Chapter 1351: Chapter 1351: Preparing to Leave Beijing 6 Chapter 1351: Chapter 1351: Preparing to Leave Beijing 6 Qiao San didn’t say anything, just sat cross-legged, “You need to give the items I want first.”
Lu Jiang glanced at his wife, who took out the items Qiao San wanted from the basket on her back—plus a few he hadn’t requested, “Twenty pounds of rice, thirty pounds of flour, two strips of cured at, and a five-pound jar of soybean oil. I’ll give you the money altogether later.”
Qiao San’s face lit up with a smile, “Generous! You folks are generous. I’m just an old man living next to a cesspit, really not afraid of people slling the scent of at.”
Taking his words to heart, he actually seed to take pleasure in living next to a cesspit.
Feng Qingxue was speechless.
Now that the deal was done, she had Lu Jiang pack the items into the basket, “Where’s the treasure you ntioned?”
“Let’s be clear first, it’s for ten pounds of fine grain!” Qiao San said cheerfully as he pulled out a wooden box from his bosom. Just by looking at the dark wooden box, one could tell it was valuable, let alone the treasure inside.
Feng Qingxue took the box and opened it directly.
Lu Jiang peered inside and saw a jade ruyi of vibrant green. For them, it wasn’t an invaluable treasure.
“Is this it?” Feng Qingxue was sowhat disappointed. She thought it would be sothing of significant historical value, but it turned out to be a jade ruyi. It was of an icy green type with cotton and impurities—valuable indeed, but no longer stirring great interest in her.
“This ruyi was often played with by Empress Cixi herself, if not a treasure then what is it? She also had a jade scepter for subduing demons, but unfortunately, I didn’t bring it.” Upon hearing Feng Qingxue’s words, Qiao San knew that she had seen many fine things before, “Back in the day, a young apprentice broke my father’s friend’s jade ruyi, and made a fortune just from a hidden piece of jade. Don’t think I’m jesting. Jade has been popular for so long, one day it will reclaim its past glory.”
“Yes, yes, you’re right!” Feng Qingxue took the item and gave him ten pounds of rice.
Just like that, an object once favored by Empress Cixi was sold cheaply by Qiao San.
Humming a tune, Qiao San packed the grain and oil into his basket, slung it over his shoulder, and turned to the couple, “I can see you enjoy rummaging around for these things. Let point you in a direction.”
Feng Qingxue asked which way, and Qiao San gave them an address, saying, “Go there and look for soone nad Jin Laoseven. His ancestor was a Baylor during the Qianlong Era, but regrettably, his family’s glory has long since vanished, leaving him the sole descendant, with no children. He has quite the collection of valuable items. Ten years ago, he survived a crisis by selling his gold and silver for expensive grain. He and I are old friends, we know each other well, but outsiders might not be aware. Tell him I sent you, and he will certainly be willing to trade. These days, he’s hardly getting by—who cares about heirlooms anymore? For old n like us in our seventies or eighties, surviving is what matters!”
This address turned out to be right behind old Mr. Hong Zhanjun’s place. Rembering the kindness of staying in the old man’s house postpartum, Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue had maintained contact with Mr. Hong over the years. They decided to visit Hong Zhanjun before seeking out Jin Laoseven.
This ti, they brought their child along.
“Fubao, back when Mom gave birth to you, we lived at Grandpa Hong’s house, you should thank Grandpa Hong.”
Hearing Feng Qingxue’s instruction, Fubao readily agreed, seriously taking it to heart. Upon arriving at Hong Zhanjun’s house, he called out ‘Grandpa’ with each reference. Lu Erxiong joined in the excitent, loudly greeting, “Hello, Grandpa! My na is Lu Erxiong!”
“Good, good, all good, all good!” Hong Zhanjun was particularly happy to see them early in the morning.
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