Today, Lin Wan’er’s wedding dress was finally completed. Early in the morning, she took Lu Luo with her to pick it up.
Lu Linglong also wanted a dress from Yanyu Pavilion, so she tagged along with Lin Wan’er, planning to ask Mistress Wu to make one for her as well.
Unexpectedly, neither of them even caught a glimpse of Mistress Wu.
Lu Linglong was infuriated: "Your status as the noble daughter of the Duke Mansion doesn’t seem that useful! Fake is fake, after all! I don’t believe Yanyu Pavilion would dare to treat Yao Qingluan this perfunctorily!"
Lin Wan’er felt her sister-in-law was being utterly unreasonable.
Yao Qingluan was the Empress, chosen by imperial decree, and the wedding date had already been set. What was wrong with her sister-in-law? Comparing her to the Empress? Was that even a contest?
Under heaven, the only one daring enough to outshine the Empress was that mysterious young lady of Miaojiang, the future Commander’s Wife!
Lin Wan’er had only recently learned that the Grand Commander had taken the auspicious wedding date originally intended for the imperial couple.
What she could not even dream of, others received while sitting at ho.
To say she was not envious would be a lie. What woman in the world could resist envying that? Even Yao Qingluan must be envious.
Lu Linglong continued her incessant complaints for a long ti. Lin Wan’er was growing sick of her. Thankfully, the wedding dress truly was stunning. When she tried it on, she even held her breath.
She had thought her growing belly might require the dress to be altered, yet, to her surprise, it fit perfectly. The cinched waist had adjustable clasps, which could be let out if needed, and the patterns still aligned seamlessly.
Lu Linglong was equally awestruck. Yanyu Pavilion’s dresses were breathtaking!
Seizing the opportunity, Lu Luo spoke up in Lin Wan’er’s defense: "Mistress Wu truly lives up to her reputation as the apprentice of Yanyu Pavilion’s owner. I’ve never seen a wedding dress more beautiful than this!"
Lu Linglong opened her mouth to retort but found herself unable to say a word.
Lin Wan’er was beyond satisfied.
She could almost picture herself dazzling everyone at the wedding in this dress.
"Be careful! The owner has instructed that there mustn’t be any mistakes!"
From the corridor ca the scrupulous voice of Mistress Wu.
Lu Luo: "Mistress Wu?"
At the sound of Mistress Wu’s na, Lu Linglong hurried outside to intercept her.
Lin Wan’er followed as well.
A head maid carefully carried a piece of clothing covered with silk as she descended the stairs. A small corner of the fabric peeked out from beneath the silk, shimring like a flowing galaxy, fleetingly passing before their eyes.
Lin Wan’er was instantly spellbound.
A re glimpse left her entranced for a long ti.
The dress she had just adored so much now seed dim and lackluster in comparison to that tiny exposed corner of fabric!
Lu Linglong covered her mouth in astonishnt: "Oh my heavens..."
"I’ll go with you!" Mistress Wu quickly descended the stairs.
Lin Wan’er motioned for Lu Luo to stop her: "Mistress Wu, just now... was that also a wedding dress? Which seamstress crafted it?"
Mistress Wu nodded at the two: "It was made by our owner."
Lin Wan’er gestured with her eyes, and Lu Luo added: "May I ask, whose fortune was it to have your owner personally craft their wedding dress?"
Mistress Wu replied, "It belongs to the Grand Commander’s fiancée."
Lin Wan’er was too envious to even speak.
Both were brides. Both faced rushed weddings. But look at the treatnt she received versus theirs.
A rushed wedding was no excuse for cutting corners; it was about where the heart lay.
Then again, upon reflection, her rival was Miaojiang’s young lady, backed by the entire Miaojiang. It wasn’t surprising she couldn’t compare.
And besides, the more powerful Miaojiang’s young lady was, the worse ng Qianqian’s future would be.
With that thought, Lin Wan’er finally felt at ease.
...
Yun Xiyao had sacrificed sleep to work on the wedding dress, sotis going two nights without rest. Even when she did sleep, it was never more than two or three hours before waking again.
