Retrieving the statue

I walked knowing exactly where to find the statue. The Yao black market was popular among wealthy people as they often traded their illegal gains and earned hefty amounts. My father wanted to get rid of it, but those officials cut this topic out or ignored it. Knowing, it involved many people, my brother also hesitated to touch this area. 

However, it was suspicious that Lady Hualing told me it would be found there, The Yao Black market was only one of the markets, her tone was firm that the statue must be there and no other place. 

I did not want to waste my time and therefore headed straight out of her room without noticing Madam Sui standing in the receiving hall, supposedly waiting for Lady Hualing. 

She smiled at first and bowed, but then her pupils widened and she gasped, putting her palm on her mouth, “His Highness? you were inside? with Lady Hualing?”

Before I could react, she fainted and fell to the ground, I was puzzled about what was so bizarre that she had to overreact, can’t I have a conversation with a lady?

It was then when my eyes widened too and I realized my crime, now this ridiculous lady will surely spread it around and report this to my sister-in-law, I was scared about how would she react, as I remembered she wasn’t willing to introduce me to her sister as if I was a bad person and would eat her sharp-tongued sister. 

I saw the embroidered fan in Madam Sui’s hand and took a close look. It was indeed the fan that the mysterious lady had. I was wondering why it was with her.  

Soon realizing I should not be here in the first place, I rushed out and bumped into a bunch of noble ladies chattering among themselves while admiring the flowers that were blooming in the front garden. 

However, as soon as I appeared, their eyes shifted towards me at the same time and they were staring at me blankly as if they had seen something very peculiar. 

I greeted them and walked straight to the gate without making another eye contact with them. 

Outside, I saw the eunuch whom I asked to keep guard standing and gossiping with maids who seemed to have accompanied the noble ladies inside. 

I twisted his ear and dragged him all the way back to my courtyard, “You are tired of living?” 

“His Highness, I wanted to inform you but was already late, so I tried to distract them. I thought you would check before leaving the backyard. Who would have thought you would be so thick-skinned and walk out in front of everyone, ” he tried to defend himself but I was enraged because of the embarrassment, and thinking about what would happen next was giving me a headache. I threw him on the floor as soon as I reached my courtyard.

“There was not a single soul when I went inside, how come she had so many guests when I was leaving?” I inquired, sitting on the huge chair in the center that every courtyard had for its owner.

“Her Highness was concerned that Lady Hualing was living in seclusion and might suffer from depression, so she invited those noble ladies to socialize with Lady Hualing, however, she is unacquainted with all of them. Madam Sui led them to the courtyard and introduce them to each other.” He explained and knelt before me trembling, “Your Highness! I was really helpless and outnumbered,” he cried. 

“Stop it now! Let them think whatever they want, I have another important matter to deal with,” I informed myself and left the place, marching out of the mansion. 

….

The street was crowded with wealthy buyers and starving poor, I was traveling incognito and could hardly make my way, tossing from one to another. I had finally found the seller who was flaunting the statue and praising it over and over again. 

The buyers were at first interested in his made-up stories behind the statue.

“And then Angels came down to earth, moved by the sincerity of the woman they gifted her the statue and promised that she will have two kids next year. 

So dear customer, this auspicious statue is best for childless couples or newlywed couples, it will bring harmony among parents if you give this. Or you can buy for yourself as well,” The seller wearing a silk hanfu dress tried to impress the potential customers. 

“How much is it?” A man fanning himself with a vulture fur fan stepped forward and asked with a smirk, he seemed to be smitten by the beauty of the statue and looked like an experienced buyer.

“Not much, just a hundred Liang of silvers,” The seller’s words froze the people around him, but the man with the vulture fan was still as he was before and nodded his head. 

“I offer two hundred!” The people turned their gazes at me, bewildered. However, my eyes were focused on the man who was looking at me as well. However, I saw his face losing color. It was my turn to smile. 

I walked up to the seller as the onlookers stared at my white simple attire, similar to what a peasant would wear. They could not swallow the jolt and kept scanning me from top to bottom. 

I took out three hundred Liang silver banknotes and handed it to the seller and he passed me the statue, not knowing how to react. 

I was about to leave when the vulture fan interrupted me, “Did you get your hands on some rich household?” I stopped and wondered if he just called me a thief, I had a hard time getting those notes used by commoners, and he was calling me a thief, I slightly glanced at him, swearing never to forget his face. 

I had to rush back and hand this to my brother before he was exposed. It was getting late and I saw the sun setting down.

…

“You broke the statue, you had to take the responsibility anyway. As your brother, I am not heartless, I will remember this.” my seventh brother patted my back and looked like he was trying to send me away, before my sister-in-law saw me, to avoid any attention. 

I gave him a cold stare and left his Courtyard. I was on my way back when I saw my seventh sister-in-law coming straight to me, followed by several maids behind her. She did not look very pleased to see me. 

“Good Evening Seventh sister-in-law, You seemed stressed, anything wrong?” 

she gave no response and stared right into my eyes as if she would eat me up.

“I heard you were attacked,” she asked me in a cold tone, did not seem like she was worried.

“Nothing serious!” I instantly replied, she wasted no time and said, “No wonder you are fluttering around, Shiyi! you are the youngest prince and not married yet, shouldn’t you be a little sincere and care about yourself.” Now her words were kind of normal, I was used to hearing an earful for my marital status.

“If you don’t care about yourself, show some consideration to others.” Her temper bombed me and I was taken aback, not able to figure out what she was referring to.