Chapter 659   - Betrothal Gifts

Compared to the white jade, light green jade, and even the mutton-fat jade that they had seen a lot of, the young maidens much preferred this type of jade that had gorgeous and dazzling colors. A couple of them were about to get married and were especially enthused about this new type of jade. If they could wear a set of bright red jade hair decorations on their wedding day, then they would definitely be the talk of the capital!

With Princess Consort Jing and Yu Xiaocao both making an all-out effort to personally advertise this new type of jade, it very quickly became popular within the noble and high borns in the capital. Within moments, Wisdom Jade Pavillion’s jadeite goods were all sold out. Shop Manager Zhang was not only keeping an eye out on the artisans who were working overtime to carve and make the jewelry but he was also paying attention to the workers in charge of transporting more material. He was so busy that he was on his feet constantly yet he still had a body full of energy!

Since the jadeite was selling so well, Manager Zhang made the executive decision to open all of the raw ores so that they could use and sell all of the jadeite within. As for his future mistress’s idea of using these ores as a gambling product, he had also smelled the whiff of a golden opportunity. There were quite a few wealthy rascals in the capital who were itching to ‘gamble’. The blazing popularity of the horse racing track and amusement arena in the capital was just a peek of what was possible.

However, ‘gambling on stones’ was definitely an unfamiliar concept to the people of the capital. The fact that one could possibly pick a raw ore, open it to reveal beautiful jade and jadeite, and become rich overnight was an incredibly enticing lure to many of the gamblers in the city.

Manager Zhang clearly was a capable person. Although he didn’t plan on using the first batch of raw ores in this gambling business, he still invited a group of customers who were fascinated by the new stone to participate in a public ore opening. As the unassuming rocks were opened one after another in front of the audience, revealing gorgeous and dazzling veins of jadeite, the people found themselves astounded. This was the first time they had ever seen something as mystical as this!

Manager Zhang also picked a few lucky people from the audience and gave them the opportunity to pick out a jadeite raw ore to be opened in front of everyone. Naturally, all of these rocks had all been previously inspected by the jadeite grand expert and the shop’s future mistress. Although there were a few stones within the batch that didn’t have anything interesting inside, more than half of the specimens contained jadeite. However, the quality of the jadeite within could not be guaranteed and was dependent on luck.

When the stones were opened in front of everyone, revealing the sparkling and pure jadeite within, the lucky customers who had been selected to choose a raw ore couldn’t help but reveal proud expressions. As for those who selected duds, they couldn’t accept their loss and begged to choose another one...everyone was leaping to participate, which pushed the popularity and legend of these jadeite stones into a whole other level.

Naturally, these opened ores of jadeite were still the property of Wisdom Jade Pavilion. There were some people who were reluctant to lose the jadeite that had been opened in front of their eyes and immediately paid a high price to buy it right then and there. Then, they asked the artisans at Wisdom Jade Pavilion to help them process the raw jadeite. There were even some who directly took the raw jadeite back home to keep as a souvenir of this amazing day. Everyone who had been invited to participate in this jadeite ore extravaganza were naturally old customers of Wisdom Jade Pavilion. Thus, who among them would care about the money required to buy some pieces of jadeite?

Under the hard work of Shopkeeper Zhang, jadeite jewelry became extremely popular within the capital’s high society. The noble matrons would often deliberately wear a new dazzling set of jadeite jewelry at the various parties they gathered at to show themselves off. As for the other ladies and maidens, even if they were a bit hard pressed for money, they would end up gritting their teeth to buy a set of jadeite hair ornaments or a jadeite bracelet. Otherwise, how could they show their faces at the next banquet?

It wasn’t just the noble matrons and maidens who were competing amongst themselves. Even the imperial court’s old officials began showing off. Whoever had a jadeite belt decoration hanging off his waist would also be subject to the envious stares of his colleagues. Other people couldn’t compare to Imperial Prince Jing. He would have a new jadeite belt accessory switched out every few days and each one, whether it was in terms of its color or crystal clarity, was a piece that was incredibly valuable and precious to the discerning person’s eyes.

