Paintings of rain prayers from past dynasties can be found in many museums.
Li Jin had seen quite a few.
He carefully recounted the contents of the paintings he had viewed to Duoduo.
“Besides doing all those things the emperor had to do, on the day of the rain prayer, they would light a fire.”
“According to the ancients, fire and smoke could reach the heavens, thus alleviating the drought.”
“In reality, the smoke and ash from burning firewood and grass could accelerate the condensation of water vapor, leading to rain.”
Duoduo rested her chin on her hands, listening intently.
“If there’s no water vapor, then rain can’t form, right?”
Li Jin nodded, glancing out the window.
“Recently, the weather has been arid. There’s hardly any water vapor in the air.”
“Even if they pray for rain, it won’t succeed.”
From Duoduo’s words, Li Jin guessed that the emperor might soon go pray for rain.
Duoduo, chin in hands, wore a worried expression.
“Mother says many of the crops in the fields have withered.”
“The riverbeds are exposed, and plenty of livestock have died from the heat.”
Li Jin sighed.
If this were modern times, they could use artificial rainfall.
But this was ancient times, without anti-aircraft guns—how could they bring down rain?
Li Jin sighed again, then changed the subject.
“Your Highness, the jade you left here last time has all been sold.”
“I was planning to give the banknotes to the Prince to pass on to you.”
“Since you’re here, I’ll hand them over now.”
With that, Li Jin pulled a ledger from the drawer.
He flipped to a page inside.
“The Prince kept two pieces of your jade and instructed they be priced at market value.”
Li Jin then retrieved a stack of banknotes from the drawer and handed them to Duoduo.
Curious, Duoduo took them to look.
“This much?” She grinned, noticing the amount on each note.
Every banknote had a face value of five hundred thousand taels.
A stack as thick as a brick—Duoduo knew without guessing that it was too much.
“Yes, I had them auctioned off, sold to the highest bidder.”
“Didn’t Father say there’s a commission?” Duoduo reminded Li Jin.
Li Jin chuckled.
He sometimes felt that the way the Prince of Pingyang and the princess interacted wasn’t like father and daughter.
It was more like two business partners.
“Rest assured, Your Highness, that’s already been deducted.”
“And the two pieces of jade the Prince kept are worth more than double the market price by now.”
Li Jin’s subtext was that the Prince of Pingyang wasn’t losing out.
Delighted, Duoduo tucked the banknotes into her robe.
Since coming to the capital, her earnings had grown more and more.
At first, she had struggled to cover the expenses for the stones.
Now, the silver she earned was enough to support hundreds of stones.
She loved the capital!
No wonder Old Lady Song’s eyes would light up whenever she mentioned matters of the capital.
Now Duoduo understood.
Here, silver really was easy to make.
No, wait—it was as if silver lay everywhere, just waiting to be picked up!
Duoduo’s mood turned cheerful.
“Your Highness, how are your studies at the Imperial Academy going?” Li Jin, ever concerned about his student’s progress.
That reminded Duoduo of the purpose of her visit.
“Tutor, I’ve already learned everything the Grand Tutor teaches.”
“I feel that going to the Imperial Academy every day is a waste of time.”
Duoduo pouted.
Getting into the Imperial Academy was a rare opportunity.
So she felt obliged to go.
But sitting there, studying things she already knew, made it seem like such a waste.
Yes, just like the Tutor said—a waste of life!
Li Jin considered this.
“The Grand Tutor probably tailors the lessons to the majority.”
“Your Highness is different from the others, so you find it tedious.”
“But for the others, those lessons are already challenging.”
“Yet reviewing the old can reveal new insights. And the Grand Tutor is a learned man—you might still pick up something more!”
“Remember, the Grand Tutor was the Emperor’s teacher.”
Duoduo reluctantly accepted Li Jin’s reasoning.
“Tutor, when I have time off from the Academy, could you still teach me, please?”
Duoduo was like someone who thrives on continuous learning; being forced to stop felt uncomfortable.
Li Jin smiled and nodded.
“That’s no problem. I’ll let the Prince know later.”
“On your days off from the Academy, I won’t come to the shop.”
Duoduo was delighted. “I’ll tell Father as soon as I get back!”
“And at the Imperial Academy, they also teach the Six Arts of Gentlemen. How are those classes?”
Duoduo pouted again.
“Those classes are all about the same.”
“Father told me to hide my talents, otherwise I’d have stopped going long ago.”
“Playing along with them every day feels like a children’s game.”
Li Jin couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Duoduo was exceptionally bright, and the Prince had high expectations for her.
Everything Lei arned by demanding standards.
If Duoduo weren’t a girl, Li Jin had faith she could top the imperial examinations.
With business settled, Duoduo remembered her other reason for coming.
“Tutor, I want to go out for a stroll.” She stood up.
Li Jin looked a bit worried. “Then I’ll accompany you.”
Duoduo waved him off. “No, if you come, people will recognize you!”
“Don’t worry, Tutor. I have two maids with me, and I’ll call the coachman along too.”
Duoduo’s current coachman was a guard from the manor.
“Alright. If anything happens, have the maids call for help.”
“Got it!” Duoduo walked out.
Li Jin saw her to the door, gave the coachman a few instructions, and watched as they headed into the market.
Duoduo slowly observed each shop.
She noticed that most of the stones outside had no particularly unusual colors.
She was a little disappointed.
With Lüdou following, she walked further in. Lüdou’s eyes brimmed with curiosity at the stones lining both sides.
“Your Highness, there are so many stones here. Why don’t you buy any?”
Lüdou saw the prices weren’t too high and felt tempted.
Duoduo shook her head.
“You said yourself—they’re just stones. Why spend money on stones?”
Curious, Lüdou tilted her head to look at Duoduo.
“But Your Highness, didn’t you find jade among these stones last time?”
“The prices look low. If we can buy one, I could make a bracelet out of it,” Lüdou said eagerly.
Duoduo’s gaze swept over the stones on both sides.
“Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
“Qingliu, do you want one?” Duoduo asked casually.
Qingliu, flattered, stepped forward. “Jade is so expensive, my monthly allowance can’t pay for it.”
Duoduo glanced at Qingliu but said nothing.
The group continued until they reached the shop where Duoduo had previously bought jade.
Duoduo looked around, but again found no stones that caught her interest.
The shop owner stepped out and immediately recognized Duoduo.
“Customer, have you found something you fancy this time?”
Duoduo noticed a glint of calculation in the owner’s eyes.
She shook her head, about to leave, but the owner blocked her way.
