Free Web NovelChapter 1428: Chapter 531: Samantabhadra Buddha Mother_2
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After sending off Zhou Xuan, Xu Li went to find Little Fuzi.
Before Little Fuzi followed Zhou Xuan, he was learning to be a "Box Manager".
Being a Box Manager means during every performance, all the props and costumes need to be stored in wooden boxes.
A Box Manager is responsible for safeguarding these props and costumes.
It sounds like a simple job, but the Box Manager also has to perform routine maintenance on the costumes and props, which requires quite a bit of skill.
The headpieces for the costumes are usually very intricate, and the Box Manager must ensure each hairpin is polished and every bit of silver embroidery is as good as new.
The Box Manager of the Zhou Family’s Troupe was surnamed Zhao.
Upon returning to the troupe, Little Fuzi paid a visit to his master. Master Zhao knew his apprentice’s status had changed, now following the Young Master, his future was bright.
When he saw Little Fuzi, he warmly insisted that Little Fuzi stay for a meal.
Little Fuzi was a doer; he placed his bundle on his master’s bed, rolled up his sleeves, and helped his master’s wife with cooking.
As he was busy, Xu Li called from the doorway, "Fuzi, Fuzi."
"Manager Xu, what’s up?"
Little Fuzi wiped his hands on his apron and came out to greet her.
"Oh, the Young Master said he bought some gifts for us ladies and asked me to find you to get them."
"Sure, sure, give me a moment."
Little Fuzi went to the bed, opened the bundle, took out three heavy brocade boxes, and handed them to Xu Li, saying, "Manager Xu, these were carefully selected by the Young Master, all bought at Mingjiang Department Store."
"Wow, such valuable items from a big mansion, the Young Master is really spending lavishly."
Xu Li intentionally said "lavishly" loudly, mainly for the ears of the masters and their wives outside.
She didn’t have any other faults, she just liked to save face.
In no time, those masters and their wives gathered around and asked, "Manager Xu, what gifts did the Young Master buy for you? Let us see too."
"Probably just some small rings or bracelets."
The three brocade boxes all had names on them, and Xu Li only opened her own box.
Once opened, oh my, a pure gold bracelet, exquisitely crafted, surrounded by carved phoenix leaves, the craftsmanship far exceeds the value of the material.
Besides the bracelet, the earrings and necklace were all shiny and splendid, perfectly suited for Xu Li, exuding elegance and grandeur.
"The Young Master is too generous, how could someone like me wear such luxurious jewelry?"
As she spoke, she slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.
Everyone around clicked their tongues in amazement.
"The Young Master is truly extravagant, such grand gestures."
"This is nothing, being new here, you might not know, but the rare delicacies the Young Master previously sent to our Zhou Family’s Troupe, do you know how much they were worth? Enough to buy a street."
"An ordinary street wouldn’t even be that expensive, probably enough to buy Taiping Road."
"Wow, Manager Xu, with these accessories, your aura has changed, even the wives of the officials can’t compete with your luxury."
Everyone lavishly praised Xu Li, boosting her emotional satisfaction to the brim.
"The Young Master really has an eye for things, no more talking, I still have to deliver jewelry to the Class Leader."
Xu Li hurried away to the innermost boudoir.
The door was ajar, Xu Li knocked and asked, "Is the Class Leader here?"
"Come on in, sister-in-law."
Zhou Lingyi was cutting out newspapers.
Cutting out newspapers was Zhou Lingyi’s new hobby besides napping and petting cats.
This hobby was sparked by Zhou Xuan.
Zhou Xuan had gained quite a reputation outside, often being featured in the newspapers due to his major deeds.
Zhou Lingyi would cut out the newspaper clippings about Zhou Xuan, trim them into small pieces like tofu, and paste them into blank books.
Whenever she had time, she’d take these books and flip through them.
"Clipping newspapers for the Young Master again?"
"My brother is achieving great things, I clip these and paste them as beautiful memories for the future."
Zhou Lingyi set the newspaper aside and was about to pour tea for Xu Li.
"No need, no need, look what I’ve brought you." Xu Li gleefully showed the brocade box in her hand, "Bought by the Young Master, see this bracelet on my hand, also bought by him."
"He’s busy beyond belief and still finds time to buy these things? I really need to have a word with him."
Zhou Lingyi, like Xu Li, had a "sharp tongue" that belied the truth of her affection. She expressed a desire to lecture Zhou Xuan, but quickly opened the brocade box.
"Oh, it’s silver?"
Xu Li couldn’t believe her eyes—her jewelry was gold, how could the Class Leader’s jewelry be cheap silver?
But then she saw a slip of paper inside the brocade box with the words "Well Silver" on it.
Only then did Xu Li breathe a sigh of relief.
Well Silver wasn’t actually silver; it was a highly prestigious metal in Jing Country, beyond the means of ordinary wealthy merchants, reserved for true high-ranking officials.
Xu Li only learned about Well Silver from hearing high-society ladies chat at business banquets with the martial brother.
What is Well Silver? According to Zhou Xuan’s understanding, it’s platinum.
"Wow, with my limited knowledge, I thought it was silver, didn’t realize it was Well Silver."
Xu Li beamed, picking up the exquisitely crafted platinum necklace to help Zhou Lingyi put it on,
"Class Leader, this Well Silver has only become popular in recent years, even the high-end pocket watch covers use just a smidgen of it, but you’ve got a whole pure Well Silver necklace, just imagine the expense."
