Chapter 47
Shen You noticed that Li Heng remained silent for a long time, apparently deep in thought, so she didn’t interrupt him.
However, she hadn’t expected that when he spoke again, he would produce a sandalwood box containing a jade-carved seal.
“Even if the treasures from my residence are precious, they may not necessarily be particularly rare to Miss Shen.”
“This is the Crown Princess’s seal. Ziheng wishes to seek Miss Shen’s hand in marriage.”
Shen You snapped the wooden box lid shut with a bang and pushed it across the table.
“Stop right there. I’ve said before that I came to Great Qi purely for business. It’s sufficient for us to maintain a friendly commercial relationship.”
Although he had been mentally prepared, seeing her show no reaction whatsoever to the seal and draw such clear boundaries between them still left Li Heng feeling utterly dejected.
Yet at the same time, he found her particularly remarkable, as ordinary women would certainly not react this way after receiving such a promise.
“Does Miss Shen not trust me? My heart delights in you, and this has nothing to do with this shop. I can promise to marry only you in this lifetime, offering the kingdom as betrothal gifts, willing to share dominion over—”
The world?
She had no interest in that.
Shen You interrupted him. “In my eyes, you are merely a customer in my shop, nothing more.”
“You find me special, but it’s not because I’m different from Great Qi’s women – it’s because our worlds are different.”
“If Great Qi’s women could also enter the imperial court, could possess the same rights and ambitions as men, how many would still be willing to be confined within the rear courtyards?”
She lived well in the modern world, free to eat, drink, and enjoy herself, able to see any scenery she wished to see.
How desperate would she have to be to be moved by those small privileges granted by others?
Her shop’s main principle was simple: no emotions, only business transactions.
Charging forward single-mindedly toward money!
“I believe in your current sincerity, but what about the decades to come? If we were together and I didn’t hand over the shop, would you dare to feel at ease?”
Those in high positions wielding great power feared nothing more than someone seizing their authority.
And she happened to have the means to do exactly that.
Could momentary affection triumph over supreme power?
Shen You simply didn’t believe in such notions.
Hearing these words, Li Heng’s mind thundered as his gaze became fixed and vacant.
He really hadn’t considered these matters, nor could he insincerely claim he would “feel at ease.”
“I won’t interfere in Great Qi’s political affairs, and we won’t have any other relationship.”
Seeing Shen You’s resolute demeanor, Li Heng finally retrieved the seal and smiled bitterly.
“Miss Shen sees clearly. I was presumptuous.”
Shen You nodded. Good that he understood.
“The man who toured with you at the temple fair – could he entrust all his possessions to you?”
Li Heng asked one final question, still harboring a trace of hope and unwillingness in his heart.
Shen You looked completely puzzled. How did he even know about what happened at the temple fair that day?
“That person and I are merely acquainted. We met each other by chance in the capital. It wouldn’t go that far.”
Li Heng lowered his eyes. So it wasn’t because of another person – she simply was unwilling.
Liu Zheng stood at the entrance holding the items, looking in for a while to confirm that the people inside weren’t discussing anything he shouldn’t overhear before finally entering.
“Shopkeeper Shen, I noticed you have a qin here but no qin table, so I brought a set over. It’s made of red sandalwood. If it won’t do, I’ll send someone to find something better.”
While speaking, he noticed His Highness’s dejected expression and understood somewhat, becoming even more cautious about what he said.
Shen You came out to look. In such a short time, Liu Zheng had managed to find qin table and stool of this quality – it was already quite good.
His observation was remarkably detailed, even noticing the qin tassel she had just received this morning and hadn’t yet taken upstairs. No wonder he was someone who navigated official circles successfully.
The other two items were porcelain pieces and a complete set of hair ornaments made with gold thread and precious stones, crafted using the same technique as the hairpin Miss Zhao had worn on her first visit.
These were items from the palace.
“That’s unnecessary. These are sufficient, with some to spare. How about this – come back in two days, and I’ll prepare more items for you.”
The red sandalwood furniture alone was quite expensive, and adding the other items, her 200 raincoats were too few.
“Oh, and there’s this – it just arrived today. Pastries from our region, including a type of mooncake you haven’t seen before.”
Shen You gave them three portions. Seeing the surprise in Li Heng’s eyes, she added quickly, “In our region, during festivals, we give these to our major customers. This portion is for Zhong Jing.”
Her shop had only a few customers in total, so it wouldn’t cost much money. She had heard that Boss Huo had spent tens of thousands on mooncakes.
Liu Zheng held the beautiful gift boxes he had never seen before with both hands. Seeing His Highness’s expression change again, his speech became more careful.
“I thank Shopkeeper Shen on behalf of Master Zhong.”
The two men left the shop and mounted their respective horses.
Li Heng’s grip on the gift box didn’t loosen, and when his attendant offered to store it properly for him, he declined.
After a long while, when the carriage had already left the alley, he slowly opened the box, unwrapped the packaging, and picked up a translucent purple mooncake, taking a bite.
The fragrance of taro and perfectly balanced sweetness instantly spread through his mouth.
Li Heng closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
From the moment he first entered her shop, she had seen through everything clearly.
So from the very beginning, he could never have entered Miss Shen’s heart.
Perhaps if he had just said he was willing to give up everything, there might have been a chance to move her.
But what he had hoped for was that she would accept the Crown Princess’s seal and walk forward together with him.
The trusted subordinates who had come out to handle affairs could all see with their eyes that His Highness the Crown Prince was in poor spirits.
Although His Highness had a gentle temperament and wouldn’t take his anger out on others, no one dared to court bad luck, so everyone acted with extra caution.
After taking leave from the Crown Prince’s residence, Liu Zheng went straight to the mansion where Zhong Jing resided. When he delivered the gift box, Zhong Jing was still happily playing with his bamboo-woven lamp.
Seeing such an exquisite gift box made him even more delighted.
“Shopkeeper Shen is really kind, always thinking of me. When I go to the shop to collect items in two days, don’t you dare compete with me this time.”
This box was really beautiful. He wondered what those patterns on top were drawn with – the texture felt very special to the touch.
This was his first time seeing such an adorable image of the Jade Rabbit. He would paint one just like it next time.
He would treasure this gift box carefully and pass it down to his children in the future.
While Zhong Jing was still letting his imagination run wild, Liu Zheng said with deep significance, “You absolutely must not mention this gift box in front of His Highness these next two days.”
Hearing this, Zhong Jing immediately understood the situation.
“If only Shopkeeper Shen could remain in our Great Qi, I would risk my very life to ensure she could sit securely in that position. Alas…”
But for someone of her caliber, how could a Great Qi imperial palace possibly contain her?
Zhong Jing opened a package and examined it with amazement. “This is the first time I’ve seen such translucent mooncakes. I wonder what they’re made from.”
“Right? I was almost reluctant to eat mine earlier. The food from Shopkeeper Shen’s place is all of the finest quality.”
“What do you think – should we discuss with Shopkeeper Shen about getting another batch of these pastries to sell for 100 taels per box, or maybe 200 taels per box?”
As Liu Zheng spoke, his hand reached toward Zhong Jing’s pastry box.
“Get away, get away! What are you trying to do, you rascal!” Zhong Jing slapped his hand away. “Don’t steal my pastries!”
“Two hundred taels for a box of 8 pastries – are you insane? Could there really be such fools with money to burn?”
Liu Zheng thought for a moment. “Those aristocratic families and wealthy merchants have money. It might actually work.”