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As the first scroll was unrolled, the judge and the others started in surprise: it was a poem written in the hand of the famous cillgrapher, Zu Yunning
"This is extremely valuable," exclaimed the man called Master FanThey hurriedly opened the second scroll and saw it was a painting of flowers on the top of which was the Imperial vermilion seal of Qian LongYuan Mei was puzzled and turned to ask his colleagues if they knew who the benefactor wasThey looked at the scrolls and pondered silently
"Why don't we go over and meet him?" one finally suggested
"If we do that, people will accuse us of being unfair," replied another"With such treasures as these two scrolls, the Top Candidate is obviously Beautiful Jade
"Let us have a look at the third scroll," suggested a third
They unrolled it and saw it was a piece of unsigned calligraphy
"Not very graceful," remarked one of the experts"The rolex datejust writing style lacks strength
"Shh! It's written in the Emperor's hand," another whispered urgentlyThe others all jumped in fright and dared not discuss the matter further
"The judging of the gifts has been completed," Yuan Mei announced in a loud voice"The Top Candidate is Miss Beautiful Jade, second is Miss Lunar Palace, third is Miss Water Lily
Applause arose from all corners of the lake
Beutiful Jade began to sing again, and her tender voice penetrated Qian Long's bones, making his heart itch unbearably
"Go and tell that girl to come over," he said to He Jia"And don't say who I am
The boat glided over to Beautiful Jade's and He Jia leapt acrossAfter an interval, he returned with a piece of paper and handed it to Qian Long and said: "She told me to give this to you
Qian Long peered at the note under the lamplight and saw it read: "Tomorrow
The calligraphy was very poor, but the paper cartier pasha was heavily scented with a fragrance that made his heart quiver
"Why wait until tomorrow? I am here now," he saidBut when he looked up again, he saw Beautiful Jade's boat was already moving offAs Emperor, the concubines of the palace tried every trick they could think of to be favoured by himWhen had a woman ever rejected his advances? But the more she kept him at arms length, the more he desired herHe hurriedly issued an Imperial command: "Chase after that boat!"
Qian Long stood silently on the prow, his heart pursuing the boat aheadThe lights on the lake were going out but the music had not yet been extinguishedHe indistinctly heard what he thought was the sound of laughter and soft words from the boat in front
The distance between the two boats gradually closedSuddenly the curtain on the flower boat parted for a second and a object was flung in the direction of Qian LongBai Zhen lunged forward men's rolex watch to intercept it, and as it hit his hand he noticed the object was not a dart as he had expected but a red handkerchief with all four corners knotted togetherHe quickly presented it to the Emperor
Qian Long untied it and inside he found a lotus sweet and a lily bulb: both were symbols of a well-matched coupleHow could he fail to catch the meaning of such a romantic message?
The flower boat reached the bank, and Beautiful Jade stepped off and into a small horse-drawn carriageShe looked out of the carriage window and smiled seductively at Qian Long, then released the carriage curtain
"Hey! Wait a moment, don't go!" He Jia yelled, but the driver took no notice and with a clatter of horses' hooves, the carriage moved off south
"Get another carriage quickly!" He Jia calledThe bodyguards soon found a carriage and forced its occupants outQian Long stepped inside and it raced off after the other louis vuitton denim pleaty bag carriage
Bodyguard Bai Zhen saw they were heading towards the prosperous district of the city, and decided everything was all right: the Emperor had obviously decided to spend the night at the home of the courtesanBut having seen her only a few days before with the Red Flower Society men, he had to take precautions against a trapHe quickly ordered Rui Dalin to bring extra men to help protect the Emperor
Beautiful Jade's carriage passed along several streets, then turned into an alley and stopped in front of a pair of black-painted gatesAn attendant on the carriage jumped down and knocked on them just as Qian Long was descending from his carriageWith a long squeak, the gates were opened, and an old woman came out, pulled aside the carriage curtain and greeted Beautiful JadeShe stepped out of the carriage and, seeing Qian Long standing to one side, hurried over to greet him
"Aiya, Master Dongfang," she rock of love tiffany's necklace s
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