For two consecutive nights, Xie Yuanchu hadn’t stayed at the Rong Kang Courtyard.

Rong Rong and Zhen Zhen took turns staying up, and on the third morning, they attended to Xie Yuan Chu before heading out of the residence to go shopping.

The Houfu was located in the center of the capital.

The two of them walked two streets from the back gate and arrived at the busiest street in the city.

“I heard that the Jinxiu Pavilion is the best embroidery shop in the capital.

The owner used to work in the palace as an embroiderer and even made dragon robes!” Zhen Zhen, who was lively and talkative, chatted non-stop after being cooped up in the, “Let’s first visit Jinxiu Pavilion and then find Mrs. Han at the restaurant she mentioned.”

“Alright, let’s go to Jin Xiu Pavilion first.” Since they had left early, they had plenty of time.

Jinxiu Pavilion lived up to its reputation, situated in a prime location on the main street, and was three stories high.

The exterior displayed various ready-made embroidered items.

Rong Rong accompanied Zhen Zhen to look at some handkerchiefs and noticed that while the materials and silk threads here were slightly inferior to those used in the palace, the embroidery skills were just as good.

It seemed that Zhen Zhen’s rumors were true; the owner of Jin Xiu Pavilion was definitely someone from the palace, even if not the chief embroiderer.

Rong Rong looked at the bustling Jin Xiu Pavilion and couldn’t help but feel a deep envy.

As a palace maid, she wondered how someone could be so free and successful after leaving the palace, while she herself seemed to have had a tragic fate.

Rong Rong didn’t know much about embroidery, having only learned some culinary skills in the palace.

She wondered if she could ever be as flourishing and comfortable as the people she saw.

The shopkeeper approached as Zhen Zhen and Rong Rong had been standing there for a while, “Misses, is there anything specific you’re looking for? If you’re not satisfied with these, we have even better items in the Rare Goods Pavilion upstairs.”

Zhen Zhen quickly waved her hand, “No, these are good enough for me. I just can’t decide which handkerchief to choose.”

The handkerchiefs in front of them were colorful and exquisitely made.

Zhen Zhen liked them all and asked Rong Rong to help choose.

Rong Rong thought for a moment and picked out three handkerchiefs: one in water-blue with cranes, one in rouge with beautiful women, and one in goose-yellow with rhododendrons.

Rong Rong felt that the colors and embroidery of these handkerchiefs were all excellent, and it was a matter of personal preference.

“The young lady has a good eye; these three handkerchiefs were embroidered by our boss herself,” the shopkeeper said with a smile. “These are the only three embroidered by the boss on this floor, as they use slightly inferior silk threads.”

Zhen Zhen was curious, “Does your boss still personally embroider handkerchiefs?”

“Of course. Our boss embroiders every day. She says that if she doesn’t practice for a long time, she will lose her touch. All our embroiderers are apprentices she has personally taught. These handkerchiefs were made during her teaching.”

“Then I’ll buy one,” Rong Rong said, feeling more interested in the boss than in the handkerchiefs themselves.

“Which one do you like?” Zhen Zhen asked.

“I like the rhododendron one. What about you?”

“The rhododendron one is quite beautiful. Rong Rong, can you help me choose one as well?”

Rongrong was about to speak when she suddenly heard a gentle, melodious voice say, “This young lady has a lovely appearance and fair skin; this rouge-colored handkerchief suits her best.”

Turning toward the voice, Rongrong saw a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties walking toward them.

The woman had a slender figure and strikingly elegant features, with a pair of charming phoenix eyes that exuded allure with every smile.

“Why is the owner downstairs?” the shopkeeper asked with a smile.

The woman nodded toward Rongrong and Zhenzhen. “I heard someone chose my three handkerchiefs with a single glance, so I came down to see for myself.”

“It’s this young lady who has a good eye,” the shopkeeper said, indicating Rongrong.

Rongrong nodded in acknowledgment to the shopkeeper. “I’m not well-versed in embroidery, but it just happened to be a good match.”

“Since the owner says this one is good, I’ll buy it,” Zhenzhen said.

After learning that the handkerchiefs were personally embroidered by the owner, she no longer found the other handkerchiefs appealing.

Rongrong nodded, took out the purse given by Xie Yuanchu yesterday to pay, and was about to leave when the shopkeeper said, “Since it’s such a rare coincidence, take the remaining handkerchief as well. It’s better than leaving one behind alone.”

“In that case, I will accept it gratefully.” Rongrong appreciated the shopkeeper’s straightforwardness and, after thanking her, left the shop with Zhenzhen.

They had intended to browse casually at the shop but were delayed by the handkerchiefs.

By the time they arrived at the appointed Huibin Restaurant to meet Mrs. Han, it was already late.

Zhenzhen spotted Mrs. Han immediately and led Rongrong over.

“You two have finally arrived! I’ve been eagerly waiting,” Mrs. Han said with a smile as she came forward.

Both Rongrong and Zhenzhen felt apologetic and said softly, “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“Not at all! I was just worried that something might have happened on your way here. You both look like flowers; I was even considering going back to look for you,” Mrs. Han, who knew that Luo Mei was to join Xie Yuanchu’s study, was extremely grateful to Rongrong and Zhenzhen.

She had no complaints about waiting half an hour or even half a day.

“Husband, these two are the senior maidservants in the young master’s study, Miss Zhenzhen and Miss Rongrong,” Mrs. Han introduced them to her husband.

He appeared to be in his fifties, with a sturdy build and keen eyes.

After Rongrong nodded in greeting to Mr. Han, her gaze turned to a younger man standing nearby.

The young man, in his early twenties, looked refined and clean despite his simple cloth clothing.

As soon as his eyes met Rongrong’s, he seemed momentarily dazed.

