Chapter 305 Baoguang Studio

Chapter 305: Baoguang Studio

Qiongniang's health wasn't great, and there were a lot of foods she couldn't eat, but she'd had lotus root powder before, so that's why Meng Wan made it for her.

A Xun came right over and checked her pulse. "She's healing up nicely. The prescription I gave her last time should carry her through to after New Year's. I'll swing by the Zhu place then to tweak it."

Qiongniang beamed at A Xun, and he patted her head and smiled back. Lan Niang looked on at her daughter with fond eyes from the side.

Kids this age were just the cutest. Zheng Shushen, Zhao Yuan's husband, watched with a look of envy. If only he could have a kid too—he wouldn't even care if it was a boy; a girl or a xiaoge would be just fine.

Meng Wan caught the look out of the corner of his eye and, after a moment's thought, suddenly said, "Sister-in-law, I've put together some tuition gifts for your father. I'm not sure if they're right—why don't you come check them out with me?"

Zheng Shushen was caught off guard. "No need to get anything pricey. A regular tuition gift is fine."

Meng Wan tugged him along insistently. "Just help me take a look."

As he left, he gave A Xun a subtle signal to follow. A Xun's little brother was mute, and Chu Ci couldn't speak either, so A Xun got hand signals right away. A moment later, he found Meng Wan and Zheng Shushen in the main courtyard storeroom, actually digging through paintings and calligraphy.

Zheng Shushen came from a super traditional, strictly disciplined family, and he was sensitive. He couldn't exactly ask A Xun to check his pulse in front of everyone, so Meng Wan had deliberately pulled him aside.

The storeroom with paintings, calligraphy, and scholar's stuff had two nice sets of tables and chairs. Meng Wan got them situated, then said plainly, "You two take a look at the calligraphy and paintings here. I'll go to the next room to grab a box of pearls for Qiongniang to play with."

Without another word, Meng Wan headed to the next storeroom, leaving the two of them alone.

Within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the three of them came back together. Their faces didn't show much change, though the worry on Zheng Shushen's brow seemed to have eased quite a bit.

Lan Niang might have figured out what was going on, but like Meng Wan, she was careful about Zheng Shushen's pride and acted like she didn't notice.

Meng Wan came back carrying a box with a square case on top.

"Qiongniang, come see—your little uncle found you some fun stuff." A Yan and Tong'er had also come over. Meng Wan set the box on the kang table, and the three kids crowded around, curious.

A Yan was the quickest. Qiongniang should've opened the box first, but he flipped the lid open in one go. Meng Wan's eye twitched, and he smacked the back of A Yan's hand with a sharp slap.

A Yan pouted, but when he saw it was the same old small pearls again, he lost interest right away, feeling like he'd been hit for nothing.

"Wow, so many! So pretty!" Qiongniang's big eyes lit up with delight.

"Wan Geer, are these southern pearls? They're way too precious. Just pick out a few for Qiongniang to play with." Lan Niang knew her stuff. Third Master Zhu always brought his granddaughter gifts when he traveled for business, but southern pearls of this grade were top-notch even in Shengjing—better for social gifting than just handing to a kid.

"It's nothing. They're all one-fen pearls, perfect for kids' hair ornaments. As long as Qiongniang likes them, that's all that matters." Meng Wan had plenty of pearls to spare. These round, shiny ones delighted kids even more than gemstones, so giving them away was no big deal.

Lan Niang wanted to refuse—even at one fen each, pearls this good cost five taels apiece, and this box had at least seven or eight hundred. Calling them precious was an understatement; as a gift for a kid, it was just over the top.

"Qiongniang, look—your little uncle also picked out some jewelry for you. Open it up and see?" As Meng Wan spoke, he narrowed his eyes, staring at A Yan's eager, twitching hand. He'd figured out his son was more than a little mischievous and had a real knack for embarrassing him in front of others. His earlier move had already gotten everyone's attention. If A Yan dared to act up again, he'd drag him outside and teach him a lesson.

Qiongniang smiled shyly. "Thanks, little uncle. Should I really open it? Mama?"

The little girl called out to her mom in a soft, sweet voice.

Lan Niang looked at Meng Wan, hesitant. "Why is there more, Wan Geer?"

Meng Wan laughed. "These are all things I collected myself—not priced at Shengjing market rates. Don't overthink it. This is my first time meeting Qiongniang; it's only fitting. Third Uncle buys A Yan plenty of nice stuff every time he sees him."

With Meng Wan having said all that, refusing more would just seem standoffish. Lan Niang smiled helplessly. "Then I'll take them shamelessly."

Qiongniang cheered and opened the flat square case, revealing a gold neck ring inside. This wasn't anything special—kids commonly got two types of gifts: longevity locks and neck rings.

