Nightfall

A Banquet in the Palace

Translator: TransN  Editor: TransN

Upon hearing the word, the expression on Cao Youning’s face suddenly changed.

It would naturally appear weird if he carried a desk back to the mansion of Grand Secretary, no matter how delicate it was packed. After all, it was unique in the world. However, a book of rubbings… could be copied without any limitation, if ink and paper were provided. If he really took the book of rubbings to the mansion, how could he explain to his brother-in-law?

Looking at the uninvited handmaiden with a slightly-black face, he sullenly said, “Who are you?”

Having a glance at him and knowing his intention, Dewdrop reluctantly but smilingly said, “The desk you want to buy belongs to that…Master Yan Se, but the writing was Ning Que’s original works. The girl was Ning Que’s handmaiden, whose voice, to be honest, matters a lot. If you really want to take something valuable home, I advise you to be more polite.”

Cao Youning was shocked and quickly accepted Dewdrop’s suggestion. Politely greeting a bow with hands folded in front to Sangsang, he honestly said, “Though the book of rubbings must be valuable in the future, yet now I just want to purchase something unique.”

Sangsang thought that the man should be treated well since he was the first customer after Ning Que became famous. With a short thinking, she peacefully said, “I stamp a seal for you. If you are still unsatisfied with it, my young master will ask Master Yan Se to make a signature on this book of rubbings.”

After finishing the word, she fished out a seal from her clothes.

Cao Youning looked at the seal in her hand in excitement and asked, “This is…the private seal of Mister Ning?”

Sangsang slightly frowned because she felt very strange that her young master was named Mister Ning, as it was very similar to the name of Mistress Jian.

After a short silence, Cao Youning made his condition, “Could you promise that mine is the only one with a private seal?”

Sangsang nodded her head.

Raising his head and looking at Sangsang’s eyes, Cao Youning said, “Please make an offer.”

Sangsang said, “Three hundred taels of silver.”

…

…

After exchanging a piece of paper and a red seal with three notes, Cao Youning left the house in excitement and disappointment. Until seeing his back disappear outside the door, Dewdrop and Sangsang retracted their eyes and looked at each other.

Xiaocao happily hugged Dewdrop’s plump arm. She shook Dewdrop’s arm and said, “Sister Dewdrop, earn three hundred taels of silver only at the cost of some ink and cloth. Now you can make a big fortune.”

Dewdrop smilingly said, “Only the first piece could worth this price. Besides, it was mainly due to Ning Que’s private seal.”

“But it could be copied easily!” Xiaocao counted with her fingers and said, “This business is much more cost-effective than dancing and singing.”

Dewdrop just smiled and didn’t reply more. After taking a cup of tea and having a gentle sip, she kept looking at Sangsang.

During the period, Sangsang did nothing but just looked at Dewdrop in silence.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became a little weird.

Dewdrop slowly put down the cup. She raised her head and smilingly said to Sangsang, “Seven-Three. You get seventy percent and I take Thirty percent.”