Li Lei brought Lu Yao to an antique shop—Cuiya Pavilion.
The shop owner was a woman in her thirties, dressed in a trench coat with an elegant demeanor. Her eyes lit up when she saw Lu Yao:
"I'm Qi Cuiya, pleased to meet you~"
They shook hands, and the woman scratched gently in the palm of Lu Yao's hand.
Lu Yao's heart remained undisturbed, spoiled by the Liao Family Sisters, he was no longer interested in ordinary goods and presented the bracelet forthrightly.
Qi Cuiya put aside her frivolous expression, hurriedly put on professional gloves, and took out a "handheld microscope."
After carefully examining for a while, she looked up and said, "Top-quality glass type, with a clear and moist texture, full of nobility, and it's a pair too! It can easily sell for two million."
Li Lei, standing by, expressed her surprise, "It's that valuable? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Qi Cuiya glared at her friend and snapped, "Antiques is the one trade where eye for detail matters most, how could I possibly get it wrong!"
Not just Li Lei, but even Lu Yao hadn't expected this price.
Countries in the Xia Country cultural sphere all highly prized jadeite, causing its price to soar year after year.
Qi Cuiya continued:
"To have top-notch quality and to be in pairs is extremely rare. If you want to maximize profits, you should find buyers slowly or take them to auction. But if you're in urgent need of money, I can only offer two million. Mr. Lu, please consider it."
Lu Yao liked this straightforward method and quickly made a decision, "Alright, two million it is."
"Deal! Just give me a few minutes," Qi Cuiya said as she took out her phone and started operating. She didn't have enough money, but after cobbling together funds from here and there, she managed to gather the amount.
Soon after, a notification of a two-million-yuan transfer popped up on Lu Yao's phone.
Qi Cuiya carefully put the bracelets away, then laughed heartily, "That dumbass Qi Jun—missed out on a good thing and let me, of all people, get lucky!"
Li Lei explained to Lu Yao, "This crazy woman and the Qi Jun we met earlier are cousins, and they don't get along."
After finishing her laughter, Qi Cuiya's demeanor became graceful again, and she proposed, "Since it went so smoothly, how about I treat you to dinner tonight?"
As she spoke, she kept her gaze locked on Lu Yao's eyes. The more she looked at this man, the more she liked him, as if he were fine jade.
Unfortunately, Lu Yao was oblivious to the suggestion, "I have other matters to attend to. Let's find another opportunity."
After saying so, he nodded at Li Lei and, disregarding any attempt to keep him, left on his own.
With the man gone, Qi Cuiya still stared at the doorway, her face showing heavy disappointment, "He's pretty aloof..."
Li Lei nodded, "He's always like that, stop getting your hopes up."
Qi Cuiya shrugged, "It's a pity,"
Li Gong picked up an ordinary-looking egg and cracked it open. Instantly, a rich fragrance filled the room, invigorating the spirit.
Li Pei took the Seven-Colored Dragon Sparrow Egg her father handed her, and was about to speak when Eunuch Wang suddenly came in, holding several pieces of intelligence in his hand.
Li Gong waved casually, "Go ahead."
Eunuch Wang then began to read:
"[Zhongzhou and Huai State both claim to be severely afflicted and request the Imperial Court to reduce taxes and provide relief funds and grain.]"
"[The new army and the navy are simultaneously telegraphing for food and pay.]"
Li Gong said impassively, "Not a penny less in taxes; prioritize grain supply for the navy."
Eunuch Wang acknowledged the instruction and continued reading:
"[From the Menes Federation side, the 'Legendary Vampire Hunter' Lincoln with the national treasure 'Cherry Blossom Divine Axe' has slain the Vampire Prince, ending the civil war in the north and south.]"
"['Izumo Country' has attacked 'Rakshasa Country's fleet, and the two nations have started a war on our nation's soil...]"
At this point, Li Gong put down his chopsticks, "Prepare the carriage, we must return to the capital overnight."
Li Pei, who had been listening, felt that each issue pertained to the life and death of millions, each matter more significant than her own trivial matter of famine.
As Eunuch Wang flipped through the intelligence, there was also, "Lord Asben, a Queen's Envoy from Queen Einheit, requests an audience. He has already arrived at the estate."
Li Gong massaged his temples and said in a heavy tone, "Ask him to wait a moment; I shall meet him shortly."
Eunuch Wang bowed and left.
Li Gong spoke gently to his daughter, "You've rushed here from Yunzhou suddenly, is there anything wrong?"
Li Pei shook her head, "No... nothing... I can handle it myself."
"Yunzhou's situation is complicated, you must be careful and prudent, and not misuse your royal status to act willfully. I still have some matters to attend to..."
"I understand, father. Take care of yourself."
Not until her father had left did Li Pei bring up the issue of the grain. She didn't want to trouble her father further and decided to find a way to secure the grain on her own.
~~~~~~~
As she pondered her available resources and prepared to leave, Li Pei happened to meet the foreign visitor at the estate's entrance.
The foreigner, with his smooth white hair tied back, gave a graceful bow with his hand on his chest upon seeing Li Pei. However, as he looked up, his eyes turned blood-red, fangs protruded, and the air around him grew thick and blood-tinged.
Realizing his condition, he quickly covered his mouth, bowing gracefully, "My apologies. Your Highness, your blood is an unbearable extreme temptation for me."
Li Pei suppressed her disgust, offered a perfunctory curtsy, and drove back to Yunzhou.