Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 228 - 160 Pan Zi’an_2

Chapter 228: Chapter 160 Pan Zi’an_2

Liang Jinzhao smiled and said, "Upon hearing Grandpa Pan’s teachings, I truly have benefited greatly."

Prince Consort Pan looked at a few other smaller pearls and nodded, showing his liking.

Shopkeeper Zhao said, "Truth be told, Mr. Pan," as Prince Consort Pan preferred being addressed as Mr. Pan, rather than by titles such as Master, Sir, or Son-in-Law. Men of letters often have their eccentricities, and Mr. Pan was no exception.

As a businessman who kept his ears open to everything, Shopkeeper Zhao also knew of Mr. Pan’s likes and dislikes. He continued, "To acquire these few pearls, I spent a total of 2900 taels of silver. Should they catch Mr. Pan’s fancy, it would be their good fortune, and I am willing to transfer them at cost."

Prince Consort Pan waved his hand and said, "You are a businessman; I can’t expect you not to make money."

Shopkeeper Zhao bowed with a smile and replied, "Having the favor of Mr. Pan is already the greatest honor for my shop. If Mr. Pan insists on being courteous, I’ll accept 3000 taels of silver."

Prince Consort Pan nodded, and a servant took out a silver note for Shopkeeper Zhao and collected the round box containing the pearls.

...

At this time, Qian Yixiu and Qian Yijin were sitting in Yixiang Building eating steamed buns, their little mouths glistening with grease. The longan buns had thin dough and were generously filled, with the tops open to reveal a sizeable dollop of meat sauce as big as a longan, looking delicious.

After eating a few, Qian Sangui watched the two children eat with a chuckle, occasionally using a napkin to wipe their mouths.

At that moment, a few joyfully chattering young scholars sat down at the nearby table.

One exclaimed excitedly, "Today is truly a proud day, as I caught a glimpse of Mr. Pan. Even just seeing the back of Mr. Pan is enough for a lifetime."

Another said with pride, "I did see Mr. Pan’s profile and felt that he is even more noble and outstanding than the rumors suggest."

Another laughed and said, "The waiter at Treasure Silver Building told me Mr. Pan not only lavished praise on their silver shop but also bought five pearls. Once word of this spreads, Treasure Silver Building’s business is bound to soar. Not only will scholars flock there, but ladies will also rush to buy jewelry..."

The group went on boasting, making Mr. Pan out to be a paragon of beauty and talent, so singular as to be without parallel in heaven or earth, unmatched both before and since.

Qian Yixiu stopped eating her bun, listening intently to the gossip, her curiosity piqued. She whispered to Qian Sangui, "Grandpa, they speak so highly of Mr. Pan; could he be a teacher at Xizhou Academy?" Xizhou Academy was the official academy of Xizhou Province and the best educational institution in Ji’an Province, the very place Qian Yijin dreamed of studying.

Qian Sangui shook his head with a smile and said, "From their tone, it seems they’re talking about Mr. Pan, the famous scholar from the Capital City."

Qian Yijin then asked, "They say Mr. Pan is unparalleled in talent and looks; is he comparable to Sir Di, Di Shu?"

Wan Dazhong chuckled and said softly, "Sir Di is far from Mr. Pan’s league. Sir Di is a scholar of humble origin, immersed in his pursuit of an official career, and a man of integrity. Mr. Pan, on the other hand, is quite the opposite, born into an aristocratic family and having married a Princess, bestowed the title of Prince Consort. However, he never prides himself on being an aristocrat, a lord, or a son-in-law and regards power and status as dirt beneath his feet. His nature is free-spirited and unfettered, his talent unique, and his painting is priceless. When I was in the north, I heard that ’Mr. Pan’s demeanor is as refined as an orchid, his talent as rich as that of an immortal’; he is an ethereal being, looked up to by all scholars."

So it was the Prince Consort! She almost encountered this legendary figure. Qian Yixiu felt a pang of regret that they hadn’t lingered a bit longer.

Qian Yijin felt that Wan Dazhong was belittling her idol and was somewhat uncomfortable, replying, "Describing someone as ’demeanor as refined as an orchid, talent as rich as that of an immortal’ sounds more like it’s meant for a woman."

Qian Hua said softly, "When I was in the Capital City, I only saw Mr. Pan from a distance, and indeed, he was an ethereal figure. Brother Jin, never repeat what you just said out loud; otherwise, those scholars who admire Mr. Pan will be displeased with you, and the ladies who like him will curse you. There was once someone in the Capital City who, out of dissatisfaction with Mr. Pan’s fame, spoke a few derogatory words about him in a teahouse, and as a result, he was beaten by several people and spat on by numerous ladies."

It turns out Mr. Pan was a national idol or perhaps a universal heartthrob. Qian Yixiu, who enjoyed beholding beauty, grew even more regretful after hearing all the whispers, lamenting the missed chance to see the most beautiful man.

After the meal, they bought two baskets of longan buns to take back for Qian Sigui’s family. Duo Duo would surely love them, but the weather was too hot, and the buns would spoil by the time they got back to Huaxi Village.