NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63: Li Chengqian thinks he can do it again!
Watching Empress Zhangsun depart, Li Chengqian felt elated. Her visit was a silver lining, presenting him with two excellent opportunities. This significantly boosted Li Chengqian’s confidence. Previously, there were some concerns, but now it seemed that the issues were manageable, and he felt capable again. While Empress Zhangsun was present, Li Chengqian aimed to cultivate sufficient capital and social connections.
…
Wearing thermal undergarments, Fang Xuanling decided to skip the governmental affairs hall and returned directly to his residence.
Lu Shi was surprised to see Fang Xuanling’s early return. Usually, Fang Xuanling would be busy at this time, often returning home late.
“Master, why did you come back so early?” Lu Shi asked.
Fang Xuanling, having lost fifty taels of silver, was still a bit downcast but remained courteous to his wife. This was Lu Shi from Fan Yanglu’s family.
“Nothing special today, so I came back early,” Fang Xuanling replied, placing the thermal underwear on the table.
Lu Shi looked at the thermal underwear curiously and asked, “What is this?”
“It’s called thermal underwear,” Fang Xuanling said.
Approaching and touching it, Lu Shi’s expression changed, and upon closer inspection, she exclaimed, “This is a great thing! A really good item!”
Being from Fan Yanglu’s family, Lu Shi was knowledgeable.
Fang Xuanling nodded, “Indeed, a good item worth fifty taels of silver!”
“It is a bit expensive. Master, you should try it first,” Lu Shi suggested.
Being born into the Lu family of Fanyang, the mention of fifty taels of silver didn’t surprise Lu Shi much. She was more interested in the warmth it provided.
Fang Xuanling agreed, “That’s the plan!”
With Lu Shi’s assistance, Fang Xuanling changed into thermal underwear and smiled, “The effect is excellent!”
Lu Shi nodded in satisfaction, “I thought so, too. I don’t know where it’s from, but I’d like to buy a few sets.”
Lu also wanted to buy for the elders in the family, not just for herself.
“It’s from His Majesty,” Fang Xuanling revealed.
“Master, when you have time, find out if there are more. Dad’s birthday is in a few days, and I think this would be a suitable gift. He’s getting old and feels the cold. This is perfect, and fifty taels of silver are reasonable,” Lu Shi suggested.
Fang Xuanling had been contemplating an appropriate gift for his father-in-law’s birthday. Now, hearing Lu Shi’s suggestion, he found it quite fitting.
Although it’s not very valuable, it suits the father-in-law well and is quite special. You can’t buy it even if you have money. Being a large clan, the Lu family isn’t short on funds. The crucial aspect is the thought behind the gift.
“I’ll just make another trip now,” Fang Xuanling said.
Mrs. Lu took Fang Xuanling’s arm, saying, “Master, don’t be in such a hurry. Let’s talk about it tomorrow!”
“No, no, it might be gone if you go late,” Fang Xuanling felt the need to see Li Shimin again.
“Master, buy a few more sets. Don’t forget about my son!” Lu Shi suggested.
“Understood!” When Fang Xuanling arrived at the palace gate, he encountered Zhangsun Wuji again.
“Why are you back?” Both of them asked.
“Is it about clothes?” Zhangsun Wuji smiled.
“The one in my family thinks it’s really good, and I’m going to ask for a few more sets for my father-in-law’s birthday,” Fang Xuanling said. “It’s a bit expensive but really a good thing!”
“Almost!” Zhangsun Wuji said with a smile. “It’s normal for this kind of clothes to be expensive on such a cold day!”
After experiencing the warmth of the thermal underwear, Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling seemed to find ten taels of silver acceptable.
Seeing them, Li Shimin asked with a smile, “What’s the matter?”
Before Zhangsun Wuji could speak, Fang Xuanling said, “Your Majesty, do you still have that thermal underwear? I want to ask for a few more sets!”
“Yes, but it may take a few days,” Li Shimin pretended to be embarrassed.
Although there are still some, not all of them can be given to Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling. The first batch is crucial to opening channels.
“I’m a little anxious. How long will it take?” Fang Xuanling asked hastily.
“Why are you in a hurry?” Li Shimin wondered, considering that he was fine without thermal underwear before.
“It will be my father-in-law’s birthday in a few days, and I haven’t known what to give, but now I find this a good one!” Fang Xuanling said with a smile.
Li Shimin suddenly realized, “It should be in time, don’t worry!”