Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 1007: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity 6

Chapter 1007: Chapter 1007: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity 6

Feng Qingxue had no idea about the conversation her husband was having with Zheng Jinrui outside; she was busy looking around Chen Xueniang’s new home.

It was very clean and tidy.

Chen Xueniang herself was a woman who lived a rather refined life and didn’t neglect herself due to the scarcity of materials, "If it weren’t for the turmoil outside, I would’ve already put some flower vases around the house. That would make it look much nicer."

"There’ll be a day for that. I, too, love to place a few vases in the house and fill them with fresh flowers, feeling the whole space come alive," Feng Qingxue found she had much in common with Chen Xueniang, "The only time I ever arranged flowers at home was the year Xibao invited the French ambassador to China, Belna, for a visit, and we followed all the French dining etiquettes."

Speaking of Belna, Feng Qingxue wondered if she should pay him a visit.

But then again, she didn’t even know if he was still in the Capital.

Chen Xueniang poured her some water and, seeing Feng Qingxue staring at the teacup, smiled and said, "I bought it from the used-goods market. Since I’ve come to the Capital, I’ve really enjoyed browsing through these markets and have found quite a few treasures. I also learned a bit about appraising antiques in the past. This teacup is probably from the Yongzheng Era Imperial kilns. Luckily, it’s from the Yongzheng Era. The colors are more subdued and elegant, which isn’t too ostentatious. If it were something from the Qianlong Era, its flamboyance could get it smashed by an inspector, who might as well label me a follower of capitalist lifestyle."

Upon the mention of the vastly different aesthetic views between Emperor Yongzheng and his son Qianlong, Feng Qingxue felt a surge of enthusiasm.

A true confidant indeed, sharing the same insights.

"Qianlong’s taste was indeed too garish and gaudy for my liking, it made my head spin. A Yongzheng Era porcelain vase needs just a few faint strokes to evoke a naturally beautiful scene, whereas the Qianlong Era’s patterns are so cluttered that there is not a single spot left blank."

"Am I right? That’s exactly it. Yongzheng, a diligent Emperor who bridged the gap between generations, unfortunately had a profligate son. The son’s unusual tastes have often been subtly mocked by the literati," Chen Xueniang found herself more and more convinced that Feng Qingxue was a kindred spirit, "Nevertheless, the old folks probably prefer Qianlong Era items, with all their colorful and festive appeal!"

Feng Qingxue laughed heartily, her laughter ringing clear and pleasant.

After her laughter subsided, she whispered, "Those things of yours..."

Chen Xueniang interrupted her, "I brought some gold bars and silver dollars when I came here. Now that I have a salary, I don’t have to worry about living expenses. You can keep those things for me for now. Whenever I need them, you can just give them to me."

"Asking me to keep them for you, I can’t take them to the military, and I’m not at ease leaving them in my hometown, so I brought them this time when I came to the Capital."

Feng Qingxue could not reveal the secret of her space; she could only vaguely mention leaving it in her hometown. Even if Chen Xueniang heard it, she probably assumed they were buried somewhere. After all, they would not be out in the open.

Originally, Chen Xueniang had buried her things deep in the ground beneath the corner of the bedroom wall, digging three feet and then some.

After listening to Feng Qingxue, Chen Xueniang pondered for a moment. "Since you’ve brought them, then give them to me. It’s indeed not practical for you to take them to the military or to keep them at home. It was only because it was inconvenient for me to take them back then that I entrusted them to you through Comrade Cuilan. You give them to me, and I will bury them underground. They simply can’t be kept in boxes or cabinets, you never know when someone might come for an inspection."

Feng Qingxue immediately handed over the bundle she had taken down after she arrived, "The jewelry you gave for Fubao, I unapologetically kept for her future dowry. Everything else is here, you should check them."