Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 362 Another Mystery Revealed
In late July, the autumn heat was still intense in Beijing.

The scorching sun beat down on the bluestone road, and the air was thick with the heat of summer.

It's an inconspicuous antique shop in the western part of the capital. The storefront is small, but the shop is packed full of items.

The shopkeeper was squatting on the ground, wiping a celadon porcelain bottle with a soft cloth.

The store was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the smell of old wood and pine resin.

“Mr. Qiu, this kiln-transformed glaze is quite unique.” Jinshu stepped into the shop, stood in front of the counter, and wore a polite smile.

Manager Qiu rubbed his aching back, straightened up, and looked over.

His cloudy eyes brightened, and then a warm smile appeared on his face.

"It's been a while since I've seen Lady Jin. What brings you here today?"

Jinshu was dressed today in a slightly worn indigo cotton dress, with only a plain silver hairpin in her hair, looking like the steward's wife of an ordinary well-off family.

She smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of items in the shop. "I heard from Aqiao of Xianchun Embroidery Shop across the street the other day that you recently acquired a batch of antique items from the previous dynasty?"

The wrinkles on Manager Qiu's face relaxed, and his smile became more genuine.

"Jin Niangzi is well-informed. Yes, that's right. It was just prepared and hasn't been put on the shelves yet."

"Are all these items of dubious origin?"

"Don't worry, Madam Jin, these are all legitimately acquired old items. They're old belongings from officials' families, lost to debts after their fortunes declined. Alas, these days, no one has it easy."

Jinshu looked in the direction he was pointing and saw that the box was filled with broken porcelain and bronze items.

She moved closer, reached out and touched the edge of the box, her gaze sweeping over Shopkeeper Qiu's face.

"The price is the same as before?"

“Since you’re a regular customer, I’ll naturally give you a discount.” Mr. Qiu rubbed his hands together and smiled, lowering his voice. “There are a few more treasured items inside, in even better condition. If you have time, would you like to come in and take a look? There are too many people around outside, so I can’t go into details.”

Jinshu nodded and followed him through the narrow door behind the counter into the inner room.

The inner room was even smaller, with only a square table, two chairs, and some miscellaneous items piled up.

"It's quite peaceful here, shopkeeper," Jinshu said with a smile.

Mr. Qiu rubbed his hands together and smiled, lowering his voice with a hint of ingratiation, "You flatter me, madam. Lately, the checks in the capital have been tight, and the situation is tense. My small business can't withstand much trouble. I beg you, Madam Jin, to look after me..."

His eyes held a nervous inquiry.

Jinshu smiled slightly, took out two heavy silver ingots from her money bag, and gently placed them on the counter.

"Having dealt with you for many years, I naturally have to look after you. My daughter will take everything in this shop; this is the deposit. As for the rest, Mr. Qiu, go to Hongfu Casino and find Manager Chen; someone will settle the account."

Mr. Qiu was taken aback at first, then weighed the silver in his hand and agreed with a broad smile.

"Jin Niangzi is a straightforward person, don't worry, don't worry! I, Qiu, know what's important."

Jinshu said no more, turned and left.

Just as I crossed the threshold, I came face to face with the embroiderer Aqiao, who was carrying a food box.

The two brushed past each other, their eyes meeting briefly before looking away.

Aqiao stepped lightly across the threshold of Xianchun Embroidery Workshop and saw her young apprentice leading a well-dressed middle-aged woman to look at a screen standing in the corner.

On the silk screen, the plain silk is as thin as a cicada's wing, and the butterflies playing with peonies embroidered on it seem to come alive, and the mountains, rivers and clouds are all lifelike.

"This is genuine Suzhou embroidery, with different colors on both sides... Feel the silk threads, the color scheme... It would be the most elegant piece to place in a quiet meditation room."

"The material is acceptable, and the embroidery is also pleasing to the eye. However... is the wood core beech? The lacquer is also thin. This price is too high."

"The price... is negotiable. Our embroidery is always worth the price, and many nobles in the capital appreciate it. We certainly won't let you down."

In the teahouse opposite the embroidery shop, Xue Sui was sitting at a wooden table by the window.

I don't know how long I sat there, but the half-cup of tea in front of me had gone cold.

Jinshu lifted the curtain and came in, closing the door behind her. She said in a low voice, "Everything has been taken care of on Mr. Qiu's side."

Xue Sui nodded slightly, his gaze passing through the half-rolled bamboo curtain to the bustling street outside the window.

"Yes. Send him as far away as possible. Don't let him come back anytime soon."

"Yes, I understand." Jinshu smiled and gently pushed a package of oiled paper in front of her. "I just bought this at the West Market. It's freshly baked osmanthus-flavored steamed chestnut cake. It's in season right now. It's still warm, would you like to try some, Miss?"

Xue Sui picked up a small piece and put it in his mouth.

"So sweet."

