Over there, it was bustling with noise.
"Since such a beautiful young lady erged from the Governor Mansion, matchmakers have nearly worn out the Yan Family’s doorstep these years, but the Yan Family has rejected all. I originally thought this heavenly beauty was prepared by the Yan Family to be sent to the palace as a concubine. You really have good fortune."
Mr. Wei was being flattered and floated through the crowd.
He had seen the portrait of Yan Mi. Indeed, her beauty was beyond description.
However, he said.
"Choosing a principal wife depends on whether she can handle the responsibilities of the inner house, naturally it’s stricter than choosing a concubine. What everyone said is wrong, if she has beauty but no talent, I would not marry her."
"Look at what you’re saying, I’m just being vulgar, even if the future principal wife is talented, if she’s not pretty, I don’t want her either."
Xie Xun didn’t want to listen anymore, but the conversation turned even more indecent.
"Lady Yan is delicate and soft-bodied, once you are married don’t cling to her every night. Also, share with us what it feels like."
Previously, Wei Xiheng disliked such talk the most, even detested it. Now his illness is finally cured, although the ti spent in bed is short, he has managed to consummate, and has tasted the girl’s flavor these past few days.
Today, he frequents social gatherings even more.
The thought of doing that sort of thing with Yan Mi, whom all noble sons sought to marry, made him inevitably thirsty.
On this side, Xie Xun was finally waiting for soone.
Cui Yun paced over and sat down opposite him.
Without waiting for Xie Xun to speak, he lifted his hand to pour a cup of tea.
"Regarding the matter of the Fifth Princess, what does Heir Xie plan to do?"
Xie Xun leaned back, although a military general, he did not lack the deanor of a noble son in the slightest.
"What, from your words, are you planning to advise a bit?"
"Do as you like, who knows how long I can stay in Shengjing this ti."
Cui Yun caressed the hidden patterns on the wall of the sweet white porcelain cup, and simply offered a detached shallow smile upon hearing this.
"It seems the rumors are true."
Xie Xun: "What rumor?"
"That Heir Xie has long favored a certain girl."
Xie Xun paused: "Who said that?"
"Heir of Prince Gong, Ji Huo."
Xie Xun: ...
"How could he have the leisure for such thoughts, Marquis Cui would also be aware, wouldn’t he?"
Xie Xun: "He’d rather have the won of Shengjing shift all the attention that falls on you and onto him, petty deeds yet they work."
Cui Yun didn’t care about these matters.
Without waiting for Xie Xun to speak, he stated his intent.
"Lady Shen is in my mansion."
Xie Xun sat up much straighter, one hand placed on the tea table, with an ugly scar at the mound of his thumb, which he got six months ago. If not for tily dical treatnt, he might have lost the use of his hand.
Cui Yun averted his gaze.
"When I went to fetch her, the situation was not good."
Xie Xun’s voice was sowhat hoarse: "I know, Bai Zhou’s second uncle is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She has been frail and sickly since childhood and knows little of human wickedness, how could she contend with that, which is why I entrusted you to go."
Bai Zhou is the courtesy na of Shen Zhi.
"It might not just be that."
Cui Yun straightforwardly revealed: "You are even more aware that Doctor Ni is in my mansion."
Xie Xun did not deny it: "Yes."
He then hurriedly inquired: "Doctor Ni’s diagnosis..."
Cui Yun gripped the tea cup tighter, speaking softly: "Five years without worry."
Xie Xun paused.
Although it was he who sought Cui Yun, clearly, he was being led by Cui Yun.
Cui Yun looked steadily at Xie Xun: "How do you plan to settle her?"
"In my view, it’s best to let her stay in the Marquis Mansion, as none of the dical Staff in Shengjing can compare to Doctor Ni. What do you think, Heir Xie?"
Xie Xun didn’t respond for a long while, and it was only after a significant pause that he reluctantly nodded his approval.
Cui Yun faintly smiled and stood up.
"Now that we’ve agreed, I will take my leave."
