Mythical Three Kingdoms

This pair of bracelets was a gift that Chen Xi's father brought back for him from his travels in Bingzhou. However, while it was fine for a boy to wear them at a younger age, it became somewhat inappropriate as he grew older.

So, Chen Xi gave them to Chen Lan instead. Later, when Chen Xi fell gravely ill, Chen Lan pawned the bracelets to pay for his treatment.

Incidentally, if it weren't for the tens of thousands of money from the bracelets, this body might not have held on until Chen Xi's arrival.

When Chen Xi raised the bracelet to the light, casting a shadow of the character "Chen," the shopkeeper instantly became aware, but his whole complexion noticeably turned ashen.

"There is another bracelet that can reflect the character 'Xi.' Please help me find it," Chen Xi said with a smile. If he hadn't seen it today, he might have forgotten, but since he did, he should take it back as it holds many memories.

"Sir, is this your bracelet?" Chen Yun found it strange not to understand at this point.

"Yes, it once was mine." Chen Xi nodded, which terrified the shopkeeper, who turned ghostly pale. Receiving goods and inadvertently taking possession of Chen Xi's belongings was a life-threatening situation.

"Marquis Chen, our business dealings are clean; we were unaware that this was the property of Marquis Chen. If it came out from the Chen Residence, we earnestly implore your understanding," the shopkeeper immediately explained. His greatest fear was that this item was stolen from the Chen Family; that would be a major problem. Even if they had purchased it, it would be nearly impossible to clear their name.

"Just find the other bracelet," Chen Xi waved his hand, "You don't need to worry about it."

Instantly, the store dealing with various gold, jade, and antique items shut its doors. From the shopkeeper down to the shop assistants, everyone busied themselves searching through their stock for the other bracelet. Unfortunately, while they found similar ones, none bore the character "Xi."

"To regain what was lost is already fortunate enough. It doesn't matter if the other one can't be found," Chen Xi could tell they had done their best and realized the other wasn't there, as he looked at the anxious shopkeeper pacing in circles.

"Sorry for the trouble," Chen Xi nodded slightly to the shopkeeper, "Let's settle the bill."

"Not at all. Since this is something Marquis Chen lost, we dare not charge you," said the shopkeeper, declining immediately. The thing he most wanted to do now was to quickly notify their family head and inform the main family of today's events.

"Chen Yun, pay the bill," Chen Xi put the bracelet away, lifted the chessboard—which was somewhat heavy—and left carrying it. Chen Yun, holding Chen Xi's seal ribbon, quickly completed the transaction. "Take this to the residence, any Money Exchange will accept it," she told the shopkeeper.

With the document already filled in, the shopkeeper had no choice but to accept the 160,000-copper-coin document. He remarked that in this era, buying porcelain could cost tens of thousands, and buying a set could require someone to carry it—highlighting the inconvenience of copper coins.

After Chen Xi left, the shopkeeper immediately closed the store and took a horse to notify the family head, relaying everything that happened today to the main family to let them make a judgment.

"Which is the best shop nearby for jade bracelets?" After loading the chessboard onto the carriage, Chen Xi turned to Chen Yun and asked.

"The Wu Family has a shop specializing in jade ornaments," Chen Yun replied after some thought, though she didn't mention it was very expensive.

"Let's go have a look. Buying bracelets to give as New Year gifts to them," Chen Xi said with a smile. Since Chen Lan received a bracelet, it seemed only fair to also send pairs to Fan Jian and Zhen Mi to ensure fairness and balance.

As Chen Xi entered the shop, Wu Yuan happened to be inside. Upon seeing Chen Xi, she dismissed the shopkeeper and went to greet him herself.

"It's a surprise that Marquis Chen has time to grace our humble Wu Family shop," Wu Yuan cheerfully said, her previous aloofness during the Aristocratic Family Alliance now gone.

"If this is a small shop, many people would cry their eyes out," Chen Xi joked back, acknowledging Wu Yuan's hospitality. He had sent people to verify the Southern Silk Road map she had given him.

"No matter how many cry, it is still not fit to be big in front of Marquis Chen," Wu Yuan said with a complex tone.

"By the way, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Why are you still in Ye City and not home with family?" Chen Xi asked out of curiosity.

Wu Yuan glanced at Chen Xi, and her previously good mood instantly soured. The Wu Family was currently persuading her to marry Liu Zhang. When Liu Yan was alive, they planned to marry her to Liu Mao. However, her brother refused, and since Liu Yan's time was running out, the matter fell through.

But after Liu Zhang rose to prominence, those folks in Yizhou again brought up Wu Yuan's destined prominence, intending to marry her to Liu Zhang. With Wu Yi absent and other Wu Family Members persuaded, Wu Yuan sensed trouble and conspired with her brother to temporarily leave.

"Hmph, I just feel like staying here. Could it be that Marquis Chen thinks this place is owned by you?" Wu Yuan's demeanor suddenly turned cold and combative.

"..." Chen Xi paused slightly, "Alright, given that you all have the privilege of behaving willfully, get me two pairs of jade bracelets and a single one."

"Aren't you going to buy one for Mi'er?" Wu Yuan promptly asked.

"You get along so well, already sisters, in a manner of speaking," Chen Xi chuckled.

Wu Yuan did not respond. Her personality was somewhat cold, to begin with, and the previous remarks by Chen Xi had made her uncomfortable again. Providing bracelet recommendations to Chen Xi was already a reflection of her excellent professional conduct.

"Among the women of this generation who match her stature, besides me, only Mi Zhen is barely up to par," Wu Yuan explained as she brought out a few antique jade bracelets for Chen Xi.

"True, you two do have quite similar temperaments," Chen Xi pondered, then said, "I'll take these two pairs."

"Surprisingly, you have a pretty good eye," Wu Yuan assessed Chen Xi up and down, instructed someone to wrap them up.

"I'll take this one too," Chen Xi selected another milky-white bracelet and handed it to Chen Yun, "This is for you as a New Year's gift."

Chen Yun was momentarily taken aback as she accepted the bracelet. She had originally thought the two and a half sets were meant to complement the one with a character, intending to observe who Chen Xi would give it to.

Unexpectedly, she had also received a share, which caused some different thoughts to flash in her mind. She quickly dispelled what Liu Luo had once told her.

Nevertheless, after this brief delay, Chen Yun felt it inappropriate to politely decline, so she quietly accepted Chen Xi's gift.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, if you want to display courtly affection, at least do it away from me," Wu Yuan said in a tone somewhere between mockery and jest.

"How much?" Chen Xi asked, somewhat exasperated.

"You recommend me a good place for celebrating the New Year, and the bracelets are on the house," Wu Yuan propped her head on the counter and said to Chen Xi. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please favor it with a recommendation vote or a monthly ticket on qidian.com; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)