A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1178 - 1078: Bizarre Prices

Following their morning meal.

Zhao Junyao, accompanied by his retinue, rode out from the city. He met with several officials from the Ministry of Works, and together they proceeded towards the Wei River bank, situated not far from Jinling City.

Even before their departure from the Capital City, Zhao Junyao had already dispatched craftsmen equipped with cement, under instructions from the Ministry of Works.

Given the planned schedule, the personnel from the Ministry of Works ought to have arrived some time ago.

Indeed, if their progress was swift, the reinforcement work on the Wei River bank might already be more than halfway completed.

As the Emperor.

Confronted with a millennium-old issue on the verge of resolution, he naturally desired to personally inspect the progress and witness the developments firsthand.

After his departure.

Xia Ruqing remained alone at the inn.

To ensure her security, Zhao Junyao had stationed the majority of the Hidden Guards to remain with her.

Having bid farewell to Zhao Junyao.

Xia Ruqing, finding herself with no immediate tasks, took a leisurely stroll around the inn and admired the Phoenix Tree Forest.

As midday approached, the sun intensified, elevating the temperature and permeating the entire courtyard with humidity and heat.

Xia Ruqing found herself too lethargic to venture outside.

She simply dispatched someone to procure some snacks and ordered a few cooling home-style dishes for her lunch.

Post-lunch, she drifted off to sleep.

She awoke directly in the evening.

The twilight cast a golden hue across the vista outside the window, imbuing each structure and arboreal form with intricate detail.

The warm, orange-yellow light filtered through the window lattice, bestowing a fresh coat of paint upon the simply furnished interior.

The originally unadorned room unexpectedly exuded the charm of an aged oil painting, possessing an indescribable beauty.

Freshly awakened, Xia Ruqing resembled a languid feline.

She stretched lazily on the bed, emitted a yawn, and gazed into the distance for a spell before gradually regaining her full senses and rising.

"Did the master send any word? When might he be returning?" Xia Ruqing inquired.

Her concern was less about his current location and more about her own hunger and the anticipation of dinner.

"This servant does not know!" Zi Su replied, shaking her head.

"However, before Steward Li departed, he mentioned that if the master had not returned by the You Hour, the mistress should proceed with dinner independently!"

Xia Ruqing offered a nod in acknowledgment.

After attending to her ablutions and grooming, she stood and ambled about the chamber, gazing outwards with a hint of yearning.

"It is still early; let us venture out for a walk!"

Zi Su’s eyes brightened.

"Where does the mistress wish to go? I shall summon someone to prepare the carriage!"

Xia Ruqing quickly intervened.

"There is no need; let us simply perambulate in the vicinity!"

"Very well!" Zi Su agreed, turning to retrieve a gauze hat for her mistress.

Once prepared, the mistress and her servant exited the room.

Given that darkness had not yet fallen and the town possessed a robust security system.

The streets outside remained bustling with activity.

Along the main thoroughfare, throngs of people moved about; the pair each acquired a skewer of candied haws, consuming them as they ambled at a relaxed pace.

Flanking the street were establishments such as jewelry emporiums, perfumeries, silk merchants, and ready-made clothing stores, among a diverse array of other businesses.

Xia Ruqing browsed discerningly before entering a jewelry shop named Zhenbao Pavilion.

The establishment was not expansive, and the number of patrons was limited; however, its signboard possessed a distinct and captivating allure.

Upon stepping inside.

She observed several young women and ladies engaged in the selection of ornaments, attended by female shop assistants.

After surveying her surroundings, she found the interior’s decor to be refreshingly elegant, with a subtle fragrance permeating the atmosphere.

Xia Ruqing nodded with approval.

Excellent!

Despite its modest size, the shop offered a warm and refined ambiance.

Each piece of jewelry was meticulously arranged within dainty boxes, displayed on shelves with their lids open, inviting customers to examine and make their selections.

The proprietor and the female attendants spoke in soft, melodious tones, their voices exceedingly pleasant, akin to the gentle caress of a spring breeze.