The neck ring Meng Wan gave was exquisitely made, with a band that wasn't too thick or heavy, so it wouldn't weigh the kid down. It had embossed patterns, and the most valuable part was a dense yellow cat's-eye gem set in the middle. As Qiongniang turned it in her hands, the gem's sheen shifted and changed, and when held up to the light, it sparkled brilliantly.

"So! Pret! Ty!" Qiongniang's cheeks flushed with excitement as she clutched the neck ring, unable to put it down. "Mama, I love it—it's even prettier than the one Grandfather bought me!"

Chang Jinhua found her lively demeanor delightful. "Qiongniang, come to your grand-aunt. Let me put it on you."

Qiongniang went over and knelt before Chang Jinhua, bowing her head slightly.

Chang Jinhua opened the clasp and slipped the ring around Qiongniang's neck, murmuring, "Long life of a hundred years, free from illness and harm."

Lan Niang's eyes suddenly reddened. She prayed her daughter could recover her health as A Xun the young physician had said, and live a life free of worry.

Both families stayed for dinner at the Song residence. Chang Jinhua personally oversaw the preparations, with Meng Wan alternately helping her and chatting with Lan Niang and Zheng Shushen.

"I really envy Wan Geer, having such a good relationship with his mother-in-law," Zheng Shushen said suddenly.

Lan Niang laughed at him. "Sister-in-law, it's precisely because neither of us has a mother-in-law that you can sit here and sigh about it. Otherwise, do you think being a daughter-in-law is easy?"

She had two friends she got along with reasonably well, and she'd also dealt with the wives of Ze Ning's colleagues. In the state of Yu, filial piety outweighed all else, and being a daughter-in-law was no easy task.

A mother-in-law like Chang Jinhua and a father-in-law like hers were rare indeed.

Zheng Shushen thought of his own parents and his sister-in-law at home and agreed. "What you say makes sense."

The three families were close, so there was no separation of front and back courtyards during the meal. A large round table was set up in the reception hall, and everyone dined together.

Qiongniang had to eat her medicinal meal, so the three children had their own table in Chang Jinhua's room. A Xun felt uncomfortable eating with the adults, so he joined the children instead.

Chang Jinhua's cooking had a flavor distinct from the chefs at outside restaurants, and everyone ate to their heart's content. After dinner, they chatted a while longer before the guests rose to leave, agreeing to meet again after the New Year.

After the Little New Year, time seemed to speed up. Before they knew it, it was the end of the year, and Song Tingzhou, as promised, took Meng Wan to Baoguang Studio.

Baoguang Studio was one of Shengjing's more famous jewelry shops. It was said the owner behind it was a noble from the capital, but the capital was full of nobles, and no one knew who the Master of Baoguang Studio actually was.

Though Baoguang Studio had only two floors, its premises were spacious—the first floor alone had three front entrances. Despite the bitter cold, attendants stood outside to greet customers.

Many people came to buy jewelry at year's end, mostly women and xiaoge accompanying each other. Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou, arriving hand in hand, stood out conspicuously among them—especially Meng Wan, whose striking looks drew attention wherever he went, frequently inviting covert glances.

After they entered Baoguang Studio, Song Tingzhou led him straight to the second floor. Meng Wan teased, "Lord Song seems quite familiar with the place?"

Song Tingzhou squeezed the hand linked with his and explained seriously, "Ze Ning heard we were coming to Baoguang Studio and told me the second floor holds their finest pieces. He said not to waste time on the first."

Though Zhu Ze Ning's official rank was low, he had a good father. Third Master Zhu had earned plenty over years of traveling for trade—not as extravagantly wealthy as Meng Wan, but with a very solid family foundation.

Zhu Ze Ning had grown up as a pampered rich young master and had never known hardship. He'd once spent money like water, only reining it in after passing the imperial exams and settling down in Shengjing.

He couldn't sit still. Over the years, he'd explored nearly all of Shengjing—one could call him half a local—and could speak knowledgeably about the backgrounds and stories of many famous shops.

Two attendants stood at the top of the stairs, and the moment they heard the new arrivals, they knew these two had money to spare. They rushed forward to receive them.

"What would you gentlemen like to see? Baoguang Studio has everything you could want." One attendant, standing closer to Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou, got there first.

Song Tingzhou pulled a handful of copper coins from his sleeve and handed them over. "No need. My husband and I will look ourselves."

The attendant pocketed the coins and tried to say more, but Song Tingzhou's cold expression frightened him off, and he retreated back to the stairway.

Meng Wan flicked his fingers twice against Song Tingzhou's palm. Song Tingzhou leaned slightly toward him, eyes lowering, voice softening. "What is it?"

