At the sound of the words "for a man," Song Nian behind the screen abruptly stood up.
His expression darkened in an instant, and his instinct was to rush over and demand an explanation.
Jiang Mingyue immediately grabbed his sleeve and gave a gentle shake of her head.
Song Nian took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the impulse surging in his chest, and sat back down.
Once he calmed down and thought it over, Song Luo ordinarily never associated with those young masters and idle rich sons from the prominent families outside.
Since she didn't know any other men, and he was also a man… Song Luo had made a special trip to Treasure Pavilion, the largest shop in the capital, today—she must be buying a jade pendant for him.
The more Song Nian thought about it, the more convinced he became. The furrow between his brows instantly smoothed out, and the corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably.
So all the heartfelt care he'd lavished on that little girl over the years hadn't been in vain.
Today, he would finally see the reward.
The shopkeeper immediately broke into a beaming smile. "Of course we do, Miss Song. I won't boast about anything else, but when it comes to fine jade pendants, across the entire capital, no one has a wider selection or better quality than Treasure Pavilion."
As he spoke, he shot a quick meaningful glance at the shop assistant waiting nearby.
The assistant understood at once and scurried off down the stairs in a flash.
Before long, he returned carrying three huanghuali rosewood trays lined with crimson gold-threaded velvet, bearing every novel and priceless jade pendant the shop had in stock, laid out in a row before Song Luo.
"Miss Song, please take a look—these are all the treasures of our establishment." The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together excitedly.
This morning, when he'd pushed open his window, the magpie in the courtyard had been chattering away on the branch without pause.
He'd known then that good fortune would come today.
And sure enough, bright and early, Treasure Pavilion had welcomed two distinguished guests, both from the same General's household.
Today he'd earn from the brother first, then the sister—it was practically the God of Wealth feeding him right at his doorstep.
Song Luo's fair, delicate hand idly skimmed over the dazzling array of jade pendants before she lifted her gaze to the shopkeeper. "Shopkeeper, don't try to fob me off with these. Which one is the most expensive?"
At the words "most expensive," even the creases at the corners of the shopkeeper's eyes radiated delight.
"Miss Song truly has an eye for quality. For the most expensive, you'd have to look at these two." The shopkeeper carefully selected two pieces from the innermost sandalwood case.
"Take this one." He gestured to the pendant on the left. "This is fine Hetian mutton-fat white jade, named 'Cloud Dragon Wandering Immortal.' It warms to the touch, so smooth it seems to drip with moisture. Look at the auspicious cloud patterns—they're perfectly natural, as if heaven-made."
"This piece best suits a refined and gentle young master of a distinguished family."
Song Nian, seated behind the screen, ultimately couldn't contain his curiosity. He quietly rose and, like a thief, stole a glance toward the other side of the screen.
He happened to see Song Luo pick up the mutton-fat white jade "Cloud Dragon Wandering Immortal" and hold it up before her eyes for a careful look.
Song Nian's expression was filled with satisfaction.
This pendant was elegant and grand—exactly the style he favored most.
So the little girl did have good taste after all.
Song Luo examined it for a moment, but her brow furrowed slightly. She seemed to find the jade too mild and conventional, lacking in rugged wildness, and set it back down without hesitation.
Song Nian's heart sank sharply, and his brow creased involuntarily.
Song Luo's fingertip shifted, pointing to the pendant on the right—one completely different in character.
The shopkeeper picked up the thread at once. "Excellent choice, miss. This one is an extremely rare Cold Mountain Ink Jade from the Western Regions, named 'Fierce Tiger Roaring in the Forest.'"
"It retains the jade's original cold, hard texture—best suited for men who've ridden across battlefields, or those with a bold, untamed bearing."
Song Luo's eyes lit up. Pointing crisply at the ink jade, she said, "I'll take this one then."
Behind the screen, Song Nian silently calculated.
Well, fine. Though the white jade suited his temperament better, this was after all his sister's thoughtful gesture.
The ink jade, though rugged and fierce, had its own martial air about it.
If his sister thought it was good, he could like the other one too.
Hearing this, the shopkeeper beamed from ear to ear. With deft movements, he pulled out fine gold-threaded silk, carefully wrapped the ink jade, and presented it respectfully. "Miss Song, your pendant is wrapped and ready. Please take it."
But Song Luo made no move to accept it. Instead, she suddenly asked, "Do you offer home delivery?"
The shopkeeper nodded at once, thumping his chest in assurance. "We cover it, miss. Not just within the capital—even farther, no matter the distance, we'll deliver. Say the word, and even through fire and water, our shop's lads will get it to you."
Song Luo propped her chin on one hand, thinking seriously.
She pondered where she could send it to really irritate her brother.
Then she recalled that a few days ago, she'd overheard her brother mention that a band of mountain bandits had recently appeared on Wu Qishan in the outskirts of the capital—no one knew where they'd come from. They'd seized the mountain, made themselves kings, robbed travelers and looted homes, stirring up endless trouble for the locals.
She remembered the way her brother had gritted his teeth when he spoke of those bandits…
Song Luo smiled gracefully, a glint of cunning shining in her eyes. "Then… send it to Wu Qishan."
The shopkeeper was taken aback, his hand, which had been reaching out to hand over the jade pendant, freezing mid-air.