Chapter 369: Selecting the Hairpin

Early morning.

Always the hour of Mao.

Inside the inner city, the silent mansions, like colossal beasts, slowly began to stir before dawn. The servants were in charge of lighting lamps and sweeping, while the maids were responsible for serving tea and water and assisting the officials and nobles with their dressing.

When the official finished dressing in his crimson robe, the colossal structure beneath his feet would fully awaken.

Outside the side gate of Qin Zheng Garden, Si Cao Gui arrived early with his carriage, waiting in the alley.

He took out a piece of chamois cloth and meticulously wiped the carriage clean, leaving no dust even in the crevices of the carved patterns. The way he polished the carriage was as if he were cleaning a personal blade.

As he was wiping, Chen Ertong crept along the wall, sneaking over and asking in a low voice, "Brother, where did Chen Ji go yesterday?"

Si Cao Gui continued wiping the carriage without looking back.

Chen Ertong indignantly tossed a small silver coin. Si Cao Gui, as if he had eyes on the back of his head, steadily caught the silver with a backhand.

He flicked off the dust from the chamois cloth: "Chen Ji didn't report for duty at the Imperial Guards Headquarters yesterday. He went directly to Meihua Ferry and came out at Shen Shi with Young Master Shen Ye! He first attended a banquet with Young Master Shen Ye at Pianyi Fang on Qipan Street, and then returned to the Chen Residence alone!"

Chen Ertong was curious: "Whose banquet was it at Pianyi Fang? What did they discuss during the meal?"

Si Cao Gui remained silent.

Chen Ertong was listening intently when the information suddenly stopped: "And then?"

Si Cao Gui leisurely replied, "One hundred taels of silver!"

Chen Ertong was startled: "Are you crazy?! Do you still want to work for the Chen family?"

Si Cao Gui said nonchalantly, "If they don't let me work for the Chen family, I'll just find another place to be a coachman. It's not like it's a prestigious job!"

Chen Ertong was exasperated: "Wait here. I don't have that much silver on me!"

He turned and rushed off. He returned about two incense sticks later, stuffing two large silver ingots into Si Cao Gui's hand, panting, "Quick, tell me!"

Wiping the carriage, Si Cao Gui said, "I'm just a coachman. I couldn't even enter Pianyi Fang; I could only eat the meals prepared for servants in the stables. Naturally, I don't know what they discussed!"

Chen Ertong reached out to snatch back the silver, but Si Cao Gui raised his hand to stop him: "However, after the banquet, Chen Ji got into the carriage and repeatedly thanked Shen Ye, saying he was grateful to Shen Ye for bringing in many customers. Those large salt merchants were very generous, and it seems they intend to jointly acquire the majority of the salt permits Chen Ji holds, and even more salt merchants are on their way!"

"And what else?"

Si Cao Gui finished wiping the carriage: "They also plan to contact the border households and collect all the salt permits they hold!"

Chen Ertong immediately rushed towards the salt firm!

When he returned to the salt firm, Chen Yue was pacing back and forth in the main hall.

Chen Ertong stepped forward and reported what he had just found out. Chen Yue furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

After a long while, he instructed Chen Bin, who was beside him: "Send a trustworthy person to Tanggu and find the local scholar Li. It's time he repaid the favor he owes me!"

Chen Bin cautiously asked, "What do you need him to do, Manager?"

Chen Yue narrowed his eyes: "Have him pick four village women, strangle them, and send them to the Imperial Tribunal, claiming that the Ministry of Revenue's tax collection forced people to their deaths and that the common people can no longer survive! Then find an imperial censor with a weakness and have him expose this matter in court, forcing Chen Lizun to go to Tanggu to appease the public's grievances!"

Chen Bin's expression changed: "This..."

Chen Yue turned and stared at him: "You heard what Second Master said. If you succeed in this matter and drive that brat Chen Ji out of the capital, the position left vacant by Manager Ye will be yours. But if you fail, and I fall, you'll remain a mere clerk for the rest of your life! Chen Bin, you and I are both just dogs under the master's household, but as long as we are loyal to the master, it's better to be a household dog than a stray!"

Chen Bin gritted his teeth, turned, and left.

