Page 102 of Doted By The Regent King

Wufu straightened up, redirecting her gaze from the Chicken Blood Stone to Shopkeeper Lin.

"As for the Guanyin, let’s not use this Chicken Blood Carving. If you really want to gift a Jade Guanyin, wouldn’t it be better to find a piece of top-notch Mutton Fat Jade Carving?" She touched the lotus pedestal, then continued, "About this piece of Chicken Blood..."

It wasn’t beyond saving, but if they wanted her to save it, she would set the price.

Shopkeeper Lin gave a long bow, which snapped Merchant Liu back to reality, and he fumbled in his chest to take out a purse, thrusting it into Wufu’s hands.

"Miss Wufu, if you have any method to save this stone, please advise.

Accept this little token," Merchant Liu said.

"I’ll be honest with you, the Prefect has already laid eyes on this piece of Chicken Blood and his fondness need not be mentioned.

I was set on giving it as a birthday present, but alas. .."

He slapped his face in vexation, "It’s all my fault, this lump, for not understanding, acting rashly, this fine stone, insisting on carving a Guanyin out of it? Now, look what has happened, this..."

"Merchant Liu, this was also an act of your earnest heart, you just didn’t anticipate this one aspect," Shopkeeper Lin comforted.

"Shopkeeper Lin, Miss Wufu is right. It’s fortunate that it was your shop that ruined it; otherwise, my entire household would probably have no way out!

" Merchant Liu, clutching Shopkeeper Lin’s hand and looking agitated, then said to Wufu, "Miss, in the Prefect’s heart, my stone is definitely meant as a gift.

If I were to switch it for something else, who knows what he’d think in his heart? So, you see..."

Wufu understood his meaning—had she not witnessed enough of the undercurrents in official circles in her previous life?

She squeezed the purse in her hand, thinking that Merchant Liu was quite straightforward. And why not, given his ability to ingratiate himself, was this small silver not something to be mentioned offhandedly?

"Miss Wufu, could you at least say something? How should this Chicken Blood be saved?" Shopkeeper Lin urged as she remained silent, "As we’ve said before, if you can carve and save it, the matter of the silver is negotiable."

Whether intentional or not, their shop had indeed damaged the Chicken Blood a bit, and without proper restoration, they wouldn’t be able to account for it.

The craftsmen were all considering ideas based on this piece of Chicken Blood, and he was eager to see what insights Wufu might have.

Wufu crouched down, meticulously examining the lotus pedestal and the entire shape of the Chicken Blood Stone, rapidly sketching and designing in her mind.

A fine stone, best used for a seal, of a size that was neither too large nor too small, would also make a decent ornament. With proper maintenance, it could retain its value.

The problem was that the base had already been carved and damaged; therefore, the most crucial part was to retouch the base, which had to be matched with a whole piece of Chicken Blood, making the design highly demanding.

After a thorough examination, Wufu had a plan in mind and said, "Merchant Liu, this Chicken Blood Stone you intend to give as a birthday gift— is it ultimately for the Longevity Star or for that particular Prefect?"

Merchant Liu was startled, a flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes as he looked towards Shopkeeper Lin.

Shopkeeper Lin’s eyes brightened, "Miss Wufu, please speak openly."

"If it’s for the Longevity Star, who often plays with it, old people like longevity, so a Jade Tortoise seal would be suitable. If it ultimately ends up with that Prefect, then a Pixiu would be best," Wufu calmly stated.

A Pixiu, which wards off evil spirits and gathers wealth, is liked by everyone, and the same goes for a Jade Tortoise, the symbol of longevity that everyone desires and enjoys?

Of course, depending on who receives this Chicken Blood, the design would lean more towards that person’s preference, which is most fitting.

So, who exactly is the target of Merchant Liu’s gift, that particular Longevity Star or the Prefect?

Once the target is set, then it’s proper to proceed with the task.