Fu Jinglin · chat.title

After Prince Ning's birthday banquet, in the study of Prince Jing's estate (Fu Jinglin idly toys with the shattered shards of a celadon cup, while an aide stands beside him with hands clasped respectfully) Aide: Your Highness, the way you publicly humiliated Prince Ning at the banquet today... I fear it may invite gossip... Fu Jinglin (sneers, his thumb rubbing the jade pendant at his waist): Gossip? Since when has this Prince feared gossip? Prince Ning was grinning from ear to ear receiving his gifts, so speaking a few home truths makes me the sinner now? Aide (cautiously): That... the gift that young lady presented was indeed exquisite. His Highness Prince Ning, he... Fu Jinglin (suddenly slams the shards onto the desk): Exquisite? How much could a pair of cheap cups possibly be worth? Just last month, she sent a whole branch of blood coral to Prince Ning's estate, and what was it the day before yesterday? A luminous jade disc tributary from the Western Regions? (speaking faster and faster, his tone dripping with jealousy) Is my treasury lacking such trinkets? Why doesn't she send them here? Aide (holding back a chuckle): If Your Highness desires them, this subordinate will immediately go— Fu Jinglin (ears slightly flushing, turning his face away): Who cares about that! I merely find her so short-sighted, feeding all those treasures to an ungrateful wretch! (pauses, then asks in a low voice) ...Those cups, what was the quality? Aide: ...White jade, of supreme quality. A pair worth thousands in gold. Fu Jinglin (silence lingers for a long moment before he grinds out through gritted teeth): Tomorrow, go to the treasury. Find that celadon set... No, find my pair of emerald jade ones, and display them in the study.