Chen Yue watched his retreating figure, then turned to Chen Ertong behind him and instructed: "He has hesitated once already. Send two men to keep an eye on him. If necessary, you can apprehend him first. If he betrays us, his 'shop manager' position will be yours!"

Chen Ertong's eyes lit up.

Chen Yue continued to instruct: "Also, invite the other managers to the salt firm, saying I have important matters to discuss! Once they arrive, confine them all here, to prevent anyone from being a turncoat and tipping off Chen Ji!"

Just as Chen Ertong was about to leave, Chen Yue pulled him back: "Send people to watch Meihua Ferry's main and back gates. Who goes in and out isn't important, but if anyone carries boxes inside, you must inform me! Oh, and those border households Chen Bin was supposed to gather yesterday, have they been assembled?"

Chen Ertong nodded.

Chen Yue threatened: "Keep a close eye on them; they will be of great use later! Remember, if we can't drive Chen Ji out of the capital this time, you and I will end up as companions in the pond next to the Altar of Mountains and Rivers."

Chen Ji didn't report for duty, nor did he go to Meihua Ferry. Instead, he took a carriage to Tianbao Pavilion, across from Donghua Gate!

This was an establishment owned by the Liang clan, and one of the most renowned jewelry and silver shops in the capital. Master craftsmen from the Imperial Workshops often secretly sold their works here, which were highly sought after by aristocratic women.

Tianbao Pavilion itself conveyed the meaning of "heavenly treasures gathered in this pavilion!"

Before noon, the entrance of Tianbao Pavilion was already filled with carriages and silk palanquins. At a glance, the three-story building was bustling with women, extremely lively!

Si Cao Gui parked the carriage at a distance and asked in a low voice, "Since you already know that the Second Household of the Chen family wants to kill you, how can you still have the mind to wander around here? Someone who can spend a hundred taels of silver for information must have prepared even more money to buy your life!"

Chen Ji casually lifted the carriage curtain and said, "Doesn't Lord Si Cao hope I marry into the Qi family?"

Si Cao Gui paused for a moment: "Precisely. If you marry into the Qi family, it would not only affect the Chen family but also the Qi family, greatly enhancing the power of my Military Intelligence Bureau!"

Chen Ji stepped down from the carriage: "The daughters of the Qi family are Grand Secretary Qi's beloved pearls. The Grand Secretary spares no effort to find worthy sons-in-law for them, fearing they might be wronged in their husband's family! That's why the marriage between the Chen and Qi families remains undecided; it's actually because the Qi young ladies haven't made up their minds yet! The Silk God Sacrifice is approaching, and at that time, all the ladies in the capital will go for a spring outing in the northern suburbs. As a member of the Imperial Guards, I will also be there, and that will be a good time to give gifts!"

Si Cao Gui suddenly understood: "I see!"

Qi Zhaoning angrily exclaimed, "Men buy hairpins on Qipan Street; who would come to Tianbao Pavilion? He's probably buying jewelry for some paramour! It must be Zhang Xia. I knew it; he and Zhang Xia are not innocent."

Qi Zhaoyun said helplessly, "I've already asked around for you. He has no private affair with Miss Zhang Er. Not only did brother-in-law say so, but my second brother also confirmed it! They said that in Guyuan, Chen Ji and Miss Zhang Er always observed proper decorum and never overstepped boundaries. Moreover, they even revealed that Chen Ji, Zhang Zheng, Miss Zhang Er, and Xiaoman share a bond of sworn siblings who faced life and death together!"

Qi Zhaoning was half-believing, half-doubting: "Really?"

Qi Zhaoyun gently touched her cheek and consoled her: "Of course it's true. In other words, they went through life and death together in Guyuan. If there truly were mutual feelings, why would there be no progress until now? Second Brother said he tested Chen Ji. If Chen Ji truly had feelings for Miss Zhang Er, he wouldn't push you into the fire pit, would he?"

Qi Zhaoning slightly relaxed: "That's true. Who would like that 'rouge tiger'? She's so fierce!"

Qi Zhaoyun smiled slightly: "What, do you still remember her hitting your palm with a bamboo stick at the Imperial Academy?"

Qi Zhaoning's expression changed: "Don't ever mention that again."

"Alright, alright."

Qi Zhaoyun smiled: "I won't mention it again!"

