Let's Squander A Billion First!-Chapter 511 - Difficult to be a Hostage (6)
Chapter 511: Chapter 511 Difficult to be a Hostage (6)
Chuzheng spent a fortune buying a batch of calligraphy and paintings, and word of this quickly made its way to the ears of various people.
The Emperor of Jin couldn’t fathom what Chuzheng was up to.
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“Where did he get the money?”
“Subordinate… does not know.” The general hypothesized, “Perhaps it was brought from Wei Country; when he arrived, he carried quite a few possessions…”
After all, he was the Prince of Wei Country.
Even if Wei Country’s Emperor did not hold him in high regard, what about his mother and concubine?
She must have some savings, right?
The Emperor of Jin frowned, “What’s he buying calligraphy and paintings for?”
The general shook his head, “I don’t know; his purchases were haphazard. He bought everything from famous artists’ works to nameless calligraphy and paintings.”
“Could Wei Country be using this as a way to send him messages?” the Emperor of Jin pondered.
“…” It was truly hard to say.
“Go and investigate.”
“Yes.”
–
Princess’s palace.
Princess Yun Lan, dressing herself in front of a mirror, heard the palace attendant’s news and a trace of mockery appeared on her face.
“What does he know about calligraphy and paintings?”
She remembered when he had first arrived in Jin Country; at a court banquet, he had been challenged to paint.
The people of Wei Country did not esteem such cultured and refined pursuits; thus, the result was, of course, embarrassing.
“What’s he buying calligraphy and paintings for?”
The palace attendant immediately fawned, “This servant heard that a couple of days ago, while the Prince of Wei Country was out, he encountered the Prime Minister’s daughter, and they spoke for a while.”
The Prime Minister’s daughter is skilled at painting and calligraphy.
She’s been praised on the spot by the Emperor of Jin.
None of the noble daughters compare to her.
“Princess, do you think the Prince of Wei Country is trying to curry favor with the Prime Minister’s daughter?”
The palace attendant ventured carefully.
Princess Yun Lan sneered, “That one from the Prime Minister’s Mansion isn’t foolish, would she take a fancy to a hostage?”
“Princess, sometimes men’s sweet talk is unpredictable…”
Princess Yun Lan slapped her comb onto the table with a ‘snap,’ “Go and investigate; I want to see what he’s up to.”
–
Lazily reclining in a chair, the man swayed slightly, the chair creaking softly under his weight.
In front of him was a pond.
The lotuses in the pond were in full bloom.
Brightly colored Jin Li idly swirled near the pond’s edge, while the man held fish food in his hand, occasionally tossing it into the pond.
This incited the Jin Li to compete for the food, causing ripples and splashes.
“Calligraphy and paintings…” the man murmured, “What’s he buying all these things for?”
“Your Highness, I’ve asked those shops; his purchases were quite disorderly, but there is one commonality.”
“Oh?” The man’s eyebrows lifted with interest, “What commonality?”
Chen Fei, “Expensive.”
Each painting was worth a small fortune.
The man picked more fish food from the dish and tossed it in, the ripples had just begun when the fish converged eagerly, snapping it all up.
His voice rose above the sound of the water, “The Wei Country’s hostage is this wealthy?”
Chen Fei said, “Judging by the living conditions of the Wei Country’s hostage from before, he’s been quite poor.”
The man looked at the unsettled water and remained silent.
“Why has Your Highness suddenly taken an interest in Wei Country’s hostage?”
With a light chuckle, the man replied, “He’s quite interesting, isn’t he?”
“…”
The man stood up, stretching lazily, and as he walked, he commented, “Hey, that patch of lotuses is really an eyesore. Get rid of it.”
Chen Fei, “…”
Who was it that said the pond needed lotuses the other day?
Who was it?
Who was it?!
And now they’re to be uprooted just after being planted?!
Chen Fei composed himself for a moment, followed the man, and ordered the servant who had come over, “Uproot the lotuses.”
The servant, “…” Weren’t they just planted?
