Chapter 15

The cart stopped at the city gate. Ji Taoyu jumped off the cart, gave the carter three coins, bid farewell to the villagers from the same village, and then headed into the city.

After two days of rain, the blue stone streets were washed clean and shiny, but today there were many people coming and going, leaving numerous muddy footprints despite the early hour.

Taoyu avoided the mud and quickly followed the crowd into the city. Just past the city gate, she saw a tall figure standing on the left fork in the road.

This person was wearing the same coarse short jacket and linen cloth as before, just like the first time she saw him.

Taoyu glanced around, seeing no familiar faces, she approached him and asked, “Is there something wrong?”

Huo Shu, seeing her approach, raised his eyebrows slightly. “No. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to Azu’s medical clinic. I need to deliver some goods, and Azu will pay me for my work.”

Huo Shu looked at the bruise under her peach blossom eyes, which seemed more obvious against her delicate skin.

Feeling displeased, he felt even more resentful towards certain people. “Go to the Ten Treasure Pavilion.”

Taoyu raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t plan to buy fabric today.”

“Don’t you want to know the result?”

“I’ll find out sooner or later. I’m not in a hurry.”

Huo Shu furrowed his brow and tightened the reins. “I’m not used to speaking softly to little girls, but come with me. Once it’s done, I’ll take you back to the clinic.”

Taoyu’s eyes widened, blinking as if she thought she misheard. This person could actually speak softly. But then she realized he understood her quite well.

Seeing her hesitation, Huo Shu tried again, “What do you need? I’ll buy it for you.”

Seeing Huo Shu trying to please her, Taoyu found it amusing. She pursed her lips to hide her obvious smile. “Oh really? Then I want something from the Ten Treasure Pavilion. Will you buy it?”

Without hesitation, Huo Shu replied, “Sure.”

“Do you know what the Ten Treasure Pavilion is for? Promising so readily, how bold!”

Taoyu scolded with a smirk, then started walking ahead. After a few steps, she glanced back at the person still standing there and tilted her head slightly. “Aren’t you coming?”

Seeing this, Huo Shu’s brow slightly relaxed, and a hint of gentleness appeared in his stern eyes. He led the horse and followed her.

The two of them went to the fabric store, located in the center of the city’s main street. It was a three-story building, magnificently constructed.

Jiangnan silk was famous, exported to various places, and thus, fabric shops in the city were abundant.

This fabric store had been in business for decades in the city, not the largest, but its prime location made it a landmark in the city.

The variety of fabrics in the store was abundant, catering to both the wealthy and the common people. The prices were fair, not overcharging customers, earning a good reputation among fabric traders.

When Huo Shu arrived at the store, it was still early, but the store was already open for business.

Today was market day, so all shops in the city opened half an hour earlier than usual.

Many customers were coming and going from the store.

Inside, there were over ten clerks introducing various fabrics, both men and women, and there were also four accountants. At the front entrance, there were two checkout counters on each side.

Moreover, there were two supervisors specifically overseeing the store.

As soon as Huo Shu arrived at the door, a clerk warmly welcomed Taoyu into the store.

“Young master, the new autumn fabrics have just arrived in the store. The colors and textures are exquisite, but unfortunately, many people can’t pull off that style. Young master’s fair complexion is perfect for them! Shall I show you?”

“Sir, you can leave your horse with me. We have a stable nearby.”

Huo Shu turned around and saw the clerk.

“Take your time browsing inside. Your horse will be fed and given water in the stable.”

Huo Shu nodded and handed his horse to the clerk before quickly entering the store.

The store looked much larger inside than it appeared from the outside. It was spacious, with shelves displaying a wide variety of fabrics, obscuring the view.

Upstairs and downstairs, there were people examining fabrics everywhere. In a blink of an eye, Ji Taoyu disappeared from sight.

Huo Shu frowned, about to ask someone when someone behind him spoke, “Sir, please come this way.”

Turning around, he saw the clerk who had greeted Taoyu earlier, so he followed him.

After going through several twists and turns, up and down stairs, he followed the man into a room and finally saw Ji Taoyu.

At the moment, she was sitting at a table leisurely drinking hot tea and flipping through a book with pictures of fabric hats.

The clerk poured a cup of tea for Huo Shu and said to Taoyu, “Young master, I’ve brought the new fabrics we talked about earlier. Would you like to take a look?”

Taoyu raised her head. “Sure.”

The clerk smiled and nodded. “Please wait a moment.”

Seeing the clerk leave, Huo Shu sat down opposite Taoyu. “What brings you here?”

“The streets outside are crowded and full of prying eyes, making it inconvenient to find someone. When the time comes, I’ll take a look at the fabrics and casually ask the clerks about the weavers. The Ten Treasure Pavilion employs many weavers, and it’s difficult to find someone without knowing anyone inside; you can only rely on the clerks.”

Huo Shu responded, “Are you not afraid of them gossiping if you’re with me?”

“No, the people in the fabric store are very discreet about customers’ private matters.”

Taoyu knew this well, which is why she dared to come here.

Before long, the clerk came in carrying several bundles of fabric.

Huo Shu glanced at them, his brow furrowing slightly. The colors of the fabrics were all similar, and at a quick glance, they seemed almost identical, making it hard to understand what there was to choose from.

