Chapter 32: One Plaque to Defeat Them All

Wei Lan got up and walked over to a drilling tool, preparing to pre-drill the holes in the jade plaque so she could then start the openwork.

She positioned the jade plaque and then pulled the bow drill.

The bow drill drove the diamond bit at the bottom of the drill shaft, drilling holes in the jade’s surface.

 

Wei Lan maintained a steady force, making the holes round and true.

She was the first among all the carvers to finish carving the surface pattern.

Instantly, murmurs of discussion arose from the crowd once more.

“Oh my god, look at that Qinglan!

They’ve already started drilling holes?

The others have only just finished outlining the shape on the jade’s surface, right?”

“Yeah, that’s way too fast.

And look, that Liu Bingkun seems to be constantly wiping sweat.

Is it really that hot?”

“Bah, if you ask me, carving fast doesn’t mean carving well.

I don’t think this Qinglan is anything special.”

“I agree.

Slow work yields fine products.

They’re just the most conspicuous.

The thing they carve will definitely be no good.”

 

Wei Lan couldn’t hear any of the outside discussions at all.

Once she started carving jade, it was as if she had a mental shield installed; she simply couldn’t hear what others were saying.

Her entire attention was focused solely on this small piece of jade in front of her.

 

Wei Lan took a deep breath and began to pull the bow drill in her hand.

The bow drill was extremely steady in her hands.

Wei Lan began the openwork carving on the four corners.

 

With the mask on her face, it was admittedly a bit uncomfortable, but it was bearable.

Wei Lan’s movements remained fast and steady.

 

The other carvers were all affected by Wei Lan to varying degrees.

Some sped up their own movements, only to make frequent mistakes.

Others had already lost their mental balance.

 

As for Liu Bingkun, the clothes on his body were now soaked with sweat.

His gaze involuntarily kept trying to see Wei Lan’s progress.

When a carver’s mind becomes unsettled, defeat is not far off.

 

Time passed, minute by minute.

The crowd’s murmurs about Wei Lan gradually subsided.

It was now around four in the afternoon.

The nobles in the private rooms were qualified to come down to the first floor and watch the carvers up close.

However, they could not communicate with the carvers; they could only stand nearby and observe.

 

Several of the young masters and wealthy merchants from upstairs, including City Lord Lu Feng, came down to the first floor.

They passed by the carvers one by one.

 

Xiao Nanyan also came down.

She looked at Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng, her brow slightly furrowing.

The birds and flowers Liu Bingkun was carving today seemed to have mistakes.

Several parts of the carving were incomplete, and the lines were also very strange; it was not up to his usual average standard.

 

After looking at Liu Bingkun, Xiao Nanyan turned her gaze to Huo Feng.

Huo Feng’s work was slightly better than Liu Bingkun’s, but it was also noticeably inferior to his usual carvings.

 

Just as Xiao Nanyan was about to go look at Wei Lan, she saw that Wei Lan was already surrounded by these wealthy merchants.

They had basically formed a circle around Wei Lan.

 

It wasn’t really the fault of these jade-loving nobles.

It was simply that the jade plaque in Wei Lan’s hands was too beautiful.

Although only the borders and the four corners had openwork carvings, it was still beautiful.

Combined with the pattern of the carp and waterweed in the middle, they would be willing to pay a high price to buy it even like this.

 

Wei Lan sighed helplessly and said, “Everyone, please step aside a little.

You’re blocking my light.”

 

Hearing Wei Lan’s words, the crowd immediately stepped aside, making room for Wei Lan.

Wei Lan looked up and scanned the area, spotting Xiao Nanyan smiling at her from a few steps away.

Wei Lan nodded at Xiao Nanyan, then lowered her head and continued with the openwork carving in her hands.

 

Xiao Nanyan stepped closer and watched for a few moments, a smile filling her eyes.

She had really struck gold this time.

The outcome of today’s competition was already decided.

 

After the group had finished their circuit, they were politely asked by the plump manager to leave the area.

On their way back, these nobles also started discussing among themselves.

 

Especially that Young Master Zhou; he was extremely interested in Qinglan.

He sidled up to Xiao Nanyan, trying to pry for information about Wei Lan.

“Miss Xiao, I don’t suppose you could tell me where you found this carver, Qinglan?

How do they possess such exquisite carving skills?”

While Young Master Zhou was asking, everyone else also pricked up their ears to listen.

