Inside the treasure vault on the third floor, the second old master of the Huo family, also known as Huo Yuan’s uncle Huo Qi, was counting the jewels. Upon hearing the news, he immediately told the female cashier who came to report, "Turn her away and have her leave immediately. Moreover, tell the guard in the shop not to let this woman enter the Masterpiece Building again, lest we get involved in trouble...."
The shopkeeper of the Masterpiece Building gave a wry smile, resentfully thinking how the Second Elder has always fancied himself as the family head and freely issued orders in all of Huo’s businesses, making things extremely difficult for the other shopkeepers. Doesn’t he know that the true family head of the Huo family should be the eldest son of the eldest branch? What gave him the right to freely issue orders ?
Seeing the shopkeeper unmoved, Huo Qi angrily said: "What are you waiting for! Go now!"
The shopkeeper contemplated for a moment and, thinking it was just a customer matter and wouldn’t want to offend the second master over this matter, thereby bringing him trouble later, he obeyed, "Yes."
Cai Wei, noticing the Masterpiece Building’s refusal to serve her, suspected that it was likely due to the incident with Li Shanggong. She understood that merchants were always wary of getting into trouble, so she didn’t blame them. Taking her items and accompanied by Hu Aoqiu and Dou Momo, she left.
In the capital, shops that can make jewellery are not limited to the Masterpiece Building. Cai Wei, carrying her bundle, ventured into another famous jewellery store called ’Zhenbao Pavilion’.
This shop was also quite famous. It was known as the second-largest silver building in the Capital. Though less orchestrated and austere than the Masterpiece Building, it was more easy-going. When the shopkeeper heard that Cai Wei wanted to order custom-made jewellery, he immediately agreed.
Cai Wei, overjoyed, unwrapped her bundle and displayed the contents to the shopkeeper.
However, after seeing the contents, the shopkeeper’s expression changed, asking seriously, "Could I ask where these diamonds are from?"
Cai Wei replied, "A friend gave them to me, what’s wrong? Is there a problem?"
The shopkeeper smiled coldly and said: "I don’t have a problem; just the owner of these diamonds might."
He then shouted to a shop assistant, "Quickly, go report this to the officials. Tell them we found the diamonds lost from Princess Zhaohua’s Mansion..."
Cai Wei was at a loss for words, Dou Momo and Huan Qiu stood agape. But when they saw the Imperial Guard rushing in before the shop assistant had time to leave the room, they realized, this was due to Li Shanggong’s machinations!
Huan Qiu took a step forward, standing in front of Cai Wei, ready to fight their way out and protect Cai Wei’s escape.
Cai Wei stopped her, murmuring: "Without my command, don’t act recklessly."
As she spoke, the captain of the Imperial Guard, filled with swagger, marched forward and shouted, "Audacious thief, daring to steal from the princess’s mansion, take her down!"
The Imperial Guards behind him responded, striding toward Cai Wei with an intimidating aura.
Cai Wei tossed back her veil, laughing coldly, "I am a princess bestowed by the Emperor himself, why would I steal from another princess’s mansion?"
The captain of the Imperial Guard froze at the sight of that beautiful face under the veil and gasped out, "You, you, could it be that you are...."
Cai Wei lowered her veil, her voice cold, "I managed to return safely and planned to meet with my imperial father in the palace. Yet, I was mistaken for a thief by you. How amusing!"
The captain of the Imperial Guard had never met Cai Wei, but others had mentioned the incomparable beauty of ’Princess An Le’. Hearing that this woman claimed to be Princess An Le and seeing her stunning beauty, he believed her to some extent. Therefore, he laughed awkwardly and said, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. It was my negligence that led to this misunderstanding. Please forgive me, Princess."