Qi Zhaoning's eyes flickered for a moment. She turned to another person in the carriage and said, "Zhenzhu, go ask Chen Ji's coachman what he's doing at Tianbao Pavilion. Hurry!"

Zhenzhu's expression was hidden beneath her veil; she only softly replied, "Yes!"

She lifted the carriage curtain, stepped down, crossed the riverside street, and approached Si Cao Gui, gently asking, "Excuse me, good sir, is this Young Master Chen's carriage?"

Si Cao Gui quickly scrutinized Qi Zhenzhu: "Precisely!"

Qi Zhenzhu hesitated for a moment, then took out a small silver coin from her purse and handed it to Si Cao Gui: "Could you perhaps find out what Young Master Chen is doing at Tianbao Pavilion?"

Si Cao Gui's gaze went past her shoulder, silently observing the Qi family's carriage, which was intricately carved with seven cranes!

Cranes were insignia for first-rank officials at court. Only families whose ancestors had held one of the "Three Dukes" positions—Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, or Grand Protector—dared to carve cranes on their carriages!

Those with even one carved crane were rare, and a family with seven carved cranes was unique!

The Qi family!

Si Cao Gui withdrew his gaze, returned the small silver coin, and politely said, "To answer you, young lady, my young master came to Tianbao Pavilion to buy a gift for the Third Miss of the Qi family, which he intends to personally present during the spring outing for the Silk God Sacrifice in early March!"

Qi Zhenzhu was startled. She thanked him and returned to the carriage.

Qi Zhaoning listened to Zhenzhu's report, her eyes filled with disbelief: "He really said that? He's not just saying auspicious words, is he? He was so rude at the Imperial Music Bureau before."

Qi Zhaoyun retorted impatiently, "How dare a coachman talk nonsense? Besides, if he didn't know Chen Ji's intentions, he wouldn't be able to fabricate such a lie! Young Master Chen might be a bit shy, being inexperienced in matters of romance, which is why he didn't dare talk to you that day, or perhaps he was playing hard to get. Both are possible!"

"That's true!" Qi Zhaoning mused, her eyes growing brighter. "Let's go, back to the residence!"

Qi Zhaoyun was puzzled: "Why go back? Weren't you here to buy jewelry for the Silk God Sacrifice?"

Qi Zhaoning smiled triumphantly: "If we go in now, wouldn't we run into him? Let's go; we'll come back tomorrow!"

Inside Tianbao Pavilion!

Chen Ji casually browsed the dazzling array of gold and silver jewelry when a woman with a powdered face approached, enveloped in a fragrant breeze.

Her gaze briefly swept over Chen Ji. He was wearing clothes gifted by Chen Lizun, made by Liangji Garment Shop in the inner city, with Liangji's subtle pattern on the sleeves, indicating they were quite expensive.

The woman, holding a silk fan to her face, chuckled delicately: "Is Young Master looking for a gift for his beloved? The first floor only displays gold and silver items. For pearls and jade, you'll need to go up to the second floor!"

Yuan Guang referred to pearls, and Lü Tou to jadeite.

Chen Ji casually asked, "What about the third floor?"

The woman smiled: "Going to the third floor depends on fate!"

Chen Ji was taken aback: "Fate?"

The woman said meaningfully, "The third floor holds unique treasures of the world. Only when fate allows can one ascend to the third floor!"

Chen Ji understood. One had to spend enough silver to qualify for the third floor. He casually said, "I'll just look around on the first floor!"

Princess Baili was currently in seclusion at Jingyang Palace, dedicating herself to cultivation. The hairpins she used could not be luxurious or eye-catching. They couldn't have kingfisher feathers, nor could they be inlaid with jewels! They also couldn't have the swastika pattern with Buddhist connotations, and certainly no intertwined lotus flowers or entwined branches!

It seemed the only options were designs with Eight Trigrams lines, 'air patterns,' bamboo node patterns, wave patterns, or pine needle patterns! However, it would be too strange for a woman to wear hairpins with Eight Trigrams, bamboo node, or pine needle patterns. No man would give a woman such a hairpin!

Chen Ji pondered for a long time before finally settling his gaze on a plain silver hairpin with auspicious cloud patterns: "This one. And please ask your craftsmen to engrave eight characters on the silver hairpin for me!"