Phoenix Cries Return to Court

Lin Xihe followed the shop assistant through the bustling guests in the front hall of Tiangong Pavilion and around the display shelves filled with rare treasures. The shop assistant slowed down and stopped behind an inconspicuous carved screen.

The waiter paused slightly, reached out and pushed open the screen, revealing a hidden path.

Lin Xihe followed closely behind, his expression unchanged, though he had already memorized the surroundings. In less than half an incense stick's time, a carved wooden door appeared at the end of the path. The door was made of the finest sandalwood, with intricate lotus patterns carved on it. The carving was exquisite, and the door knocker was made of pure copper in the shape of a beast's head, gleaming with a warm luster. It was clear at a glance that it was no ordinary object.

Two maids dressed in light green uniforms stood on either side of the wooden door. They were slender and had delicate features. When they saw Lin Xihe approaching, they immediately curtsied and bowed with utmost respect. "Greetings, Madam. The manager has been waiting inside for quite some time."

After she finished speaking, one of the maids stepped forward, gently grasped the beast-head door knocker, and slowly pushed open the wooden door.

Lin Xihe composed herself, stepped into the room, and was immediately amazed by the scenery inside.

In the exquisite little room, the floor was paved with white marble, and in the center was a velvet carpet with a hundred flowers. On the surrounding walls hung four beautiful landscape paintings, all by famous artists.

On the golden nanmu wood table sits a celadon plum vase, with several crabapple blossoms inserted inside.

On one side of the desk sat a cloisonné enamel incense burner, with a stick of Suhe incense burning inside, its smoke curling and filling the room.

However, this exquisite little room was empty. Lin Xi looked around and her gaze fell on the curtain in the southeast corner of the room. She said loudly, "Your Tiangong Pavilion is really putting on a good show. Last time you said you couldn't do it, but this time you've taken the initiative to come to me again. If you're not sincere about doing business, there's no need to talk about this deal."

"Don't be anxious, Hakka."

A slender figure slowly emerged from behind the curtain, her eyebrows naturally dark, her eyes like autumn waters shimmering with waves. Before she spoke, she smiled, "This kind of business isn't something my Heavenly Crafts Pavilion can't do."

Lin Xi frowned slightly. "Who are you?"

The beautiful woman walked up to her, curtsied slightly, and said, "My surname is Dong. I am the manager of Tiangong Pavilion."

As she spoke, she took out a jade token from her sleeve. The token was engraved with the words "Tiangong" (Heavenly Craftsmanship). The pattern was simple and the texture was warm and smooth. It was the token of the manager of Tiangong Pavilion.

Lin Xi glanced at the jade token, her doubts easing slightly, but she remained vigilant. She cut to the chase, her tone cold: "Since you're the manager of the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, then speak frankly. You said you're doing well in the trade of Eastern Pearls; could it be that you've found an Eastern Pearl exactly like the one I'm looking for?"

Upon hearing this, Dong Yiyun gently shook her head, her smile still gentle, but with a hint of probing: "Madam is too kind. Such a rare Eastern pearl is unparalleled in the world; even my Heavenly Craft Pavilion would find it difficult to find a second one. However, Madam, my Heavenly Craft Pavilion has never done business with those whose backgrounds are unknown. Today, you came only to inquire about the Eastern pearl, but did not reveal your identity to me. Perhaps you could introduce yourself, so that I can feel at ease doing this business with you?"

Lin Xihe understood, and then said solemnly, "I am Wen Zhiyi, the mistress of the Ministry of War's residence."

Dong Yiyun had certainly heard of this name. The recent events had caused quite a stir in the city, and it was clear that everyone in the city's elite circles knew this lady; she was quite a formidable character.

However, what that important person asked her to investigate was probably not just this superficial title.

She composed herself slightly and said, "So you are Madam He, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner. As you know, such rare pearls are extremely hard to find. However, my Tiangong Pavilion has a master craftsman with superb skills who can imitate them. I wonder if the Hakka people would be willing to accept that?"

Lin Xihe pondered for a moment, "That's fine, but whether the deal can be made in the end depends on how similar your imitation is to the pearl in my hand."

"Don't worry about that, Madam," Dong Yiyun chuckled. "But Madam, I can find someone to make replicas of Dongzhu pearls. I wonder what the Hakka people use to buy them?"

Lin Xihe remained calm and slowly took out a fine white jade pendant from his bosom. On the back of the pendant was the emblem of the Ministry of War.

She pushed the jade pendant in front of Dong Yiyun, "Is this jade pendant enough?"

Seeing this, Dong Yiyun chuckled and said, "Madam is joking. This jade pendant is precious, but it is not priceless. My Tiangong Pavilion is extremely wealthy, and we have countless ordinary treasures. If you want to use this jade pendant to exchange for a priceless imitation of a pearl, you are underestimating me."

Lin Xi smiled and said, "Miss Dong, you're right. But in this world, it's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy. You don't lack gold and silver now, but if you want Tiangong Pavilion to develop smoothly, I think you wouldn't mind having another backer."

"As you know, Miss, I am the mistress of the Ministry of War's residence. If I can put in a good word for Miss Dong in front of the Minister, and ask the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War to take good care of Tiangong Pavilion and do a good job for Miss Dong, I think Miss Dong will not regret this deal in the future."

A hint of emotion flashed in Dong Yiyun's eyes. She gave a slight curtsy and said, "Madam thinks too highly of my daughter and of the Heavenly Craft Pavilion."

She changed the subject, "However, there is still one thing I don't understand. What exactly is Madam's intention in going to such lengths to imitate the Eastern Pearl?"

"It's not convenient to tell Miss Dong about this matter for the time being," Lin Xihe said in a deep voice. "But I can assure Miss Dong of one thing: I will not use these counterfeit products to harm the people, nor will I do anything that violates the law, and I will not let Tiangong Pavilion be implicated as a result."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yiyun pondered for a moment, then said, "Since Madam has said so, I naturally trust Madam."

"Do you have any stock on hand right now?" Lin Xihe pressed.

"I don't have any imitations, but I do have one Eastern pearl." She paused, then said casually, "It was one of my customers who bought it at a high price on the black market and traded it to me for a treasure."

black market?

Lin Xihe's heart tightened upon hearing this.

Could this pearl have entered the market from the black market? Or perhaps it was an item imported from outside Beijing?

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. She suppressed her surprise and doubt and slowly said, "In that case, Miss Dong, please ask your craftsman to make it as soon as possible. Once the replica is finished, I will come to pick it up in person."

After exchanging a few more polite words, the two discussed the market prices of treasures in the city. Lin Xihe deliberately probed indirectly, asking about the origin of the black market pearl, but Dong Yiyun remained vague and unwilling to reveal too much.

Seeing this, Lin Xihe stopped asking questions and, noticing that it was getting late, got up to take her leave.

Dong Yiyun personally escorted her to the carved wooden door. Watching Lin Xihe's receding figure, the smile on her face slowly faded, and a deep meaning flashed in her eyes. She muttered to herself, "I have seen many wives of officials in various households before, but there is only one as naturally noble as her."

She turned and walked to the golden nanmu wood desk, picked up a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote a few lines of characters on a piece of Xuan paper in a graceful and elegant style.

It was stuffed into an envelope and sealed tightly.

Then she summoned her confidant and said, "Please personally deliver this to the important person, and do not cause any further trouble."