Chapter 230: Important Figures

After the meal, Mrs. Zeng and her daughter, along with several people from the Chu Mansion, left.

Chen Feng put Dabao to sleep and then asked Autumn to bring the gifts to the main room together.

Aman, the little girl, was much cuter than Chen Jue, not only in looks but also in temperament. She kept holding Chen Feng’s hand and didn’t want to let go.

While they were chatting, Zeng Shuang arrived. After serving tea, Chen Aman goes out.

According to Zeng Shuang, there was a shop that suited Chen Feng’s requirements. It was located on Xiaofang North Street, just two streets away from Wanxiang Street where the Chu Mansion was situated. The neighborhood was affluent, and the shop consisted of two floors with a courtyard, including eight rooms and a well.

Originally priced at 2400 taels of silver, Zeng Shuang negotiated it down to 1900 taels of silver since he knew the seller personally, bypassing the middlemen and even waiving the handling fees.

For such a prime location and a spacious shop, the price was reasonable. Chen Feng nodded in satisfaction and said that she would go to see the shop the next day and make the purchase if it was suitable.

After discussing arrangements for hiring people and handling the deed, Zeng Shuang left.

Before leaving, he discreetly advised Chen Feng to be cautious when going out, mentioning that important figures from Dingzhou, the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince, were there to inspect the area on behalf of the Emperor. She warned Chen Feng to stay away if she saw a large entourage, especially the Seventh Prince, as he was mischievous.

When Zeng Shuang mentioned “mischievous,” he emphasized the word and had a playful look, indicating that it might not be a simple matter of liking to play.

Chen Feng nodded.

Initially, she thought that she knew all the influential figures in Dingzhou and the military, and there should be no major issues in this area. However, with the arrival of these two important figures, it was best to be cautious, not for anything else but for Dabao’s sake. Although she didn’t think Dabao’s status was of royal blood, the presence of the two princes representing the Emperor’s inspection would surely involve officials…

The courtyard became lively when Dabao woke up. It became even livelier when Chen Tang returned from school. The place was filled with people, dogs barking, and birds chirping, and Mrs. Zhang insisted that Chen Feng and her son stay longer.

Chen Shi returned after dinner. Successful in his career, he was dressed in a silk long robe, looking radiant and even younger, exuding confidence and contentment.

Chen Feng joked, “Uncle Chen Shi is becoming more and more dignified.”

Chen Shi chuckled, “Even if I become more dignified, it’s all thanks to A’Feng. Ever since you came to Uncle San’s house last year, everything has been going well.”

He then invited Chen Feng and her son to have dinner at Prosperous Grand Restaurant the next evening, also extending the invitation to Steward Luo’s family, as a way of welcoming them. The restaurant was not far from there, just three streets away.

Although Chen Feng was curious about Prosperous Grand Restaurant, she didn’t want to show off in public with Dabao. She shook her head and said with a smile, “We won’t join the crowd. I prefer having a quiet meal at home with Aunt and Aman.”

Mrs. Zhang then brought over a few new sets of clothes. She and Chen Aman had made two new outfits for each of them, all made of silk.

Chen Feng felt very embarrassed and said that as the junior, she couldn’t possibly accept clothes made by the elders. After much insistence, she reluctantly accepted.

The next day, towards the end of the hour of the dragon (around 8 to 10 am), not only did Mrs. Zeng and Summer arrive, but they also brought a carriage, a coachman, and a guard.

The coachman wasQingbo, whom she had met several times the previous year, and the guard’s surname was Wang.

Qing Bo explained that Steward Luo had instructed them to wait here every day, ready to accompany Miss Chen for her errands, ensuring her safety during travel.

Chen Feng genuinely appreciated Steward Luo’s kindness, recognizing that this was exactly what she needed at the moment. With the protection of the guards, as long as she didn’t provoke any influential figures from the capital, no one would dare to trouble her.

Chen Feng had already packed the two brocade boxes containing jewelry and gems into her bag. Additionally, she brought along several panda plush toys in different sizes, all designed by her and crafted by Mrs. Wang’s embroidery workshop. Since Ni Shang Embroidery Workshop was adjacent to Jade Qilin Jewelry Store, she planned to visit the workshop after selling the jewelry.

She didn’t dare to take Dabao out, so she called for the Golden Swallow to accompany him, ensuring her peace of mind.

Dabao insisted on going and held onto Chen Feng’s skirt, refusing to let go.

Chen Feng lifted him up and said, “With Golden Treasure, Qiqi, Gray, and Zhui Feng to keep you company, why are you crying like this? If your little sister Yan knows, she might make fun of you.”

Upon hearing this, Dabao quickly closed his mouth tightly, but tears still stubbornly flowed down. He sniffled, “Then, Mom, don’t tell sister Yan. If she doesn’t know, she won’t tease me.”

“Alright, Mom won’t tell.” Chen Feng said as she wiped his tears with a handkerchief. Then, she whispered, “If I make more money this time, we can buy a big shop and earn a lot of money.”

After kissing him, she put him down.

Chen Feng, accompanied by Autumn, Summer, the guard Wang, and Xue Dagui on horseback, headed to Jade Qilin Jewelry Store on West Street in the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Summer mentioned that Chu Lingxuan had already returned to Dingzhou. However, due to the upcoming visit by the two princes, he was too busy to even return home. He rushed back only after learning that his daughter had returned to the mansion late last night. It seemed that the Old Marquis and the Third Madam would also come to Dingzhou in two days. The military inspector’s residence was currently busy with preparations…

Chen Feng thought that when Chu Lingxuan mentioned that his third auntie would visit her, she had already made her position clear. Perhaps third Madam would not “inspect” her?

With the presence of two elders, the Chu Hanyan might not necessarily come back with her…

Lost in her thoughts, she felt time pass by quickly, and before long, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the jewelry store.Qingbo went to park the carriage at the street corner, while the others accompanied Chen Feng into the store.

To her surprise, the manager Bai recognized her and greeted her, “Madam, are you here to sell jewelry or buy new accessories today?”

He smiled with his eyes almost closed, just as deeply as the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Last time, the few gemstones this young lady sold had earned the Jade Qilin Jewelry Store a considerable sum. Even he was somewhat puzzled because those gemstones weren’t large, and their quality wasn’t exceptional, they contained a small amount of impurities and were not entirely pure. Yet, due to their exceptional luster, he had paid a high price of 410 taels of silver. He felt that this price was quite generous.

However, the master craftsman Mao said that these gemstones were rare treasures. Not only did they have a superior luster compared to other gemstones, but they also emitted a faint glow in dim light. Especially the emerald, its rich color resembled a pool of clear water in the mountains.

A chrysanthemum gold hairpin made from three rubies sold for 400 taels of silver, while a gold ring made from the emerald astonishingly sold for a high price of 1100 taels of silver.

Unaware of Bai’s thoughts, Chen Feng straightforwardly smiled and said, “I’m a little tight on cash and want to sell some items for cash.”

Manager Bai was delighted to hear this and quickly invited her to a private room for discussion. While Chen Feng went in, the others tactfully waited outside.

When Chen Feng took out the headpiece gifted by Chen Shiying, she unexpectedly felt a twinge of pain in her heart. She had the urge to immediately take the headpiece back. Pressing her chest, she suppressed her emotions and opened the brocade box, asking, “How much is this headpiece worth?”