It wasn’t until Cui Yun had left that Xie Xun ca to his senses.
"Hey! At least let et her first!"
The response was an empty alleyway and a silent stillness.
Xie Xun: ...
anwhile, Yifeng Hall, shedding its past low-key deanor, conspicuously displayed the Yulan Painting embroidery at the most eye-catching spot within the hall, and invited the shopkeepers of various embroidery workshops throughout Shengjing, apart from those at Juchao Pavilion, to gather.
With invitations sent out by Yifeng Hall, how could the shopkeepers refuse the summons? They were overjoyed and nearly burst forth announcing it to the whole city, naturally spreading the word throughout all of Quansheng without Yifeng Hall’s own intervention.
It was a grand gesture, not overshadowed by the theatrics of Juchao Pavilion.
Even aristocratic ladies attended in droves.
Lady Shen’s Yulan embroidery caught many a madam’s eye, wanting to purchase it as its price kept climbing. However, the Shopkeeper of Yifeng Hall outright refused to sell it.
How could they sell it!
They hadn’t yet had their fill of slapping Juchao Pavilion’s face!!!
The Shopkeeper of Yifeng Hall stated, "Respected guests have long frequented Yifeng Hall and are well-versed in embroidery. I am truly in a difficult position, for this Yulan piece is likely an unparalleled Su Embroidery that may never be found again."
His words were compelling.
He avoided any ntion of Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop, yet every word seed to allude to it.
The embroideries brought by Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop bore the Shen Family’s seal. The Yulan Painting was originally hung in Shen Wei’s study; naturally, it was not for sale and had no mark of Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop.
That was sothing Shen Qu added later. It was placed discreetly in a corner, not very noticeable, yet so saw it and raised questions on the spot.
"Shopkeeper, what is the aning of this?"
It was already known that Yifeng Hall had once refused Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop’s crafts.
The Shopkeeper showed no sign of panic. Standing in front of the Yulan Painting, he instead smiled.
"Su Embroidery has been prominent for ages, with various schools of thought and embroidery workshops competing for excellence. Over the years, only Shen Wei’s workshop has led the way, with styles and artistic essences that are refreshingly unique,"
"It is recorded in the Qing Secret Collection that the stitches are fine, using threads as thin as one or two silks, and needles as thin as hair for exquisitely setting colors, creating dazzling effects."
"My esteed guests, please take a closer look. In my years of experience, this embroidery splits the thread into over sixty strands."
A single thread split into over sixty strands for embroidery, what incredible skill.
Before the crowd could marvel, the Shopkeeper faintly smiled, his shalessness fully unleashed.
"We should also thank Juchao Pavilion for selling this along with other unwanted embroideries at a low price, for without such serendipity, I wouldn’t have acquired such a treasure."
As the words fell, one shopkeeper in disbelief.
"May I ask, how much silver did you spend to purchase it?"
Shopkeeper: "A fixed price of 500 taels."
"What? 500 taels?"
"Is Juchao Pavilion mad to sell it for only 500 taels?"
The Shopkeeper continued to smile: "Perhaps they are generous."
The sarcasm was evident.
"The Shopkeeper of Juchao Pavilion doesn’t know anything. Today, they hung up a piece priced at one thousand taels, and I don’t even like it, but he excessively praised it."
"No wonder, without any further dealings between Yifeng Hall and Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop, who knows who made this piece. I really like it."
The Shopkeeper sighed faintly: "It was done by Shen Hua, Shen Wei’s own daughter. To my knowledge, she embroidered this piece when she was just eleven."
Of course, so shopkeepers wanting to deal with Shen Qu smiled, saying: "With Shen Wei’s death, the embroidery workshop must be in disarray. Mr. Shen as well, since his sister is so talented, why not let her help manage the embroidery workshop?"
The Shopkeeper of Yifeng Hall glanced at him sideways.
"Shen Qu?"
He disdainfully said: "That stepson, how is he even qualified to instruct Lady Shen?"
Others wanted to ask more, but he did not answer any further.
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