0p0 Chapter 458 Treasure Appraisal Conference!
Chapter 458 Treasure Appraisal Conference!
Mu Xin Nuan had absolutely no interest in the Lu family's affairs. All she could think about right now was how to ensure the people in those impoverished areas could safely get through the winter.
Although a large amount of supplies have been transported, it is still far less than the number of refugees.
People freeze to death or starve to death every day.
Every day, people die on the streets because they cannot withstand the disease.
These are clearly not things that Mu Xin Nuan wants to see.
Mu Xin Nuan could not interfere in government affairs, so she could only use her position to persuade some officials' wives and local noble ladies.
She knew they were all women and couldn't make any major decisions, but she hoped they could do their part, however small. Even if it was just having her staff do a few stitches, or contributing a piece or two of jewelry, she would consider it their effort.
That evening, as soon as Duanmu Chuze returned, he saw Mu Xinnuan having Rongyue help with the registration process.
Duanmu Chuze stared blankly for a moment, then pondered for a while before saying, "Anuan, what these ladies are donating now is just some ordinary jewelry, which is really not worth much money. This is not a solution."
"They are all women who live in the inner quarters. Although they manage the household affairs, they cannot decide how the money is spent."
“I know! What I’m thinking now is, how about we take out a few good items and let those young masters from prestigious families buy them?”
Mu Xin Nuan was somewhat taken aback. "What does this mean? If you ask them to buy it, will they really be willing to buy it?"
Duanmu Chuze thought of the auction in his previous life and immediately became interested. He then shared his thoughts with her, and the two of them became more and more enthusiastic as they talked. They then quickly came up with a plan, for example, the number of items could not be too many, so they decided on six pieces.
Among these six items, there should be both precious treasures and calligraphy works favored by literati, which would elevate the entire auction to another level.
"It's getting late, almost midnight. It's my fault, I got so excited that I forgot the time. Come on, let's get some rest," Duanmu Chuze said, looking embarrassed.
"Well, I'll think about the rest tomorrow. You're very busy with official duties, but I understand the general idea. I'll draft everything then, and you can make the final decision."
"Excellent! Indeed, having a virtuous wife is better than countless treasures."
Mu Xin Nuan rolled her eyes at him, wondering where he had heard such shameless words, but they did sound quite pleasant.
For the next few days, Mu Xin Nuan was busy with this matter.
In the end, she selected these six items: a South China Sea pearl necklace, a jade bracelet, a landscape painting by a contemporary master of calligraphy and painting, a pair of cloisonné enamel vases, a potted coral tree, and a gold-rimmed celestial globe vase.
These six items are quite valuable, and all have verifiable provenance, making them ideal for auction.
After Mu Xin Nuan finalized the list, she added starting prices to it. This was Duanmu Chu Ze's idea. None of the items had cheap starting prices. However, those invited would be well-known aristocratic families and gentry in Yanzhou, so they naturally wouldn't care about the money.
Mu Xin Nuan roughly estimated that there would be about thirty people from prominent families, including those from the surrounding counties. The scene was sure to be quite spectacular.
For the location, Mu Xin Nuan chose the most luxurious restaurant in Yanzhou City. Since she wanted people to spend money, it couldn't be too shabby. Otherwise, the person spending the money would be unhappy, and the amount of money spent would be reduced.
With everything nearly ready, Liu was finally no longer in bed to recuperate.
After Liu's antics and He's admonition, Madam Lu naturally became much more obedient!
However, Xie Yilin did not return to Beijing. Instead, she was invited by Madam He to stay at her residence for a few days.
Xie Yilin was a smart woman. After only a few words with Madam He, she realized that she was not popular in Yanzhou.
Whether considering it from the perspective of Princess Chang Le or from the perspective of these two ladies, her own situation seems to be rather precarious.
Upon learning that the Prince of Changle intended to hold a so-called treasure appraisal conference, Xie Yilin's mind stirred. She instinctively felt that this was her best opportunity in Yanzhou.
In fact, Xie Yilin didn't really like Prince Chang Le that much. After all, she hadn't met him much before. She only took it to heart after she overheard her elders mentioning her marriage.
Although the Xie family's status in the capital was not as high as the Wang family's, they were still a true noble family. She always felt that her status as a young lady of the Xie family was a perfect match for Prince Chang Le.
I never expected that I would be outshone by a young girl who hadn't even reached marriageable age, and that Prince Chang Le wouldn't even give me the chance to be a concubine!
Xie Yilin has always been proud and arrogant, believing herself to be the most talented and promising young lady in the Xie family generation, apart from the Crown Princess. What makes Duanmu Chuze so disdainful of her?
In Xie Yilin's mind, she was extremely beautiful, had an extraordinary temperament, and a very wealthy background. Whoever married her would gain even more power!
But to my surprise, Duanmu Chuze wouldn't give her even the slightest chance!
Hsieh Yi-lin was unwilling to accept it! She was always the one who looked down on others, so why was it that others looked down on her?
Besides, she'd met Mu Xin Nuan before. What was so special about her? She was just a little prettier, wasn't she? But she wasn't any worse off than Mu Xin Nuan! Especially in terms of family background, how could Mu Xin Nuan compare to her? So why was Duanmu Chu Ze so determined to marry her?
Just thinking about the way Mu Xin Nuan looked at her at that tea party that day, so pure and so noble, made her blood surge in her chest!
That's practically a show of defiance against me! It's a blatant disregard for my status as a lady from a prestigious family; it's a slap in the face!
A ruthless glint flashed in Xie Yilin's eyes, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly. "Mu Xin Nuan, I'll let you be smug for two more days. I want to see how long you can keep laughing. Once you've lost face in front of all the prestigious families, I'll see how you'll still have the nerve to cling to the position of Princess Chang Le!"
"Mu Xin Nuan, I'd like to see what you'll have left to fight me with then? What I can't have, you don't deserve either!"