Jinxiang Jewelry Shop is located on the central street of Yunlan Street, not far from Dongbo Tower and Huancai Pavilion. It is a prosperous market and a famous jewelry shop in the capital.
The prince's carriage stopped at the entrance of Jinxiang Jewelry Shop. Lu Wan got out of the carriage first, then helped Nan Shiying down.
Lu Wan opened the folding umbrella to shield them from the falling snow, while her other hand held up Nan Shiying's skirt.
Pushing aside the heavy cotton curtain, the rushing warmth drove away the chill. The shop assistant, seeing the visitors, hurried forward with a beaming smile.
"Madam, please come in!"
Nan Shiying's hair was styled in a bun, and her attire clearly indicated she was a married woman. The shop assistants had keen eyes; they could guess a customer's status and standing with remarkable accuracy just by their dress and hair ornaments!
Lu Wan shook the folding umbrella. The shop assistant, being observant, took the umbrella, folded it, and placed it in a basket by the door. Seeing Lu Wan looking, he quickly said, "Madam, please rest assured, these are individual baskets. Only one folding umbrella is placed in each basket, so they won't get mixed up."
Lu Wan simply nodded without speaking.
Her demeanor was even more imposing than that of many high-ranking officials' wives.
If the maidservant was this imposing, then the madam... the shop assistant's attitude became even more respectful.
"What would Madam like to see?" the shop assistant asked as he led them towards the inner hall.
Nan Shiying reached up and touched a gold hairpin adorned with golden tassels, smiling, "I have always heard that Jinxiang Jewelry Shop has a wide variety of hairpin designs and excellent craftsmanship. I've come specifically to take a look!"
"This Palace!"
Nan Shiying's self-address made the shop assistant's legs go weak. Someone who referred to themselves as "This Palace" could only be an empress from the inner palace or a princess from an outer kingdom. However, empresses from the inner palace could not leave the palace at will; they needed the Emperor's imperial decree. Moreover, the Regent's encirclement of the imperial city had not been long ago. At this time, which concubine would dare to leave the palace? If not an empress from the inner palace, then this lady...
The shop assistant recalled the rumors that had been circulating widely these days.
The Regent was enraged for his Princess Consort!
This lady, could she be the Princess Consort from the rumors!
The shop assistant's legs felt weak, and he almost fell to the ground. He took a deep breath before stabilizing his flustered thoughts and respectfully inquired, "May I ask who Your Ladyship is?"
"My Lady is naturally the Regent's Princess Consort!" Lu Wan said, tilting her chin slightly with pride.
The shop assistant immediately knelt on the ground. "This humble one pays respects to Her Ladyship, the Princess Consort!"
Nan Shiying raised her hand and said with a dismissive tone, "Please proceed!"
"Thank you, Your Ladyship!"
The shop assistant's voice was loud enough for everyone in the shop to hear clearly. Instantly, all eyes turned towards Nan Shiying, and a continuous murmur of discussion arose. Nan Shiying frowned slightly, a hint of impatience in her eyes.
Lu Wan stepped forward and glared at everyone. "How dare you not kneel and pay respects to Her Ladyship, the Princess Consort? Are you disrespecting my Regent's Estate!"
This grave accusation stunned everyone, making them dizzy. What kind of crime was it to disrespect the Regent's Estate? It was a crime punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the family. How could they dare to argue? They all knelt and paid their respects.
"Rise!"
Nan Shiying waved her sleeve listlessly and turned to ask the shop assistant, "Is there a quieter place?"
"Yes, yes!"
Jinxiang had private rooms, prepared for such distinguished guests. The shop assistant led them to the largest and quietest private room on the second floor, then said, "Your Ladyship, this humble one will prepare some tea and refreshments for you."
Nan Shiying nodded.
The shop assistant retreated a few steps, all the way to the door, before turning to leave.
Lu Wan leaned close to Nan Shiying's ear and asked, "Your Ladyship, it's almost afternoon!" She had glanced around but found nothing of note.
Nan Shiying hummed, tapping her fingers on the table.
Soon, the shop assistant came up with tea and refreshments, followed by a man with a protruding belly.
"This humble one, Jin Quan, pays respects to Her Ladyship!"
"Rise!"
Jin Quan stood up, then clapped his hands. A group of maids carrying trays walked in. Jin Quan lifted the velvet red cloth from the trays, revealing the jewelry beneath. "Your Ladyship, these are all new styles for this year. Look at this hairpin and circlet, crafted from pure gold and adorned with rubies. The phoenix on top has lifelike feathers, with eyes and tail embellished with rubies."
"This one is made with pearls and gold..."
Jin Quan introduced several pieces. Nan Shiying picked up her tea and took a sip. The tea tasted sour and bitter, even unpleasant. She casually placed the teacup on the table, and the collision with the table produced a crisp "ding~" sound that jolted Jin Quan to his core, causing his voice to falter and stop.
Nan Shiying then picked up a pastry and put it in her mouth. Her brow furrowed again after tasting it. She then threw the pastry back onto the dish with a thud, picked up a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, and said to Lu Wan in a flat tone, "Take it away!"
Lu Wan couldn't help but glare at Jin Quan and then said to the shop assistant, "Didn't you hear? Hurry and take it away!"
The shop assistant dared not delay and quickly removed the items.
Jin Quan stood frozen, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. Even though the Princess Consort had not erupted in fury, the suppressed pressure emanating from her was enough to make his heart tremble and fill him with dread.
"Lu Wan, go to Guishan Zhai and buy some pastries!" Nan Shiying said.
"Your Ladyship!" Lu Wan hesitated slightly.
Nan Shiying slowly raised her head, her cool eyes falling upon Lu Wan. Lu Wan trembled and dared not hesitate any further.
After sending Lu Wan away, Nan Shiying said to Jin Quan, "Leave the items, and you may all go now!"
Jin Quan opened his mouth, wanting to say that it was against the rules, but upon seeing Nan Shiying's slightly darkened expression, he dared not say anything more. He placed the trays on the table and retreated with everyone else.
The private room fell silent, leaving Nan Shiying alone.
At that moment, the window of the private room was suddenly pushed open, and a sharp figure rushed in, swinging a sword directly at her chest without any preamble. In that split second, Xuan Yi, who had been hidden in the shadows, suddenly appeared and deflected the attacker's long sword with his own.
After a few exchanges, the attacker was defeated and turned to flee.
Xuan Yi followed closely in pursuit.
Seeing Xuan Yi's figure disappear from sight, Nan Shiying's expression of fear vanished. She got up and closed the window.
"Knock, knock~"
A knock came from outside the door.
"Enter!"
Nan Shiying closed the window and sat back down.
The door was pushed open from the outside, and Nan Chaoyin walked in.
He closed the door and walked to Nan Shiying's side. Nan Shiying stood up and knelt at his feet. "This subordinate, Qing Yuan, pays respects to Master!"
"Rise!"
Nan Chaoyin's voice drifted down from above. Nan Shiying stood up, her hands hanging down, and stood respectfully before him.
"Tell me, what exactly happened that day!"