Xia Ruqing moved along the counter display, traversing from one end to the other.

Once more, she expressed her admiration.

"Truly exquisite!"

A shop girl, seizing a moment of respite, approached to assist her, her voice gentle as she spoke.

"Pray, inform me of your desires, Madam, and I assure you that you shall discover an item to your complete satisfaction!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled upon hearing this assurance.

"I wish to peruse the collection once more, to ascertain if anything captures my fancy!"

The shop girl offered another smile.

"Please, take your time, Madam!"

With that, she retreated to attend to other patrons, refraining from hovering over Xia Ruqing, a stark contrast to some 21st-century sales assistants who tend to shadow customers. Instead, she afforded her complete autonomy.

Xia Ruqing nodded, her satisfaction deepening.

While appreciating the shop’s fresh, elegant aesthetic, she began to select jewelry that appealed to her.

As the adage goes, no woman can truly resist the siren call of adornments.

She examined piece after piece, enthralled, and found herself unable to identify a single item she disliked; everything was beautiful, prompting a desire to acquire it all!

These pieces were not exorbitantly priced, their distinction lying in their singular uniqueness.

Each creation stood unique, innovative, and ingenious, a stark contrast to the rigid, rule-bound palace jewelry where extravagance was paramount.

Zi Su was palpably thrilled.

"Mistress, I desire to procure two pieces to present, ensuring Zi Yue and the others are utterly consumed by envy."

Xia Ruqing let out a soft chuckle.

"You heartless girl, Zi Yue regards you as a cherished sister, and you intend to deny her even a couple of pieces?"

Zi Su offered an awkward smile.

"Mistress, you misunderstand; the adornments here command a rather steep price. I fear I can only manage one piece for her!"

Xia Ruqing found this simultaneously amusing and vexing.

"How exceedingly costly could they possibly be?"

"Is the silver I customarily bestow upon you insufficient?"

Her usual gratuity was Five Taels, and over the years, each maid would undoubtedly have accumulated over a hundred Taels. Surely, they could afford these mere trinkets.

"Mistress, your generosity is indeed boundless, but we too must manage our affairs! We cannot expend all our silver on such items!"

"I simply cannot measure up to you, Mistress!"

Xia Ruqing patted her forehead with a helpless sigh.

"Look at you, feigning distress as if I have been neglectful of your needs!"

Zi Su playfully stuck out her tongue.

"No, no, you are unequivocally the finest Mistress in the entire world!"

"What a darling!"

Xia Ruqing simply chuckled in response and continued her selection elsewhere.

After approximately half a Shi Chen, Xia Ruqing had amassed over a dozen exquisite pieces from the collection.

A Crape Myrtle and Plum Flower Hairpin, a Twin Fish and Butterfly Hairpin, a Beaded Flower Step Shake, Jade Fish Earrings, a Cherry Blossom Agate Bracelet, and many more – she eagerly acquired every piece that caught her fancy.

Zi Su, in contrast, selected only two identical Crape Myrtle Hairpins.

Xia Ruqing playfully prodded her.

"If these please you, select two more; consider them a personal gift from me to you!"

Internally, however, she pondered:

Why has Zi Su, usually so magnanimous, suddenly adopted such frugality upon arriving in Jiangnan?!

The materials incorporated into these accessories are hardly expensive, their allure stemming solely from their novelty; why then did she opt for a mere two? Most peculiar!

Zi Su appeared slightly flustered.

"Mistress... You... you’ve selected quite a substantial quantity. This humble servant...

"I fear... I may not have brought sufficient silver!"

"Ah?"

Xia Ruqing was taken aback.

"You ventured out without bringing silver?"

Typically, the master would not carry currency. The servants would either settle the payment or the funds would be dispatched to the residence for collection from the accounts office.

As Xia Ruqing had only brought Zi Su along, it was naturally Zi Su's responsibility to handle the transactions. And yet, she claimed to have no silver!

"No, not that I didn't bring it, perhaps... not enough!" Zi Su confessed, a touch of embarrassment coloring her tone.