 

Xiao Nanyan smiled and fended him off, “It was just a fortuitous encounter.

They needed to sell their jade, and our Yuyaxuan just happens to sell jade.

That’s all there is to it.”

“Then why are they still wearing a mask?

But from their clear voice, they should be a young female Qiankun, right?

Are they disfigured?

Or what?”

Young Master Zhou continued to ask.

 

Xiao Nanyan really didn’t want to deal with him anymore; his questions were too specific.

But since they were all prominent figures in Panyang City, it wasn’t good for her to not answer.

“They are indeed very young.

As for the rest, that is Miss Qinglan’s private matter.

I imagine they have some reason they cannot speak of.

I have never inquired about it in detail.”

 

Hearing Xiao Nanyan say this, Young Master Zhou found it hard to press further.

 

Chen Zhou walked behind the two, eavesdropping on most of the conversation.

He hadn’t expected this Qinglan to be so young and already possess such skill.

That was truly rare.

He would have to find a way to probe their intentions later.

It would be too much of a pity if someone like this was snatched away by Xiao Nanyan.

 

Wei Lan had no idea what these people were thinking.

She continued carving, and by six in the afternoon, the entire openwork carving on the jade plaque was finished.

Wei Lan looked at the plaque and was quite satisfied.

Although the openwork wasn’t as fine as her previous jade plaques, this was the best she could do in such a short time.

 

Wei Lan stood up and stretched, then returned to the lathe.

She replaced the steel disc on the lathe with a wooden wheel, spread a layer of water-mixed abrasive sand on the jade plaque, and began polishing it with the wooden wheel.

 

The more calm and unhurried Wei Lan appeared, the more flustered the other carvers became.

The less famous carvers were fine, but Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng, in particular, had their mindsets completely shattered by Wei Lan.

 

Liu Bingkun looked at the jade plaque in his own hands and sighed heavily.

His position as the top jade carver in Panyang City would probably be lost today.

Thinking of this, Liu Bingkun felt like crying.

 

Wei Lan didn’t care about the looks from the people beside her.

She was upright and open; there was nothing she was afraid for people to see.

Soon, she had neatly polished the jade.

She replaced the wooden wheel on the lathe with a leather wheel for the final step of burnishing and polishing the jade plaque.

 

Her movements were steady, every step methodical.

And Wei Lan never looked at what others were carving, as if everything else had nothing to do with her.

 

Soon, Wei Lan completed the final step of polishing.

The jade plaque was polished smooth and bright by her.

 

After finishing, Wei Lan stood up and raised her jade plaque.

“I’m done.”

“Very good!

Please wait a moment.

I’ll have a servant boy take the jade plaque around the venue.”

The plump manager said with a smile.

 

Wei Lan nodded.

She placed the jade plaque on a tray lined with brocade.

Then a servant boy carried the tray and walked into the crowd.

Instantly, the crowd began discussing again.

“In such a short time, they were able to carve openwork?

That’s incredible!”

“Yeah, and they’re so young.

Looks like the top spot in Panyang City is going to change hands.”

“Those old, self-important carvers are going to have a good cry this time.

The other person is young and highly skilled.

Their future potential is limitless.”

“No kidding?

Maybe our Panyang City really can produce another Gong Jinsheng?”

“The hundred coins we spent today were totally worth it.

From now on, we can say we’ve seen Qinglan with our own eyes.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

 

The remaining carvers had mostly reached the final step of the leather wheel process.

But no one cared anymore.

This year, all the limelight was taken by Wei Lan alone.

 

The plump manager kept an eye on the time.

Seeing that early evening had arrived, he announced, “Alright, all other carvers, please stop now.

Time is up.”

 

As he spoke, he instructed the servant boys to prepare the trays.

Each tray had the carver’s name written on it to prevent mix-ups.

Then the servant boys carried the trays through the crowd, letting everyone see the jade plaques carved by the several carvers.

 

But judging by the carvers’ expressions, apart from Wei Lan, everyone else looked bitterly disappointed.

Especially Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng.

Liu Bingkun wished he could smash the jade plaque he had carved on the spot, just to avoid making a public spectacle of himself.

 

He gritted his teeth and looked at Wei Lan beside him.

“Who exactly are you?

Who was your teacher?

Someone your age, how is this possible?”

“What’s impossible?

Didn’t you see it with your own eyes?

Just because you can’t do something, you think others can’t either?”

