Her hair was cloud-like and beautiful! She opened her eyes and found herself back in the third year

Chapter 130 'Phoenix Soaring'

"Thank you, Princess." Madam Yu didn't stand on ceremony. She sat halfway down on the embroidered stool, straightened her back, and spoke to Qin Yizhen.

"I heard that the princess came to Baochai Tower a few days ago. I rushed over there, but unfortunately the princess had already left when I arrived."

"We have not had the honor of meeting the princess, and our servants are incompetent; they failed to bring these precious treasures for the princess to see. Please forgive them, Princess."

“What do you mean by that, Madam Yu? I was just taking a stroll. I bought some things that caught my eye. I have plenty of jewelry and jewels here. How could I possibly rob your establishment?”

The Yu family is a family of artisans. Although they are far from being as prestigious as those families, the skills of their children are quite remarkable, and their wealth is considerable. Their Baochai Tower also has several prized possessions.

Half of the misfortunes that befell the Yu family were due to these things.

However, the Yu family stubbornly refused to hand over the item, which shows how important it was to them.

Madam Yu sighed, "If everyone thought like the princess, the Yu family would not have suffered such misfortunes."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rufang looked curious and actually asked, "What trouble?"

Madam Yu glanced at Qin Yizhen, and seeing her calm expression, she hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to speak or not.

Song Pingping's expression had already turned somewhat unpleasant: "Madam Yu, Steward Wu, I invited you two here today only to select two pieces of jewelry for the princess. As for other matters, there's no need to discuss them. Quickly bring out the jewelry you've prepared for the princess to see."

Qindu is the capital of a country, and life there is already difficult enough. The Yu family runs the Baochai Pavilion in Qindu, but they have no powerful backers, so it is naturally even more difficult for them.

Not to mention the formidable rivals in the business world, even high-ranking officials, noble families, and powerful clans are all eyeing this piece of meat.

Although Madam Yu managed to preserve Baochai Tower, she eventually became quite exhausted.

Therefore, upon learning that Song Pingping had invited people from Baochai Tower to the Pingxi Marquis's residence to select two pieces of jewelry for Qin Yizhen, Madam Yu's mind began to stir, and she wanted to find a backer for Baochai Tower.

And in this day and age, who can compare to Princess Yizhen and the Pingxi Marquis's mansion when it comes to powerful backers?

However, Qin Yizhen did not want to get involved in these grudges and did not want others to use her name to do things outside.

"Exactly." Qin Yizhen smiled. "Aunt Song just received a sum of money yesterday and insisted on choosing two sets of jewelry for me. I need to choose carefully so as not to disappoint Aunt Song's good intentions."

Madam Yu's somewhat forced smile softened, and she immediately said, "It was just me being too talkative. I'll fetch it for the princess right away."

Having managed Baochai Tower for many years, Madam Yu was no fool and knew how to advance and retreat. Seeing that Qin Yizhen had no intention of protecting Baochai Tower, she immediately gave up and stopped pestering her.

"Princess, please look at this crown." Madam Yu opened a box, carefully took out the crown inside, and placed it on the tea table.

"This crown is named 'Phoenix Soaring,' and it was a treasure of one of the most beloved princesses of the previous dynasty's Emperor Wu."

The "Phoenix Soaring" crown is divided into three parts: the main crown is a square-shaped flower-patterned hairpin, and on both sides are two lifelike phoenixes holding flowers in their mouths, along with phoenix tassel hairpins.

Its brilliance was dazzling, and its extravagance was unparalleled. Even the phoenix crown on Empress Dowager Cheng's head today may not be as magnificent.

Madam Yu stroked the phoenix tail with some reluctance and explained, "This crown was originally lost when the princess of the previous dynasty passed away. It has passed through many hands since then. When it came into the hands of the Yu family, the crown was in terrible condition. It was my grandfather and father who painstakingly restored and repaired it."

"However, she is a phoenix after all, and the Yu family probably can't keep her. So be it..."

"Madam Yu!" Song Pingping patted her chest, her face full of heartache. "Although I got 30,000 taels of silver for nothing yesterday, you didn't have to cheat me like this!"

“This ‘Phoenix Soaring’ headdress probably wouldn’t be available for less than a thousand taels of silver,” Song Pingping said with a pang of heartache. “However, this headdress is indeed worthy of the princess. If it were to be bought for the princess, I would be willing to spend any amount of money.”

Qin Yizhen shuddered, goosebumps rising all over her body: "Speak properly."

Song Pingping sighed regretfully.

Granny Jin went forward to examine the crown, and only after finding no problems did she have it placed in front of Qin Yizhen so that she could take a closer look.

Qin Yizhen examined it carefully and was quite satisfied: "This crown is indeed very nice. A few days ago, on my birthday, my elder sister gave me a golden gourd. I felt that the gift was too precious. So, if I can get this crown, I can give it to her on her birthday as a return gift."

"Madam Yu, are you planning to sell this crown? How much would it cost?"

"No, no." Song Pingping was displeased upon hearing this. "It was agreed that I would buy the jewelry for the princess. This phoenix flying together is beautiful. If the princess likes it, she can keep it."

Qin Yizhen shook her head: "Everyone has a love for beauty, and I naturally like such gorgeous and luxurious jewelry as well."

But it's only a small amount, and it's too expensive for me to buy. If you insist on buying it for me, then choose two items that are about the same price.

Lady Yu said, "This crown cost a lot of gold and silver jewelry, and my grandfather and father also put in a lot of effort, so the price is naturally high. If the princess really wants it, then give me 1,200 taels of silver."

Is 1,200 taels of silver a lot?

There are naturally many.

At present, the annual revenue of the Eastern Qin treasury is only one million taels of silver.

One tael of silver was equivalent to one thousand copper coins, ten copper coins were equivalent to one dou of rice, and pork was only twenty copper coins per jin. The steamed buns and pancakes sold on the roadside were only one or two copper coins each.

One thousand two hundred taels of silver, when converted into rice, amounted to one hundred and twenty thousand bushels.

One dou of rice equals six jin (Tang Dynasty).

One thousand two hundred taels of silver is equivalent to approximately seventy-two thousand catties of rice.

Although Qin Yizhen had a good idea of ​​what was going on, she still frowned slightly upon hearing the price.

However, before she could speak, Madam Yu added, "If the princess truly likes it, the Yu family is willing to present this treasure to the princess, which would be a blessing for the Yu family."

This shows they haven't given up on the idea of ​​finding Qin Yizhen to back them up.

Qin Yizhen shook her head again: "No reward without merit. Madam Yu, please don't say such things again. If you do, the people from Baochai Tower should not come to deliver jewelry to the Marquis of Pingxi's residence in the future."

This is already a blatant warning.

Madam Yu's expression changed slightly, and she quickly said, "Since the princess is not pleased, I will not say anything more."

"Yes." Qin Yizhen nodded. "My dowry also includes many shops. I have instructed them to keep a low profile and not to use my name."

"I still have 1,200 taels of silver. Is Madam Yu willing to part with it?"