Gu Shengyin got down from the carriage and strolled around Qiwu street followed by her two maidservants, Jian Jia and Zhi Lan.

On this street, there were many xiao jie who were hidden behind a veil hat and was followed by two maidservants like her, so their group was not conspicuous.

Although Qi State was not too harsh on the Confucian code of ethics for women, some young ladies of family with status generally conceal their face to show their precious ident.i.ty, even if they could go out without having to wear a veiled hat. (这齐国，虽说对女子礼教并不十分严苛，纵然不戴幕篱面纱也能出门，但是有些身份人家的姑娘，一般都会面上遮掩一二，以显身份贵重)

Although the things on the Qiwu Street were not expensive, they also have a particular charm to them. (这奇物街上的东西，虽然算不上精贵，却也别有意趣)

Gu Shengyin walked while looked around and the two maidservants behind her clicked their tongue in surprise. (顾盛因一边看一边走，身后的两个丫头倒是看的啧啧称奇)

“Xiao jie, in the end, what do you want to buy?” Feeling somewhat curious, Zhi Lan asked.

They had seen a lot of things along this street, but they had not seen what xiao jie was interested in.

Gu Shengyin smiled mysteriously: “Of course, it is something everyone would like.”

Zhi Lan was not clear on what it was, but Gu Shengyin did not intend to say more.

Soon, she saw her target.

Western Pavilion.

This was a shop that specialized in selling all kinds of things from overseas in the West. It was said that the store proprietor was a sea merchant, and the goods here could be considered as one of the best things on Qiwu Street. (这是一家专门售卖各种西方海外之物的店铺，据说店铺的老板是个大海商，这里头的东西，也算是整个奇物街上数一数二的)

Gu Shengyin came here because the person she wanted to meet was here.

Sure enough, just as she entered the door, she saw a white figure followed by a maidservant and the two were looking at something.

Gu Shengyin actually admired Zhang Mingshu. Every time she saw her, she was wearing different types of white silk clothing. (顾盛因其实挺佩服张明姝的，每次见到她，都是不重样一身素白的衣裳)

In Qi State, white clothes were not popular. The daughters of Liang jia had clothes in pink, red, yellow, and green, except for white. Apart from the white large cloak, which was made from beautiful fur, there was basically no white-colored clothing. (向梁家的姑娘们，各色衣裳粉红红的黄的绿的都有，唯独白色的衣裳，除了大冬天的斗篷大氅用白色的皮毛做的好看，基本上的没有的)

Which elder did not like their younger generation to dress more festive instead of wearing white, which resembled mourning for an elder? (哪个长辈不喜欢自家小辈穿得喜庆点，反而喜欢像守孝似的一身白)

However, it was said that some men like this kind of delicate and feeble fresh water hibiscus appearance. (不过，据说有些男人就喜欢这样柔柔弱弱，清水芙蓉的模样？)

Qin Yuanzheng, wasn"t he a good example?

Zhang Mingshu did not go out wearing a veil or a veiled hat. Gu Shengyin walked up to her and discovered that she was looking at a pile of red and blue gems.

Gu Shengyin, herself, had a lot of these things at her place. Every time there was a foreign country offering a tribute, the Emperor liked to reward important officials. The Emperor"s teacher, Liang Taifu also received the best portion every time.

Of course, those “flower but no fruit1” things were ultimately sent to Liang Chenyu"s courtyard.

As a result, although these things are precious, they would not be able to enter Gu Shengyin"s eyes.

On the contrary, something inside was a little suspicious.

Gu Shengyin silently watched as Zhang Mingshu pick and choose the gems. (顾盛因默不作声的看着张明姝在那里挑挑拣拣)

After a while, she appeared to have finally chosen one. Gu Shengyin took a closer look. As expected, the most beautiful red gem was selected by her.

The proprietor was grinning from ear to ear2. This ruby was one of the most expensive one and he could sell it for quite a profit. (那店家喜笑颜开，这红宝石差不多最贵的那一批之一，能卖出去，他可以赚上不少)

Zhang Mingshu was about to pay the bill; Gu Shegyin lightly walked up to her side.

“Proprietor, please wait.”

The proprietor looked at Gu Shengyin suspiciously.

Gu Shengyin gently smiled and said: “It is true that this ruby is precious, but it is also true that a customer can pay the value with silver. Proprietor, isn"t this reasonable?” (顾盛因轻轻的笑了一声，说道："这红宝石固然珍贵，可是，也得真值这个价钱，客人才能出银子买。店家你说是不是这个道理？")

Zhang Mingshu looked at her in surprise. Carefully pondering about the meaning of what she had said, she looked at the proprietor in bewilderment.

JMin"s Corner:

Ari"s Corner:

1. flower but no fruit (idiom); handsome exterior but hollow inside/flashy↩

2. beaming with happiness↩

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