Some of these accessories had been picked out for him with the help of Princess Consort Jing, while others had been given to him by his son. However, the vast majority had been given to him by his future daughter-in-law to show her filial respects to him. He was the only one with a future daughter-in-law with an extremely discerning eye. Every single jadeite ore she picked produced a top-notch quality stone. Furthermore, the ones she opened were always used to make ornaments to be sent to him and his wife.

After receiving countless ambiguous looks from his colleagues, Imperial Prince Jing felt incredibly refreshed from head to toe! He truly felt like he had a rich and imposing aura now as he could use a set of jadeite accessories and then toss it aside to use another. It was the feeling of a rich tyrant ah! Oh what was that? People were envious of him? Well, they just weren’t lucky enough to father a good son who had found a good daughter-in-law for him.

Once jadeite jewelry and accessories came into vogue, Wisdom Jade Pavilion was flooded with money every day. Its business wasn’t in any sense inferior to the Yu’s Medicinal Cuisine House or Blossoming Beauty. Using the analogy of the goose that laid the golden eggs to describe Wisdom Jade Pavilion wasn’t an exaggeration at all.

However, ‘Wisdom Jade Pavilion’, the goose that laid the golden eggs, had actually been offered up as a betrothal gift. Manager Zhang had ended up hearing the news through some unofficial channels and pursed his lips at the thought. It looked like he was about to change masters very soon. Although the Yu Family would definitely not try to take advantage of Imperial Prince Xu and would send Wisdom Jade Pavilion back as dowry, it still meant the owner would ultimately change!

However, in Manager Zhang’s eyes, his future mistress was famous within the capital for having good business sense, so she would obviously be much more reliable than Imperial Prince Xu, who was a boss who left everything to his stewards to handle! After all, wasn’t the reason why jadeite was selling so well related to the fact that his future mistress had casually given him an idea on how to advertise properly? He had a feeling that as long as he followed his future mistress’s orders, he wouldn’t regret it!

Other than Wisdom Jade Pavilion, Zhu Junyang also added all of the fruits and vegetables stores under his name to the list of betrothal gifts. Within the capital, there were around a dozen or so of these shops in the capital and all of them were supplied with fruits and vegetables grown in the plantations and orchards in the suburbs. With the super cheat item, the little divine stone, on hand, not even the vegetables and fruits produced in season by the imperial farms could compare to the tastes of these specially raised plants.

After eating these specially grown vegetables and fruits, how could the picky nobles and officials possibly be able to stomach eating ordinary fruits and vegetables anymore? Naturally, it was obvious that these fruit and vegetable stores ran a brisk business. Even though their products were much more expensive than the normal stores, they didn’t have to worry about their fruits and vegetables sitting out to rot. Furthermore, the out of season vegetables and fruits they sold were naturally extremely popular too!

Out of all of the stores under Zhu Junyang’s name, these fruit and vegetable stores were among the most profitable. Now, they were all on the betrothal gift list. In Zhu Junyang’s eyes, the reason why the profits of these stores were so high were related to his little lass. As a man, not being able to give his wife money and also taking advantage of her talents was really too shameful.

Thus, it made the most sense to give them all to his wife. The little lass used to always quip, ‘After marriage, what was his was hers and what was hers was still hers!’ If she was able to handle it, what was wrong with him handing all of his businesses over to her?

Nevertheless, with such a hardworking wife at his side, Zhu Junyang felt quite a bit of pressure. If he didn’t do his best, then he would end up becoming a husband who relied on his wife to eat and drink. The little lass would happily raise him but he would lose out on the pleasure of making money so his wife could spend it. Thus, would there be any meaning left in his life at that point?

