Chapter 1138: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (13)

Tang Guo rose to her feet, took the handkerchief from her maid, wiped her hands, and looked at Yan Huo.

“Young Master Yan, I'll take this entire batch of stones. Name your price.”

“You have excellent judgment, Madam. To tell the truth, I came here mainly to purchase antiques and rare treasures from Southern Shu. Selling these stones was simply a way to make friends with people who know their value. After all, I'm unfamiliar with this place. Since Madam recognizes their worth, I'll sell them to you at a discounted price.”

In the end, Yan Huo really quoted a rather low price.

It was practically a price with no profit at all.

Tang Guo agreed immediately without the slightest hesitation.

Host, this Yan Huo doesn't seem like a merchant. If he keeps doing business like this, he'll go bankrupt sooner or later.

“He really isn't a merchant,” Tang Guo replied. “But I'm very satisfied with this batch. As long as I make a profit, that's enough.”

The system wondered if Host's obsession with making money had carried over from the previous world and hadn't faded yet.

“Young Master Yan is so generous that I can't possibly take advantage of you.”

After having the stones taken away, Tang Guo said to him, “If there is anything you're unfamiliar with or anything you need in the future, simply seek out the manager of this shop.”

“Manager Du, as long as Young Master Yan remains in the capital, treat him well. You must not neglect him. Any business under this estate's name will offer Young Master Yan special discounts.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Manager Du didn't find anything strange about her instructions. Since the Princess Consort said the stones were valuable, they certainly were.

Later, he would invite a master stone-cutter to examine them. If even a few pieces yielded top-grade jade, they would make a fortune.

“It's almost lunchtime. Shopkeeper, arrange for Young Master Yan to be entertained at the restaurant.”

“Young Master Yan, I must return to the manor. Farewell.”

Yan Huo quickly blurted out, “Madam won't be joining me for lunch?”

Strangely enough, he felt somewhat reluctant to part with her.

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

Inviting a married woman to dine with him was clearly inappropriate, yet he had spoken before thinking. The favorable impression she had of him was probably gone now.

Tang Guo smiled faintly.

“I'm afraid that would be inconvenient.”

“I was presumptuous. Please don't take offense, Madam. Allow me to apologize. I've spent many years traveling and have become rather careless with etiquette. I forgot your status. That was indeed improper of me.”

“Then, Young Master Yan, farewell.”

“Safe travels, Madam.”

Surrounded by maids and servants, Tang Guo departed in grand fashion.

Yan Huo remained standing where he was, lost in thought, only recovering when someone beside him called softly.

After Manager Du escorted him to the restaurant and arranged the finest room for him, he assured him that any need could be brought directly to the shop before taking his leave.

Yan Huo sat in his room silently for a long time, leaving his attendants puzzled.

“Master, is something wrong?”

“Something wrong?” Yan Huo asked absentmindedly before laughing bitterly. “No… nothing's wrong.”

The truth was, he felt that he himself wasn't quite right.

His mind was filled with the image of that beautiful lady.

It was truly strange.

Since childhood, he had never been interested in women.

How had he developed feelings for a married woman?

This shouldn't be happening.

It really shouldn't.

Among all the treasures in the world, jewels and riches could be seized.

But another man's wife—

That could never be taken.

Not taken, perhaps.

But there was no harm in thinking about her, was there?

Surely merely thinking wasn't a crime.