Hu Xiaotian smiled. "The Eldest Princess still misunderstands me. I'm not trying to put you off. I sincerely believe you're already beautiful enough, with no need to add flowers to brocade. Still, I respect your wishes. If you decide to have the surgery, I'll certainly do everything in my power."
Hearing him agree to operate on her, Xue Lingjun's face lit up with delight. "Don't worry," she said in a sweet, coquettish voice. "I won't make you work for nothing. Once you've done it successfully, I'll reward you handsomely."
Hu Xiaotian said, "Before I can operate on the 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 borrow them from her."
Xue Lingjun said, "What's so difficult about that? We needn't use those old ones. We can find Master Craftsman Zong Yuan and have him make 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 are things you can't imagine, but nothing he can't make. Come on, let's go there now."
"Go where?"
"The Blacksmith Shop!"
Blacksmith shops could be found everywhere, in towns and villages alike, but there was only one bearing an imperial plaque bestowed by the royal family. It stood by the Fountain of Youth on Purple Cloud Mountain, roughly ten li from Benevolence Garden, far from the clamor of the mortal world.
The interior of Xue Lingjun's luxurious carriage was warm and comfortable. A faint fragrance drifted through it, refreshing the heart and lungs yet intoxicating enough to make one swoon. The Eldest Princess, Xue Lingjun, sat beside Hu Xiaotian, holding her white sable coat and leaning against the carriage wall. At first, she chatted