“Alright, Princess, let’s go pick out some jewelry over there.”
Leng Ruo Li quickly intervened to stop their verbal sparring, but she didn't ask Qin Xi Xue to get up. For women like Qin Xi Xue, Leng Ruo Li felt that even sparing them a glance was a waste of her time.
“Certainly, second cousin’s wife, let’s go over there.” Bai Yu Xuan replied cheerfully.
Then, Leng Ruo Li and Bai Yu Xuan, along with two others, turned and walked towards the left side of the shop.
Left behind were Qin Xi Xue and her two companions, their faces darkened with anger from Bai Yu Xuan’s words, frozen in a half-crouched position. They were unsure whether to remain half-crouched or to stand up.
However, everything that had just transpired downstairs was completely observed by a man standing in the shadows on the second floor.
“So, Prime Minister Qin’s eldest daughter, Qin Xi Xue, dares to bully my Li'er girl? I’ll make her cry for her parents later.” With that, the man beckoned to a servant behind him.
“You, come here for a moment!”
“Yes!”
The servant quickly approached the man. The man then whispered a few words into the servant's ear. After speaking, the servant turned and went downstairs.
He arrived beside Leng Ruo Li and her companions, cupped his hands, and said respectfully, “Cold Royal Consort, our boss invites everyone upstairs for a cup of tea.”
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruo Li turned around, her beautiful eyes furrowing slightly as she looked at the servant with confusion. “But I don’t know your boss!”
“Cold Royal Consort, you know him. Look up at the second floor.” As the servant spoke, he pointed towards the man standing on the second-floor corridor.
Leng Ruo Li and the other three followed the servant’s finger. They saw Zhou Bo Yu holding a folding fan, gently fanning himself. Then, he casually pointed in a direction, gripping the folded fan’s handle with his fingertips. The end of the fan rested just below his lips, revealing a handsome mouth curved slightly upwards.
He was wearing a white robe with embroidered cloud patterns along the borders. He appeared to be in his early forties, with handsome features, a distinguished appearance, and a gentle, scholarly demeanor.
Leng Ruo Li immediately recognized the man as Zhou Bo Yu. What struck her as odd, however, was that Shi Zheng He had told her that Zhou Bo Yu and Zhou Bo had returned to their hometown a month after she left the capital.
Why was he still in the capital now?
This made Leng Ruo Li somewhat perplexed.
Without needing the servant to lead them, Leng Ruo Li guided An Shi and the others towards the second floor.
Instantly, they left behind a crowd of people looking at Leng Ruo Li with great envy.
“Oh my goodness, the man standing on the second floor must be the owner of this jewelry shop. He’s so good-looking.”
The noblewomen and young ladies selecting accessories on the first floor were quickly captivated by Zhou Bo Yu’s implicit charm.
“Cold Royal Consort, they actually know the owner of ‘Man Lu’ Jewelry Shop. That man, who looks like an immortal from the heavens, is truly enviable.”
The noblewomen and young ladies below discussed amongst themselves.
Upon reaching the second floor, Leng Ruo Li smiled and said to An Shi and the others, “Uncle Yu, didn’t you return to your hometown?”
Hearing this, An Shi, Jiang Shi, and Bai Yu Xuan rolled their eyes. Just moments ago, she had claimed not to know the owner of this jewelry shop, and now she was calling him Uncle Yu.
“Haha, I did return to my hometown, but I came back three months ago. I still find the capital suitable for me, so I opened this jewelry shop. What do you think of the shop I opened? If there’s anything you fancy, just take it.” Zhou Bo Yu said with a hearty laugh.
Listening to his words, An Shi and Jiang Shi, standing beside Leng Ruo Li, took a closer look at Zhou Bo Yu. They found him very familiar but couldn't recall who he was at that moment.
Suddenly, their eyes brightened.
“You are Zhou Bo Yu.” An Shi and Jiang Shi said in unison.
“Yes, my two sisters-in-law. I am indeed Zhou Bo Yu.” Zhou Bo Yu greeted An Shi and Jiang Shi with a polite half-bow.
“Didn’t you leave the capital many years ago?” An Shi asked with a smile.
“Haha… Yes, eldest sister-in-law, I did leave the capital many years ago. However, I returned a year ago with the intention of selling my properties in the capital and retiring to my hometown. But then I met Li’er, so I decided not to leave the capital. From now on, I will stay in the capital and live leisurely with Li’er.” Zhou Bo Yu said with a radiant smile, then cleared his throat.
“Oh, I see. Since you’re back, do visit the Xia residence when you have time. Your Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia often mention you.” An Shi said with a smile, speaking courteously.
“Certainly, eldest sister-in-law. I will definitely visit the Xia residence whenever I have free time.” Zhou Bo Yu agreed readily.
“Bo Yu, it’s been over a decade, yet you haven’t aged a bit. In fact, you look much younger,” Jiang Shi praised him.
“Thank you for your compliment, second sister-in-law. Bo Yu is past forty, so I am indeed not young anymore,” Zhou Bo Yu replied with a smile.
At this moment, Princess Qing Ling, Bai Yu Xuan, leaned in towards Leng Ruo Li and whispered conspiratorially, “Second cousin’s wife, who is this man to you?”
“Uh…”
Hearing this, Leng Ruo Li paused slightly.
After a moment’s thought, she replied, “His name is Zhou Bo Yu, and he is a friend of my mother’s.”
Bai Yu Xuan heard this, gently covered her mouth with her hand, and said with a sly smile, “Could he be your mother’s admirer? Second cousin’s wife, I once heard my mother talk about your mother. My mother said that when your mother was alive, she was a very outstanding woman. There were many outstanding men who admired her, but your mother only fell for your father.”
“I think so, but I don’t know much about my mother’s life when she was alive,” Leng Ruo Li said truthfully.
“Everyone, let’s all sit inside!” At this moment, Zhou Bo Yu made a gesture of invitation, leading Leng Ruo Li and the other four into his room.
Leng Ruo Li and An Shi and the others didn’t stand on ceremony and followed Zhou Bo Yu directly into the room.
Zhou Bo Yu’s room was very spacious, well-lit, and luxurious. Inside were several sets of imposing tables and chairs, intricately carved with exquisite patterns. On the wall facing the room hung several famous paintings and drawings, all superb masterpieces by past dynasty masters.
On the wooden cabinets on both sides of the room were white jade carvings of auspicious cabbages or various animals, as well as many styles of blue and white porcelain vases, bowls, tea sets, and so on. Leng Ruo Li walked over to look at these decorations and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Uncle Yu, you are truly wealthy! Just the decorations in this room alone must be worth a lot of silver. You’re quite the hidden rich man.” Leng Ruo Li teased.
“Haha, you girl, don’t mock your Uncle Yu. My wealth is just a drop in the ocean compared to yours,” Zhou Bo Yu revealed, exposing her.
“However, if there’s anything in my place that you fancy, just say the word. Anything you like, Uncle Yu will have it packed and sent to the Cold Royal Manor.” Zhou Bo Yu said to Leng Ruo Li affectionately. When Wan’er was alive, he couldn’t help her in any way. Now that the daughter born to her was this grown, he wanted to dote on her to make up for her mother’s regrets.