ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 59
With the arrival of summer, the weather gradually warmed up, and the tung blossoms fell. The people in the capital began to change into light and thin clothes. On this day, Li Zhizhi finally went to the Summer Palace. Su Tangyu mysteriously said to her, “I have something good for you.”
Li Zhizhi curiously asked, “What is it?”
Su Tangyu took out a small brocade bag from his book bag and handed it to her, smiling, “Open it and take a look for yourself.”
Li Zhizhi took it and felt its weight. It was hard. When she opened it and poured it into her hand, it turned out to be a small seal. It was all black, not made of gold or jade, and had a warm and smooth touch. On it was carved a small bird with its head tilted, and its beak held a tung blossom, looking cute.
Li Zhizhi knew at a glance who made this. Quite surprisingly, she said, “Is this for me?”
“Yes,” Su Tangyu giggled and said, “This was personally carved by Second Brother. The material is old agarwood, which Big Brother has treasured for many years. It has been kept in the warehouse and he has never been willing to use it. This time, he took it out, and it made Second Brother so upset that he didn’t talk to him for a whole day.”
She continued, urging, “Try it quickly. Second Brother’s skill in carving seals is excellent. Many people have begged him to do it, but he never agrees.”
However, Li Zhizhi hesitated and said, “No merit, no reward. Last time, Young Master Second only gave me a painting. Now he’s giving me a seal again. It’s so precious that I don’t know how to reciprocate.”
Su Tangyu was surprised and said, “No need for reciprocation. Second Brother said it’s a congratulatory gift for your coming-of-age ceremony. He didn’t attend the ceremony a few days ago, and he felt very sorry. He hopes you won’t mind.”
“But Li Zhizhi refuses to accept it. She pretends to be disappointed and says, ‘Second Brother spent a long time carving this seal, day and night without rest. If you refuse to accept it, he will be upset. His health is not that great to begin with, and he might fall ill if he gets too upset."”
“Alright, alright,” seeing her words getting more and more exaggerated, and fearing that Su Qingshang might actually fall seriously ill, Li Zhizhi quickly said, “I’ll accept it then. Please thank Second Young Master for his kindness.”
Su Tangyu became happy again and said, “Try using this seal.”
Cinnabar was left over from painting, and Li Zhizhi dipped the seal in it and stamped it on the rice paper. The result was a vivid red character ‘枝’ (branch), accompanied by a peony flower, and two lines of poetry: ‘Where is the spring wind good, blowing off the jade capital’s home."”
Li Zhizhi exclaimed, “It looks really beautiful.”
Su Tangyu was very proud and said, “My second brother is very skilled at this. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are all effortless for him, not to mention a small seal like this.”
Li Zhizhi thought of the elegant and composed young man in white clothes and couldn’t help but admire him as a true gentleman.
“Oh, by the way, Zhizhi,” Su Tangyu remembered something and suddenly said, “Do you have any free time in the next few days?”
Li Zhizhi thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have much going on. What do you want to do?”
Su Tangyu smiled and said, “I have a little cousin, whom you met last time. She is getting married soon, and I want to give her some gifts. I just can’t make up my mind, so I was wondering if you could help me with some ideas. Would that be okay?”
Li Zhizhi remembered the cheerful and good-natured little cousin and agreed, “Of course, I can help.”
After the arrival of summer, the cla.s.ses at Mingyuan became much more relaxed, and the students had more free time. On the twenty-sixth day, early in the morning, Li Zhizhi approached Princess Yongning and expressed her desire to go out. Princess Yongning was delighted and said, “Today, I happen to be going to the palace. You go and enjoy yourself. If you come across anything you like, regardless of what it is, feel free to buy it.”
She then instructed her maidservant to provide Lizzhi with some silver, giving detailed instructions before finally allowing her to leave the mansion.
Li Zhizhi took a carriage to the East Market. As soon as she got off the carriage, she heard Su Tangyu calling her. Turning around, she saw Su Tangyu standing next to a carriage, waving and smiling.
Today, Su Tangyu was wearing a light yellow dress and had styled her hair in a peach blossom bun, giving her a charming and cute appearance. Li Zhizhi looked at her in surprise and asked, “Why are you alone today? Where is Jiang Ziyu?”
