Chapter Fifteen: Grand Opening Success

“Fourth Brother, look what good things I’ve brought for you!” Xiao Junji entered the Prince Gong’s residence with a flower basket in his left hand and a bouquet in his right.

“Oh, where did Prince Sheng find so many flowers? It’s only early spring!” the old steward of Prince Gong’s mansion exclaimed in surprise.

“My flower shop, which I invested in, just opened. Naturally, I had to join in the excitement. It’d be a pity if you didn’t come, Fourth Brother,” Xiao Junji said as he carried the basket into Xiao Junchi’s study. He chose a spot by the window to place the basket, carefully adjusting its angle.

Though Xiao Junchi had heard from his subordinates that the Zhao family recently opened a flower shop, he hadn’t expected the basket to be arranged so elegantly. It matched his study remarkably well.

“So, how is it? I personally picked the flowers,” Xiao Junji said proudly, looking at his brother.

“These flowers were arranged by someone else, right?” Xiao Junchi knew his younger brother lacked the skill.

“The florist’s arrangement is indeed quite good, but I at least picked them myself. Don’t you have something to say about that, Fourth Brother?” Xiao Junji hinted.

“As far as I know, you’ve made quite a bit of silver recently. Why come to my residence to mooch off me?” Xiao Junchi was speechless. Making the trip just for the silver reward he gave was rather dull.

“That’s different. Free gifts always feel special,” Xiao Junji defended.

“Enough. Here’s a hundred taels in silver notes. Stop pestering me,” Xiao Junchi said, shocked by his brother’s shamelessness, and waved for the steward to fetch the money.

Xiao Junji smiled triumphantly upon hearing this and soon thought of other ways to make money. He quickly sent someone to take the remaining bouquets back to the palace.

“Prince Sheng truly has the innocent heart he always had, running to me whenever there’s something fresh and interesting,” the old steward said with a satisfied smile.

“That brat won’t be happy for long. Once His Majesty calls him to court, he’ll behave,” Xiao Junchi laughed and scolded.

Excited, Xiao Junji returned to the palace and sent the flowers to his mother and the emperor. As expected, he received two rewards, adding more funds to his private treasury.

The other young princes felt a pang of envy. “Fifth Brother has earned so much silver lately. Does he still remember us younger brothers who haven’t even left the palace? We’re still stuck here!”

“Enough sulking. Here’s twenty taels each, no more,” Xiao Junji said. After all, his silver wasn’t blowing in the wind; he wasn’t about to be too generous.

The young princes didn’t complain and happily gathered around to praise Xiao Junji.

When the emperor saw the flowers, his usual gloom lifted instantly.

“That Fifth Prince really has made quite a bit. Otherwise, with his stingy nature, how would he have given rewards to the younger ones?” The emperor was nearly sixty and had long been worn down by state affairs. Because of this, he disliked seeing his sons fighting among themselves and preferred to witness brotherly harmony, even if it was only superficial.

“Your Majesty has misunderstood Prince Sheng. Look at these flowers on the table. He specially bought them to send to the palace, showing filial piety! He also takes care of the other young princes, truly a sincere heart,” the long-serving eunuch beside the emperor said, knowing well what words pleased him.

“That brat, I know him well enough. Always thinking of pleasure, neglecting duties, but at least he hasn’t forgotten his old father in the palace,” the emperor said while secretly enjoying the gesture, placing the bouquet in a vase to admire.

“That’s because you spoiled him. Everyone knows that aside from the Crown Prince, the emperor favors Prince Sheng the most. Otherwise, why would Prince Sheng always think of you whenever something new comes up?” The eunuch, understanding the emperor’s thoughts, continued.

“Hmph! Old man, don’t think I don’t know the Fifth Prince first visited the Fourth Prince’s residence. Over the years, he’s been disrespectful to the Crown Prince. If I weren’t aware of his bad temper and if the Fourth Prince hadn’t helped clean up his messes, I’d have punished him long ago,” the emperor said stubbornly.

The eunuch sighed. Indeed, Prince Sheng and the emperor were very much alike — their pride and stubbornness were identical, truly father and son.

“These flowers are fresh. The imperial garden’s blooms haven’t opened yet and are rather dull. It’s time to add some lively colors,” the emperor said. The eunuch nearby immediately showed deference, and others knew better than to offend him.

For several days afterward, ministers visiting the palace for meetings noticed fresh flowers in vases on the tables, arranged harmoniously and elegantly. Soon, the art of flower arranging became popular among the officials in the capital.

However, early spring meant limited fresh flowers at the Zhao family’s shop. Apart from consistently supplying the Cloud Fragrance Pavilion, others had to face purchase limits.

Seizing the opportunity, the Cloud Fragrance Pavilion hosted several poetry gatherings, attracting many attendees. Flowers became indispensable for hosting banquets — anyone planning an event had to order flowers from the Zhao shop a month in advance. The deposits alone for these events sparked envy.

“Why has the residence been so lively these days?” Qin Mingyue, who had been under house arrest and hadn’t gone out for a long time, asked.

“What else could it be? Brother Zhu’s birthday is coming up, and Lady Wang is busy preparing!” Madam Xing said dismissively, then turned to tease little Jia Huan.

Truly, the Jia household knew how to celebrate. Even a junior family member’s birthday was a grand affair, which astonished Qin Mingyue.

“That’s nothing. Didn’t you forget that last year’s matriarch’s birthday was even grander? The banquet alone cost at least a thousand taels,” Madam Xing said. When she first married into the Jia family, she was just as surprised as Qin Mingyue but had since grown accustomed.

Qin Mingyue was speechless. Although the Jia family no longer gleamed like the previous generation, their accumulated wealth was still considerable. No wonder they had maintained their status for so long.

“Brother Lian’s wife really is something. It’s not his birthday, yet she tags along to run errands. What’s the point? Jia Lian himself is the legitimate heir but insists on playing servant for others, even helping order flowers. Isn’t that just asking for trouble?” Madam Xing immediately began criticizing Jia Lian and his wife.

“You might not have heard, but a Zhao family flower shop recently opened in the capital, and it’s bustling. The ladies from noble families come and go all day. If I had the money, I’d have gone already,” Madam Xing said enviously.

“With the flower shop doing so well, Jia Lian probably can’t get an order through, right?” Qin Mingyue had been busy reviewing accounts and knew exactly how much income was coming in. All orders came from the elite, and Jia Lian would likely have to wait a month — by then, Brother Zhu’s birthday would have passed.

“I’ve tried to persuade him, but he won’t listen. It’s not my business anyway. Saying too much might make me look like I’m stirring trouble,” Madam Xing said knowingly. When she married in, Jia Lian was kept in the matriarch’s quarters and paid little attention to her. Naturally, there was no affection between them. Being from the main branch, she resented Jia Lian’s eagerness to cozy up to the second branch.

“Do you like flowers, madam?” Qin Mingyue asked, noticing Madam Xing’s lingering irritation and wanting to divert her attention.

“I wouldn’t say I like them, but it’s the first time I’ve seen flowers bloom so early. It’s intriguing, but such things are beyond what I can afford,” Madam Xing said, resigned to her fate and not daring to desire what wasn’t hers.

“There’s no need to think about worthiness. Flowers are meant to bring joy,” Qin Mingyue’s words softened Madam Xing’s expression. The two spent the day in the courtyard chatting and entertaining the children.

When Madam Xing left, she was surprised to find a pot of camellias in full bloom tucked in her arms, leaving her utterly stunned.