“Brother Yan, you’re incredible. You could tell exactly what was inside that massive rough stone. Do you have X-ray vision or something?”
“That’s what I learned, nothing else!”
“Speaking of X-ray vision, how far does it go? Can it see through the skirt of that girl over there?”
At the stall, the owner’s subordinate served the best tea. Long Feicheng kept asking Yan Shouyi about his techniques.
However, Yan Shouyi was starting to regret his actions.
He had noticed quite a few pairs of eyes staring at him from the crowd, and some were even discreetly making phone calls.
His markings on the rough stone had been too precise. While he had managed to cut out a perfect piece of jade, its astonishing quality had drawn unwanted attention.
Being targeted by locals when you were out of town, even if Yan Shouyi and his companions weren’t ordinary people, was never a good thing.
It’s better to be robbed than to be constantly watched.
Yan Shouyi didn’t drink his tea. Instead, he asked Weng Qianxiang, “Old Weng, would it be troublesome for you to disguise us?”
Weng Qianxiang seemed to have sensed people observing them as well. He smiled and replied, “It only takes a few minutes for one person, and with prior preparation, a few seconds is enough.”
Although Weng Qianxiang lacked combat prowess, as a master of disguise, his camouflage abilities were extraordinary. He could remember any face he took a liking to with just a glance and easily recreate it on his own face.
Yan Shouyi had already made up his mind. Once the stall owner returned to settle the payment, he would find a secluded spot for Weng Qianxiang to disguise them, the first step being to shake off their tail.
They didn’t have to wait for the stall owner to return. Instead, the old man arrived with Huan Si.
Huan Si looked extremely reluctant, being dragged by the old man and pulled in front of Yan Shouyi.
The old man politely cupped his hands and said, “I was blind earlier and failed to recognize this exceptional Imperial Green jade. Even less did I realize that this young man possesses such extraordinary skill and eyesight. My apologies.”
Old Jin, having made a substantial profit, was no longer bothered by arguing with the young girl, Huan Si. The garrulous Long Feicheng replied,
“Judging by your accents, you’re from Yanjing, aren’t you? I’ve heard Yanjing has many idle rich and that they’re all incredibly arrogant. I’m learning a lot today!”
Yanjing, after all, was the capital of the nation, and pride was understandable. However, Long Feicheng wasn’t one to be easily impressed.
Knowing that Yan Shouyi and his group were still displeased, the old man took the initiative to introduce himself as a gesture of goodwill:
“My name is Zhu Ling, and this girl is my granddaughter, Zhu Huan Si. Huan Si, greet our friends.”
Huan Si mumbled a greeting sheepishly and unwillingly. Since she was young, everyone decided not to dwell on it.
However, Yan Shouyi, who had previously had little interest in them, his eyes suddenly flickered upon hearing the old man’s surname.
He asked, “Are you by any chance from the Zhu family of Fengyixuan in Yanjing?”
Upon hearing this, both Zhu Ling and Zhu Huan Si were stunned.
This person actually knew about Fengyixuan?
Zhu Ling’s tone immediately changed, becoming even more respectful. “May I ask who you are, young sir, to know of our Fengyixuan?”
“I’m not exactly a person of great wealth and status. I’ve merely worn a few clothes from Fengyixuan,” Yan Shouyi replied with a smile. “I just wore them for so many years that I discarded them not long ago.”
Hearing that Yan Shouyi had worn clothes from Fengyixuan, Zhu Ling was even more surprised.
The others listened, utterly confused. Long Feicheng scratched the back of his head and said,
“Brother Yan, why does the name Fengyixuan sound so familiar? Did you mention it before?”
Yan Shouyi casually replied, “Last year, when we went to Feifeng Mountain for the bride snatching, a tailor who made a suit for me recognized the clothes I was wearing. You asked what Fengyixuan was back then, and I said that if we had the chance, I’d get you some Fengyixuan clothes too.”
With that reminder, Long Feicheng remembered.
Fengyixuan was said to be a place that exclusively made clothes for the emperor. After the emperor was gone, it began to open its services to people of extraordinary status.
Never mind how well-fitting and excellent the clothes made by Fengyixuan were; the very name Fengyixuan was like a pass to the highest echelons of society.
Wearing clothes from Fengyixuan was, in itself, an acknowledgment of social standing.
Zhu Ling stated, “Our Fengyixuan was established by the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who bestowed our family with the imperial surname, sharing the same surname as the emperor. In the past century, we have made fewer than two hundred garments. Those who are able to wear clothing from Fengyixuan must have extraordinary backgrounds.”
Yan Shouyi nodded. He had just learned that the Zhu surname of the Zhu family from Fengyixuan was a gift from Zhu Yuanzhang himself centuries ago.
Even though there was no longer an emperor, those who had served by the emperor’s side still held immense wealth and influence.
The Ming Dynasty was five to six hundred years ago, yet Fengyixuan could still maintain its dominant position. This was the reason. Big Wind Novel.
It was just that ordinary people were unaware of it.
Zhu Huan Si sized up Yan Shouyi, frowning, and said, “Grandpa, isn’t he boasting? He doesn’t look like someone who could afford clothes from our Fengyixuan…”
As soon as she said this, Zhu Ling’s face darkened. He glared sternly at Zhu Huan Si.
“Huan Si, have you forgotten what Grandpa teaches you daily?!”
Zhu Huan Si was startled by her grandfather’s reaction, but being in her youthful prime, she was least adept at admitting fault and stubbornly retorted,
“I’ve met many guests our family has hosted, and some of them are even my friends. But they are all wealthy and influential. I’ve never seen someone like him, so ordinary, speaking so vulgarly.”
“Silence!”
Zhu Ling couldn’t hold back any longer and slapped Zhu Huan Si.
Zhu Huan Si, struck by the slap, covered her face and looked at Zhu Ling in disbelief.
Zhu Ling angrily said, “For over six hundred years, emperors have changed, and dynasties have been succeeded countless times. Why has our Fengyixuan endured? I’ve told you many times, Fengyixuan is just a tailor shop, someone who makes clothes for people. Don’t think that because you know a few high officials and nobles, you are on the same level as them. Where is your humility? Have you forgotten everything Grandpa taught you?!”
As he spoke, Zhu Ling was more serious than ever before, and Zhu Huan Si had never seen her grandfather like this.
Although her grandfather often lectured her, he had always doted on her. When had he ever scolded her, let alone laid a hand on her?
Zhu Huan Si could also see that her grandfather was truly angry this time.
But no matter how angry Grandpa was, he shouldn’t have resorted to physical discipline!
Feeling wronged, the stubborn Zhu Huan Si turned and ran off crying.
Seeing the father and daughter in such a dispute, the previously annoyed Long Feicheng and Old Jin were at a loss. They stepped forward together to persuade Zhu Ling to calm down.
Zhu Ling sighed, “This is a matter of our Fengyixuan’s foundation. I have to educate her strictly. I apologize to all of you for your amusement.”
“Won’t she get lost by herself?” Lin Zitong asked.
Zhu Ling shook his head. “Don’t worry, someone is following her.”
Yan Shouyi nodded slightly. Although Zhu Ling humbly placed himself in a low position, they were still colossal figures in the eyes of ordinary people. When Zhu Huan Si had run off earlier, Yan Shouyi had clearly felt someone following her, likely a master from the Zhu family.