These two were usually inseparable. Even though Li Zhizhi didn’t particularly like Jiang Ziyu, out of consideration for Su Tangyu, she wouldn’t say anything to avoid putting her friend in a difficult position.
Su Tangyu whispered, covering her mouth, “I didn’t tell her that I was coming out today.”
Taking advantage of Jiang Ziyu not paying attention, Su Tangyu sneaked out. Li Zhizhi couldn’t help but chuckle and said, “Where are you going? Do you really need to keep it a secret from her?”
“It’s not that. I just don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble. If I directly tell her and don’t take her along, she’ll complain to my mother. My mother will scold me,” Su Tangyu hesitated, furrowing her brows. “But if I bring her along, given her personality, it won’t be just about picking things for our little cousin. It’ll be like shopping for her alone, and that wouldn’t be enough.”
Li Zhizhi thought it made sense. It was better without Jiang Ziyu. They could be more at ease. However, as soon as Jiang Ziyu was mentioned, Li Zhizhi couldn’t help but think of Song Lingyun and Li Suwan. Considering Li Suwan’s att.i.tude, she wondered how far their relationship had progressed. She wondered if they had obtained the matching heart jade pendant.
Li Zhizhi subconsciously looked at Su Tangyu. The jade pendant that Song Lingyun had given her was still tied around her waist. It was evident that she took great care of it, even arranging the ta.s.sels neatly.
“Zhizhi, what do you think of this pair of jade bracelets?”
Li Zhizhi was brought back to attention by this call and looked at the bracelets that Su Tangyu was holding, saying, “They are indeed beautiful, but the color seems a bit inappropriate.”
The shopkeeper nearby quickly said, “Miss, you’re mistaken. This is the best Hetian jade. How could it be inappropriate? Look at the quality, it’s very transparent, and the carving—”
However, Su Tangyu agreed, “It does look a bit old-fashioned. I don’t think my cousin will like it.”
Putting down the jade bracelets, she went to look at other items. In the jewelry store, there were only various hairpins, earrings, and other accessories. Su Tangyu looked around and said disappointedly, “My cousin doesn’t lack any of these. Last time I went to her place, I saw several boxes of gold and jade items that she hardly used. If I give her these, she might feel like I’m just going through the motions.”
Li Zhizhi thought for a moment and asked, “What does your cousin usually like?”
“There are so many things,” Su Tangyu pondered, “She likes fresh and interesting things, especially those that are unusual and rare. Last time, she asked my second brother for a small whistle, a worthless little trinket, but she loved it.”
Li Zhizhi suggested, “How about checking out an antique shop?”
“Oh,” Su Tangyu’s eyes lit up, “Why didn’t I think of that? You’re really smart!”
…
At the end of the long street at this moment, a line of people is slowly approaching. In the front is a woman, scolding loudly, “You useless thing! Normally, you’re jumping around like a monkey, causing trouble everywhere. Now that I ask you to do something, it’s like asking for your life. Tomorrow, I’ll send you to the military, let your brother discipline you, maybe sc.r.a.pe off a few layers of your skin!”
She has a round face and a somewhat prosperous appearance, looking quite cheerful. The young man being scolded is wearing a blue-gray brocade robe. He is none other than Pei Yanchuan. He has his hands behind his back and laughs, “You’re just talking, you can’t bear to let go in your heart.”
The Marchioness of Jianchang rolled her eyes and said, “Don’t flatter yourself. You little rascal, I can bear it. Today, I’ll send you away.”
“Alright, alright,” Pei Yanchuan playfully responded, “You hurry up. Who knows, I might make it to the border in time for dinner tonight.”
He truly had a shameless and smooth demeanor. The Marchioness was almost driven mad by him and instructed the servants without a good mood, “You guys, take all these things and give them to him. He’s grown so big, just eating and not working.”
Several servants looked at each other, and a delicately dressed woman next to them, looking like a maid, chuckled and urged, “Quick, listen to the lady, let the young master carry them.”
The Marchioness, accompanied by her eldest daughter-in-law, went out and bought a lot of things, including three bolts of silk, various cosmetics, snacks, and sweets. Finally, there was a bag of freshly baked peach pastries from Hehexuan.
The servants were in a dilemma, “Young master, you really can’t carry all of this.”