Wei Lan had no time for people who refused to admit others were better than them.

To put it bluntly, these kinds of people were just narrow-minded and couldn’t stand seeing others do better than them.

 

Wei Lan didn’t want to know these sore losers.

It wasn’t interesting.

“You… don’t get too cocky!

You think just because you won the top spot, you’re the number one carver in Panyang City?

In terms of seniority, you’re still far from it!”

Liu Bingkun gritted out.

 

Wei Lan laughed.

“Is that so?

If I’m not number one, then you defeated opponents like me probably don’t even know where you’d rank.

In life, one must have some self-awareness.”

 

Wei Lan finished speaking and ignored Liu Bingkun.

She stepped forward and waited for the competition results.

 

In the end, all ten trays were sent to Lu Feng on the second floor.

Lu Feng looked at the ten jade plaques before him and said with a smile, “I think everyone has a pretty good idea of the results by now.

Our Panyang City is truly full of talented people.

I didn’t expect another excellent carver to emerge.

That’s right, the top winner of this year’s Jade Appreciation Competition is Qinglan.”

 

Lu Feng smiled at Qinglan downstairs and continued, “Jade carving most tests a carver’s temperament.

To be honest, the environment just now was actually a bit noisy for the carvers.

Yet the jade plaque Qinglan carved not only has smooth lines throughout, they even used openwork carving techniques on the four corners, all carved in such an environment.

Truly remarkable.

They are fully deserving of this year’s top prize.”

 

After Lu Feng finished speaking, the crowd began to cheer.

Of course, Wei Lan’s top prize wasn’t just an empty title.

Every year, the person who won this top spot received a piece of feicui jadeite rough stone sponsored collectively by these nobles.

 

Lu Feng motioned for everyone to quiet down.

“Alright, Manager, please present this year’s prize to Qinglan.”

“Certainly!”

 

The plump manager, still smiling amiably, lifted the red cloth on the tray carried by the servant boy beside him, revealing a piece of feicui jadeite rough stone about the size of a rice bowl.

 

This was a piece of ice-variety feicui rough stone.

It was translucent throughout, with almost no impurities visible inside – what later generations would call the ‘glass type‘.

Just this piece of rough stone alone was worth a considerable amount of silver.

But these nobles, in order to befriend a famous carver, didn’t mind spending the silver to buy such rough stones.

 

The plump manager carefully handed the tray to Wei Lan.

Wei Lan looked at the feicui rough stone on the tray, the smile never leaving her face.

This was really a good piece of material!

Although it was only the size of a rice bowl, it was still enough for her to work with.

 

This piece of material was perfect for making a feicui bangle.

The leftover core material could be carved into a beautiful feicui plaque.

As for the scraps, polishing them into beads for accessories would be excellent!

 

Somehow, looking at the material in front of her, Wei Lan thought of Lu Zijin.

When she first arrived in this world, thanks to Lu Zijin taking her in and letting her marry into the Lu residence.

If it weren’t for the monthly allowance Lu Zijin gave her, she wouldn’t have had the money to buy a complete set of jade carving tools.

 

Although Lu Zijin could be a bit heavy-handed with her mouth when they were in bed, sometimes suddenly losing her temper, she was still quite generous.

She gave her a monthly allowance and let her peacefully eat soft rice in the residence.

When she was framed, she unhesitatingly stood by her side.

Thinking about it like this, Lu Zijin really was quite a kind and gentle rich heiress.

 

Lu Zijin had money and lacked nothing.

There wasn’t much Wei Lan could do for her.

Wei Lan thought about using this newly acquired feicui rough stone to make a bangle and a jade plaque for Lu Zijin.

Her skin was naturally fair; with ice-variety feicui, it would look gorgeous!

 

Wei Lan was happy, but Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng felt their faces stinging with shame.

They had been completely upstaged by Qinglan today, and there was no room for argument.

It was simply because their skill was inferior to Qinglan’s that they lost.

That made them feel even more humiliated.

 

After today, this Qinglan would probably be fought over by every jade shop.

They, the veteran carvers, would all have to stand behind Qinglan.

 

Liu Bingkun sighed.

But he wasn’t in a hurry.

After all, Qinglan had only just become famous; their reputation wouldn’t spread that fast.

So people in other places probably wouldn’t know about this person yet.

Therefore, in the short term, his carvings should still be able to fetch a good price.

