The Prince of Pingyang saw the shopkeeper's expression.
"What is it? Can't you bring them out? Or do you simply lack quality goods?"
The shopkeeper hurriedly apologized, "Answering Your Highness, we do, we do. I will go fetch them right away."
The shopkeeper trotted back holding several boxes.
He opened the boxes one by one, revealing all sorts of jade pendants inside.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang picked Duoduo up in her arms.
"Take a look, are there any that you like?"
Duoduo looked down into the boxes and caught sight of a circular one.
That jade pendant was round, with a pair of phoenixes carved in the center.
The base was composed of various blooming peonies.
Most notably, the pendant featured openwork carving, and the craftsmanship was extraordinary.
Even more precious was that the jade was multicolored.
The colorful parts were carved into the blooming peonies and the eyes of the phoenixes.
At a fleeting glance, the pair of phoenixes looked as if they were alive.
"That one!" Duoduo pointed at the jade pendant, her face revealing her awe.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang picked up the jade pendant, examined it closely, and nodded.
"This piece is indeed quite nice, and the quality of the jade is excellent. Duoduo has a good eye."
"Are there any others that catch your fancy?" The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked through the boxes; indeed, the one Duoduo had just chosen was the best.
Duoduo shook her head.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang signaled to the shopkeeper, "You can put these away. Bring over some full sets of gold necklets and similar items for children."
"Yes, My Lady."
The shopkeeper turned and left, bringing back several more boxes.
As soon as these boxes were opened, a burst of golden light shone forth.
Duoduo's eyes couldn't help but widen.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked at Duoduo with a smile touching the corners of her lips.
"Are there any you like?"
Duoduo shook her head vigorously.
She knew this was gold; it must be very, very expensive!
The Princess Consort of Pingyang thought Duoduo didn't like gold jewelry. "These kinds of ornaments are something every child is given at birth."
"In the future, if you don't like wearing them, you can just keep them at the bottom of your dowry chest."
Because they were out in public, it wasn't convenient for the Princess Consort of Pingyang to explain too much to Duoduo.
She looked down at several designs and finally selected a gold necklet that also featured carved floral patterns.
She also picked out matching bracelets, headpieces, and earrings.
Speaking of earrings, the Princess Consort of Pingyang glanced at Duoduo's earlobes.
Duoduo's earlobes were plump and fleshy, but they weren't pierced.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gently pinched Duoduo's ears. "When we get back, we'll have Nanny Li pierce your ears."
"Her technique is fast and excellent, and it doesn't hurt at all."
Duoduo blinked, looking at the boxes packed full in front of her.
She leaned close to the Princess Consort of Pingyang's ear and whispered.
"Your Highness, these are gold. They're super expensive!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang felt a tickle in her ear and was amused by Duoduo's milky, childish voice.
She rubbed Duoduo's head. "Don't worry, the Prince of Pingyang's estate can still afford this bit of jewelry."
"Shopkeeper, tally it up. How much silver for all of these?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang pushed all the selected jewelry into a pile on the side.
"Right away, I will calculate it immediately."
The shopkeeper was just about to take the other boxes away.
"Hold on!"
The Prince of Pingyang, who was beside them, suddenly reached out and stopped the shopkeeper.
He took out one of the boxes from the pile.
"Settle the bill for this one together with the rest."
The shopkeeper beamed with a huge smile. "Yes, Your Highness, please wait a moment."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang took the box and looked inside; it was that jade hairpin.
"Your Highness, this hairpin isn't suitable for Duoduo to wear."
The Prince of Pingyang stroked his jade thumb ring. "Mm."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gave her husband a puzzled look. "Then should I have the shopkeeper take it back?"
The Prince of Pingyang glanced at his wife, then shifted his gaze away.
"It's for you."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked surprised, which was quickly followed by pleasant astonishment.
"For me?"
The Prince of Pingyang coughed lightly. "Mm."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang's face turned red. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Duoduo stared at the Prince of Pingyang and mimicked the Princess Consort's manner. "Thank you, Your Highness."
The face of Xiao Yi, the Prince of Pingyang, immediately darkened.
"It seems it's time to have Nanny Li teach you some rules again."
Duoduo didn't understand. Everything was fine, so why was the Prince of Pingyang suddenly unhappy?
She lowered her head and picked at her palm.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang took her anxious little hand and gently patted the back of it.
"It's not your fault, don't worry."
Duoduo looked up and squeezed out a smile for the Princess Consort.
Meanwhile, the shopkeeper had already calculated the total amount for all the jewelry.
"Your Highness, the total is ten thousand and eighty taels. You can just pay a round number."
"Ling Feng, pay the silver," the Prince of Pingyang instructed lightly.
Ling Feng pulled out a few silver notes from his pouch and handed them to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper accepted them cheerfully and had his assistants pack up all the jewelry securely.
"Your Highnesses, here is the jewelry you purchased. Please take care of them."
"Also, this is a little trinket from this humble one to the young miss, just something to play with."
The shopkeeper pressed a small piece of jade into Duoduo's hand.
Duoduo opened her palm; resting inside was a piece of red jade, carved into the shape of a koi fish.
"So cute! Can this be hung up?"
Duoduo couldn't bear to put it down.
"Of course. Young miss, look, there is a hole right here. Let me get a red string and thread it for you."
The shopkeeper fetched a red string from a nearby counter and threaded it through the red koi so it could be worn.
"Thank you!"
Duoduo dropped into a small curtsy to thank the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper hurriedly dodged to the side. "There is no need for such formalities, young miss!"
"Let's go."
The Prince of Pingyang signaled Ling Feng to push him out the door.
The group walked out of the Treasure Pavilion.
An assistant sidled up to the shopkeeper.
"Shopkeeper, didn't you really like that piece of jade? You said you were going to save it for your future grandson. Why did you give it away?"
The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead. "What do you know? Hurry up and get back to work!"
Duoduo climbed into the carriage clutching the little fish tightly, not daring to let go for fear of dropping it.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang took a look. "This string is too plain. When we get back, we'll have Lianxin weave a beautiful new knot for it."
Lianxin nodded. "Don't worry, miss. The knots this servant weaves are both pretty and durable."
Duoduo nodded. "Thank you, Sister Lianxin."
Lianxin hurriedly waved her hands. "I dare not accept such an address, miss, you honor this servant too much."
Duoduo pursed her lips.
"Bring it over and let me have a look."
The Prince of Pingyang took an interest in the jade piece in Duoduo's hand.
It was the first time he had seen Duoduo so protective of something.
Duoduo bit her lip and hesitantly handed over the jade piece.
The Prince of Pingyang took it and looked; it was just an ordinary piece of jade carved into the shape of a koi fish.
It was just that the carving was excellent. The koi was incredibly lifelike, looking as if it were about to leap up.
It was merely something a child would like.
After turning it over and examining it briefly, the Prince of Pingyang handed it back to Duoduo.
Duoduo took it and clutched it tightly in her palm.
She stared intently at the empty space in front of her.
A line of golden text appeared there.
[This item holds a wondrous destiny!]
Duoduo now recognized all five of these characters.
Although she didn't fully understand what they meant, subconsciously, she knew.
The appearance of the golden words always meant something good for her!