The sweet fragrance of osmanthus and the unique warmth of chestnuts spread across her tongue. She smiled slightly, gazing at the figures moving by outside the window…

The sounds of bargaining, the screeching of planing wood, and the muffled thuds of craftsmen moving heavy objects in the distance—the West Market, in the sweltering afternoon heat, was bustling with activity and seemed exceptionally vibrant and noisy.

Tomorrow is the Empress Dowager's birthday.

This meticulously prepared feast is destined to be anything but peaceful.
-
The last rain of July stopped on July 26th.

As dawn broke on the 28th, the palace's vermilion walls and green tiles were washed clean and made translucent by the moist air...

As dawn broke, the palace gates were already bustling with carriages and horses.

At 3:45 AM, bells and drums sounded in unison.

Civil and military officials, along with their families, filed in according to their rank.

Exquisite robes and fine garments, adorned with pearls and jade, create a magnificent and splendid scene.

Inside the Linde Hall, a large gilded plaque bearing the character "寿" (longevity) hangs high. Palace servants move about like flowing water, carrying golden platters and jade cups, and the air is filled with the warm aroma of wine and food.

Empress Dowager Chengqing sat high on the phoenix throne in the center of the north side, wearing a vermilion palace dress embroidered with gold phoenixes, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, her face covered with thick makeup, her wrinkles filled with smiles, exuding grace and kindness.

Emperor Chongzhao sat upright slightly in front of and to the left of the Empress Dowager. His face was somewhat pale, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes. He would occasionally press his fist against his lips to suppress the slight itch in his throat.

Empress Xie sat on the right, her belly not visible beneath her phoenix robe, her expression gentle and serene, occasionally whispering a few words to the concubine beside her.

Crown Prince Li Zhao sat below the Emperor.

He was dressed in a black robe with a coiled dragon design, his jade belt tightly fastened, and his face was serene.

The steps for presenting gifts to the Empress Dowager were carried out in sequence—

When it was Li Zhao's turn, he stood up with a smile, walked steadily into the hall, bowed to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress, and spoke in a clear voice.

"Grandson wishes His Majesty a long and healthy life, like the pine and crane in spring!"

After the ceremony, he straightened up, cupped his hands, and said loudly, "On the auspicious birthday of my Empress Dowager, the whole world rejoices. Your grandson, grateful for your loving kindness, presents a sandalwood screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl and depicting a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, symbolizing 'auspicious purple clouds coming from the east, and blessings of longevity and good health.' I hope my Empress Dowager will accept it with a smile."

Several eunuchs worked together to carry a heavy screen into the hall.

The color of the sandalwood was not particularly eye-catching amidst the magnificent hall, but the noble quality of the wood and the shimmering light of the mother-of-pearl inlay immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Especially the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" painting on the screen, each bird has a different posture and is lifelike.

Auspicious clouds and mythical beasts, a scene of good fortune.

"Your Highness is very thoughtful." Empress Dowager Chengqing smiled slightly, her gaze lingering on the screen for a moment before turning away.

"The auspicious meaning of 'a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix' is good, and I am also pleased to see it."

He says nice things, but his tone is indifferent.

Clearly, the birthday gift was expensive, but not to her liking.

The screen was carried and placed not far in front of the phoenix throne.

Li Zhao remained expressionless, returned to his seat, picked up the jade wine cup in front of him, and slowly took a sip. The smile on his lips seemed to deepen, and his eyes inadvertently swept over Prince Wei, Li Yan, opposite him.

A young, unfamiliar eunuch silently slipped through the crowd, quickly approached Li Yan's side, whispered a few words in his ear, and then quietly withdrew...

Li Yan was dressed in his princely robes today, his back ramrod straight, showing no signs of leg problems. However, his face appeared thinner and paler than before, his thin lips were tightly pressed together, and his hands, hanging at his sides, unconsciously clenched and unclenched, while a deep anxiety surged in his eyes…

Next up are Prince Duan and his wife.

Li Huan and Xue Yuechen stepped forward steadily to offer their birthday wishes, presenting a translucent white jade Guanyin statue with intricate carvings.

When the Empress Dowager saw them, she repeatedly praised them for their "commendable filial piety."

Prince Chun, Li Qian, appeared the most relaxed.

He presented a painting he had painted himself, titled "One Hundred Longevity Characters." Although his brushwork was not top-notch, each of the hundred longevity characters was unique and full of heartfelt sentiment, which pleased the Empress Dowager, who praised him for his "careful attention to detail."

"Your Highness, Prince Wei?"

"Your Highness Prince Wei!" Fu Quan's high-pitched voice rang out, and he smiled as he leaned closer to Li Yan.

"His Highness has presented a birthday gift to the Ancestor."

Li Yan seemed to be lost in thought. He was called twice before he suddenly came to his senses, stood up with some difficulty, and bowed slightly before stepping forward to pay his respects.

"Your grandson pays respects to Your Majesty, Father, and Mother. I wish Your Majesty good health and a long life..."

(End of this chapter)