I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 130 Sold Out
On the tenth day of the seventh lunar month, carriages and horses streamed in and out of the gates of Prince Xuan's residence.

Having received the Mirror of Light from Tang Zhao, Wu and Wang were also willing to do him a favor, so they were extra diligent in exchanging pleasantries with the guests.

Princess Xuan, mindful of Ming's pregnancy and the hardships she was going through, kept Ming by her side to take care of her.

Tang Zhao consciously pulled Gu Xuan, who was like a mad rabbit, to stand in front of the mansion gate to greet guests.

Tang Zhao glanced at Gu Xuan's deadpan face and said, "Adjust your expression. She's here to attend a banquet, not to offer incense!"

Gu Xuan still wore a sullen expression.

Tang Zhao's expression was hostile, his right fist clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked, and he threatened, "Don't force me to beat you up in front of others!"

Gu Xuan forced a smile, inwardly cursing Tang Zhao.

At this moment, a plainly decorated carriage stopped in front of the Prince's mansion. Gu Xuan's stiff smile instantly brightened when she saw the person getting off the carriage, "Sister Bai!"

Tang Zhao felt a toothache upon hearing this.

"Sister Xuan," Bai Rouyin called out, but did not go forward directly. Instead, she stood by the carriage and waited for the woman who was getting off the carriage to stand still before going forward together.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness the Princess," the woman said, quickly ascending the steps and curtsying. "It is an honor for Your Highness the Princess to personally welcome us."

"Madam Yang, you're too kind. Please don't stand on ceremony," Tang Zhao said, turning to Bai Rouyin. "Young Madam Yang, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Bai Rouyin lowered her eyes, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am well."

"That's good, please, both of you," Tang Zhao said, pulling Gu Xuan back as she followed Bai Rouyin inside, her eyes filled with hostility.

Gu Xuan jumped up and looked at Bai Rouyin expectantly, "Sister Bai, I'll come find you in a bit, wait for me!"

"Okay," Bai Rouyin replied gently, and helped Madam Yang to the banquet.

After most of the guests had arrived, Tang Zhao handed over the task of greeting them to the steward and went to the backyard of the Prince's Mansion with Gu Xuan.

The ladies and young women attending the banquet sat around the large flower garden, drinking tea and chatting, or laughing and joking, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Princess Xuan said, and the room fell silent instantly. "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence at the Flower-Pinning Ceremony hosted by the Prince's Palace. I will offer you tea in lieu of wine as my thanks."

Princess Xuan drank a cup of tea, and all the ladies and young misses returned the toast.

"The weather is perfect in July, and the flowers carefully planted in the palace are in full bloom. I dare not enjoy such a magnificent sight alone, so I invite everyone to come and admire it together."

"But in my opinion, the young ladies and wives of various families are more beautiful than the flowers in this garden."

The young ladies and wives who were praised by Princess Xuan blushed. "Your Highness is too kind. Back then, Your Highness and the wife of the Duke of Wei, who was of the highest rank, were known as the Twin Beauties of the Northwest. Their beauty was renowned throughout the land. How could we possibly compare to their grace and charm!"

Princess Xuan smiled slightly, "Who wasn't in their prime and stunningly beautiful when they were young? Take Madam Shen for example, she was a famous beauty in Luoyang back then."

Madam Shen waved her hand, "I am old now, and it feels like a past life to talk about those days."

“Which woman can live forever? So we should cherish our youth even more,” Princess Xuan said, pointing to the best blooming flowers in the flower garden. The gardener cut them and handed them to Granny Meng. “No matter how beautiful the flowers are, they cannot compare to the beauty of a woman’s face. Miss Shen is elegant and beautiful, Madam Yang is gentle and graceful, and Miss Yang is charming and lovely. These peonies, lotuses, and lilies of the valley are the best match for you.”

Granny Meng personally delivered the flowers to the three families' desks. The three people whose names were chosen stood up, accepted the flowers, and bowed to express their gratitude.

"Quickly put them on so everyone can see," Princess Xuan waved her hand. Three maids knelt beside the three tables, holding a makeup box. After helping the three women put the flowers on their hair, they opened the makeup box for them to examine.

"Oh!" Miss Shen was startled by her reflection in the makeup box. "What is this thing? How can it reflect my image so clearly?"

Madam Shen leaned forward and saw that her daughter's appearance and expression in the mirror were incredibly clear, as if there was another daughter in the mirror. Some curious ladies and young misses couldn't help but stand up and surround the three of them, and they were also astonished by the clear image in the mirror.

"My God, is this a bronze mirror? How can it be so clear?"

"Look, you can even see the pattern of the flower ornament on Young Master Yang's forehead very clearly."

"Your Highness, is this a treasure from the Western Regions?"

Hearing Madam Meng's follow-up question, all the ladies and young women present pricked up their ears and stared intently at Princess Xuan, who sat on the head seat.

Princess Xuan smiled and shook her head. "The Western Regions are remote and desolate. How could such a treasure be produced there?" She looked at the first seat on her left. "It is a precious mirror that our Princess Zhaoshan developed and personally named the 'Huguang Mirror,' which symbolizes mutual affection and a happy marriage."

Tang Zhao stood up, nodded and smiled at those below, exuding an air of superiority.

Bai Rouyin paused in stroking the makeup box, then turned to pick up the teacup, never glancing at the makeup box again.

As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, the smile on Lady Zhongyong's lips faded slightly, and her gaze toward the makeup box held a hint of disgust.

Once Tang Zhao produces something, even the best things won't be of interest to the Bai family.

A noble lady couldn't wait to ask, "May I ask, Princess, what is the value of this 'Mirror of Light'?"

Tang Zhao replied, "Two hundred taels of silver per face."

Two hundred taels of silver is not a high price, but it is not low either, especially since there are many ladies and young misses in large families, and each one would cost a large sum of money.

"Because the production of the 'Huguang Mirror' is complicated, there are only 500 available for now, and the next sale date is uncertain," Tang Zhao said, adding, "To ensure fairness, it's first come, first served."

"I want twenty sheets," Madam Shen said quickly. "But shall I pay now?"

"No need, someone will deliver the makeup box to your residence later, and you can pay upon delivery," Tang Zhao explained the home delivery process, and then instructed Chunfeng to write down the order, "There are 480 pieces left."

"I want ten sides!"

"I want twenty sides!"

"Thirty pieces!" Madam Yang said. "Thirty pieces, all in the style of peonies."

Tang Zhao nodded and instructed Chunfeng to write it down.

Lady Zhongyong and Bai Rouyin watched helplessly as the ladies and young women present vied to place orders, afraid of being left behind.

Bai Rouyin's mother-in-law, Zhang, felt sorry for the money and deliberately teased her, "Rouyin, you're so young, and you've just gotten married. It's the time when you need to dress up the most. Why don't you buy two mirrors?"

Bai Rouyin suppressed her annoyance and said, "Mother-in-law is right. Let's buy two. I'll keep one for myself and give the other to you."

Zhang was not satisfied. "Your sister-in-law is of marriageable age. The princess said that the 'Huguang Mirror' symbolizes a smooth marriage. Isn't that perfect?"

“Mother-in-law is right, then let’s buy five pieces,” Bai Rouyin said, stopping the Lady of Zhongyong Marquis from speaking. “My three younger sisters are all of marriageable age. One piece for each of them will be my blessing as the eldest sister-in-law.”

Zhang nodded in satisfaction.

Bai Rouyin clenched her handkerchief and walked up to Tang Zhao. "I want five."

Spring Breeze looked up and said with a polite smile, "I'm sorry, Madam Yang, the Pot Mirror is sold out."