Chapter 291: Chapter 292: Sorry, My Hand Slipped

Liu Ze currently held a position in the Central Secretariat and was a favorite of the Emperor.

Many people whispered amongst themselves, speculating that Liu Ze would likely become the next Prime Minister.

The dog that had injured Manman was a gift from Liu Ze to Consort Liu.

The moment Li Ji stepped into Ruyi Building, he immediately caught the attention of an attendant.

The attendant didn’t know his identity, but from his attire and bearing, he was clearly no ordinary person.

Thus, the attendant acted with exceptional courtesy and attentiveness.

"What can I help you find today, esteemed guest? I can show you around."

Li Ji’s gaze swept casually across the room, landing on a vase displayed on a curio shelf.

"Bring that one over for this Prince to see."

The attendant had been about to say that items in Ruyi Building couldn’t be touched casually—they were antiques, after all. Who would be responsible if one were accidentally bumped or chipped?

But upon hearing the customer refer to himself as "this Prince," the attendant forcibly swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

’This esteemed guest is actually a prince!’

The attendant said hurriedly, "Please wait a moment. I will go and get the shopkeeper for you."

With that, he signaled another attendant to assist Li Ji while he hurried to the back courtyard to inform the shopkeeper.

A moment later, a middle-aged shopkeeper walked briskly up to Li Ji.

This shopkeeper was a man of the world. He recognized the person before him at a glance and immediately made a deep bow.

"This humble one pays his respects to Prince Zhao. I was unaware of Your Highness’s visit and failed to give you a proper welcome. I beg for your forgiveness!"

After the formalities, he politely invited Prince Zhao to rest in the tea room upstairs.

However, Li Ji refused to move.

"This Prince finds it quite nice here. The lighting is good, the air is fresh. There’s no need to move upstairs."

Since Prince Zhao had spoken, the shopkeeper naturally dared not say another word.

The shopkeeper ordered someone to prepare tea and refreshments while instructing another to take down the vase from the curio shelf.

The shopkeeper carefully placed the vase by Prince Zhao’s hand, a fawning smile on his face.

"Your Highness has excellent taste. This is a piece of blue-and-white porcelain that I went to great lengths to acquire. Just look at the craftsmanship, and the pattern—it’s a masterpiece! If the Prince desires it, we at Ruyi Building can offer you a twenty percent discount."

Li Ji casually picked up the vase to examine it. "Is this the only one?" he asked.

The shopkeeper quickly replied, "The vases come as a pair. The other one is in the storeroom."

Li Ji said, "Bring the other one out as well."

The shopkeeper meekly complied, immediately ordering someone to open the storeroom and bring the other identical vase before Prince Zhao.

Placed side-by-side, the two vases were indeed identical.

Li Ji said slowly, "This Prince despises using the same things as other people."

As he finished speaking, he picked up one of the vases and smashed it on the floor.

The exquisite vase instantly shattered into smithereens.

Everyone in Ruyi Building was stunned into silence by the scene.

After a moment of stupor, the shopkeeper leaped to his feet in agitation.

"Prince, how could you do such a thing?!"

Without a glance at the porcelain shards on the floor, Li Ji said, "What are you so worked up about? It’s not as if this Prince won’t pay. Calculate the cost for both vases. I’ll pay you for everything at once later."

The shopkeeper’s heart was bleeding.

Although Prince Zhao said he would pay, his status was undeniable. The shopkeeper certainly couldn’t quote a price that was too high.

In effect, it was as if he had lost a fine blue-and-white porcelain vase for nothing.

The shopkeeper forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace.

"It’s not a matter of money. This vase was a rare treasure. For you to just smash it... what a terrible waste!"

Li Ji was unconcerned. "No matter how rare the treasure, it is but a pile of inanimate objects."

His gaze swept over to a small white jade screen with a peony design, displayed on the counter.

"Bring that small screen over for this Prince to see."

The shopkeeper pleaded desperately, "There is only one of those screens. If you smash it, another one can’t be found in this world."

Li Ji said with a smile, "Don’t worry, I won’t smash it."

Hearing this, the shopkeeper couldn’t protest any further.

He personally picked up the small white jade screen and placed it cautiously before Prince Zhao.

Noticing Prince Zhao examining the small screen, the shopkeeper immediately launched into an eloquent speech, detailing its origin, features, and value.

Li Ji extended his hand. "Let this Prince play with it."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment but still handed the small screen over.

The moment Prince Zhao took the screen and the shopkeeper let go, he watched as the white jade screen plummeted to the floor, shattering into countless pieces with a sharp CRACK.

The shopkeeper: !!!

Li Ji waved his hand dismissively. "My apologies," he said with a feigned air of helplessness. "My hand slipped."

The shopkeeper burst into tears. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

He had spent a fortune and called in several favors to obtain that rare white jade screen. It was the only one of its kind in the entire Great Zhou, and now it was smashed to pieces!

Li Ji offered a half-hearted attempt at consolation.

"Don’t be upset. This Prince will compensate you for its full value."

’The shopkeeper was filled with anger and resentment. What good is money? A treasure this rare couldn’t be bought even if one had the fortune!’

However, he was facing Prince Zhao, who was known to kill without batting an eye.

The shopkeeper couldn’t afford to offend him, so he choked back his tears and said, "It’s nothing. The Prince did not do it intentionally. You are not to blame."

Li Ji then expressed his desire to look at other items.

Fearing he would smash something else, the shopkeeper’s heart leaped into his throat. He said hurriedly,

"What items does the Prince desire? How about I have them delivered directly to your residence?"

But Li Ji said, "No need. This Prince just wants to look around the shop. By the way, this Prince has heard that your shop recently acquired a premium Zisha clay tea set. Bring it out for me to see."

The shopkeeper’s face went pale.

That tea set had already been claimed by the owner, which was why it wasn’t on display.

He had planned to personally deliver the tea set to the owner after closing up for the day.

The shopkeeper was so nervous that his back broke out in a sweat.

"Prince, that tea set already belongs to someone. It is not for sale. I hope the Prince will forgive me."

But Li Ji was insistent. "This Prince merely wants to have a look; I never said I had to buy it. Am I not even allowed to look? Does this Prince not even command that much respect?"

How was the shopkeeper supposed to respond to that?

’He now only regretted opening for business today. Why did he have to let an Evil God like Prince Zhao through his doors?’

Under Prince Zhao’s dangerous stare, the shopkeeper was forced to concede.

Soon, the Zisha clay tea set was placed before Prince Zhao.

The shopkeeper’s attention was completely fixed, his eyes glued to Prince Zhao’s hands. The moment the Prince showed the slightest inclination of dropping the tea set, he would lunge to catch it.

’He would absolutely not give him another chance to smash it!’

Li Ji picked up a teacup and examined it. "It is indeed high-quality Zisha clay. No wonder you treasure it so, reluctant to even let anyone see it."

The shopkeeper had figured it out. Prince Zhao was deliberately picking the most expensive items to destroy.

So, he deliberately put on a nonchalant air and said with a smile,

"Actually, this tea set isn’t worth much. The rumors you’ve heard are greatly exaggerated."

Li Ji raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so? Well, if it’s not worth much, then there’s no use in keeping it. Might as well smash it just to hear the sound."

With that, he made a move to throw the teacup to the floor.