Chapter 130: Gains And Losses
“Last time, I offended you greatly.”
“It was this old man’s stupidity that made the young lady laugh.”
Inside the storeroom of the braised meat shop, the old man was even more polite than last time. When he saw Yang Luo walk in, he immediately bowed deeply.
Being polite changes nothing; he kills when he says he will. The wound on Tao Hua’s forehead, standing nearby, had not yet healed.
Yang Luo smilingly accepted his bow.
“It seems your esteemed master has already inquired.” She said, sitting down. “Now that you know where my family’s young master is, show some sincerity. Where is your master?”
The old man was not annoyed and did not answer, but said sincerely: “Young lady, not knowing my master’s identity is also to protect the young master. If too many people know, should something happen, my master would have no chance to maneuver from behind the scenes.”
Without waiting for Yang Luo to speak again, he took out a box.
“This is a token of respect from my master.”
Knowing they would not reveal the identity so easily, Yang Luo did not press further.
“What good thing is this?” she said, leaning forward casually to look.
A square box containing a square seal with five coiled dragons on it.
What was this?
Though she did not recognize it, anything carved with dragons must be an imperial object.
“This is the Great Zhou Dynasty’s imperial jade seal passed down through generations.”
“It was lost when Zhao Tan carried it away in escape that year.”
“Actually, it was privately kept by a horse slave under Zhao Tan.”
“My master searched far and wide and finally recovered it the year before last.”
The old man spoke with emotion in his eyes, his eye rims slightly red, choking up.
“This is heaven blessing the Great Zhou, finally reuniting it with the young master.”
Yang Luo showed no surprise or excitement, waving her hand to signal Tao Hua to put it away.
The old man continued: “My master said everything is at the young master’s command. If there is need, we will go all out.”
Yang Luo asked lazily: “Then how should we find you? You refuse to reveal your identity. We can’t always wait for you to come to us.”
She seemed uninterested.
Arrogant. Having caught a princess who can’t show her face, does she think she’s omnipotent? Young people. The old man untied a jade pendant from his waist: “If there are instructions, young lady, just send this to the Changxing Pawn Shop west of the city.”
Yang Luo reached out to take it this time, seemingly curious about the craftsmanship and material, examining it closely and muttering: “It wouldn’t pawn for much. Why not make something more valuable?”
She smiled at the old man.
“Thanks.”
The old man bowed low. Though they had both shown sincerity, they still needed to guard against each other. He did not want to stay longer and took his leave neatly.
Watching the man disappear indoors, Yang Luo, who had been lounging lazily, let out a breath and sat up straight.
This response should have no issues.
Mo Zheng had said, just like when she previously disguised as Yang Luo, no need to fake any personality—just be however she wanted, because no one knew what she should be like.
Yang Luo lowered her head to look at the jade pendant in her hand. Compared to that seal, she thought this was the most important to Mo Zheng.
Though it was just a jade pendant with no special markings, it was like a thread that would one day pull out the person behind it.
Yang Luo tucked the jade pendant into her sleeve, stood up, and called out cheerfully to the outside.
“Big Brother Zhang, cut a piece of pig head meat. My young lady loves eating meat the most.”
……
…….
“Father Emperor is meeting with ministers?”
After school, entering the palace, Princess Pingcheng came as usual to outside the Imperial Study and casually asked the eunuch outside.
Hearing that the emperor was meeting with ministers caused no surprise.
It was still early, and Father Emperor was diligent, so he must still be busy.
“Yes, Lord Li is inside.” The eunuch said, then led the way as usual. “Princess, go rest in the side hall. His Majesty has already instructed to prepare pastries.”
But Princess Pingcheng, who would normally step forward as usual, stopped.
“Lord Li?” she asked, instinctively glancing at Princess Wuyang following behind her.
Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong followed behind. Hearing about meeting with ministers, they said as usual to inquire after Father Emperor’s health, then turned to take leave…
Anyway, Father Emperor didn’t call them in when not busy, and now being busy was even better—no need to wait here.
“Yes, Lord Li.” The eunuch also looked toward Princess Wuyang.
Princess Wuyang, who had turned to leave, heard this time and turned back in surprise: “My uncle?”
Though her uncle held an official position, he always said as imperial relative he should avoid suspicion, rarely coming before the emperor, usually only interacting with some famous scholars. Many of those people were very poor, living off the academy left by her grandfather, causing the Li Family to struggle financially.
