage, speeding all the way to Chaoxing Building.

Many merchants had already arrived, likely all waiting to buy some fine goods from the Persian traders.

As soon as Lu Shaoyuan entered, many of the merchants clasped their hands and bowed to him in greeting.

"Young Master," they addressed Lu Shaoyuan respectfully.

Mrs. Meng was the president of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, and the Meng Family’s business spread throughout Cangyun Country. Everyone could see that the chamber might one day be handed over to Mrs. Meng’s youngest son.

Lu Shaoyuan nodded to each of them, then turned and whispered to Shen Ningning, "These are all our people. When I say I want the Jade Token later, they definitely won’t compete with us for it."

Shen Ningning’s bright, dark eyes shone with a bit of happiness. "Then you can cover for me first. I’ll get the silver later and pay you back."

She had also earned a lot of money over the past five years and had been saving it all up!

Lu Shaoyuan laughed. "Why be so formal with me? Aren’t we friends?"

As they spoke, they squeezed their way into the main hall.

But unexpectedly, two Persians dressed in brocade emerged from a private room to the side, escorting a familiar figure who was preparing to leave.

Shen Ningning took a closer look, her pretty, dark brows furrowing.

’How could it be Mo Zhirou?’

’She’s holding a box. Could it be that she’s already made a deal with these Persians?’

Mo Zhirou was smiling and bidding farewell to the Persians when she caught sight of Shen Ningning out of the corner of her eye. Her expression sobered.

"The Princess also fancies jade? What a coincidence to run into you here," Mo Zhirou said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

The teardrop-shaped gem dangling between Shen Ningning’s brows sparkled brightly.

The little girl was beautiful and charming; the moment she appeared, she captured everyone’s attention.

Lu Shaoyuan frowned and asked the Persians behind Mo Zhirou, "Do you still have the Jade Token you brought this time? When does the bidding start?"

The Persians looked at each other and waved their hands, looking helpless.

"Our deepest apologies, but we have already sold it to this young lady," they said, pointing at Mo Zhirou.

Shen Ningning’s gaze fell on the box she was holding.

’Just as I thought!’

Lu Shaoyuan was blunt. "What did you buy the Jade Token for? You don’t look like someone who appreciates Jade."

Mo Zhirou could tell this was something Shen Ningning wanted, so she hugged the box even tighter.

"Oh, so the Princess wanted it too? My sincerest apologies, but I was acting on my father the king’s orders to purchase this Jade Token at a high price. It’s a gift for my mother."

She brought up King Shu. No matter how wealthy the merchants were, how would they dare compete with royalty and nobility for an item?

Shen Ningning pressed her pink lips together.

To show off, Mo Zhirou opened the box as she passed by the little girl, deliberately showing the Jade Token to Shen Ningning.

The Jade was a deep green throughout, clearly a top-quality piece of Emperor Green.

Most importantly, the Jade Token was carved with twin flowers on a single stem. At the position of the flower’s pistils, there was a faint hint of red—perhaps an impurity within the Jade itself.

Because of this touch of red, the entire Jade Token seemed to possess a spiritual energy.

Mo Zhirou gave a faint, triumphant smile.

"Princess, don’t blame me. I didn’t want to compete with you, but my father the king said he wanted to give it to my mother, so naturally, I had to come early. Why don’t you look at the other pieces? The remaining Jade might not be as good as this Jade Token, but perhaps there’s something else the Princess might like?"

Her tone was laced with sarcasm. Lu Shaoyuan, with his quick temper, immediately snapped, "If you keep talking in that tone, believe me, I’ll make sure you don’t leave Chaoxing Building!"

Mo Zhirou feigned fear, her face paling. "Second Young Master Lu, you have such a temper. If you make things difficult for me, what will my father the king think?"

Lu Shaoyuan wasn’t afraid of her threats at all. He immediately rolled up his sleeves, about to snatch the Jade Token by force, but Shen Ningning grabbed him.

The little girl’s eyes were as calm as dark water. "Just let her take it and go. Didn’t she say it’s a gift from King Shu to the Princess Consort?"

Mo Zhirou snorted inwardly. ’So the Princess does know her place after all.’

Even Princess Funing didn’t dare to fight her for it.

Feeling vindicated, Mo Zhirou left with the box in her hands.

Lu Shaoyuan was furious. "Why did you stop me just now? Seeing that smug look on her face, I really wanted to teach her a lesson."

Shen Ningning watched Mo Zhirou’s retreating back, her delicate face turning frosty cold.

"She’d better be telling the truth. If King Shu isn’t giving that to Princess Shu, then things are about to get interesting."

From what Shen Ningning knew of King Shu,

his affection for the Princess Consort was fake, but he was passionate about playing the part of a good husband in public.

If this Jade Token was something he intended to give to the Princess Consort, then he certainly would have come in person.

That way, all the common people would know that King Shu would spend a fortune for a beauty, solidifying his reputation as a doting husband.

But King Shu didn’t come. Instead, he arranged for Mo Zhirou to come.

That changed things. Shen Ningning suspected that this Jade Token wasn’t for the Princess Consort at all!

Five or six days later, it was time for Princess Consort Qi’s birthday banquet.

Princess Consort Qi had extended a wide invitation to the noble ladies of the Capital, and Shen Ningning and Ye Shangyi were among those invited.

Naturally, Shen Ningning attended.

The banquet was set up in the southeast corner of the Imperial Garden. Amidst the lush clusters of spring blossoms, eight or nine round tables were arranged. The laughter of countless beautiful women drifted out like the chirping of birds, mixing with the floating petals and fragrant, gentle breeze. The scene was utterly elegant and pleasant.

Nearby, a small bridge arched over a gurgling stream. Shen Ningning sat at a table with Ye Shangyi, Liang Yici, and Qi Xiuwei. Right next to them was the table for Mo Zhirou and her friends.

Ye Shangyi knitted her willow-like brows in utter disdain.

"What right do they have to be seated so close to us?" ’Princess Consort Qi must be doing this on purpose to spite us!’

Shen Ningning ignored all this, focusing on savoring the fine dishes before her.

Just then, Princess Consort Qi’s Palace Attendants served a dish to every table.

Fried locusts.

The young ladies’ faces changed in unison. After all, they were all delicate young misses; how could they have ever eaten insects?

Only a few of the young ladies had ever tried them, but most of the girls were afraid.

Princess Consort Qi, dressed in magnificent and graceful robes, had her short hair pinned with a pearl hairpin, which looked somewhat strange.

But her smile remained unchanged as she tried to maintain a gentle appearance, wearing a half-mask adorned with gold thread over her nose.

"Princess Funing previously recommended fried locusts to help us overcome the natural disaster. Today, I have specially brought this dish to the table and invite you all to have a taste."