He held his teacup and listened as the clerk and Taoyu discussed the craftsmanship, materials, and colors of the fabrics. Huo Shu raised his eyebrows; they all seemed to be the same color, yet they were able to describe them in so many different ways. What’s more, Ji Taoyu seemed to be enjoying it.

“Purple fabrics are quite common in our city. They’re pricey elsewhere, not to mention the various choices available here.”

“The young master would look great in these fabrics. Wearing them to admire chrysanthemums in the autumn, he would surely stand out in the crowd.”

Taoyu smiled, immune to the flattering words of the clerks.

He was no longer the naive young man who would empty his pockets at the fabric store just because the clerks said a few nice words. He was very cautious when coming to this fabric store.

The new fabrics were in the purple range, which was manageable, though not silk, but a bolt of this satin fabric would cost at least three to five taels. If he bought two bolts, he would almost deplete his savings and have to work for Azu for several more months.

Even though he thought the new fabrics were indeed attractive, he remained vigilant and didn’t forget his purpose for coming here.

Just as he was about to ask about the weaving techniques and the weavers, he suddenly heard Huo Shu, who had been silent all this time, coldly say, “Wrap them up.”

Both Taoyu and the clerk were taken aback, and they both looked at the seemingly decorative figure on the side.

Taoyu was about to speak, but the clerk, being quick-witted, immediately understood who the big customer was. He hurriedly said, “Is the sir taking all of them? Then I’ll wrap up these three bolts of fabric.”

Huo Shu nodded.

The clerk was as excited as if it were New Year’s Day. “Sir, you have a great eye for quality. I’ll go wrap them up for you right away.”

Taoyu quickly grabbed the corner of the clerk’s clothes and smiled apologetically, “There’s no need, no need. My big brother was just joking. Let’s take another look.”

He turned his head and glared at Huo Shu, signaling him to quickly take back his words.

However, Huo Shu calmly put down his teacup, took out his purse from his waist, and said, “How much?”

“The new fabric is five taels per bolt, and buying three bolts together will be fourteen taels and eight maces for you.”

Huo Shu placed a silver ingot on the table. The clerk, afraid of any change of heart, quickly took the silver, “I’ll go get your change!”

“No need,” Huo Shu said, “The remaining amount is your reward. Now, I’ll ask you about someone.”

The clerk was even more delighted at this, saying repeatedly, “Sir, please go ahead. I’ve been at the fabric store for a long time and know many people.”

Huo Shu signaled to Taoyu.

Taoyu’s heart sank halfway when she saw the clerk had already securely collected the silver, but she forced a smile.

Then she said, “We’d like to inquire about a weaver named Wu Lianhe.”

The clerk pondered for a moment. “I’m not sure if the young master is referring to Mrs. Wu San. We only have one Mrs. Wu in the back weaving room, and everyone calls her San Niang. But I don’t know her full name.”

“San Niang is skilled in weaving and is highly regarded by the shopkeeper. However, she rarely meets with people. Many customers have asked about the weaver of their favorite fabrics, but San Niang has always refused to meet them. The shopkeeper knows her temperament well and respects her wishes not to serve customers.”

“If the sir and the young master wish to meet her, she might not come out to see customers.”

Huo Shu took out an item from his person. “Show her this. Whether she comes or not is up to her.”

The clerk carefully took the item. “Alright. Please wait a moment. Do you need some tea or snacks? I can have someone bring them in.”

“Just send something casual.”

Taoyu nodded, watching as the clerk left. Then she hurriedly looked at Huo Shu. “Why did you suddenly buy so much fabric? Weren’t we here to find someone?”

“If we don’t buy anything, how can these people wholeheartedly help us?”

Huo Shu didn’t seem to care. “If you like it, buy it.”

Taoyu gritted her teeth. “Do you know how much grain one stone can sell for? The average family in the village spends only about twenty or thirty taels to marry off a daughter.”

She muttered to herself, “You’re really something, spending half of your dowry just to get something done.”

“But there’s still half left, isn’t there?”

Taoyu was momentarily speechless, looking at Huo Shu’s calm demeanor as if he weren’t spending his own money.

She took a deep breath, feeling frustrated. It was as if he didn’t care about spending all the money and remaining single for the rest of his life.

Huo Shu glanced at her with an amused expression. “Why, did the You family offer you so much?”

“Nonsense, they didn’t offer anything!”

“Oh, so your parents were planning to ask for that much?”

“They absolutely were not!”

“So how much were they planning to ask for?”

Taoyu furrowed her brows. “Huo Shu!”

Huo Shu turned his head, looking at the clerk who was frowning and glaring at him. It seemed he was genuinely angry.

Every time the topic of You Lingxiao came up, he really got angry, huh.

He remained silent and closed his mouth, refraining from teasing further.

After a while.

“I was just asking about the market price, so I wouldn’t get ripped off.”

Taoyu turned her head away from Huo Shu, not pleased. “With your attitude, who would dare rip you off?”

“It’s hard to say. Greed emboldens people.”

Taoyu muttered under her breath, “No one has a legitimate livelihood. Those who want to rip others off can’t even make up their minds to do it.”

Huo Shu glanced at Taoyu upon hearing her words.

Taoyu felt the gaze on the back of her head and realized she had spoken a bit rudely. She quietly shrunk her neck.

Just as the two fell into silence, the door was suddenly pushed open hastily from outside.