 

Wei Lan didn’t know what others were thinking.

She was just happily carrying her feicui rough stone back to the second floor.

 

As she walked upstairs, Su Er respectfully bowed to her.

“Miss Qinglan, my master would like to invite you for a conversation.”

“I have other matters.

Another day.”

Wei Lan nodded slightly to him and headed towards Xiao Nanyan’s private room.

 

Su Er wanted to persuade her further, but seeing she was about to enter the private room, he couldn’t say anything more and went back to find Chen Zhou.

 

Chen Zhou saw him return alone and asked, “Where is the person?”

“They said another day, then went back to Xiao Nanyan’s private room.

There were so many people watching outside, I couldn’t very well insist.”

Su Er quickly said.

 

Chen Zhou’s expression cooled.

“That figures.

These talented carvers all have big egos.

You go and discreetly find out where they live.

I’ll pay them a visit another day.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

 

Wei Lan returned to Xiao Nanyan’s private room.

Xiao Nanyan smiled.

“Congratulations.

After today, the price of your carvings will increase a hundredfold, a thousandfold.”

“Thank you.

It’s getting late.

I’d like to head back now.”

The sky was about to get dark, and she was tired after a long day.

Wei Lan wanted to rest early, especially with this mask on her face all day; it really was uncomfortable.

“Alright, let’s go then.”

Xiao Nanyan got up and left the private room.

Wei Lan followed behind her, and the group headed downstairs.

 

Along the way, many people came over to exchange pleasantries with Xiao Nanyan and Qinglan.

Among them were quite a few trying to poach her.

But since Xiao Nanyan was still there, they couldn’t blatantly try to recruit her.

 

After chatting for a bit, Xiao Nanyan and Qinglan left Bright Moon Tower and boarded the carriage together.

 

Chen Zhou was still waiting inside Bright Moon Tower.

He had sent Su Er out to find out where Qinglan lived, hoping to pay a visit later.

Soon, Su Er returned.

“How did it go?”

Chen Zhou poured himself a cup of wine, drank it, and asked.

“That Qinglan and Xiao Nanyan left together in the same carriage.

I suspect there might be something between Qinglan and Xiao Nanyan.

After all, it’s almost dark, and they were sharing a carriage.”

Su Er didn’t need to say the rest; Chen Zhou understood.

 

His expression darkened.

If there really was something between Qinglan and Xiao Nanyan, then it would be difficult for them to poach her.

 

There were many people in Bright Moon Tower with the same idea as Chen Zhou, all thinking about how to poach the person from Yuyaxuan.

 

Wei Lan, now already in the carriage, was completely unaware of all this.

She took off her mask and rubbed her face.

“Wearing this all day is pretty stifling.”

“Next time, I’ll have someone make you a few masks with slightly softer material.

You worked hard today.”

Xiao Nanyan smiled.

“No hardship.

I earned silver and won a good piece of feicui rough stone.

Worth it.”

Wei Lan let her face breathe for a moment, then put the mask back on.

 

Bright Moon Tower wasn’t far from Yuyaxuan.

Soon, they arrived.

 

Wei Lan went upstairs and changed her clothes.

She even redid her hair into a new bun, fastening it with the white jade hairpin she had worn when she arrived.

Then she wrapped the piece of feicui rough stone in a cloth, hugged it to her chest, and went downstairs.

 

Wei Lan went to Xiao Nanyan’s study, said goodbye, and left.

Xiao Nanyan wanted to keep Wei Lan for dinner, but seeing how late it was, Wei Lan declined.

 

***

 

On the other side, Lu Zijin had also just finished her work for the day.

She sat listlessly at the round table in her bedroom having dinner.

As she ate, she thought of Wei Lan.

 

Today’s river crabs were fresh and delicious.

Lu Zijin remembered Wei Lan seemed to really like them.

A smile appeared on her face as she asked, “Was some of the river crab sent to the master’s quarters?”

“Just sent someone over.

But… but…”

Qing Zhi trailed off.

 

Lu Zijin frowned. “But what?”

“But the master went out early this morning.

When I sent someone to deliver the river crab, the master still hadn’t returned.”

Qing Zhi explained quietly.

 

Lu Zijin’s expression cooled.

She called Qianxue in, gave her a few instructions, and Qianxue quickly left.

 

Lu Zijin put down her chopsticks.

She couldn’t eat any more of this dinner.

