Chapter 1137: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (12)

“May I ask, Young Master, what kind of jade are you offering?”

“Raw stones freshly mined. I come from the Northern Yan Kingdom.”

The man had one of his attendants bring over a piece of rough stone. The shopkeeper examined it several times but felt unable to make a decision.

“This… I'll need to consult our mistress,” the shopkeeper said after a brief hesitation.

Northern Yan was famous for producing jade. Every nation knew this.

Much of the jade circulating throughout the various kingdoms originated there. If these people really were merchants from Northern Yan, then the quality of the stones in their possession should be excellent.

The shopkeeper dared not decide because he didn't understand jade well enough. There were simply too many pitfalls in this business. If he suffered a loss, he couldn't bear the responsibility.

As luck would have it, the Princess Consort happened to be here today. After some hesitation, he explained the situation to the visitors before going inside to report everything to Tang Guo.

“I'll go take a look.”

Tang Guo led her maids outside.

The man who had been leisurely sipping tea raised his head instinctively. When he saw Tang Guo, he froze momentarily.

Then he smiled.

“So this antique shop belongs to this… madam?”

He had nearly called her “young lady,” but noticing her married hairstyle, he awkwardly changed his words.

“May I ask your surname, Young Master? The shopkeeper says you're from Northern Yan and have some raw stones you intend to sell?”

“My surname is Yan, and my full name is Yan Huo.”

The system almost burst out laughing.

Yan Huo? “Inspect the Goods”?

What kind of strange name was that? Since he sold stones, had his parents deliberately named him “Inspect the Goods” to remind buyers to check their merchandise carefully?

“Then, Young Master Yan, where are your goods?”

“Madam understands these things?” Yan Huo asked curiously. He wasn't surprised that women dealt in cosmetics and accessories, but there were very few people who truly understood rough jade.

Of course, he hadn't come here specifically to sell stones.

The batch he had with him was genuinely first-rate.

Even though selling wasn't his primary purpose, he had no intention of selling to someone who couldn't appreciate the goods.

“I know a little,” Tang Guo replied. “Would it be convenient for me to take a look?”

“Of course. My carts are outside, and all the goods are loaded on them. Since Madam understands, let's go have a look.”

“Could we move them into the backyard?”

“Certainly.”

Yan Huo was very curious to see what this woman could discern. Rising to his feet, he waved his hand and ordered his men to follow the shop attendants and transport all the rough stones into the rear courtyard.

“Madam, after you.”

Yan Huo's gaze lingered on the woman's face for a moment before drifting to her hairstyle.

For some reason, he felt that he shouldn't be calling her “Madam.”

Nor should she already be married.

The thought amused him.

The maids and servants hurriedly unloaded the stones. Seeing Tang Guo's practiced movements, Yan Huo's eyes widened slightly, and his expression became much more serious.

He had truly never expected that even a married woman in Southern Shu would understand such things.

It really broadened his horizons.

It seemed he had underestimated Southern Shu.

If even an ordinary woman possessed such knowledge, it proved that Southern Shu was full of talented individuals.

Perhaps he could recruit a few back to Northern Yan.

Tang Guo, of course, had no idea what was going through Yan Huo's mind. She was carefully examining the stones.

These goods are excellent, the system commented. I can see several pieces that, once cut and polished, would become priceless treasures.

The system's abilities were extraordinary. Seeing through stones was effortless.

Could it be that merchants in ancient times were really so honest? Bringing such fine goods?

“Don't be ridiculous,” Tang Guo replied lightly. “Ancient swindlers were plentiful too.”