Old General Zhao, General Zhao, and Fang Zizhen all had their heads lowered, inspecting the betrothal gift list that Zhu Junyang had given to them. Within the list, there were all sorts of gold, silver, jewels, gems, antiques and paintings written. It was enough to dazzle a person’s eyes. Then there were precious damasks and silk brocades that could only be found within the warehouses in the imperial palace. It was too much for their eyes to take in. Further down, the list contained properties, farmsteads, and stores galore. It was enough to make a person dizzy. That didn’t include the rare treasures listed. Any one of those would be more than enough to shock a person speechless.

Imperial Prince Xu’s wealth was truly too astounding! The three men looked at each other and they could all see the same type of surprise in their eyes. Imperial Prince Xu was truly too willing to give anything to that lass Xiaocao. They now regarded Imperial Prince Xu with an additional look of approval and admiration in their eyes. Oh right! The more lavish the betrothal gift was, the more it showed just how much the bridegroom’s side valued the bride’s side! Would Imperial Prince Xu truly end up sending all of his property and wealth to that lass Xiaocao as his betrothal gift?

This thought of theirs wasn’t out of the realms of possibility. Zhu Junyang had truly given almost half of his belongings as betrothal gifts. What was wrong with that? He was fine with it, so who could stop him?

“Uh...Your Highness, do you want to take this list back home and discuss it first with Imperial Prince Jing and Princess Consort Jing?” Old General Zhao also thought that this list was a bit too excessive and was afraid that Zhu Junyang had done it privately without consulting his parents. This would lead to Xiaocao’s future father-in-law and mother-in-law resenting her. After thinking about this for a bit, he opened his mouth to tactfully remind the prince.

Yu Xiaocao, who had gone outside to make some pastries for the afternoon tea, entered the room again. When she saw her godfather, Grandfather Zhao, and Uncle Zhao muttering over the betrothal gift list incessantly. She casually took the list from their hands and sat next to Zhu Junyang. She grinned and remarked, “What’s this about the betrothal list? Let me look...was this fellow too stingy and gave you guys a list you look down upon? It doesn’t matter. If we’re not satisfied with this list, then we can push back our wedding date a bit farther ah!”

Auntie Zhao glared at her and stated in a scolding tone, “How could you possibly change a wedding date that has already been set? You little lass. Everything else about you is good but you’re just too pure and don’t think before you speak. Fortunately, Imperial Prince Xu understands your personality and won’t blame you for it...”

Zhu Junyang knew that Lady Zhao’s words were meant for him so he immediately expressed his position, “The little lass’s personality matches this prince’s taste the most. This prince disdains those noble maidens who only speak in riddles and refuse to say what’s on their minds! Old General Zhao, please don’t worry! My lady mother has always stood at the little lass’s side and she personally wishes that I would send all of the estates and businesses under my name to the little lass. Sometimes I feel like I was a kid picked up from the side of the road and Xiaocao had been personally birthed by her!”

“Hee hee hee! This shows that I am loved by all. Birds of a feather flock together ah! You’re already so big but you still want to fight for favor with me? Isn’t that too embarrassing ah?” Yu Xiaocao bantered as she mirthfully met his eyes. Only then did she lower her head to inspect the betrothal gift list in front of her.

“This prince is ecstatically happy that my lady mother likes you, so how could I possibly fight for favor with you? Once you marry over, not only will my mother spoil you but I also plan on spoiling you until you are the happiest woman in the world. You absolutely will not regret your decision!” Zhu Junyang shamelessly said some sweet nothings in front of all of the elders. His honeyed words made Su Ran, who was drinking medicinal tea at the side, grimace in disgust.

Auntie Zhao’s face turned bright red and glanced at the little maiden next to her who was sniggering like a fool. She couldn’t help but silently sigh at the silly little girl’s stupidly good fortune. Her son had truly lost. With Zhao Han’s slow-witted nature, he would never be able to say such slick and corny words. Royal Prince Yang...Imperial Prince Xu looked cold on the outside but he was surprisingly adept at expressing his feelings.