Chapter 189: A Willing Transaction
“Wishing Her Majesty a long and healthy life, as enduring as the southern mountain’s ancient pine, and boundless blessings like the eastern sea’s endless flow! To express my sincerity, your humble subject has specially procured the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree!”
The first minister to seize the opportunity, upon announcing the name of his gift, immediately drew shocked gazes from many.
This South Sea Coral Treasure Tree could be called a legendary treasure!
Legend had it that a certain tyrant, to win a beauty’s smile, directly dispatched people to dive into the South Sea in search of fiery red coral. Coupled with pearls the size of fists, he then had skilled artisans string them together with threads of gold and jade.
Easier said than done.
Let alone other matters, just the divers who went into the sea to search for coral and pearls, countless perished in the ocean.
Under such circumstances, the exquisitely crafted South Sea Coral Treasure Tree, after countless lives were paid as the price, finally emerged!
And when the consort saw this precious tree, she was indeed overjoyed, and spent every night in revelry with the tyrant!
However, good times did not last.
When the rebel army appeared, both the tyrant and his consort ceased their decadent lifestyle, and instead, plunged into the river together, committing suicide and feeding the fish.
Many treasures sank into the river along with them.
And this South Sea Coral Treasure Tree was among those many treasures.
But now, for this minister to present it, how could it not cause astonishment!
Amidst the expectant gazes of everyone, an object covered with red cloth was also brought in from outside the hall at this moment.
One did not know how the people outside received the minister’s instructions to bring the treasure into the hall.
However, the attention of the people was not focused on this, instead, their eyes were eagerly fixed on the treasure covered by the red cloth.
The South Sea Coral Treasure Tree, whispered about for so long, that they had the fortune to see it today was truly an immense stroke of luck!
The minister who presented the treasure, at this point, no longer kept them in suspense. With a wave of his hand, the red cloth fell, revealing the true appearance of the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree.
“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, is this the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree? It looks so beautiful! Those pearls are really huge, and the red gemstones are too gorgeous… but, is this still coral?”
Looking at the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree displayed before them, while the people around were shocked, Gu Qingheng suddenly leaned closer to Gu Yu and whispered.
Clearly, even Gu Qingheng found such a treasure as the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree exceptionally beautiful!
“Legends cannot be believed. Who knows if it’s just to inflate the price? In my opinion, this kind of thing is ornate but impractical, and not very interesting.”
However, Gu Yu felt nothing for it.
Having seen many uniquely designed objects in modern times, upon seeing the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree, Gu Yu felt it was not much different from mass-produced items from factories.
If it were other treasures, one might appreciate the craftsmanship of ancient artisans. But the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree, aside from the pearls and gemstones, did not feature much intricate workmanship.
Gu Yu felt he could replicate it.
Of course, perhaps this official was merely using the reputation of the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree to create a counterfeit.
Who could discern the authenticity of a legendary treasure!
Many people shared Gu Yu’s thought process, so no one pointed it out. Instead, they happily watched the proceedings, each thinking about how to come up with a catchy name for their own gift later.
Otherwise, they would be overshadowed by the South Sea Coral Treasure Tree, and would not achieve the expected impact of surprising everyone!
“Wishing Her Majesty eternal youth like the pine and crane, and to remain youthful through all seasons. Your humble subject has an item called the ‘Morning and Evening Cattle Herding Painting’! When viewed during the day, it depicts the leisurely scene of a cowherd herding cattle, and when viewed at night, it shows the cattle and sheep returning to the pen, and the cowherd resting!”
“Wishing Her Majesty a lifespan as long as the southern mountain, and to retain her beauty. Your humble subject purchased a diamond-studded gold pocket watch from a far-off overseas merchant, which can display the time and is very convenient!”
“The green pine remains eternally vigorous, and spring is ever-present. Congratulating Her Majesty the Empress on her birthday, I specially present a mermaid’s ever-burning lamp!”
After the first congratulator stepped down, the subsequent people eagerly presented their gifts.
One by one, seemingly renowned treasures emerged from their mouths, leaving Gu Yu stunned.
When he had exchanged his longevity pills for treasures before, those who exchanged with him had never mentioned that they possessed such good items.
However, thinking about it, these people had exchanged at most three longevity pills, and there would be opportunities to increase the price later!
Since these fellows had kept their good items, he couldn’t blame him for increasing the price significantly!
With this thought, Gu Yu immediately had an idea. He planned to refine the Thousand-Year Ice Silkworm into longevity pills and then directly multiply their price several times.
If they found it too expensive, they didn’t have to exchange for it.
But the chance to increase lifespan was a “miss this village, miss this shop.”
Let them hoard their treasures; Gu Yu wouldn’t force anyone to exchange.
After all, doing business was about a willing transaction.
At most, when these people finally changed their minds, Gu Yu would directly increase the price tenfold.
A willing transaction…
“Brother-in-law, why don’t you go give a gift! Be careful not to be overshadowed by these ministers, and let Empress Bai Qian look down on you!”
Just as Gu Yu was contemplating increasing the price, Gu Qingheng nudged Gu Yu’s arm with his elbow.
The words that followed caused Gu Yu to roll his eyes uncontrollably.
Truly, the emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuch is!
He himself wasn’t worried about anything, but his younger brother-in-law was incredibly anxious.
“What’s the rush? It’s not like I’m rushing to reincarnate.”
Gu Yu’s voice was not loud, but several ministers standing beside him heard it, causing their bodies to tremble, thinking how venomous Gu Yu’s mouth was!
However, they wanted to see what kind of gift Gu Yu could present.
The Gu family had only risen to prominence in the past two years, their foundation was weak, and it was unlikely they could produce any good gifts.
Not to mention, Gu Yu was merely a son-in-law who lived with the wife, what good things could he present!
Saying such things now was just putting on a show.
“Isn’t it better to do something like this sooner rather than later?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Haven’t you heard of the term ‘finale’? I want to be the last one to present a gift, so that Empress Bai Qian will remember me more… Moreover, my gift is different from what these people are giving. Just thinking about it now makes my heart ache.”
“Even brother-in-law feels heartache, could it be…”
“Shh, wait until I present it later.”
While Gu Yu and Gu Qingheng were talking, upon hearing Gu Yu say this, Gu Qingheng’s eyes flickered. He immediately guessed what Gu Yu was going to present.
His brother-in-law was going to go all out!
However, just as he was about to speak, Gu Yu raised his index finger and shook it, signaling not to say anything yet.
They said walls have ears.
Seeing the ministers nearby pricking up their ears to eavesdrop, Gu Yu did not wish to reveal his trump card so soon.
After watching the surrounding people speak and withdraw, and finally no one spoke again, Gu Yu unsteadily stepped forward and took out an exquisite wooden box from his sleeve.
“Your humble subject Gu Yu, presents fifteen Longevity Pills!”
