Chapter Seven: Selling Flowers

“Hey! Everyone’s already left, and you’re still hanging around the mansion, freeloading!” The gatekeeper watched Zhao Guoqiang carrying two loads of goods out, feeling both jealous and disdainful.

“Ah, what can I do? Now that I’m out, I have to rely on myself. Besides, I have a whole family to support! Honestly, staying in the mansion was more comfortable,” Zhao Guoji put on a weary expression.

The gatekeeper felt somewhat vindicated, thinking: so what if he’s no longer a slave? He’s still a hard worker, nowhere near as carefree as when he was inside the mansion. Moreover, they didn’t even try to stop Zhao Guoji from leaving.

Zhao Guoji carried his loads and soon arrived at a familiar address.

“Brother Liang, could you lend me your black market pass?” Zhao Guoji hurriedly offered some fine wine upon seeing his visitor.

“Aren’t you out now? Why come looking for me?” Brother Liang teased.

“Life outside isn’t easy, especially with a big family to feed! I managed to get some goods and thought I’d try my luck,” Zhao Guoji replied without going into details. Brother Liang didn’t press further, knowing each trade had its own unwritten rules.

“No big deal! But mind what I say—inside, it’s a mix of all kinds. You’d better be careful and get out early. If you cross the wrong people, I can’t guarantee your safety,” Brother Liang warned, then handed Zhao Guoji a pass.

“Of course! You know my character. If I get a good price, I’ll bring you a few jars of fine wine next time!” Zhao Guoji smiled, carefully tucking the wooden pass into his chest.

“Forget it! I know what you’re made of. It’s tough for a whole family out here. Save some money for Huzi’s education! When Huzi makes something of himself, don’t forget Uncle Liang!” Brother Liang said generously.

“Definitely! Huzi was just saying he missed Uncle Liang not long ago!” Zhao Guoji had known Brother Liang for years. The man never minded his former slave status, so he often brought his son along when running errands, building a solid friendship. Otherwise, he wouldn’t seek Brother Liang’s help.

As night fell, Zhao Guoji covered his face with a cloth, shouldered his loads, and entered a narrow alley. He handed the pass to an old man at the gate and slipped inside smoothly.

Inside, the scene was bustling with activity. Although the street was crowded, many stalls lined both sides. Everyone wore masks or covered their faces like Zhao Guoji.

Arriving late, he couldn’t find a suitable spot right away and had to move inward, where the crowd thinned.

After arranging his goods, he crouched down to watch.

“Hey, little brother, what are you selling? Why cover it up so tightly? How will customers find you?” a nearby vendor asked, curious since he couldn’t see inside the basket.

“Some trinkets, rare enough to be a surprise. If I displayed them openly, where’s the mystery?” Zhao Guoji replied cautiously.

The vendor, seeing no bait, fell silent and fiddled with jade pieces on his stall.

Zhao Guoji waited half an hour without a single customer. He dared not lift the cloth rashly, thinking if the goods didn’t sell, he’d rely on old connections to have servants in noble households spread the word. With such rare items, he refused to believe they wouldn’t sell.

“Fourth Brother, this black market isn’t all that impressive. After wandering so long, I haven’t found anything suitable,” two well-dressed but unassuming men appeared before Zhao Guoji.

Nearby vendors noticed their status and tried hard to pitch their wares, though with little effect.

“I think you’d better just take the gift I prepared for you. The market’s about done,” the taller, steadier man advised.

“Looks like we have no choice. Hmph! This time, Second Brother will have to show off again!” the younger one grumbled.

“Gentlemen! I guarantee you’ve never seen goods like mine. Care to have a look?” Zhao Guoji seized the opportunity to attract their attention.

“Heh! We’ve been all over but found nothing interesting. You talk big—I want to see if you’re telling the truth. Fourth Brother, this is the last stall. Let’s check it out before we leave,” the shorter youth said, pulling the other over.

“Take a look, I promise you’ll be satisfied!” Zhao Guoji invited them closer and lifted a corner of the black cloth.

“No way... this looks so good, and it’s winter now!” The younger man was visibly excited, drawing curious glances from passersby.

“How much? We’ll take it!” The elder, wary of complications, quickly spoke.

“Gentlemen, step this way,” Zhao Guoji, noticing the growing crowd, sought a safer spot to complete the deal.

“Alright!”

Goodness! One flower sold for five hundred taels. Zhao Guoji walked on air but kept his expression steady, wary of attracting attention.

Only when he handed the silver note to Qin Mingyue did he finally exhale deeply.

“Take this. The expenses for father, mother, and Huzi’s schooling will come from here,” Qin Mingyue handed over a hundred-tael silver note.

“No, I can’t take it. You’ve been managing everything inside the mansion for us. There are many places where the children need silver,” Zhao Guoji declined.

“Accept it. There’ll be plenty more times you’ll need to help big brother,” Qin Mingyue insisted, pressing the note into his hand.

“Ah, this flower’s so valuable. Too bad there’s only one. Those two gentlemen even asked if I had more!” Zhao Guoji lamented after accepting the money.

“They want them all? I still have three more—two orchids and a camellia, all with buds. They might wait a few days,” Qin Mingyue didn’t expect Zhao Guoji to find such generous customers so quickly. She had only planned to try with one, but this honest buyer was a blessing.

“They want them! The two young lords said if there are more, they’ll come to Yunxiang Studio and ask the tavern keeper. All three will definitely sell!” Zhao Guoji’s face flushed with excitement.

“Then I’ll trouble you to make another trip. After you get the money, deliver them later. Otherwise, it might cause trouble,” Qin Mingyue warned. Lady Wang was watching her closely; if discovered, this money wouldn’t be safe.

Meanwhile, the two young lords who bought the flower returned to the mansion.

“You’re back, sirs!” The steward sighed with relief, though they had sent guards secretly, the black market was too dangerous for frequent visits.

“Fourth Brother, does your household have someone skilled in flower care? This flower is meant as a gift for the Empress Dowager’s birthday. It must not wilt,” Xiao Junji cherished the flower dearly. It was crucial to outshine the Crown Prince’s gift; no mistakes could be allowed.

“If the father wasn’t biased and helped the Crown Prince every year with gifts, Fourth Brother and I wouldn’t need to go ourselves. Hmph! I want to see how the Crown Prince can still be arrogant in front of me,” Xiao Junji rambled. “It’s a pity there’s only one flower.”

Xiao Junchi, beside him, was used to his younger brother’s fussing and quietly handled official documents.

“You’d better stay out of his way. After all, he’s the Crown Prince. If you anger the Emperor, you’ll suffer. Don’t come begging me for help then,” Xiao Junchi advised bluntly.

“So what? I just don’t like him. A royal heir acting petty with underhanded tricks,” Xiao Junji said, disgusted.

“You’re not used to this yet. In two years, you’ll be serving the Emperor in court. Then there’ll be no time to adapt. Avoidance won’t help,” Xiao Junchi pointed out without mercy.

“Alright, alright, you’re so annoying! I’m going to see the flowers!” Xiao Junji dreaded his brother’s long lectures and hurried off.

“That one’s all talk and no change after all these years,” Xiao Junchi sighed, dreading that his brother might become a liability rather than an asset.

“It’s all because father spoiled him. If not for father protecting him, Fifth Brother wouldn’t have turned out like this. Father’s just asking for trouble,” the steward chuckled.

“Hmph! If not for father spoiling his brother, who else would? But it’s time to teach him some lessons. Otherwise, that fool will be sold out and still happily counting the money!” Xiao Junchi’s face darkened as he thought of those who plotted against his brother and the Crown Prince.