Chapter 130: Chapter 130: She Is Very Beautiful
Pei Ji’an began to see Xiao Shiqing in a new light. Who would have thought? He seemed honest and straightforward, but at a critical moment, he dragged someone else down without hesitation.
Sure enough, the Emperor turned his attention to Pei Ji’an, "You see, because you’re not in a hurry, Xiao doesn’t seem to be in a hurry either. You’ve always been competitive in all aspects; shouldn’t you also make an effort on this matter to set an example?"
Pei Ji’an immediately came up with a different excuse, "It’s not that I’m not in a hurry, Your Majesty. It’s just that I have high standards and haven’t found someone who meets them yet."
The Emperor wasn’t fooled by his words. It was something, at least he had some standards; what’s scary is having none. So, he eagerly asked, "What kind of person are you looking for? Speak up, so everyone can help you look."
Pei Ji’an kept a straight face and said, "She must be very beautiful."
The Emperor’s heart settled halfway at once. How hard could it be to find a beautiful girl? There’s no shortage of beautiful girls in the Capital City, after all. Comparing them one by one, can’t you eventually pick a truly beautiful one?
Just as he was about to speak, Pei Ji’an spoke again.
"Of course, beauty alone isn’t enough. She must also be capable, brave and decisive, have thoughts and plans, manage the family estate well, be able to turn losses into gains no matter the circumstance, be very smart, understand what I want and tolerate what I do, have an independent character, rich in substance, knowledgeable about astronomy and geography, and most importantly, be able to match me in chess."
The Emperor: "..."
The Ministers: "..."
Xiao Shiqing: "..."
Did the Emperor almost spit out a mouthful of blood?
With so many conditions, even his harem can’t find one such person!
Not even fairies might meet those criteria?
To say this openly, isn’t he afraid of being struck by lightning?
However, the Emperor was a man of good temperament, composed himself slowly, and then said, "My dear minister, one might think you’re searching for a heavenly fairy. Where would one find such a person in this world? Seeking according to these criteria, you might spend your whole life alone. Not to mention all else, someone who can match you in chess is already extremely difficult to find."
That chess skill of his, the Emperor had played against him, and lost thoroughly, but the opponent knew how to behave; except for the first match showing his true level, thereafter he always conceded.
Pei Ji’an smiled gently, "I am merely an overconfident person, making the Emperor and the ministers laugh."
Having said this, what more could the Emperor say? Continuing to press might only lead him to list a whole bunch of unheard-of conditions again, asking for assistance to find someone, wouldn’t that be self-inflicted hassle?
The Emperor then turned his gaze to Xiao Shiqing, "Ah, Xiao, you’re a low-key person; you should understand the principle of marrying a virtuous wife."
Xiao Shiqing maintained his composure, "You flatter me, Your Majesty. I, too, am a shallow person; what the Heir Pei said aligns with my thoughts as well."
This was really shooting oneself in the foot while dragging others down.
Not only did it suppress himself, but also dragged down someone else.
Pei Ji’an was amused into anger, was Xiao Shiqing looking to pick a fight with him today?
Earlier, when his credit was stolen, he said he didn’t mind, with a dignified look, but actually, he seized every opportunity for revenge.
"Xiao Shiqing, can’t you organize your own words? Why keep pulling me into it?"
It made his excuse worthless, how unlucky.
"I am dull and have much to learn from the Heir Pei," Xiao Shiqing replied modestly.
A quiet dog is indeed the one that bites, Pei Ji’an smirked sarcastically and said no more, the more you say, the more mistakes you make, was this not sufficient? Shouldn’t he just stay silent?
Having caught the hint, the Emperor said, "Pei is right, Xiao, speak for yourself, why drag others into it? Speak up then, what kind of person are you seeking?"
Without anyone to imitate, Xiao Shiqing took a long time before saying, "I, I still have my heart set on one person with no other intentions."
No one believed his words; even Mrs. Xiao said that marriage was a joke, now that Prince Xiao said such, it appears to be an excuse.
But even as an excuse, it shows he is unwilling to find a wife, and such matters cannot be forced.
This matchmaking feast thus ended inconclusively.
Back at home, Qu Fulan was calculating today’s accounts for the milk tea shop.
Pei Ji’an walked over and sat down, "Was business smooth today?"
Qu Fulan merely continued calculating with the abacus, not lifting her head, "Smooth, meeting my expectations."
After planning for so long, if it wasn’t smooth, wouldn’t she spit blood?
"Hm, this number seems off," Qu Fulan recalculated several times but something didn’t add up.
"Let me have a look." Pei Ji’an’s long hands picked up the ledger and quickly pointed out the key issue, "The price here is incorrect."
Qu Fulan took it back for a look, wasn’t it just so? The cost price was recorded incorrectly.
Soon she looked up at him, "Heir Pei has sharp eyes indeed."
Pei Ji’an waved his hand, "I merely have some understanding of the market prices."
Prices in the Capital City are generally stable, memorize them once and you have it in mind.
Qu Fulan put the abacus down and sighed, "I find the more I calculate, the more confused I get."
Pei Ji’an chuckled, "Why undervalue yourself? You’re just too busy. Making occasional errors is perfectly normal."
Qu Fulan was reminded of something. Previously, Third Miss and Fang Yuan came to her, saying that Master Lu might have misunderstood her, questioning if she lied about the chess matter.
Third Miss and Fang Yuan dared not question Master Lu, but also felt Fulan wasn’t the type to lie casually, so they came to confirm.
Qu Fulan gave the same answer, and within half a year, they believed her more and more before leaving.
However, Qu Fulan thought, if her chess skill was high enough to make Master Lu apprehensive, then how high must the Heir Pei’s be?
After all, great students come from great teachers.
So the question she didn’t manage to ask last time at Hanshan Temple, she now spoke out, "What level of chess master is the Heir Pei?"
Pei Ji’an held up a tea stand, "This is hard to say; there’s always somebody better out there."
Qu Fulan sensed depth in his words and changed her approach, "Has the Heir Pei ever lost to anyone?"
Pei Ji’an took a sip of tea and thought for a while, "Truly capable opponents, besides my master, there are none for now."
Qu Fulan marveled, "What do you mean by ’truly’? Are there times when it isn’t true?"
Pei Ji’an smiled with his eyes, "For example, when playing against the Emperor, you always have to concede a bit."
Qu Fulan understood instantly, social rules are the same everywhere.
Who dares to win a competition with leaders participating?
On the second day, the "Burning Immortal Grass Milk Tea" shop was still booming, after all, the promotion was effective, and the impact is long-lasting.
In contrast, across the street at "Xiao’s," it seemed there wasn’t much strength left.
Yesterday’s opening had some guests, making it lively, but no difference could be seen. On this second day, without guests, business seemed to go unnoticed.
Today was the first time Qu Fulan could visit "Burning Immortal Grass" to check on the situation.
Coincidentally, Ji Nishang also went to "Xiao’s" today to see through its operation. After all, with a new milk tea shop opening, she wanted to see how a shop managed by her fared in business.
As a result, the two carriages were indeed bound to meet on a narrow path once again.