“Ah!”
Wen Ningwan glanced at the Imperial Preceptor and let out a long sigh. The Imperial Preceptor swept a sidelong look at the dejected figure beside her but didn’t respond.
Wen Ningwan sighed again, louder this time, trying to catch her attention.
The Imperial Preceptor had no choice but to speak. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
“That general was about to marry his daughter to me, but you ruined everything!”
The Imperial Preceptor looked at the resentful expression and raised a brow. “You can take a wife?”
“…” Wen Ningwan shot her a glare.
The Imperial Preceptor’s expression faltered for a moment before she suddenly reached out and pulled Wen Ningwan into an embrace.
Wen Ningwan froze, looking up at her in confusion.
The Imperial Preceptor gazed down, then tightened her hold, lowering her head with a faint smirk as she studied Wen Ningwan’s bewildered face. Her voice was soft and deep as she murmured, “Chief Minister Wen, I advise you to drop such ideas. Be careful not to expose your identity, don’t cause trouble for me.”
With that, she immediately let go. Wen Ningwan stared at the retreating hand, then broke into a foolish grin. Who knew the Imperial Preceptor could be so breathtakingly gentle?
The Imperial Preceptor frowned, puzzled by the besotted look directed at her, and quickly withdrew her hand, stepping back.
“Mind your dignity.”
Wen Ningwan snapped out of it, swallowing hard before glancing at the passersby who had turned to stare. She hurried after the Imperial Preceptor with a cheeky grin.
“Imperial Preceptor, tomorrow’s my birthday. What are you getting me?”
The Imperial Preceptor ignored the beaming woman beside her. Unfazed, Wen Ningwan continued eagerly, “I’ve invited friends to celebrate at the Ministry of Justice. You should come too but you’ll need to bring a gift.”
“With everything going on, you still have the mood for a birthday?” The Imperial Preceptor shot her a sidelong glance.
“Why not? Solving cases is just work life is what matters!” Wen Ningwan spotted a vendor selling vases and darted over.
The Imperial Preceptor followed, baffled, watching as Wen Ningwan fawned over a poorly crafted vase. “What does this have to do with the case?”
“Huh?” Wen Ningwan glanced at her before reluctantly setting it down. When she left this world, she’d have to take a few vases back, they’d sell as antiques.
“I think it’s quite pretty.”
The Imperial Preceptor wiped her brow in exasperation, taking the teapot Wen Ningwan had just picked up and handing it back to the vendor. She shot Wen Ningwan a disdainful look. “This quality is beneath a Chief Minister’s status.”
“Huh?” Wen Ningwan blinked at her retreating figure, casting a longing glance at the vase before scurrying after her.
“It’s not nice?”
The Imperial Preceptor sighed. “If you display such things at home, people will laugh at you.”
Wen Ningwan pouted, muttering, “As long as it looks good, who cares?”
The Imperial Preceptor glanced at the jade and antique market ahead, then at the sulking woman.
“Come, I’ll show you what real decorations should look like.”
“Huh?” Before Wen Ningwan could react, the Imperial Preceptor was already heading toward the market.
Wen Ningwan hurried after her, catching up just as the Imperial Preceptor stopped at an antique stall. She tugged at her sleeve. “This place is ridiculously expensive.”
“It’s fine. I’m paying.” The Imperial Preceptor picked up a ruby, examined it, then shook her head and set it down before walking away.
Wen Ningwan trailed after her, confused. “No good?”
“The color’s impure.”
Wen Ningwan was taken aback for a moment, then immediately laughed. “You know a lot about antiques?”
“A little insight goes a long way in telling them apart.”
“…” Wen Ningwan shot her a glare, puffed up with irritation as she followed closely, watching her carefully examine the items. She absentmindedly picked up a string of jade beads nearby.
The Imperial Preceptor glanced at it, set down the white jade plate in her hand, and took the emerald-green jade beads from Wen Ningwan.
The street vendor, quick to seize the opportunity, chimed in, “This esteemed lady has excellent taste! This is a handcrafted bracelet, and the jade is truly exceptional. Look at the texture, it’s absolutely top-tier.”
“This should be part of a pair, right?” the Imperial Preceptor said, eyeing the vendor. The vendor, who had planned to wait until the deal was sealed before revealing the other half to drive up the price, was caught off guard and had no choice but to produce it now.
“Indeed, my lady is a true connoisseur. I do have its counterpart here, which I hadn’t yet brought out.”
Wen Ningwan stared in disbelief as the vendor produced a red jade bracelet, unable to hold back her admiration. “This is just too beautiful!”
She eagerly reached out, but the vendor swiftly pulled back. “Ah, this is a very precious item. Not just anyone can touch it.”
With that, he smiled obsequiously and respectfully handed it to the Imperial Preceptor with both hands. “My lady, see, this is the other half.”
Wen Ningwan stuck out her tongue in annoyance and muttered under her breath, “What’s so great about having money? Hmph!”
The Imperial Preceptor gave her a sidelong glance before carefully examining the two bracelets in hand both the craftsmanship and quality were impeccable.
“I’ll take them. How much?”
Wen Ningwan watched sourly as the extravagantly wealthy Imperial Preceptor negotiated. The vendor beamed even more ingratiatingly, bowing and scraping. “If my lady likes them, I won’t ask for much. If you take both, one thousand taels.”
“You might as well rob us!” Wen Ningwan glared at the vendor, outraged by the exorbitant price. Her monthly salary was only twenty taels she’d have to save for a whole year without eating or drinking to afford it.
The vendor gave her a disdainful look. “This price isn’t high at all. If the lady is truly interested, I can lower it by two hundred taels for you.”
Wen Ningwan gaped at the vendor’s sudden generosity. The vendor sighed dramatically. “It’s already a fair price, my lady. You’re someone who knows the trade this is more than reasonable.”
The Imperial Preceptor nodded and pulled out a thousand-tael banknote from her sleeve, handing it over. “Keep the change. Consider it a—”
“No!” Wen Ningwan huffed, glaring at the vendor as she held out her hand. “Two hundred taels!”
The vendor sighed in resignation, pulling out two hundred-tael notes and handing them to her. He couldn’t resist teasing, “My lady’s accountant is really good at managing money.”
“Accountant?” A lively, adorable girl suddenly bounded over, eyeing Wen Ningwan curiously. “The Imperial Preceptor has such a pretty accountant? Doesn’t Sister Yu’er get jealous?”
“Yan’er.” A clear voice rang out from behind. Wen Ningwan turned to see an elegant and poised young woman, so breathtakingly beautiful and regal in demeanor that she seemed like a radiant peony.
“Cousin.” The woman blushed shyly as she looked at the Imperial Preceptor, then at the bracelets in her hand. “How beautiful! Could you give them to me?”
The Imperial Preceptor glanced at the bracelets, then coolly regarded Wen Ningwan, who was staring at the newcomer. “These are a birthday gift I specially prepared for Vice Minister Wen.”