–
Chuzheng was completely unaware of the speculations about him from those outside, from ‘very likely a method of secret communication with Wei Country’ to ‘attempting to charm the Prime Minister’s daughter with flights of fancy.’
Chuzheng just wanted to go bankrupt.
Bastard insisted on buying paintings and calligraphy.
What could I do?
“Master, someone just came to deliver a message. There will be a lantern festival in three days, and you are invited to attend,” said the Palace Attendant.
Chuzheng brushed aside the stack of paintings and calligraphy on the table, “Go to see the lanterns?”
What’s so good about lanterns?
Which damn fool is trying to mess with me again!
“Ahem, ahem, ahem…” Xiao Shanzi explained, “The lantern festival is a custom in our Jin Country.”
Chuzheng’s mind also conjured up information about the lantern festival.
It’s held every year.
Chuzheng mused over the underlying meaning—a grand matchmaking event.
It would be celebrated by the common people and also held in the palace.
This was probably the difference between a regular matchmaking event and a high-end dating salon.
All things reviving, it’s the season suitable for mating… but it’s not even spring.
“I’m not from Jin Country. I’m not going,” Chuzheng declared.
Xiao Shanzi hesitantly said, “The palace sent someone to invite you. Not going would be defying the order…”
–
In the Imperial Palace, the lantern festival was celebrated with great pomp. Standing in front of her dilapidated palace, Chuzheng could see it.
Because the entire Imperial Palace was festooned with lanterns.
This wasn’t modern times where you could just press a button and ‘click’ everything lights up.
So as night fell, palace maids and eunuchs would start lighting the lanterns, from before it got dark until it was completely dark.
Such a laborious and costly activity, I wonder who thought of it.
Of course, Chuzheng couldn’t deny that after all the palace’s lanterns were lit, it was quite beautiful.
The day of the lantern festival.
Xiao Shanzi led Chuzheng there. At this time, it wasn’t dark yet, and the evening glow on the horizon was just right.
“How much further?” Chuzheng grew impatient after the winding and lengthy walk.
“Ouch, master, we’re almost there.”
“No sedan chair?”
“Master… you…” Xiao Shanzi was truly conflicted.
Your status doesn’t allow for a sedan chair to be arranged.
Come on, can you please recognize your own status?
“Master, please bear with it,” Xiao Shanzi didn’t dare to speak those words but could only offer soothing words.
Fortunately, they were nearly there, and Xiao Shanzi sighed with relief in his heart.
The lantern festival was held in an open-air venue, and Chuzheng followed Xiao Shanzi inside.
The Imperial Palace of Jin Country was built in a step-like fashion, with each level higher than the last.
Lanterns of various designs adorned the scene, colorful and dazzling, so dazzling that they mesmerized onlookers.
At this moment, they were at the highest point of the Imperial Palace, looking down to see the Imperial Palace and Imperial City ablaze with lights, like the stars in a galaxy.
What is often referred to as “a myriad of household lights” must be this scene.
Chuzheng had no interest in the scenery and, after sitting down, became absent-mindedly engrossed in studying the grain of the table.
“Prince of Wei Country.”
The light in front of her dimmed.
Chuzheng raised her eyes to see.
A somewhat familiar young nobleman stood before her.
“Prince of Wei Country, why are you staring at me like that? Don’t recognize me?” the young nobleman’s face was handsome, and he wore a smile that seemed to hide a knife.
Chuzheng casually replied, “Don’t recognize.”
“…”
The young nobleman perhaps hadn’t expected Chuzheng to respond like that.
After his complexion shifted for a moment, he still said with a smile, “Then the Prince of Wei Country must have a short memory for important people.”
The sarcasm in his words was clear to anyone.
Chuzheng, however, nodded emphatically, “Mhm.”
Young nobleman: “…”
Has the hostage from Wei Country gone mad?
To dare speak to one’s self in such a manner?!
“Young Marquis Cui.”
A woman, dressed to the nines, approached with graceful steps and bowed slightly towards the young nobleman.
While her etiquette was spot-on, the way she had just called ‘Young Marquis Cui’ was far from friendly.
