Сhaptеr 26: Вijing Gоld Wоrkshоp 1
“Stop!” Zhu Yаn lеaned fоrward, wraррing hеr аrms аrоund the horsе’s neck, and shouted loudlу, “Dо yоu know whу thе Grеаt Pаviliоn Соmmаnder is аngry?”
Jing Lin, who had just lоst sight оf Shen Du in thе street and wаs growing incrеasingly аnхiоus, wаs stаrtlеd bу her words аnd rеpliеd, “Whу?”
“Вeсausе Shоpkeерer Li оffended him. Tо put it bluntly, that’s саllеd insubordinаtion. And sincе I аm, аfter аll, Shеn Du’s nоminаl wifе, I shоuld teсhniсallу be уour supеrior аs wеll.” Zhu Yаn said.
Jing Lin slоwеd his раce, thinking to himsеlf that Shopkeeрer Li truly had nеrve to dаre оffеnd the Grеat Pavilion Commander. Yet it was strange that Shen Du hadn’t ordered him thrown into prison.
He couldn’t help but ask, “So?”
“So right now, you’re also being insubordinate. From now on, whether in public or private, please treat me with more respect.”
Jing Lin looked up and saw Zhu Yan’s triumphant, beaming expression. Though he felt the urge to drag her off the horse, he could only suppress it and slow his pace, grumbling inwardly: Let’s see how long you can keep this up!
The goldsmiths at Bijing Gold Workshop had previously worked in the palace’s Jewelry Department, crafting accessories for the nobility. This workshop had thus gained great fame. Though it had only been open for ten years, it had already surpassed many century-old workshops and stood at the forefront among all the gold workshops in Chang’an.
From a distance, a three-story wooden building with carved beams and painted rafters stood prominently at the most conspicuous spot on the street. Its bracket sets and upturned eaves resembled wings ready to take flight in the wind, exuding grandeur and splendor. A gust of wind passed, causing the gold-edged banner to flutter loudly, inscribed with four large characters: Bijing Gold Workshop.
By the time Zhu Yan and Jing Lin entered, the attendants inside the gold workshop had already lined up in a neat row. Shen Du sat upright on a rosewood chair carved with cloud patterns, a freshly brewed bowl of Purple Bamboo Shoot tea beside him, swirling with faint wisps of steam.
“Great Pavilion Commander, please enjoy the tea first. Our manager will be here shortly.”
Shen Du lifted his eyelids slightly, glancing at Zhu Yan. “Any later, and the sun will have set.”
The sun outside was clearly still shining brightly—how could it be that exaggerated?
Zhu Yan knew he was in a foul mood and didn’t bother arguing with him in front of others. She found a chair for herself and sat down. “Husband, even if I flew here on wings, if the manager isn’t here, we can’t investigate the case. Please be patient.”
An attendant hurriedly served her a bowl of tea as well. The tea was fragrant and refreshing, mellow and delicious. Zhu Yan took a few sips, her gaze fixed on the two tea leaves settled at the bottom of the bowl.
She observed that the leaves were tender and plump, with purple tips and a glossy, emerald-green hue, and remarked, “Purple Bamboo Shoot tea is currently a tribute to the imperial court, with Yangxian Purple Bamboo Shoot being the finest of the finest. My father was once graciously granted a few ounces, and he couldn’t bear to drink it on ordinary days. I never expected your workshop to be so generous.”
The middle-aged man leading the attendants was taken aback and quickly smiled. “This is our owner’s treasured collection. It’s only because the Great Pavilion Commander and his wife have arrived—honored guests gracing our doors—that we dared to serve it.”
Zhu Yan smiled without saying more. Shortly after, a woman in purple robes walked in from outside.
The woman appeared to be in her thirties, with a slender neck and delicate features. Her hair was styled in a coiled spiral bun, adorned with two golden hairpins. She wore a deep purple round-collared short jacket with linked pearl patterns, paired with a light smoke-colored butterfly-patterned long skirt, and draped over her shoulders was a silver-colored silk shawl with rosy clouds.
As she walked, her steps were light and graceful, her waistline soft and elegant, carrying a kind of refined composure cultivated over the years.
