Hu Xiaotian smiled. "You still misunderstand me, Eldest Princess. I'm not trying to put you off. I truly believe you're already beautiful enough, and there's no need to add flowers to brocade. But I still respect your wishes. If you decide to have the surgery, I'll certainly do everything I can."
Hearing him agree to operate on her, Xue Lingjun's face lit up with delight. She said sweetly, "Don't worry. I won't have you work for nothing. Once you've done it, I'll reward you handsomely."
Hu Xiaotian said, "Before I operate on you, Eldest Princess, I'll need some essential instruments. The ones from last time are all being kept by the Empress Dowager. I hope you can go and borrow them."
Xue Lingjun said, "What's so difficult about that? We don't need those old ones. We can have Master Craftsman Zong Yuan forge a new set."
Hu Xiaotian said, "Master Craftsman Zong Yuan?"
Xue Lingjun said, "Haven't you heard of him? He's the finest craftsman under heaven. There's nothing he can't make, only things you haven't thought of. Come on, let's go there now."
"Go where?"
"The blacksmith's shop!"
Blacksmith's shops could be found everywhere, in cities, towns, and villages alike, but only one possessed a plaque bestowed by the emperor. It stood at the Fountain of Youth on Purple Cloud Mountain, roughly ten li from Benevolence Garden, far removed from the clamor of the mortal world.
Inside Xue Lingjun's luxurious carriage, it was warm and comfortable. A faint fragrance drifted through the compartment, seeping into the heart and lungs, intoxicating enough to make one tipsy. The Eldest Princess, Xue Lingjun, sat beside Hu Xiaotian, holding her white sable cloak and leaning against the carriage wall. At first she chatted with him, but the jolting carriage somehow lulled her to