eurekapd Chapter 125 Buying unconventional books for his older brother to read
Chapter 125 Buying unconventional books for his older brother to read
The carriage stopped, and Lian Jin's voice came: "Master, we've arrived."
Qin Jingyu took a mask that could cover his entire face and put it on.
"Should I wear it?" Ye Yaoyao asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"You can wear it if you want." Qin Jingyu handed her a half-face mask.
Ye Yaoyao took it, gently touched it, and felt comfortable with its soft texture before putting it on her face.
"Not bad, doesn't hurt your face." He gave a satisfied compliment.
After getting off the carriage, I found the place to be remote and dimly lit except for a few lanterns. After looking around, I determined that it was near the residential area outside the city.
Therefore, it is clear that the underground shopping mall must be located outside the city.
Lian Jin put on a bamboo hat and waited to the side. A man in black appeared silently and drove away in the carriage.
Walking into the alley, he saw a small door. Lian Jin knocked a few times, and the door opened. Before the person inside could speak, Lian Jin spoke.
“The more the merrier.”
"Please come in, gentlemen?" The people inside respectfully invited them in.
"This is a code!" Ye Yaoyao said, approaching Qin Jingyu.
"Ok!"
After entering through another door, I walked down a long corridor. Oil lamps were lit on the walls, and I encountered many other people who were also heading to the underground market. None of them were wearing masks.
The black market sells some prohibited items, which can satisfy the needs of some people. The government tacitly approves of it, and people who come in don't need to hide their identities.
Qin Jingyu, being of noble status, always kept his whereabouts secret, and wore a mask to avoid trouble.
Once inside, the long street splits into two sides, dimly lit, with two lanterns hanging high at each stall. The stalls are lined up one after another, filled with a dazzling array of goods, making the whole street brightly lit.
The vendors' cries rose and fell, just like those at a market in the city.
"How lively!" Ye Yaoyao looked around excitedly.
As the two walked through the area, the cries of vendors selling weapons, vases, calligraphy and paintings, books, jewelry, and imported dried goods filled the air.
Ye Yaoyao looked around.
"Young master, take a look at this jade vase of mine. It was passed down from the imperial palace of the previous dynasty. Everything I sell is genuine and cannot be faked. Young master, please buy one. It is very suitable for collection."
Seeing that the two were dressed in fine clothes, the vendor selling jade and antiques picked up a jade bottle and came to them to introduce it.
Ye Yaoyao looked at the jade bottle and saw that the water was of excellent quality. She didn't know if the vendor was telling the truth, but she also thought the jade was of good quality. She glanced at it and declined, and continued walking inside.
"Brother Wang... are all the things sold here genuine?"
"Mostly true."
"Were these antiques dug up by tomb raiders?"
"possible."
"Everyone's here to see! Tonight, we have some rare books at our stall, all kinds of them. Come and take a look!"
At a book stall, the vendor was shouting loudly, and many people gathered around.
Among them were quite a few dressed as scholars. Several of them took out some silver, bought a book, and left in a hurry.
"A rare copy?" Ye Yaoyao walked up to the stall, her eyes falling on a health preservation manual, and picked it up casually.
Upon opening the book, Qin Jingyu leaned over, his eyes wide with surprise. Ye Yaoyao quickly closed the book.
Although she moved quickly, Qin Jingyu still saw it.
[It's a blatant rip-off, actually a book of erotic illustrations.]
Ye Yaoyao looked at the titles of the books laid out in front of her. They seemed very serious. She looked at the book in her hand and was about to put it back when the title of the book above her surprised her even more.
The romantic escapades of Chen Guojiu are still a thick book.
“Young master has good taste. The book you have in your hand is the best and most complete among these. You look young, so it’s perfect for you to read it now.”
When the vendor saw Ye Yaoyao pick up a book, he enthusiastically introduced it to her.
"Would you like to buy a few more? I can recommend some..."
"No need, no need," Ye Yaoyao quickly interrupted the vendor.
Who would buy these frivolous books?
Although Qin Jingyu's facial expression was hidden, the smile in his eyes was still undeniable.
"Are all your books this type?" Ye Yaoyao asked, frowning.
"Yes! My books are very detailed, perfect for beginners..."
"You dare to sell this?" Ye Yaoyao pointed to the book describing Chen Guojiu.
"Young master, you don't know this, do you? Everyone in the capital knows about the emperor's brother-in-law's womanizing ways; these kinds of books are openly sold."
Let me tell you, this is the real deal; I've verified it through on-site investigation.
[Host, is what he said true? Do you want to buy this kind of book?]
"Okay, I'll buy this one." Ye Yaoyao gritted her teeth and made up her mind.
"Alright! I'll wrap it up for you right away."
[Host, you're really buying it!]
Just take a look; you might discover something.
Ye Yaoyao thought about how Xue Ruoxue had climbed up to the Imperial Uncle's family, and she always felt that something was amiss.
Furthermore, Guo Deren acted like a big shot at the Peony Pavilion because he was the nephew of the Empress Dowager's wife. It is necessary to investigate this Empress Dowager.
"Young master, it's all wrapped up. Five taels of silver."
Lian Jin paid for the book, took it, and looked at her with surprise, while Qin Jingyu couldn't tell anything was wrong.
"Handsome guy, aren't you curious why I bought this?"
“It will certainly be useful for you to buy it, but this book is more suitable for your two older brothers to read.”
"also!"
[My two older brothers are almost of marriageable age, so giving them to them would be very suitable.]
The smile in Qin Jingyu's eyes deepened.
[Host, you might be the first sister to buy this kind of book for her brother.]
【I'm doing this to investigate the Emperor's brother-in-law, not to conduct on-site research. What would I find out if I actually investigated?】
[Host, you're right.]
Ye Yaoyao bought a book and continued walking, stopping to look at the calligraphy and paintings she passed by.
“Young master, these paintings of mine are all by the hand of literary masters. Look at this pine tree. The ink is used skillfully, with distinct layers, vividly depicting the pine tree’s proud posture and unyielding spirit. It matches your temperament very well.”
The vendor approached Qin Jingyu with the painting and enthusiastically recommended it.
“That young master!” Qin Jingyu pointed to Ye Yaoyao, who was looking at the paintings one by one.
"Alright, I'll introduce you to the young master right away." The vendor understood and walked over to Ye Yaoyao to ask.
"What kind of calligraphy or painting would you like to see, young master?"
Do you paint flowers?
"Yes, over here." The vendor unfolded the painting, which was a peony painting.
"This peony painting is bright and vibrant in color, with layers upon layers of petals, like blooming brocade, displaying a magnificent and luxurious appearance. It is suitable as a gift or for hanging in a study."
Do you paint any unusual flowers?
“Not common, there are many. Young master, tell me a nickname and I’ll look for it.”
"Phoenix tail flower."
"I've never heard of this flower before. If you'd like it, young master, I can look for it."
The vendors, seeing Ye Yaoyao's undeniable air of nobility, wanted to do business with her.
"Alright! Send someone over in a month. If they can find it, you'll get your share of the rewards."
"Okay, okay!" the vendor replied with a smile, then lowered his voice and asked:
"Young master, is anyone in your family going to take the imperial examination? I have this year's exam questions here, and the chances of passing are very high."
Ye Yaoyao was startled again, a look of hesitation on her face, and asked softly:
"Really? How could you possibly possess such a confidential item?"
The vendor's lips curled into a sly smile as he pulled a yellowed scroll from his pocket and said mysteriously:
"Don't worry, young master, I have my own connections. This was obtained at great expense and with great risk, so it's absolutely reliable."