After over a month of such intense effort, she finally completed the wedding dress. The mont it was finished, she could no longer hold out and collapsed into sleep.
Mistress Wu delivered the dress to Fengshui Alley on behalf of her teacher.
Today, ng Qianqian went to the marketplace.
The last ti she and Lin Xiaoru explored the marketplace, she discovered it to indeed be a treasure trove. Many items thought to be lost to ti could still be found there.
She had her eye on a spear, but the blacksmith told her it had already been reserved. A new batch would arrive in a few days. If she wanted one, she’d have to co early; latecors would miss out.
So, early in the morning, she waited outside the blacksmith shop.
Tan’er squatted on the ground, drawing turtles: "Sister, the sun’s nearly set. Why isn’t he opening yet?"
ng Qianqian replied, "Xiaoru said this shop is different from others. The owners here run their business however they please. So don’t welco custors for days, and others might not open for ten or fifteen days."
Tan’er pointed to the tightly shut doors of the blacksmith shop: "If this one doesn’t open for ten or fifteen days, will we really wait that long?"
ng Qianqian shook her head: "No, the owner promised to open today."
Tan’er pouted and thought for a mont: "Okay then."
She went back to drawing.
By the ti she had covered the entire ground in front of her with charcoal turtles, the owner of the blacksmith shop finally arrived.
The owner looked at the ground full of turtles, then at Tan’er, and asked in astonishnt: "You drew... all these?"
Tan’er waved her charcoal pen: "If N kept us waiting any longer, I’d have drawn them on N’s door next!"
The owner’s mouth twitched.
He soon recognized ng Qianqian, smiled, and said, "Miss, you actually ca."
ng Qianqian nodded: "You said there would be stock today."
The owner unlocked the copper lock and invited the two inside: "Indeed! It just arrived last night. I haven’t even opened for business yet. You’re my first custor!"
Tan’er suddenly interjected, her little face serious: "Am I not a person?"
The owner was startled by her: "Young lady... your skills are impressive."
Tan’er crossed her arms and looked up: "Consider yourself lucky for realizing."
The owner then led them to the storeroom.
The floor was strewn with all kinds of weapons—swords, sabers, bows, halberds, spears... there was a wide variety, all top-grade. Any one of them could be a treasure in other blacksmith shops.
Here, they were casually scattered about as though they were scrap tal.
The owner chuckled: "I’ve slept the entire day and haven’t tidied up yet."
Tan’er picked up a bloodstained heavy iron saber: "Hmm, the bloodstains look fresh. Was it just used to kill soone?"
The owner smirked: "We have a rule here: we never question the source of goods or the destination of money."
ng Qianqian said, "Understood."
The owner laughed: "Take your ti looking. Since you’re my first custor, if you sincerely want sothing, we can negotiate the price."
ng Qianqian wasn’t short on silver now. As long as the goods were genuine, she didn’t mind the cost.
She tested the saber Tan’er handed her. It was much heavier than the Brocade Spring Saber and not nearly as sharp.
"Sister, catch this sword!"
Tan’er tossed a long sword to ng Qianqian.
Without a word, the owner observed them, a flicker of surprise flashing through his eyes.
The sword was even heavier than the iron saber, yet the little girl tossed it with ease, and ng Qianqian caught it effortlessly. Both were clearly skilled.
ng Qianqian shook her head.
"You don’t like this one either?" Tan’er squatted back down, continuing her search.
After trying all the weapons, ng Qianqian calmly said, "Owner, your best items aren’t out here, are they?"
The owner gave her a long, steady look, his playful expression fading: "None of these weapons et your standards. You must have seen treasures before. You’re right—I do have better items, but..."
ng Qianqian replied, "I have money."
The owner chuckled, "Money alone won’t do. These belong to the Twelve Guards. They require an exchange of equal value to trade. How can I be sure you have the credentials to deal with ?"
ng Qianqian took out the Yin Hu Token: "Now, do I qualify?"
A quarter of an hour later.
The two exited the blacksmith shop.
Tan’er curiously looked at the flute in her hand: "What kind of weapon is this?"
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