Chapter 42: Let’s Just Make a Deal

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Let’s Just Make a Deal

The counter was covered with small, exquisite pieces of jewelry. There were a few Ruby Rings, Emperor Green Jade Rings, gold hairpins inlaid with gemstones, and hairpins made of the finest white jade. As a girl, she couldn’t take her eyes off such dazzling accessories; they were simply too beautiful. She wanted every single piece, especially since their quality was visibly top-tier.

Noticing the amazement in Hua Buwan’s eyes, Ling Qianjun explained from the side, "These are all small items that my mother and fourth sister hid on their persons. Since most of our possessions couldn’t be taken away during the estate confiscation, they chose to hide the smallest, most valuable pieces.

"My mother hid her dowry and some tokens my father gave her over the years. My fourth sister hid the gifts she received from her elders, as well as rewards given by relatives and nobles during her birthday banquets. You should be able to make use of them."

Ever since he learned that Hua Buwan was from a millennium in the future, he understood how she profited from their trades. The items he gave her were antiques in her era, which she could exchange for money at a pawnshop. Though he knew the goods from her general store were technically worth far less than his "antiques," Ling Qianjun wasn’t upset, nor did he feel shortchanged. After all, it was hard enough to buy everyday necessities while in exile, let alone items from a thousand years in the future. To his family, securing anything from a millennium later was a massive gain. These were rare treasures that even the Emperor himself couldn’t enjoy.

"Consider these the rent for using your staircase, is that alright?" Ling Qianjun asked softly.

Hua Buwan grinned. "Yes, that’s more than enough. I’ll rent my staircase to you long-term, so don’t you worry."

Saying that, she reached out to examine the jewelry on the counter, finding them almost blindingly brilliant as she picked them up. It was her first time seeing Emperor Green Jade Rings with her own eyes—they were stunning. And those Ruby Rings... oh, they completely captured her heart. Hua Buwan couldn’t bear to put them down. She wanted to keep every single piece for herself rather than sell them.

Seeing Hua Buwan’s internal struggle, Ling Qianjun chuckled softly. "If you like them, you can keep them."

"Let me think about it." Reluctantly, Hua Buwan placed the items back into the pouch. She was currently suffering from a severe bout of indecision and decided she would scan them with the system later before making her final choice.

"Once we settle down in Lingnan, I’ll search for more beautiful things to bring back for you. Well, to trade with you." Ling Qianjun had initially wanted to say he would give them to her as a gift, but he paused and changed it to a trade. He figured that given her previous kindhearted refusal to accept money, she likely wouldn’t accept outright gifts. Trading was the safer bet.

Completely unaware of the free gifts she had just missed out on, Hua Buwan simply nodded. "Sounds great! Oh, by the way, in your era, there are plenty of mountains and very few foragers. When the time comes, could you get me some aged medicinal herbs? Wild herbs like ginseng and Lingzhi are highly sought after here. You can use them to trade, or we could even partner up."

Hua Buwan had been eyeing the medicinal herb market for a while. In ancient times, aside from antiques, herbs were the most valuable commodities. But if she hoarded too many antiques, offloading them would become a problem, and she risked crashing the market price. Medicinal herbs were much safer. At worst, she could just store them away as a personal safety net. Moreover, certain rare herbs could pave the way for her future connections.

Ling Qianjun pondered for a moment before agreeing, "Alright."

With that settled, Ling Qianjun reluctantly took his belongings and headed back.

Hua Buwan closed the door and took the pouch of jewelry into her spatial dimension.

"System! Hurry up and scan them! Tell me how much all these are worth!"