Rong Rong turned her gaze away and didn’t look at him any longer.

“Misses, this is Mr. Yang, the real estate agent,” Uncle Han introduced warmly.

Mr. Yang came to his senses and introduced himself, following Uncle Han’s lead: “My name is Yang Tong. If you’re looking for a particular type of house, just let me know, and I’ll make sure you find a satisfactory place.”

Rong Rong smiled and spoke softly, “Thank you, Mr. Yang. It’s impressive that a young man with an out-of-town accent can work as an agent in the capital.”

Upon hearing this, Uncle Han and Aunt Han looked slightly embarrassed, and Yang Tong was momentarily surprised but quickly smiled and said, “I used to work as an accountant back home, but when my previous employer closed shop, I came to the capital to stay with my uncle.”

Uncle Han added with a smile, “His uncle runs the largest real estate agency in the capital. Many high-ranking officials seek his help for buying, selling, or renting properties. Though his uncle doesn’t make many appearances, his apprentices handle the work.”

“Let’s not talk too much. Let’s order food first. Today, I’ll treat,” Rong Rong said, signaling for a waiter to come over.

Aunt Han quickly said, “We can’t let you two pay. You’ve helped my Luo Mei so much; this meal is on me.”

“Yes, I’ve already ordered. The fish here is a specialty. Please have a look and order anything else you like,” Uncle Han said.

“Mr. Han told me you’re looking to rent a place. Do you have any specific location or price range in mind?”

Before Rong Rong could speak, Zhen Zhen interrupted, “It shouldn’t be too remote. It needs to be quiet and preferably close to our Jing Ning Marquis’s residence since I’ll be visiting Rong Rong often.”

Yang Tong thought for a moment and then smiled, “As it happens, I know of a property that might suit your needs. However, the landlord is a bit picky, so it might not be available.”

“Tell us more,” Zhen Zhen said, placing a hand on Rong Rong’s lap to signal her to stay quiet.

Rong Rong understood; Zhen Zhen had noticed Yang Tong’s gaze lingering on her and sensed his condescending tone.

Zhen Zhen wanted to assert the Marquis’s support as leverage.

“Are you familiar with Jinxiu Pavilion?”

“Yes, we know. The owner of Jin Xiu Pavilion is acquainted with us, and the handkerchiefs we have were all embroidered by the owner herself.”

Yang Tong smiled, “That’s a coincidence. There’s a property not far from here on Huaihua Alley, which is owned by Mei, the boss of Jinxiu Pavilion.

It’s where the embroidery girls and staff live.

Although both men and women live there, they’re all from the embroidery shop, so it’s quite proper.

Currently, a few rooms are vacant, and Mei has asked us to rent them out. Since you know Mei, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Rongrong smiled at Zhenzhen’s bragging.

Since the owner of the Jinxiu Pavilion was willing to give her handkerchiefs, it was clear she wouldn’t refuse to rent a house.

After a simple meal, the group, led by Yang Tong, went to Huaihua Alley.

It was not far from Jinxiu Pavilion, just across a street.

The alley was clean and well-maintained, being the private property of the owner, Mei.

The workers lived on the ground floor, while the available rooms, similar to those of the embroiderers, were on the second floor.

Yang Tong mentioned that Mei’s own residence was right next to this small courtyard.

Rongrong checked the place and, after seeing a few other options with Yang Tong, decided that the Huaihua Alley house was the best choice.

Yang Tong took them back to Jinxiu Pavilion, where the shopkeeper, upon seeing Rongrong, smiled and invited Mei down.

Mei agreed immediately upon seeing Rongrong.

Rongrong paid the deposit and signed the contract. It was only then that she learned Mei’s full name was Mei Ningxiang.

“Ms. Mei, I plan to move in next month. As for this month’s rent…” Rongrong began.

“No problem. Pay whenever you move in. I don’t rely on this rent to live,” Mei Ningxiang said with a smile. “If you ever need a job after leaving the Houfu, you can come work at Jinxiu Pavilion.”

“Thank you, Ms. Mei, for your kind offer. I’m not skilled in embroidery, so I wouldn’t be able to handle the work at the shop.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll talk about it later.” Mei Ningxiang smiled brightly.

Zhenzhen and Rongrong were surprised at how smoothly everything had gone and parted ways with Mrs. Han and the others after leaving Jinxiu Pavilion.

They headed to Yunxi Teahouse, known for its excellent pastries.

“That Yang Tong really thinks too highly of himself. I wish I could just gouge out his eyes,” Zhenzhen said angrily.

“Forget it. Now that the house is rented, we won’t have to see him again.”

“That’s true. Rongrong, will you really work at Jinxiu Pavilion after you leave the Courtyard?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll see after I leave. Ms. Mei seems like a good employer, and if there’s a suitable job at the shop, it might save me some rent.”

“Seriously, you’re leaving such a good position to work at an embroidery shop.”

Rongrong smiled without replying. Although the was good, she was just a servant there.

What she desired was the freedom and straightforwardness of someone like Mei Ningxiang.

As she thought, Rongrong felt a strange sensation as if someone was following her.

She turned around but only saw the bustling crowd, with no one in sight.

“What are you looking at?” Zhenzhen asked curiously when Rongrong turned back.

“I felt like someone was following us,” Rongrong said.

Zhenzhen was startled. “Could it be that Yang Tong?”

“I didn’t see anyone, but I can’t shake the feeling that someone’s been watching us.”

“Let’s go back to the Houfu quickly.”

Rongrong nodded, trying to push down her unease, and returned to the Houfu with Zhenzhen.

Watching Rongrong leave hurriedly, a figure hidden in the crowd sighed softly and muttered to themselves, “They noticed me. If the master finds out, I’ll probably get a beating.”