Master Qi was a famous painter, and most importantly, he was an immortal. It was said that he was dashing, handsome, and renowned for his romantic entanglements. Wherever he went, the hearts of women would flutter. The shopkeeper was convinced that no young woman could have escaped hearing the name of Master Qi.
To his surprise, the young woman before him shook her head, looking utterly bewildered. “Never heard of him.”
The shopkeeper was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to continue his pitch.
“This porcelain basin must be more than just a testament to exquisite craftsmanship,” Tan Yin said, shifting the conversation as she confidently examined the basin, now taking control of the exchange. “Shopkeeper, could you take it out and pour some water into it?”
The shopkeeper had intended to gradually reveal the porcelain basin’s mysterious features while talking about Master Qi. He hadn’t expected the young woman to see right through it so quickly.
With a strange expression, he carefully took the basin out of the crystal cabinet and poured in half a jug of cold water. Instantly, the lotus leaves at the bottom of the basin seemed to come alive, their colors becoming vibrant. The pink lotus flowers swayed gracefully, and even more astonishingly, small orange-red koi fish appeared, swimming playfully among the leaves and flowers, a display of marvelous technique.
Seeing Tan Yin watching with great interest, the shopkeeper regained his confidence. “Well? Isn’t it remarkable? Just the painting alone is beyond compare, and with water, it performs miracles. Miss, this is the treasure of the shop. If you’re sincerely interested, the price is negotiable…”
Before he could finish, Tan Yin interrupted with a smile, “Pour out the cold water and try pouring in some hot water.”
The shopkeeper had never considered that hot and cold water might make a difference. But seeing how knowledgeable she seemed, he dared not refuse. He immediately boiled a kettle of water and poured it into the basin. In an instant, the lotus leaves vanished, replaced by layer upon layer of lotus flowers. The orange-red koi transformed into silver fish, swimming joyfully within the basin.
The shopkeeper himself was astonished. Tan Yin, smiling as she gently caressed the porcelain basin, thought that this Master Qi was quite fascinating. Infusing magic into the painting to create such changes showed his unique craftsmanship.
“If you were to pour wine into it, the scene would change again,” Tan Yin said, holding the basin with obvious reluctance to let it go. Suddenly, she asked, “How much?”
Finally, they had reached the heart of the matter. The shopkeeper, feeling relieved, smiled mysteriously as he answered, “Three thousand taels…”
Tan Yin was taken aback. So expensive?! But the next two words from the shopkeeper left her completely speechless.
“…of gold.”
Three thousand taels of gold—was that really necessary?
Tan Yin thought for a moment and then took out two mirrors from her qiankun pouch: a Good Luck Mirror and a Forgery Detection Mirror. She explained their uses and offered, “Can I trade these for it?”
The shopkeeper examined the two small mirrors. Though their craftsmanship was simple and not particularly eye-catching, he knew that while practical, they wouldn’t fetch a high price. Shaking his head repeatedly, he said, “Not worth it. Miss, your items are practical, but Master Qi’s painting is a collector’s item beloved by the wealthy and royal families. They are on completely different levels.”
Tan Yin also had a few Linglong Houses, but even in the ancient times when she had lived, they could fetch tens of thousands of gold taels. Trading one for a porcelain basin would be far too extravagant.
As she pondered her options, Yuan Zhong’s voice suddenly rang out, “Three thousand taels of gold—consider it sold.”
Startled, she looked up to see him coming in through the back door of the shop, his hands empty. Whatever he had gone to buy earlier, he wasn’t carrying it now.
Yuan Zhong pulled out a sizable silk pouch from his robe and handed it to the shopkeeper. Upon opening it, the shopkeeper was nearly blinded by the dazzling pearls inside. Each pearl was the size of a dragon’s eye and shone brilliantly. In all his years, he had never seen such magnificent pearls. He was so overwhelmed he nearly fainted.
Just then, a voice from outside the shop called out with a chuckle, “He’s offering three thousand taels of gold? I’ll offer four thousand. Shopkeeper, why not sell it to me instead?”
At the sound of the voice, Yuan Zhong’s eyes lit up. Sure enough, into the shop walked a man dressed in elegant purple robes, refined and dignified. It was none other than Tang Hua, accompanied as always by his two stunning maids, Wanqiu and Lanxuan. Their mere presence brightened the shop, making even the radiant pearls seem dim by comparison.
Tang Hua cast Yuan Zhong a glance, his face expressionless, as he tossed an even larger silk pouch to the shopkeeper. Hurriedly, the shopkeeper opened it to find a bag full of pearls, each the size of a fingernail, along with two exquisitely crafted golden peonies. The craftsmanship was extraordinary. The shopkeeper, who had always dealt in small transactions, was utterly overwhelmed by the sudden influx of wealth. Though he felt torn, Tang Hua’s offer was higher, so he looked helplessly at Yuan Zhong, too afraid to say a word.
Yuan Zhong, ever playful, sidled up to Tang Hua and threw an arm around his shoulder, grinning mischievously. “I keep running into you everywhere. Be honest—are you secretly in love with me and following me around?”
Tang Hua pushed him away with a frown. “A cursed fate, nothing more. No more nonsense—Wanqiu has had her eye on this basin for days, and her birthday is coming up. I’m buying it for her. Don’t fight me over it.”
Yuan Zhong laughed. “Well, my dear little maid has also taken a liking to it, and her birthday is around the same time. I was planning to buy it for her as a gift.”
Tang Hua shot a glance at Tan Yin, his brows furrowing as if he didn’t like her very much.
Yuan Zhong, saying nothing, simply looked at Tan Yin. She shook her head. “I don’t really want it. I just thought it was interesting. If Young Master Tang Hua wants it, let him have it.”
Yuan Zhong sighed. “My maid is more considerate, as always.”
Tang Hua handed the porcelain basin to Wanqiu, who accepted it gracefully. She thanked her master first, then turned to Yuan Zhong with a sweet smile. “Thank you for your generosity, Your Excellency.”
Yuan Zhong waved dismissively, unusually silent. Just then, the shopkeeper hurried over, smiling eagerly at Tan Yin. “Miss, could I buy those two mirrors from you?”
This girl really made a living from her craftsmanship. Wherever she went, she managed to do business, even while shopping for something herself. Such a knack for making money was truly enviable.
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