Chapter 290: Make Me Kowtow and Apologize

It was Miss Qian whom we met on the street that day.

Seeing Tuan Tuan, Miss Qian's face darkened—again, it's this little girl!

Upon seeing her, Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ran led Tuan Tuan to the far end of the long table, as far away from her as possible.

A woman in her thirties stepped forward and said, "What would you like to look at? We have sachets, scented beads, and rouge and powder."

Xiao Ningxun glanced at her and thought, "This must be the shopkeeper, Tao E." He said, "Shopkeeper, no need to be formal; we'll just browse."

Tao E smiled and said, "Please, feel free."

Miss Qian glared at Tuan Tuan fiercely, barely suppressing her anger.

She turned to the woman about forty beside her and whispered, "Lady Zhao, look at this brocade pouch—embroidered with gold thread and inlaid with pearls, a worthy match for the pearl your father gave you."

Seven or eight brocade pouches lay before them as they examined them.

Lady Zhao wore a sandalwood‑colored vest, her head adorned with pearls and kingfisher feathers—her noble status was evident at a glance.

She picked up the pouch Miss Qian had mentioned, examined it closely, and nodded slightly: "Indeed, it's fine—worthy of the generous gift your father gave."

Miss Qian produced a pearl from her sleeve and placed it on the table, smiling proudly: "This 'Seven‑colored Glazed Fragrant Pearl' shines with dazzling light and exudes a hidden fragrance."

"'What's rare is,' she said, raising her voice deliberately, 'this pearl was refined by a foreign high monk using spiritual elixirs; it can dispel blood stasis, unblock meridians, prolong life, and has remarkable efficacy in healing internal injuries.'"

"'My father obtained this treasure by sheer chance; now pairing it with this pouch further highlights your exalted status, Lady Zhao.'"

Under the soft indoor light, the pearl shimmered with red, orange, yellow, and green hues, strikingly brilliant.

The nearby young ladies choosing rouge had their eyes drawn to it, their faces showing astonishment.

"'This pearl is clearly not an ordinary item at first glance.'"

"'As expected of the Qian Manor, the wealthiest salt merchants, they could actually obtain such a treasure!'"

Miss Qian held the pearl in her palm, smiling: "If Lady Zhao hadn't wanted a fitting setting for this pearl today, you wouldn't have had the luck to see it up close."

Lady Zhao smiled and praised, "It's truly rare. If it really has healing properties, then it's priceless."

"'Of course it's genuine.' Miss Qian glanced at Tuan Tuan out of the corner of her eye, curling her lip in a cold smile, 'This isn't something a mere brat can judge.'"

"'Some people, relying on a little worldly experience and a bit of cleverness, go around pointing fingers. They don't realize they've never seen a genuine treasure.'"

"'They're just frogs at the bottom of a well.'"

"This Miss Qian! Haven't you learned enough from last time? Xiao Ran frowned, about to speak, but Xiao Ningxun gently restrained her wrist."

Tuan Tuan paid no heed to what she said, her eyes fixed on the pearl.

This pearl can heal injuries? What a fine thing! It would be perfect for giving to Second Uncle and Seventh Uncle.

She rolled her eyes and chirped, "I recognize this pearl!"

Everyone's gaze snapped toward her.

Miss Qian's face darkened—what is this stinky girl up to now?

Lady Zhao, however, looked at Tuan Tuan gently and asked, "Little lady, do you know this pearl?"

"'Mm!' Tuan Tuan nodded, 'My master also has one—even bigger than this!'"

Miss Qian snorted, "Your master? Such a rare treasure couldn't possibly belong to some obscure teacher."

Tuan Tuan lifted her head and said, "My master is the Divine Doctor Mo, the Healing Hand! Oh, you don't know my master's great name?"

The hall fell silent in an instant.

"'Divine Doctor Mo?' Lady Zhao's expression turned solemn, 'Are you referring to the venerable Mo Zhanggeng, said to possess the power to raise the dead?'"

"'Exactly!' Tuan Tuan nodded, 'My master said this pearl is exceedingly rare, so there are many fakes in the jianghu.'"

She sighed solemnly, "My master said that a genuine pearl can cure disease and save lives, whereas a fake one is not only useless but harmful."

Several ladies exchanged glances, then looked at the pearl in Miss Qian's hand, their expressions growing subtle.

Under everyone's gaze, Miss Qian's face flushed, then paled, then turned ashen—her anger flared even more.

How dare they question my Qian Manor!

She sneered, "How could the treasures in my manor be fake? You claim to be a disciple of Divine Doctor Mo—just based on your mouth? How can we believe that?"

Tuan Tuan tilted her head and thought, "My master said telling real from fake is actually very simple—just put the pearl in water and you'll see at once!"

"'A genuine pearl shines brighter in water, while a fake one loses its color, because those bright hues are merely dye.'"

"'Ah, right! The heavenly‑water‑green fabric my sister wore last time is the same!'"

Xiao Ran and Xiao Ningxun both pressed their lips together to keep from laughing.

The ladies inside the room grew even more suspicious, some covering their mouths as they chuckled softly.

Miss Qian's face instantly turned purplish.

You dare bring up last time? Last time you made me lose so much face!

Tuan Tuan paid no mind to how awful her face looked, pointing at the pearl in her hand and said, "Just put it in water to test it—then you'll know!"

She blinked and added, "If it's fake, you must never use it—it could harm you!"

Everyone's eyes filled with doubt, especially Lady Zhao, who, though silent, regarded Miss Qian with growing scrutiny.

Miss Qian gritted her teeth, "Fine, let's test it! True gold fears no fire—just, if it turns out to be genuine..."

She glared at Tuan Tuan with fury, "You little brat, spouting nonsense—you must kowtow and make amends to me!"

Tuan Tuan nodded obediently, "All right!"

Miss Qian looked up at Tao E and said, "Shopkeeper Tao, please bring a cup of clear water."

Tao E went into the inner chamber, filled a teacup with clear water, and placed it on the table.

Everyone gathered around.

Tuan Tuan lowered her head, untied the embroidered pouch at her waist, took out a small lotus seed, and held it in her palm.

Xiao Ningxun hurriedly drew his sister into his embrace, leaning against the table.

Miss Qian carefully placed the pearl into the water.

Tuan Tuan held Lianzi's small hand under the table and loosened it, muttering: "Let that bead's color fall down!"

Nobody saw it; Lianzi fell toward the ground, a faint light flashed and disappeared without a trace.

That bead slowly sank to the bottom of the cup, still emitting a seven‑colored halo in the water; the rippling waves made it look even more crystal‑clear and lovely.

Miss Qian's heart sank into her stomach; she raised her eyebrows and exhaled, saying: "Look! Open your eyes wide and see clearly! This radiance—how could it be fake?"

She suddenly lifted her head, pointing at Tuan Tuan and shouted sternly: "You ignorant little brat! Hurry up and kowtow to apologize!"

Otherwise, today you won't even think of leaving the Condensing Fragrance Pavilion!

"Huh? What's going on?" several young ladies exclaimed in surprise.

Miss Qian's face stiffened; she lowered her head to look, and turned pale with shock.