"It's warm up here. Can you take my cloak for me?" The second floor was noticeably more refined than the first—there was no shortage of incense burners, and both braziers and stoves were present. A wave of fragrant heat hit them as soon as they arrived. Meng Wan wanted to take off his outer robe but couldn't manage it easily with one hand held.

Song Tingzhou helped him remove the cloak and draped it over his own arm, paying no mind to the glances—open or covert—that swept their way.

The display area on the second floor was the same size as the first, with various wooden display stands of different heights, arranged according to the type and material of the jewelry.

The difference was that there were half as many people as on the first floor, all dressed in fine clothes, examining the wares. Occasionally, a steward would bring out batches of custom-made jewelry for distinguished clients and personally deliver them.

"Wan'er, do you like this one?" Song Tingzhou picked up a blue-green jade hairpin. He didn't know what material it was, but this one looked the most pleasing to his eye, as the hairpin head was also in the shape of auspicious clouds, much more exquisite and lifelike than the one he had bought in the town previously.

Meng Wan only had a passing knowledge of jade, half of which came from Nie Zhiyao, and the other half he had picked up on his own when he was tallying jewelry as household assets, fearful of being swindled.

"Is this Xiuyan jade?" Meng Wan picked it up to examine it, then gently put it back. "I prefer white jade after all."

The steward on the second floor had seen them come up earlier but had the tact not to disturb them. Hearing this, he hurried over and asked, "Are you looking for white jade, sir? We have excellent Hetian jade over here. How about you two come take a look?"

They were led to the far east side, where they found several small private rooms. The steward led them into one that was unoccupied, saying he would go fetch the jade.

Meng Wan lifted the lid of the teapot on the table, revealing Biluochun tea that was still warm. "Just like a famous shop in Shengjing—even buying jewelry requires such a show."

Hearing this, Song Tingzhou suddenly stood up from his seat, figured out the positions of the main entrance and the staircase, then walked to the window and made to push it open. Unexpectedly, the window in front of him was opened from the outside, revealing not the bustling street scene but a secret room as bright as daylight. No wonder neither Meng Wan nor Song Tingzhou had noticed anything amiss at first.

"Yuezheng Qi?" Meng Wan, knowing how bizarre the situation was, instinctively called out in a hushed voice.

Yuezheng Qi was dressed plainly, looking like an ordinary person out for a stroll. He looked at the couple with a complex expression. "I thought Lord Song wouldn't return to the capital for at least two more years. I didn't expect you to return early."

A glint flashed in Song Tingzhou's eyes, as if he understood something from those words.

"Meng Fulang, are my husband and Fei Geer doing well?" Yuezheng Qi suddenly asked Meng Wan again.

"They'll be fine in Xiwu Prefecture for at least three years." Meng Wan couldn't yet figure out the matter between Yuezheng Qi and the Crown Prince. He only guessed that Yuezheng Qi was the Crown Prince's man, and couldn't help asking, "You're quite heartless, just sending Yao Geer and the child to Lingnan for so long without even a single letter."

Yuezheng Qi turned around and closed the window, pressing something on the window frame. Song Tingzhou, standing close by, heard a faint clicking sound.

"Before sending them to Lingnan, I had intended to dissolve the marriage with Zhiyao." Yuezheng Qi kept his back to them, and it was impossible to tell what his expression was as he said this.

Meng Wan glanced at Song Tingzhou, and seeing his face darken as well, asked, surprised, "What exactly are you planning? To the point of this? Did Zhiyao agree?"

The Crown Prince's plans ran too deep, and Yuezheng Qi's situation didn't seem good. But after Meng Wan finished speaking, a smile suddenly appeared on his chiseled face, and most of the gloom in his eyes lifted, as if he were smug about something. "He refused to divorce me, saying that if I died, he would come back to collect my corpse."

Meng Wan: "?" What's there to be smug about? Once a person died, everything was over. He wasn't afraid Nie Zhiyao would find someone else.

Song Tingzhou asked in a deep voice, "When will you act?"

Yuezheng Qi's smile disappeared, and he silently drew a horizontal line on the table with his finger.

One.

The New Year's Day banquet?

Song Tingzhou nodded. "Do you need any assistance?"

A flicker of surprise flashed across Yuezheng Qi's eyes, but he still refused. "No need. No one can help with this. I have to do it myself."

Yuezheng Qi had risked coming to see them seemingly only to ask Meng Wan whether Nie Zhiyao was doing well in Lingnan and whether he was safe, and then he watched them go.

The couple no longer had the inclination to buy hairpins. To avoid returning empty-handed and arousing suspicion, Meng Wan casually picked out a few pieces of jewelry on the second floor before heading home.