Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 108: Zhang Yaojin chooses a Tianyu Buddha statue as a birthday gift, be careful

Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, Lord Zhang, Lord Fang and other ministers under Li Shimin were also busy preparing gifts to present to the retired emperor on his birthday.

Cheng Yaojin paced anxiously back and forth in the mansion, like a trapped tiger. His thick brows furrowed as he muttered, "This birthday gift for the retired emperor can't be sloppy. It has to be something special."

He scratched his head from time to time, and sometimes stopped to look at the objects in the room, his eyes full of thought.

Cheng Yaojin was wandering in the mansion when his eyes suddenly fell on an exquisite jade carving.

He reached out and picked it up, weighing it in his hand for a few times. His brows instantly knitted into knots, and he muttered to himself, "This? Not suitable. Although this thing is exquisite, it is too ordinary. What treasures don't we have in the palace?"

"The emperor has seen all kinds of scenes. How can he use such ordinary things to make up for it?" After saying this, he put the jade carving heavily back on the table and continued to walk around the room, his eyes still searching for a suitable gift.

Hua Da Jiao rushed out of the inner room. Seeing Cheng Yaojin's expression, she put her hands on her hips and said loudly, "Old Cheng, you've been hanging around here for so long! You're just trying to pick out a birthday gift, and you're so worried."

As she spoke, she strode over to Cheng Yaojin and glared at him, "If you really don't have an idea, let's discuss it together and stop hanging around here!"

Cheng Yaojin's daughter came skipping over, picked up an exquisite glass lamp, and said with a smile, "Daddy, this one is so beautiful! It sparkles with colorful lights under the light. The emperor will definitely like it."

The second son of the Cheng family curled his lips, snatched the glass cup and put it aside, pointing to a famous calligraphy and painting and said, "What do you know, little sister? This calligraphy and painting is great, elegant and charming. The emperor is knowledgeable, so this is the most appropriate gift."

At this time, the other servants nearby also started to discuss. An old servant said, "How about giving them the gold tea set? It's both valuable and practical."

Another young servant scratched his head and said, "I think the pair of white jade lions are also good. They look majestic."

Everyone had their own opinion, and Cheng Yaojin had a headache again, not knowing who to listen to.

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand impatiently and shouted, "Alright, alright, stop it! You guys are making my head buzz with all this chatter. How can I calm down and think?"

He frowned and scanned the gifts proposed by everyone one by one, his face full of confusion.

Then Cheng Yaojin grumbled, "They all have their merits, but which one is the best for me and will please the Emperor the most? It really makes me worried."

Cheng Yaojin's eyes lit up and he picked up the "big-footed cup".

This cup has a unique shape, a round body, and an exquisite big foot-shaped decoration on one side of the cup mouth. The big foot is carved vividly and has delicate patterns.

Cheng Yaojin grinned and said, "This 'big-footed cup' is great! It's the only one of its kind in our palace. It's quite special. The Emperor has definitely never seen one before."

When Hua Da Jiao heard this, he glared at her and said, "Old Cheng, please don't do anything stupid. This cup may be special, but isn't this a bit impolite to look like this?"

The second son of the Cheng family also agreed: "Dad, Mom is right, this gift is too strange, I'm afraid it's not suitable." The little girl covered her mouth and laughed, watching the arguing family members.

Cheng Yaojin frowned, scratched his head, and put down the "Big Foot Cup". "Yes, there is something wrong with this thing. Then let's take this one."

As he spoke, he picked up a sandalwood box and opened it. Inside was an exquisite Buddha statue.

This Buddha statue is carved from a whole piece of Hetian jade. The jade is warm and smooth. The Buddha's face is compassionate and peaceful, and his clothes are fluttering, as if surrounded by Buddha's light. "This Buddha statue has a good meaning. It blesses the emperor to be healthy and shows our sincerity."

Cheng Yaojin held the Buddha statue high up and grinned, "Yes, this is it! It's a fine piece, made of Hetian jade. Look at the intricate carving! The emperor will surely love it."

Hua Da Jiao also came over to examine it carefully, nodding her head. "Well, this Buddha statue is really nice. It's quite grand and has auspicious meanings. It's a great honor to give it as a gift."

The Cheng family's second son and youngest daughter also clapped their hands and praised: "Dad has good taste. Once this gift is given, our Cheng family will definitely be very proud."

The little girl was quick to snatch the Buddha statue from Cheng Yaojin's hands, hugged it, and quickly walked away, muttering, "Hmph, I have to take good care of this treasure. Don't let you change your mind later. I think it's the most suitable one, and no one is allowed to change it."

As he spoke, he carefully carried the Buddha statue into the inner room, as if he was afraid that someone else would snatch it away again.

Cheng Yaojin was stunned at first, then he cried out with a mixture of laughter and tears: "Girl, why are you so anxious? Are you afraid that your father will regret it?"

Hua Da Jiao also laughed and scolded, "This girl is just impatient, but that's good, it saves you from agonizing over this gift."

The second son of the Cheng family hurriedly chased after her and shouted anxiously, "Little sister, be careful! That is a treasure we carefully selected to give to the Emperor. It would be bad if it gets bumped or dented."

Cheng Yaojin nodded repeatedly and agreed, "Yes, yes, this is a gift for the Emperor, you have to treat it with care. You have to control your clumsy nature, if anything goes wrong, we won't be able to explain ourselves."

Hua Da Jiao glanced at the little girl's back in a reproachful manner, then said with a smile, "Our daughter is just too impatient, but she really values ​​this gift, so I don't think anything will go wrong, so don't worry too much."

After General Cheng's daughter carefully placed the Buddha statue on the table, she began to walk around the room, sometimes clasping her hands, sometimes rubbing the corners of her clothes, and muttering to herself: "This Buddha statue must be wrapped nicely. What should I use to wrap it? Also, how can I present it to the emperor in a way that will show my sincerity..."

She frowned slightly, looking like she was worried about something. Her serious and slightly anxious look made anyone who saw her realize how much she cared about this birthday gift.

At this moment, a servant came over quickly. Seeing the little girl pacing back and forth in the room, he quickly warned her, "Miss, please be careful. There are a lot of ornaments in this room. Don't accidentally bump into anything or fall. If you get hurt, it will be terrible."

The little girl stopped and waved to the servant, saying, "I know, I know. I will be careful myself. You can go and do your thing."

After saying this, he continued to think about the birthday gift while pacing slowly: "How should I put it away?"

The little girl breathed a sigh of relief, carefully placed the Buddha statue in an exquisite brocade box, and gently closed the lid.