Chapter 164 related

"mother……"

After a long while, Jiang Zao finally stammered, "Mother, I don't understand anything. Maybe... maybe you should make the decision for me."

Zhou He touched her face, "Then you should listen to your mother. Your mother will not harm you."

Jiang nodded, and Zhou He sighed. She hurriedly sent a letter to the matchmaker to express her willingness, without even asking her husband.

The marriage between Xie Jingyuan and Jiang Zao was thus arranged, and when Xie San Niang learned of it, her spirits improved considerably.

Xie Boyu and Xie Jingyuan stayed by her side every day to take care of her, showing their filial piety.

Xie Xuchuan and Jiang Wansu often came to visit Xie Sanniang, but Jiang Wansu was heavily pregnant and would leave after a short while.

Since the chaos at the Xie family, Xie Xuchuan had been absent-minded for a long time. Jiang Wansu often sent Xueqing to follow him, fearing that he might have secretly contacted Shen Yuanzhu.

During the days that Xie San Niang was seriously ill, both Shen Yuanzhu and Xie Qi became very busy.

Because it was the deadline for submitting the sample cloth for the Dowager Empress's birthday, Xie Qi, although not required to supervise the workers weaving, was instead dragged by Yuan Xu to do some odd jobs.

Shen Yuanzhu listened to Luo's reports on the weaving and dyeing of the sample fabric every day, and finally handed in the sample fabric at the last minute before the deadline.

Because Xie San Niang was seriously ill, the Xie family only submitted a birthday greeting painting as sample cloth, which was neither good nor bad, but it was impossible for them to win the first prize.

This brocade is not even as good as the one submitted by Jixia Village.

"Miss, the Textile and Dyeing Bureau will announce the sample fabric results tomorrow. Would you like to go and take a look?"

Shen Yuanzhu said, "Of course I will go. This is a major event for the textile and dyeing merchants in Suzhou Prefecture. Going there will allow me to see how far other merchants' skills have come."

"Then we should ask the son-in-law?"

Shen Yuanzhu nodded: "We should ask."

Whether or not you ask her doesn't conflict with whether or not she goes.

When Xie Qi returned in the evening, Shen Yuanzhu told him about the grand event the next day. Xie Qi asked, "Do you want to go?"

Shen Yuanzhu nodded: "I want to go and take a look."

"Then I'll take you into the inner hall tomorrow. All the participating merchants will be there, and there will be presentations from each of them. I'll take you in to join in the fun."

"May I?"

Why not?

Xie Qi turned to Ling'er and instructed her, "Go and prepare some fruits and snacks for tomorrow."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Shen Yuanzhu and said, "Those old-fashioned men are probably quite boring to talk about. You'll have something to talk about and pass the time."

Xie Qi was initially reluctant to go through tomorrow's procedures and didn't want to listen to the merchants boasting, but with Yuan Zhu by his side, things were different.

The next morning, Xie Qi woke up Shen Yuanzhu.

So early?

Before Shen Yuanzhu was fully awake, he half-carried her to the wardrobe.

Xie Qi opened the wardrobe and pointed to the clothes inside with great interest, saying, "Which outfit do you want to wear today?"

"You woke me up so early just to ask this?"

With her eyes half-closed, Shen Yuanzhu casually picked out a daylily-colored sleeveless cardigan, paired with a moon-white long-sleeved gauze shirt underneath, and a similarly light-colored wide skirt for the lower body.

The only thing she wore was a pomegranate red brocade belt with a phoenix pattern around her waist.

These clothes may look ordinary, but in fact, the collars, cuffs, and skirt openings are embroidered with auspicious patterns such as peonies using colorful silk.

It is both dignified and noble, yet not overly ostentatious.

"This outfit is nice."

Seeing that she was awake, Xie Qi carried her to the dressing table and had Luo Shi and Ling'er do her hair and makeup, while he picked and chose clothes in front of his own wardrobe.

Before long, Shen Yuanzhu saw him take out a set of moon-white robes identical to hers, and a pomegranate-red brocade belt with phoenix patterns...

To match the color of the jade pendant made from the pearl, Xie Qi buried his head in the wardrobe and finally found a daylily-colored embroidered purse with crane and cloud patterns.

This outfit, in both color and style, seems a bit too feminine. Fortunately, Xie Qi has a handsome face, so it doesn't look out of place. Instead, it removes some of the gloom and adds a touch of gentleness and clarity.

"..."

Shen Yuanzhu looked at it and blinked: "Where did it come from?"

"What? Where did it come from?"

She stretched out her finger and drew a circle in the air on the clothes in Xie Qi's hand...

Xie Qi said, "It was made by an embroiderer."

They were made to match the clothes in her wardrobe, one set after another.

Xie Qi looked down at himself, then at Shen Yuanzhu, and said to Madam Luo, "Madam Luo, take these two sets of clothes to be scented..."

"Alright, son-in-law."

Mrs. Luo happily took the clothes and went to fetch the incense.

According to old sayings, her son-in-law is easy to take care of. He can eat and use whatever his mistress wants.

Seeing this, Ling'er paused in combing Shen Yuanzhu's hair, looked at Xie Qi and smiled, "Master, did our young lady choose a hairpin that matches the color of your collar?"

"select!"

Xie Qi looked at Shen Yuanzhu, who smiled and took out the jade bracelet that Xie Qi had given her when they got married, and put it on her wrist.

Seeing her action, Xie Qi pursed his lips, almost unable to suppress a laugh.

After the two of them got ready and stood together, Mrs. Luo couldn't help but praise them.

"A perfect match, a man of talent and a woman of beauty."

Upon hearing this, the young couple smiled in unison and walked out arm in arm.

The location for submitting the sample cloth was the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau. Although the Prince's Mansion had some status, the scale of the sample cloth selection revealed Yuan Xu's ambition.

Inside the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, twelve long tables made of rosewood were placed on the east and west sides, covered with pure white silk cloth.

Each shop's sample fabrics were neatly laid out on top, with wooden plaques engraved with the shop's name placed on the side, and small notes below, such as details of the pattern and weaving method.

Next to the wooden sign was a bamboo tube, the purpose of which was unknown.

When Xie Qi and Shen Yuanzhu arrived, there were already quite a few people in the hall.

Some were business owners, some were shopkeepers, and some owners even brought embroiderers or weavers; in short, it was very lively.

Since the red cloth was removed, Xie Qi has openly shown interest in Yuan Xu, and the attitudes of the business owners who used to be well-known towards him have naturally become ambiguous.

Some shrewd schemers would greet him long before they even saw him.

Xie Qi, carrying the Shen Yuan Pearl, nodded to the newcomer and said, "Manager Sun..."

He then added, "This is my wife."

Upon hearing this, Manager Sun hurriedly praised, "Your wife is gentle and virtuous, a perfect match for the second young master."

Shen Yuanzhu lowered her head and smiled faintly, but her gaze wandered around the room.

They were all familiar faces; not only were Luo Qing and Luo Bai there, but Shen Yanhuai and Xie Boyu were also present.

Xie Boyu had little interest in the business deal with the Prince's Mansion, so after chatting with everyone for a few minutes, he didn't take any action.

It wasn't until her gaze swept across the inner hall and she discovered that Yuan Xu had laid out all the sample fabrics from various shops, allowing everyone to view and appreciate them up close, that she frowned slightly.

Those present were all from long-established dyeing and textile families, and many were also friends of her parents…

I wonder if anyone will realize that the products from Xiecuifang are related to the Shen family...