Pei Yanchuan looked down and shrugged, saying indifferently, “Just stuff them into my sleeves.”
Servants: …
Pei Yanchuan, carrying a pile of things like a small mountain, followed behind his mother and sister-in-law. Suddenly, he saw a familiar slender figure entering a nearby antique shop.
Without hesitation, Pei Yanchuan immediately followed and, upon entering the shop, heard a conversation between the girl and the shopkeeper: “Do you have any interesting items in your store?”
“The shop has all kinds of interesting things. May I ask what kind of items the guest is looking for?”
The girl was none other than Li Zhizhi, but she did not notice Pei Yanchuan at the entrance. Su Tangyu, standing beside her, said, “Something uncommon and interesting for daily use. I want to buy it as a gift.”
After some thought, the shopkeeper said eagerly, “Yes, the shop has a rotating lantern. Please wait a moment.”
He instructed a servant to fetch it, and soon returned with an octagonal palace lantern adorned with a beautiful painting of a woman. Su Tangyu expressed some disappointment, saying, “Just a lantern, what’s so special about it?”
“Not at all, this is no ordinary lantern.”
The shopkeeper confidently explained, “Once it’s lit, the lantern will start rotating on its own, and the woman depicted on it will come to life, just like a real person.”
Upon hearing this, Su Tangyu’s eyes lit up, saying, “Then light it up and let us see.”
The shopkeeper eagerly agreed, took a match, and lit the palace lantern. Pei Yanchuan squinted slightly, carefully observing the rotating lantern. As the warm yellow light illuminated the woman’s image, after a moment, as expected, the lantern began to slowly rotate, and the woman on the paper moved with it, fan in hand, chasing b.u.t.terflies, incredibly lifelike.
It was truly a marvel. Li Zhizhi was captivated, and Su Tangyu exclaimed, “This is really beautiful; my younger cousin will surely love it.”
She asked the shopkeeper again, “How much is this lantern?”
Just as the shopkeeper was about to answer, a shop a.s.sistant suddenly came in from outside and whispered something to him. The shopkeeper’s expression changed, and he glanced at Su Tangyu and Li Zhizhi. He made a gesture to the a.s.sistant, who nodded slowly.
Li Zhizhi and Su Tangyu were somewhat puzzled and asked, “Shopkeeper, is this lantern still for sale? How much is it worth?”
A smile appeared on the shopkeeper’s face, and he held up two fingers. Su Tangyu exclaimed, “Twenty taels?!”
The shopkeeper smiled and said, “Exactly.”
“Too expensive!” Su Tangyu couldn’t believe it. “It’s just a lantern, why does it cost so much silver?”
The shopkeeper was quite pleased and said, “Don’t underestimate this rotating lantern. Except for the imperial palace, you won’t find a second one in the entire capital.”
Li Zhizhi frowned and said to Su Tangyu, “Why not look at something else?”
Su Tangyu nodded, and the two of them looked around the shop again. Nothing else seemed suitable, and Su Tangyu still found the rotating lantern attractive. Li Zhizhi then negotiated with the shopkeeper, “Can it be a bit cheaper?”
The shopkeeper shook his head. Just then, a voice from the side suddenly said, “Don’t believe him; this is just an ordinary lantern. It won’t spin when lit, and it’s not worth twenty taels of silver.”
Upon hearing this, Li Zhizhi and Su Tangyu turned to look, but at first, they couldn’t see anyone. After a moment, a somewhat familiar face emerged from behind a pile of things that resembled a small mountain.
“Ah,” Su Tang exclaimed in surprise, pointing at him and saying, “It’s you! Your name is…”
She couldn’t remember the person’s name for a while, and it was Li Zhizhi who spoke up, “Pei Yanchuan.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the things in Pei Yanchuan’s arms scattered all over the floor with a clatter. He sighed and looked at the scattered pastries and rouge boxes, momentarily at a loss.
Su Tang burst into laughter, pointing at his chest and saying, “Master Pei, what is this?”
Li Zhizhi couldn’t help but hold back a smile, her eyes curved with laughter. Pei Yanchuan lowered his head to see, frantically taking out the bag of peach pastries. His handsome face turned slightly red, and for the first time, young Master Pei felt so embarra.s.sed that he wished he could crawl into a crack in the ground.