The moment Zhu Yan saw her, she felt a sense of familiarity, though she couldn’t immediately recall who she was. She couldn’t help but glance at Shen Du.
“Our manager has arrived,” an attendant announced."Shopkeeper?" Shen Du's gaze also fell upon her, his long brows slightly raised with a hint of mockery. "If I'm not mistaken, isn't this Steward Yang from Princess Yong'an's side?"
Reminded by Shen Du, Zhu Yan recalled that she was indeed the trusted palace maid who had appeared by Princess Yong'an's side.
No wonder her demeanor was extraordinary—having long been immersed in the deep palace, she had naturally mastered etiquette and decorum to perfection.
A palace maid certainly couldn't run such a large gold workshop. It seemed the true owner behind the Bijiang Gold Workshop was Princess Yong'an.
Steward Yang smiled faintly and curtsied to Shen Du. "The Great Pavilion Commander has keen eyes, recognizing a lowly servant like me. I am truly flattered. May I ask what brings you to our humble shop today?"
Shen Du drew a thin piece of paper from his sleeve and got straight to the point. "Five years ago, a customer named Liu Fu ordered a batch of gold ornaments from your workshop. Do you have any recollection of this, Steward Yang?"
What he produced was the design given by Shopkeeper Li. Steward Yang took it and frowned at the yellowed edges of the paper, upon which were characters formed by golden butterflies. "Indeed, there was such a matter. Over the past five years, countless customers have come and gone from the workshop, but because this pattern was quite unique, I still remember it somewhat."
As Princess Yong'an's confidante and the manager of the Bijiang Gold Workshop, her rank and status were far above that of an ordinary palace maid. Yet, in front of Shen Du, she still referred to herself as a servant, causing the surrounding attendants to bow their heads even lower, fearful of offending the important figure before them.
Though Steward Yang's tone was humble, her gestures and movements carried an unflustered composure. She continued, "However, the workshop ultimately did not produce this batch of gold ornaments. Firstly, because the design was overly intricate and complex, making it difficult to craft. It required the customer to personally confirm the details with the craftsman."
"As for the second reason, this customer named Liu Fu had only an elderly mother above him, who made a living by forging paintings and calligraphy. He was not a wealthy man by any means."
"He had never visited the workshop before, yet upon his first visit, he wanted to order such expensive gold ornaments. Since they were custom-made, the patterns and designs held special meanings. If something happened and he changed his mind, the ornaments couldn't be sold to other customers. Even with a deposit, it wouldn't cover the losses. So, after careful consideration, I instructed my subordinates to delay this order. Sure enough, Liu Fu never appeared again."
"An elderly mother?"
Originally hoping to find some clues at the gold workshop, Zhu Yan was disappointed to learn that the Bijiang Gold Workshop had never produced Liu Fu's ornaments. Yet, from Steward Yang's words, she unexpectedly gained a new lead.
Seeing the daylight outside the window gradually dim, Zhu Yan said to Shen Du, "Great Pavilion Commander, why don't we take advantage of the remaining daylight and go to Fengle Ward to find Liu Fu's widowed mother?"
Steward Yang's gaze swept over Zhu Yan as she sighed softly. "After Liu Fu paid the deposit, he vanished without a trace. I once sent someone to Fengle Ward to look for him, only to learn that he had been missing for a long time. His mother, grieving the loss of her beloved son, soon passed away from sorrow."
"What?" Zhu Yan exclaimed in shock, her brows tightly furrowed.
Just when she thought she had discovered another clue, it was cut off so quickly.
Shen Du glanced up at Steward Yang, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
His gaze was too sharp, like a hook that could mercilessly penetrate one's heart. Under such an intimidating scrutiny, his smile carried a chillingly ironic undertone, making Steward Yang unable to meet his eyes. She felt a cold breeze sweep up her spine, sending shivers of chill straight upward."Steward Yang is truly dedicated to his duties, no wonder Princess Yong'an holds you in such high regard." Shen Du picked up the teacup beside him, gently swirling it, causing the purple bamboo shoot tea leaves inside to float and curl, releasing a rich aroma.
Steward Yang's fingers curled within his sleeve. "What does the Great Pavilion Commander mean by this?"
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