Chapter Sixteen: Ordering Flowers

“Can a single flower really scare Madam so much?” Qin Mingyue teased as she saw her still standing stunned by the courtyard.

“You’re still laughing! What does that Zhao family flower shop have to do with you?” Lady Xing was no fool and quickly connected Qin Mingyue to the Zhao flower shop.

“My eldest brother helps the shop’s manager run errands and did him a small favor. This pot of flowers was their gift,” Qin Mingyue said frankly. Knowing that such a big event at the flower shop couldn’t be kept secret for long, it was better to openly accept the flowers from the Xing family and casually describe Zhao Guoji as just a minor manager at the Zhao flower shop. Even if the Jia family came looking, they wouldn’t look down on Zhao Guoji’s status.

“Aren’t you afraid Wang’s family will come after it? If your brother can’t help, the old Madam and the others might be…” Lady Xing, though fond of the camellia, knew this would bring trouble to Qin Mingyue and quickly declined.

“Don’t worry. If the Jia family comes to the flower shop, my brother’s true identity will be revealed. He’s just a minor manager, doing odd jobs—no great power to help them,” Qin Mingyue said, impressed that Lady Xing could resist such a temptation, feeling their friendship was well worth it.

“Then you should keep it. My courtyard can’t hold it anyway,” Lady Xing refused again. This was a treasure even officials outside would find hard to buy. If placed in her courtyard, Wang’s family would surely come knocking within three days.

“If it’s found in my courtyard, it won’t stay either. No problem. You can take it back and place it by the window—look at it often. After all, your status is higher than hers now, so if she wants to take it, she’ll have to think carefully,” Qin Mingyue knew there was no hiding from Wang’s family. The flower’s quality was average, and she hadn’t put much effort into it—just for fun.

“Well then, I won’t be polite. If Wang’s family dares to come and snatch it, I’ll make sure to deal with them properly!” Lady Xing felt confident but still covered her tracks on the way home, not wanting her newly acquired treasure to be easily taken.

Meanwhile, after taking on the flower-buying task, Jia Lian left eagerly with the silver note given by Grandmother Jia.

Upon arriving at the Zhao flower shop, even Jia Lian was dazzled by the variety of flowers.

As soon as he entered, a well-trained attendant came forward to introduce the various flowers.

Jia Lian grew more fascinated the longer he looked. He was never a flower lover, but now he patiently toured the shop.

“We’re hosting a banquet at the manor. I’m here to order a batch of fresh flowers,” Jia Lian said, nearly forgetting his mission as he got lost in the displays.

“Sorry, if it’s for a banquet, you’ll have to wait until next month. This month’s orders are full. Each guest is limited. Would you still like to place an order?” the attendant replied.

“What? A whole month later? I don’t believe a flower shop this big can’t supply flowers for one banquet. Are you trying to fool me?” Jia Lian immediately thought the attendant had underestimated him and dared to lie.

“Sir, please calm down. The shop truly cannot supply large quantities in such a short time. Previous customers pre-ordered, and the schedule is full,” the attendant replied calmly, having dealt with many customers and unfazed by Jia Lian’s suspicion.

“Do you know who I am? Even the Rongguo Manor gets lied to. Bring me the order list. If there’s a single mistake, watch your life!” Jia Lian, frustrated by failing such a simple task, took it out on the attendant.

“Oh! Second Young Master Lian is here? What’s going on?” Hearing the news, the manager of Yunxiang Pavilion naturally couldn’t ignore the matter since his master’s money was involved.

“Manager Lin, you’re here too!” Jia Lian quickly toned down upon seeing Manager Lin, knowing Yunxiang Pavilion was backed by Prince Sheng and others.

“Second Young Master Lian, please don’t trouble this young man. There are many others ahead of you who can’t get flowers. Rushing ahead might bring trouble to Rongguo Manor,” Manager Lin hinted. Jia Lian was not a fool and understood there were powerful people involved.

“Thanks for the reminder, Manager Lin,” Jia Lian, still frustrated, decided to return to the manor and reconsider.

“Second Young Master, isn’t that Zhao Guoji? Why is he inside?” Jia Lian’s attendant eagerly pointed out a familiar face.

“You must be seeing things. Zhao Guoji wouldn’t be here,” Jia Lian dismissed it, still thinking about how to handle Wang’s task.

“I’m sure of it. I worked with Zhao Guoji in the manor for years; I’d never mistake him!” The attendant didn’t want to miss this opportunity. If he found something, he’d be a hero.

“What would Zhao Guoji be doing here? Come, let’s go in with me and see!” Jia Lian grew hopeful that Zhao Guoji could be a breakthrough.

“My master lost something and came back to look for it,” the attendant followed Jia Lian back into the flower shop.

“Look, Second Young Master! It really is Zhao Guoji. What’s his connection to the Zhao flower shop? Could it be…” The attendant’s doubts grew; if Zhao Guoji had such ability, why would he constantly mooch off the Jia manor?

Zhao Guoji saw them and, hoping to avoid the Jia family, was surprised to run into them. He smiled and greeted them politely.

“Second Young Master, why are you here?”

“Zhao Guoji, what are you doing in the flower shop? What’s your connection to it?” Jia Lian hurriedly asked two questions, trying to confirm his suspicions.

Fortunately, Zhao Guoji was prepared and remained calm: “After leaving the manor, I had no way to earn a living. My family was struggling. Luckily, I helped Manager Lin a bit, and he introduced me to help out here to earn some money and support my family.”

“So I was overthinking it. Fine, you can go back,” Jia Lian lost interest, realizing Zhao Guoji couldn’t help and left with his entourage.

Zhao Guoji breathed a sigh of relief.

Back at the manor, Jia Lian went to Grandmother Jia’s courtyard to apologize. The women in the house fell silent; without the crucial flowers, how could the banquet proceed?

Wang Xifeng twisted Jia Lian’s arm and apologized to Grandmother Jia: “It’s so rare that Second Young Master has something to do, but he can’t even handle ordering flowers. Your granddaughter-in-law is ashamed to be here bothering you!”

“Even Rongguo Manor is not taken seriously here. This flower shop must have deep roots. It’s normal that Lian’er couldn’t get it. This can’t be rushed and must be planned carefully,” Grandmother Jia comforted Wang Xifeng, fond of her and unwilling to blame her.

“But the invitations have already gone out. If we don’t get flowers that day, Brother Zhu will be mocked by outsiders!” Wang was determined to make this banquet a success but was stuck on the flower issue and unwilling to accept it.

“You’re the lady of the house. Getting so anxious over a problem—what kind of example is that? Lian’er, go check if those ahead of us would sell their orders. We’ll pay handsomely,” Grandmother Jia scolded Wang and then instructed Jia Lian.

“Grandmother really has the wisdom of an elder. As they say, having an elder at home is like having a treasure. Now I see it for myself,” Wang Xifeng’s words restored the lively atmosphere in the room.