No money, no power. At the slightest issue, he would come to reprimand her and her mother consort. Princess Wuyang had complained from childhood to now—why couldn’t she have an outer family like Marquis Yichun’s.
This time he must be here to apologize again.
Truly useless.
Princess Wuyang irritably prepared to continue walking when an eunuch came out from the Imperial Study.
“As expected.” He said with a chuckle. “His Majesty said calculating the time, you would have arrived.”
Princess Pingcheng smiled slightly at the eunuch.
The eunuch first bowed to Princess Pingcheng, then looked to Princess Wuyang: “Princess, His Majesty asks you to come in.”
Princess Wuyang jumped in fright: “Me?” Her expression incredulous, she glanced at Princess Pingcheng and asked, “Us, or just me?”
Before the eunuch could speak, Princess Nangong pushed her from behind: “Of course you. Your uncle is there, so it must be him wanting to see you. Go quickly, don’t keep Father Emperor waiting.”
Right. How did her uncle wise up this time? Even if called to be reprimanded, it was showing his face before Father Emperor. Princess Wuyang hurried excitedly toward the Imperial Study without further delay.
The eunuch swallowed his words, thought of something, and looked at the remaining two princesses: “Princesses, come together as well.”
His Majesty hadn’t said not to let the other princesses in…
Princess Pingcheng smiled: “I’ll first go organize the books I brought back, then come later.”
Princess Nangong hurriedly followed: “Me too.” She smilingly added, “I won’t disturb Father Emperor and Lord Li of the Li Family.”
After speaking, Princess Pingcheng glanced at her. Princess Nangong shrank back, not daring to speak again, watching Princess Pingcheng turn and leave.
Princess Pingcheng’s sleeping quarters were gorgeous and quiet.
By habit, after school the princess would speak with the emperor in the Imperial Study, then the father and daughter would go together or one after the other to the Empress’s Palace, eating dinner there before returning.
So at this time, the palace seemed somewhat quiet.
At the entrance corridor of the hall, a little palace maid responsible for sweeping was teasing a cat with the feather duster in her hand.
This cat was extremely beautiful, still shining brightly in the winter twilight.
With the shaking of the feather duster in the little palace maid’s hand, the cat leaped, trailing streams of light.
The little palace maid’s face was full of smiles. She retracted the feather duster to scoop the leaping cat into her arms. The cat did not struggle, snuggling in her arms and meowing…
Princess Pingcheng stood at the courtyard gate watching this scene, a smile also appearing on her face.
“Princess!” The little palace maid finally noticed the princess had returned and hurriedly set down the cat to bow.
The palace maids inside the hall also came out upon hearing, bowing one after another.
Princess Pingcheng walked slowly toward the hall, passing the kneeling little palace maid and looking at the cat still licking its fur at her feet.
“Do you like Xiùqiú?” she asked.
This cat was called Xiùqiú, the princess’s beloved pet, treated like the princess in this palace.
The little palace maid nodded hurriedly: “I like it.”
Princess Pingcheng said: “Then it’s yours.”
The little palace maid was stunned, incredulous. The other palace maids around were also somewhat surprised.
The princess liked beautiful things. This cat was a treasure carefully selected by the Old Madam of Marquis Yichun, and the princess had always cherished it.
To give it away…
Of course, the princess was generous and kind, lenient with palace servants.
“Take the cat and go.” Princess Pingcheng continued.
Retire? That didn’t seem right. The head palace maid was stunned and asked softly: “Princess, where is she to go?”
“Go home.” Princess Pingcheng said, stepping into the hall.
Home?
The palace maids seemed to realize. Palace maids had no home; they were palace slaves. This was clearly expelling her, no longer needed.
“Princess, Princess, this slave has no home.” The little palace maid kowtowed repeatedly, crying loudly. “Princess, don’t drive this slave away.”
Being driven from the palace meant only death for her.
Princess Pingcheng had already entered the hall, seemingly not hearing, neither speaking again nor turning back.
Soon, the crying outside stopped, as did the meowing, all quiet.
Princess Pingcheng looked at the exquisite beautiful teacup before her.
She liked beautiful things.
Beautiful things all belonged to her!
Her things, others could not touch!
Even a cat.
She picked up the teacup and gripped it tightly in her hand.
But today, she seemed to have lost more than just a cat.
