Chapter 104: The Eunuch Buys Books

Chapter 104: The Eunuch Buys Books

Xin You hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

She had already met King Qing and Princess Royale Zhaoyang; it wouldn't hurt to meet another prince.

"Commoner Xin You greets Your Highness Prince Xiu."

In Great Xia, dragon robes were granted to some ministers, but only the royal family could have dragons embroidered on their shoes.

Prince Xiu's eyes showed surprise. "Have you seen this prince before?"

"This is the first time Commoner Xin You has met Your Highness Prince Xiu."

Prince Xiu followed Xin You's gaze to the tip of his shoe peeking out from under his robe and smiled. "Are you Miss Kou, the owner of Qingsong Bookstore?"

"Indeed, Commoner Xin You is she."

Prince Xiu looked at her face, which bore a resemblance to Princess Royale Zhaoyang, his eyes deepening like a still pond. "I've heard that your bookstore's *Painted Skin* is quite captivating. This prince will buy a set."

Xin You immediately instructed Liu Zhou, "Go fetch a set of *Painted Skin*."

As *Painted Skin* became the talk of the capital, many who did not usually read storybooks bought copies out of curiosity, leading to another surge in sales. Mr. Hu had some of the upper parts bound with the lower parts using a band, making it convenient for customers to purchase the complete set.

Liu Zhou brought the set of *Painted Skin* and presented it to Prince Xiu with both hands.

Xin You noticed that unlike King Qing's heavily guarded entourage, Prince Xiu was accompanied by just a few attendants, appearing more casual. An outsider might mistake him for a wealthy civilian's son.

Prince Xiu took the book, and an attendant beside him reached into his pocket for money.

"Your Highness Prince Xiu's visit brings great honor to our humble store. How can we accept payment from Your Highness?" Xin You politely declined.

Prince Xiu's expression turned serious. "Paying for goods is only right. If Miss Kou does not accept payment, this prince would feel uncomfortable visiting again."

Hearing this, Xin You did not insist further.

Prince Xiu strolled around the bookstore, stopping at a shelf and picking up a travelogue.

Xin You's eyes flickered.

That was the travelogue He Qingxiao had been reading halfway through.

Prince Xiu quietly flipped through the pages, showing no sign of leaving. Xin You felt it inappropriate to stare and silently returned to sit behind the counter.

With Prince Xiu present, Mr. Hu could not continue his usual business activities and exchanged glances with Xin You.

The sound of footsteps approached the entrance, and a figure in crimson walked in.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Liu Zhou instinctively darted forward to block the view of the bookshelf.

"Sir He, you're here," the young clerk whispered.

He Qingxiao nodded slightly, his gaze passing over Liu Zhou to see Prince Xiu.

Prince Xiu also looked over.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere grew tense for a moment.

Prince Xiu put down the book and started walking away.

"Your Highness Prince Xiu," He Qingxiao greeted first.

Unlike King Qing's arrogance, Prince Xiu was more courteous to He Qingxiao. "I didn't expect Sir He to be buying books as well."

Beside them, Liu Zhou's lips twitched, thinking they had misunderstood the situation.

Xin You sensed that neither of them had anticipated encountering each other, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Just as she was about to speak, there was movement at the entrance again.

All eyes turned toward the door.

This time, three men entered, all young. The leader was thin and not very tall, with a fair complexion and a reserved demeanor.

His reserve turned to surprise upon seeing Prince Xiu.

Prince Xiu was equally surprised.

The man leading the trio was a eunuch from Consort Shu's palace.

Given the number of palace staff, even if one had lived in the palace, it was unlikely to know everyone. However, those serving directly under Consort Shu were hard to forget, and Xiao Mingzi was one of them.

Xiao Mingzi debated whether to greet Prince Xiu, then sighed in relief when he saw Prince Xiu look away.

Her Ladyship hadn't asked him to make a grand appearance to buy books.

"Where's the shopkeeper?" Xiao Mingzi scanned the room and paused when he saw He Qingxiao in Jinlin Guard attire.

What was going on in this bookstore?

Fortunately, Mr. Hu approached. "Would the esteemed guest like to buy books?"

"Of course, why else would I come to a bookstore?" Xiao Mingzi retorted, then realized Prince Xiu and the others were still present and softened his tone. "Ahem, do you have *Painted Skin*?"

"Yes, would the guest like the lower part or the complete set?"

"The complete set."

Mr. Hu gave a nod, and Shitou quickly fetched a set of *Painted Skin*.

Xiao Mingzi motioned for the others to take the books and said with a smile, "One set isn't enough; get two more."

Since both the Empress and His Highness King Qing wanted to read the book, he had to take a look too. After reading it, he could resell it to other palace attendants and earn some pocket money.

Shitou brought over two more volumes of the book.

Xiao Mingzi's gaze fell on Xin You's face for a moment. He had originally wanted to say something, but considering who else was present, he decided against it.

"Let's go," Xiao Mingzi nodded, turning to leave with the books in hand.

Prince Xiu also lost interest in staying.

"Minister He, take your time choosing."

After greeting He Qingxiao, Prince Xiu turned to Xin You: "Miss Kou, I'll be taking my leave now."

"Goodbye, Your Highness Prince Xiu."

Xin You saw Prince Xiu off at the door. When she returned, she saw Mr. Hu working the abacus again, Liu Zhou relaxing as he tidied the bookshelves, and Shitou serving He Qingxiao a cup of tea before going back to his own tasks.

As for He Qingxiao, he was sipping his tea slowly.

Xin You remained silent.

These people really didn't treat Minister He as an outsider.

Seeing Xin You come in, He Qingxiao approached her.

"News of Miss Kou's heroic deed has spread, and we've been getting more visitors lately."

Due to Princess Royale Zhaoyang's status, these visitors specifically referred to people like Prince Xiu.

Hearing He Qingxiao's reminder, Xin You directly asked, "Were the three people who just came from the palace?"

Apart from judging by their appearance, when Xin You saw Xiao Mingzi, a scene flashed before her eyes.

It was clearly inside a palace hall, with layers of brocade curtains and a splendid ceiling. The fair young man who had bought *Painted Skin* respectfully held the book before a gorgeous lady in palace attire.

For reasons unknown, the smiling lady in palace attire suddenly flew into a rage and slammed the book onto the young man's face.

The young man fell to his knees, blood seeping through his fingers as he clutched his face.

The scene ended there, leaving a deep impression of the lady's fury on Xin You.

He Qingxiao gave Xin You a long look.

Miss Kou was indeed perceptive.

"Yes, they are from the Lotus Palace, which is the residence of Consort Shu, the birth mother of King Qing."

Xin You smiled, but her expression lacked warmth: "I didn't expect that even the ladies in the palace would read folk stories."

That eunuch had just returned to the palace with *Painted Skin*. What did he say that made Consort Shu so furious?

Noticing that Xin You was deep in thought, He Qingxiao didn't disturb her and silently walked to the familiar bookshelf. Reaching for the familiar spot, he found that the travelogue he hadn't finished reading had been moved.

He Qingxiao paused for a moment, then picked up the travelogue and placed it on the counter.

Liu Zhou, who had been busy serving customers and handling transactions smoothly, was momentarily confused about what Minister He was doing.

He Qingxiao: ?