She had been busy all day, and Wei Lan, on the other hand, had been out the whole day.

She didn’t even know if she was back yet.

 

She had originally sent Qianxue to check if Wei Lan was back, but she seemed unable to wait.

 

Lu Zijin stood up.

“Have someone prepare the sedan chair.

I’ll go over myself.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

Qing Zhi quickly went to make arrangements.

She was a bit surprised.

After all, the young lady used to pay no attention to the master.

But it seemed that since her heat period, the young lady had gradually started to care about the master.

However, she only dared to think this; naturally, she wouldn’t say it out loud.

 

Lu Zijin walked out of the courtyard.

The servant boys in the yard had already prepared the sedan chair.

Lu Zijin sat down, her fingertips lightly clenched together.

Her expression was cold and stern, and the servants and maids following her became even more respectful.

 

By the time Lu Zijin arrived at Fuqu Pavilion, the sky was already dark.

The servant boys and maids in the courtyard, upon seeing Lu Zijin arrive, were so scared they could barely speak.

 

Lu Zijin descended from the sedan chair and asked, “Where is the master?”

“The master… the master hasn’t returned yet.”

The head maidservant finished speaking and immediately knelt down.

Along with her, the rest of the servant boys and maids in the courtyard also knelt.

 

Lu Zijin’s expression turned completely cold.

Ignoring the kneeling people, she silently pushed open the door to Wei Lan’s bedroom and entered.

Candles had already been lit on several candle holders inside.

Lu Zijin then sat down at the round table, her fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop from time to time.

 

Her expression was calm as still water.

But Qing Zhi, following beside her, had broken out in a sweat.

The young lady’s silent demeanor clearly meant she was angry.

She was really sweating bullets for the master.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, on the road, Wei Lan was all smiles.

She had five thousand taels in silver notes tucked in her clothes, and in her arms, she held a piece of ice-variety feicui rough stone.

She couldn’t be happier.

Although she liked carving any kind of jade, being able to carve high-quality feicui rough stone naturally made her even happier!

 

And in just one day, she had earned five thousand taels.

In modern terms, that was equivalent to five million yuan.

All things considered, she was now a bit of a little rich heiress herself, right?

Of course, she still couldn’t compare to Lu Zijin; after all, Lu Zijin was the richest heiress in Panyang City.

 

Thinking of Lu Zijin, Wei Lan felt her stomach growl.

Xiao Nanyan had just invited her to dinner, but considering the quality of food outside, Wei Lan felt she should just go back and eat.

The food at the Lu residence really suited her taste perfectly.

She could eat this soft rice for ten thousand years!

 

Wei Lan was as happy as a joyful little puppy, practically skipping.

Soon, she arrived at the back gate of the Lu residence.

 

The guards at the back gate saw her return and quickly came forward.

“The master is back!

What’s that you’re carrying?

Let me hold it for you.

Is it heavy?”

“No, no.”

Wei Lan waved her hand.

This piece of rough stone was quite valuable.

If she dropped it, she would be heartbroken.

 

Declining the guards’ help, Wei Lan happily headed towards her own courtyard.

But as she walked, she sensed something was wrong.

Fuqu Pavilion was never this brightly lit at night?

Usually, there were just a few lanterns lit outside.

Why was it now as bright as Lu Zijin’s Jingchen Courtyard?

 

Wei Lan bit her lip and suddenly felt nervous.

No way.

Lu Zijin was such a busy person; she definitely wouldn’t have time to come to her courtyard.

Maybe the servant boys and maids in her yard had just lit a few extra lanterns?

That was probably possible, right?

 

Comforting herself with this thought, Wei Lan’s courage grew a little.

She tentatively stepped into the courtyard.

Then, that little spark of hope in her heart was completely extinguished.

Her entire yard was filled with Lu Zijin’s people!

And right in the middle was Lu Zijin’s sedan chair!

Moreover, all the servant boys and maids from her own yard were kneeling all over the place.

 

For some reason, Wei Lan felt her legs go a little weak.

She forced herself to stay calm, cleared her throat softly, and took two more steps inside.

 

Lu Zijin’s maidservant immediately spotted Wei Lan and quickly ran inside to report to Lu Zijin.

“Young Lady, the master has returned.”

 

Lu Zijin’s expression did not change.

However, the rhythm of her fingers tapping the tabletop quickened slightly.

Her tone was faint as she spoke.

“Is that so?”

 

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