sovbooks Chapter 73 Pawning the Top-Grade Jade Pendant
Chapter 73 Pawning the Top-Grade Jade Pendant
Chapter 73 Pawning the Top-Grade Jade Pendant
Snore!
As the last sip of soup slid down his throat, Li Shimin let out a long breath and slammed the large, rough porcelain bowl heavily onto the table.
Comfortable!
The warmth that rose from my stomach instantly spread throughout my body, completely dispelling the chill of the late night.
The lingering unease from being disgusted by the red earthworms that had accumulated in the Liangyi Hall was completely washed away by this bowl of clear, transparent soup.
Su Mu didn't waste any words. He stood up, stretched out his slender hand, and pinched the rim of the bowl with two fingers, stacking them together.
"Have you finished eating?"
Li Shimin nodded, still savoring the lingering freshness in his mouth.
The umami flavor isn't overpowering, unlike the bold and unrestrained red sauce; instead, it's subtle yet potent, making you want another bowl.
"Then let's settle the bill."
Su Mu held the bowl in his arms and spread out his other hand. "This dragon whisker noodle dish is complicated to make and takes a lot of time and effort. With the two soft-boiled eggs, it will cost ten coins."
Ten coins?
Li Shimin was taken aback.
This kind of craftsmanship is practically free; it's so cheap!
He instinctively reached into his clothes.
The left sleeve pocket is empty.
The right sleeve pocket is also empty.
The purse on the belt around his waist—it was for holding spices, and it contained no silver.
Li Shimin's hand froze in mid-air, his expression becoming quite interesting.
He was the emperor, possessing wealth throughout the land; why would he need to carry money when he went out?
Even when traveling incognito, he always had that old scoundrel Wang Dequan by his side to pay the bills.
He was so angry tonight that he kicked the door open and came out. He didn't have a single copper coin on him, let alone ten.
Su Mu watched as the richly dressed man rummaged through his clothes for a while, and finally his dignified face turned a deep purplish-red. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"What? You didn't bring any money?"
"Could it be that they're trying to dine and dash?"
Li Shimin blushed and coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.
If word got out that the mighty Emperor of the Tang Dynasty couldn't even pay for a bowl of noodles, that old scoundrel Wei Zheng would nag him to death.
"I was in a rush to leave and forgot to bring it."
Li Shimin forced himself to explain, his gaze sweeping over Su Mu's ambiguous smile, feeling a little uneasy.
Su Mu didn't urge him, and just stood there holding the bowl.
Li Shimin gritted his teeth and reached for his waist.
There hangs a piece of warm jade, its surface smooth and white, with simple and ancient carvings, and a powerful and vigorous character "Qin" engraved in the center.
This was an item he carried with him when he was still the King of Qin, and he has never been separated from it over the years. It can be considered a priceless treasure.
"This piece of jade—"
Li Shimin took off the jade pendant, his fingertips caressing its warm, smooth texture. He felt a little reluctant, but seeing Su Mu's eyes, he hardened his heart, slammed it on the table, and said, "More than enough to pay for your noodles."
Su Mu freed one hand and picked up the jade pendant.
It warms up when you touch it; it's definitely a good product.
But that's about it.
"Alright."
Su Mu tossed it casually.
Clang!
With a crisp sound, the priceless Qin King's warm jade traced an arc in the air and landed precisely in a dusty earthenware jar next to the stove.
The jar contained half a jar of garlic cloves and a few pieces of shriveled ginger. The jade pendant hit a garlic clove, rolled twice, and finally squeezed miserably between the two cloves.
Li Shimin's eye twitched violently twice.
This... you just threw it away?
That's top-grade warm jade! A treasure that could be exchanged for a three-courtyard mansion in Chang'an! And this kid just threw it into a garlic jar?
"you----"
Li Shimin pointed at the jar, speechless for a long time.
"What? Not enough?" Su Mu turned around and put the bowl into the basin of water, the sound of splashing water filling the air. "Then you'll just have to stay and wash the dishes to pay off the debt."
Li Shimin took a deep breath and swallowed back the words that were about to come out.
A master.
This person is definitely a master who regards money as dirt!
"Enough! Of course it's enough!"
Li Shimin gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words, but secretly vowed that he would redeem the jade pendant one day and make that kid eat all the garlic in that jar!
"Since you're full, please go back." Su Mu continued washing the dishes without turning his head. "I'm going to sleep."
Li Shimin glanced at the sky; it was indeed getting late.
He bent down and reached out to hug the little girl, who was sitting on a small stool and still licking her lips.
"Sizi, come back to the palace with Father."
Before he could even touch her, the little girl slid off the stool, ran over with her short legs, and grabbed Su Mu's leg, holding him tightly.
"I won't leave! I won't leave!"
Little Sizi tilted his head back, his eyes, which had just recovered from swelling, began to well up with tears again, and his mouth was so flat it could hold an oil bottle.
"I want to sleep with my boyfriend!"
Su Mu was washing the dishes when a pendant suddenly appeared on his lap, almost causing him to drop the dishes. He shook the water off his hands and looked down at the mischievous little thing.
"Let go, your pants are about to fall down."
"Don't loosen it!"
Little Sizi rubbed its face against Su Mu's trouser leg, wiping away all the dust it had just rubbed off. "Brother hasn't told me about the monkeys fighting yet! Last time he mentioned the monkey that jumped out of the rock, and then what? And then what?"
Li Shimin, listening from the side, was utterly speechless.
Monkeys? What monkeys?
"Be good, little rhinoceros!"
Li Shimin put on a stern face, "What time is it? Your brother Su needs to rest too. Tomorrow he still has to—still have to rub that."
"I won't listen! I won't listen!"
Little Sizi began to unleash a sonic attack, his voice bright and clear, "I want to hear Monkey! I want my patron!"
'
Li Shimin's head was as big as a bucket.
Normally, he would have carried this unruly girl away long ago, but he didn't want to appear too rough in front of Su Mu.
Su Mu sighed and squatted down.
He met the little girl's gaze at eye level, extended a finger, and poked her round forehead.
"Want to hear a story?"
Little Si nodded vigorously, his two little pigtails swaying wildly.
"Want to sleep?"
He continued nodding.
"OK."
Su Mu stood up, wiped his hands, and said, "Then you'll sleep in the woodshed tonight, and tomorrow morning you'll get up and help me chop wood, start the fire, and empty the swill. Oh, and by the way, don't eat the shrimp; they'll be perfect for me to have as a snack with my drinks."
The little ox suddenly stopped nodding.
Those big, tearful eyes blinked twice, and the light inside them instantly changed.
"Fly—fly blind?"
"Hmm, flying shrimp."
Su Mu gestured seriously, "Coat the prawns with breadcrumbs, throw them into the oil and fry them until golden brown and crispy. When you bite into one, it's crunchy and the prawn meat inside is springy. The taste—tsk tsk."
Gudong!
A clear swallowing sound rang out in the quiet courtyard.
Not only Xiao Sizi, but even Li Shimin, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but feel his Adam's apple bob.
This kid, if you're going to describe something, can you at least not make it so vivid?
"nest----"
Little Sizi loosened her grip on Su Mu's thigh, her two little hands twisting together, her face full of confusion.
On one side are monkey stories and handsome older brothers, and on the other side are flying shrimp that sound delicious.
It's so hard to choose!