The most dissolute couple in the capital

Although the flower nursery in the suburbs of Beijing has prepared enough chrysanthemums, including Golden Silk Chrysanthemum and Green Cloud Moon Chrysanthemum, these two types of flowers must be grown in red sandy soil from Lingnan, mixed with specially made composted leaves, otherwise they will easily wither.

The soil in the flower nursery is kept by the family for cultivating flowers and is not sold to the public.

After considering it for a moment, Steward Sun instructed his subordinate, Steward Zhao, to run errands and inquire where he could obtain this kind of soil.

After two days of searching, Manager Zhao actually found it: "There's a boss in the south of the city who's from Lingnan. He says they have genuine red sandy loam, but the price is a bit high—a cartload of red loam costs thirty taels of silver."

"Thirty taels?" Butler Sun asked in surprise. "Are you robbing me?"

"Indeed," Manager Zhao sighed. "However, that Zhou merchant also has another type of soil. This servant thinks its color is very similar to red sandy loam, but the price is much cheaper, only five taels per cart."

The Prince of Liang wanted to cultivate at least five or six pots of exquisite chrysanthemums, which would require three or four cartloads of soil alone. Add to that the price of the flowers themselves, the pots, and the labor costs of hiring a gardener…

"Can we use that cheap soil to grow flowers?" Butler Sun asked.

Manager Zhao honestly replied, "Mr. Zhou said it's possible to grow them, but it's not as good as red sandy soil. High-quality flowers might not last very long on it."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Butler Sun asked calmly. "His Highness wants flowers, not soil. Once the flowers are bought and planted, they'll look nice, that's all that matters. As for how long they'll last..."

Butler Sun said slowly and deliberately, "Golden Silk Chrysanthemum and Green Cloud Moon-Supporting Bloom are notoriously difficult to grow. Even skilled gardeners often kill them, let alone our household. If the flowers wilt, just say it's because the climate in the capital is unsuitable and they're not used to the soil. What's so strange about that? His Highness doesn't know anything about growing flowers. Are you going to dig up the pots to check?"

Manager Zhao opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.

Butler Sun didn't even raise an eyelid: "Buy the cheaper one, and put the price on the books as red sandy loam."

Seeing Manager Zhao's hesitant expression, Butler Sun stood up, patted Manager Zhao on the shoulder, and said in a low voice, "Listen to me, you'll get your share of the difference. Go and do it."

Upon hearing that Steward Sun had spoken, Steward Zhao's worry was immediately suppressed by greed, and he replied repeatedly, "Yes, I understand. This old servant will take care of it right away."

Half a month later, in the flowerbed in the backyard of the Liang Prince's Mansion, rows of carefully transplanted chrysanthemums unfolded in the autumn wind.

The petals of the golden chrysanthemum are like ink-dyed gold threads, curled and layered, gleaming with a deep luster in the sunlight.

Green Clouds Supporting the Moon is a cluster of emerald green flower balls, with a hint of moon white peeking through the center, making it elegant and beautiful.

Li Chengjing excitedly took Cui Qingyi's hand and led her through the corridor to the flower garden.

"Manager Sun came to report today that the flowers have all been transplanted. Qingyi, look, aren't they beautiful!"

"Your Highness has gone to great lengths." Cui Qingyi smiled, bent down and approached a pot of golden chrysanthemums to examine them closely.

The flowers are indeed beautiful, of superior quality, with distinct layers of petals and rich colors.

But this earthy color...

Cui Qingyi's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Genuine red sandy soil has a fine and dense texture, a deep ochre-red color, a slightly oily sheen, and feels slightly sticky to the touch.

The soil used in this potted plant is similar in color, but it is obviously coarser in particle size, dry and loose, and completely lacks the moist feel that red sandy soil has.

Li Chengjing had already moved to the other side, squatted down and looked at the potted plant, "Green Clouds Supporting the Moon," from left to right, and suddenly reached out to touch the petals.

"Wow, these petals are so soft, they feel really nice to the touch—"

Before he finished speaking, the flower head that resembled a green cloud supporting the moon suddenly tilted to the side, and the entire flower ball broke off from the stem, falling into the soil with a "plop".

Li Chengjing was stunned.

He looked down at his fingers, then at the flowers on the ground, his expression shifting from shock to confusion, and then from confusion to grievance.

"...I only touched it once?"

Cui Qingyi walked over and glanced down as well. The stem of the green cloud supporting the moon had turned black and soft at the break, indicating that the root system had long been problematic. The flower head looked plump, but in fact, it had already begun to rot inside.

"Your Highness, the flower is not your fault," she said softly.

Li Chengjing squatted on the ground and carefully poked the pot of golden chrysanthemums next to him with his finger.

The petals remained completely still.

He breathed a sigh of relief and poked it a second time with force.

The petals remained still.

He felt relieved and clapped his hands triumphantly.

Then the entire flower head broke off from the base and was neatly planted into the flowerpot.

Lee Seung-kyung: "..."

Cui Qingyi: "..."

As the autumn wind blew, the flowerbed was quiet, with only the broken golden chrysanthemum lying forlornly on the soil, its petals still trembling slightly, as if making a final struggle.

Lee Seung-kyung suddenly stood up, staring at his hands in disbelief: "Was I too strong?"

Cui Qingyi pursed her lips, almost bursting out laughing.

She picked up the broken golden chrysanthemum and gently turned the stem over, revealing clear traces of dark brown rot.

"Your Highness, look here." She handed the flower stem to Li Chengjing.

Li Chengjing leaned closer for a look, then wrinkled his nose: "Why is it so dark? Is it infested with bugs?"

"It doesn't seem like a pest infestation," Cui Qingyi said. "It's more like a soil and water problem. Both the Golden Silk Chrysanthemum and the Green Cloud Moon Chrysanthemum are famous varieties from the South, extremely picky about soil. If the wrong soil is used, they'll have a hard time surviving."

Li Chengjing was only trying to please his wife, but this situation left him somewhat embarrassed: "These flowers were specially bought for you, and they break at the slightest touch. How shameful!"

Seeing his dejected appearance, Cui Qingyi's heart suddenly softened.

This person genuinely wanted to please her.

He's not good at studying, not good at writing poetry, and even less good at sweet talk. The only romantic thing he can think of is buying the most expensive flowers, mixing the best perfume, and then wagging his tail and waiting for her to praise him.

As a result, even this small token of appreciation was intercepted by someone.

"Your Highness," Cui Qingyi said earnestly, "It doesn't matter that the flowers are broken. I have already received Your Highness's kindness. Your Highness need not worry; perhaps it was an oversight on the part of the flower nursery. We can simply send someone to inquire again."