The tailor's skills were quite good; he basically fulfilled all the details that Song Ning requested.

"Master, you have such excellent skills."

"What are you saying, young lady? This design is truly wonderful. I've been making clothes for so many years, and I've never seen such a novel combination."

"Master, you didn't tell anyone about these designs, did you?"

"Don't worry, young lady. These are all things you'll need to secure your future. I'll take good care of them."

A tailor is naturally happy to make a beautiful garment.

"Miss, why don't you try it on?"

Song Ning nodded and went into the inner room to change her clothes.

I must say, the design of this dress, combined with the fabric woven by Lady Yu, makes it truly unique.

As soon as Song Ning came out after changing her clothes, the old tailor kept praising her: "This dress is really beautiful, and it fits you perfectly. You look like a fairy from heaven."

Song Ning chuckled: "Master, your praise is a bit too exaggerated."

"No exaggeration, no exaggeration. According to the girl, this dress will definitely be a big seller in Beijing in the future."

"Then I'll accept your kind words."

After leaving the tailor shop, Song Ning went home wearing her new clothes.

Along the way, many young women and ladies stared at her clothes with delighted expressions.

Some people even came up to ask where the clothes were bought.

When she got home, everyone was stunned. Yunniang laughed and said, "Our Erya is already beautiful. Wearing new clothes, she looks like a fairy descended from heaven."

"My daughter is so beautiful, she looks good in anything."

"Master, is this the design you drew the other day? It's really beautiful, and you look even better in it."

Amidst the constant praise, Song Ning became arrogant.

She said her clothes looked good, and she's not bad-looking either. Some people used to say she was ugly, but they just have no taste.

"If it looks good, let's go look at the shop soon."

“I’m going with my boss,” Xiao Cui said excitedly, linking her arm with Song Ning’s.

“It’s not safe for you two young ladies. You should have your father go with you,” Liu Yuelan suggested.

“I’ll go with you.” Zhou Ling’an came in from outside and his eyes lit up when he saw Song Ning.

He immediately came to his senses: "I just finished the exam, and the academy is on holiday, so I have some free time."

"This...won't interfere with your studies, will it?"

"It's alright. The academy is a bit dull, so I'll just go out for a walk."

That was settled, and the three of them went out after breakfast the next day.

No sooner had Song Ning left than someone delivered the message to the Duke's mansion.

The three of them took a liking to a shop. It wasn't in the most bustling area, but it wasn't too remote either. There were quite a few people around, and the business seemed to be doing fairly well.

The main reason is that the rent for shops here is cheap.

The housing prices in Beijing are truly frightening.

Compared to other regions, this represents a multiple increase.

The best shops in the capital, even if they're not too big, can cost tens or even hundreds of taels of silver a month in rent.

I've heard that there are officials in the capital who can't afford to buy a house.

Although I knew that land in the capital was extremely valuable, I never imagined it had reached this point.

Therefore, those who own houses are likely to have some financial resources.

Looking at it this way, it's already quite generous of the emperor to have given them their current restaurant and house.

The shop they were looking at wasn't very big, and the monthly rent was twenty taels, which was already considered quite cheap.

Although this shop is just average, there's nothing more suitable right now.

They had saved some money before, and with what they earned after coming to Beijing, it wasn't a small amount. But compared to the housing prices in Beijing, it wasn't enough, not at all.

I can only find something that's passable for now.

After discussing it with the shop owner, Song Ning paid a deposit and a month's rent.

The owner was a nice person; knowing she wanted to open a clothing shop, he left her a lot of wood from the shop.

Song Ning was just about to use this thing as a clothes hanger, so every little bit helps.

The matter was quickly settled. The three of them looked around the shop and found it to be far too rudimentary compared to a restaurant.

Although the shop was small, it had a small courtyard in the back. However, the courtyard was not very big. It was filled with the wood that the owner had mentioned. There was also a back door in the back wall, just big enough for one person to pass through.

As I entered from the backyard, I happened to catch Xie Linzhou coming in from outside.

As soon as he came in, he ran up to her with a smile: "Why didn't you even tell me about the shops? There are plenty of shops in the mansion, you can choose whichever you like."

Xiao Cui and Zhou Ling'an were both taken aback. These words... made them seem very intimate.

Song Ning smiled and said, "No need. I don't need a big shop. The general's shop belongs to the Duke's mansion. How could I accept it?"

“This place is too simple, I’m afraid you’ll feel uncomfortable.”

Song Ning was at a loss for words.

Is this person so tactless? He clearly rejected her, but now he's acting like nothing happened.

He turned to Xiao Cui and said, "Xiao Cui, sweep the dust off here and sprinkle some water."

"Okay."

"Zhou Ling'an, we'll need another plaque here later, so I'll leave it to you."

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

Xie Linzhou was unhappy that Song Ning called Zhou Ling'an by his name, and looked displeased. Song Ning ignored him and let him act on his own.

Xie Linzhou was even more displeased when he saw that none of the three people paid attention to him. He stared at Zhou Ling'an with a cold face, as if he wanted to stare a hole through him.

Xiao Cui sensed something was wrong and quietly asked Song Ning, "Master, is General Xie unhappy? Leave this to me, you can talk to General Xie."

She glanced to the side and saw Xie Linzhou staring at her with a resentful look, completely baffled.

Song Ning ignored her, which terrified Xiao Cui.

What did her employer do to offend this ancestor?

She looked cautiously at Xie Linzhou, then cautiously at Zhou Ling'an.

Xiao Cui felt that General Xie and Brother Zhou must have a grudge.

Judging from General Xie's eyes, they were clearly not good eyes.

Xiao Cui sprinkled water, Song Ning was sweeping the floor, and Xie Linzhou stood there like a wooden stake, completely oblivious to everything.

I really can't stand it anymore.

"General Xie, is something the matter? If so, just say so." Don't disturb her work.

Xie Linzhou suddenly became a little awkward, stammering and unsure of what he wanted to say.

"That...it's...the thing you mentioned last time..."

"I agree..."

Song Ning was slightly taken aback and asked, "What is it?"

"It's about that thing you mentioned a few days ago on the mountain..." Xie Linzhou's ears turned red again as he spoke.

Song Ning remembered: "Oh, that matter? No need, I've already taken care of it."

This time, Xie Linzhou was dumbfounded: "Solved? Solved?"

"Okay, I won't trouble you. I'll find someone else."

Did you...find someone else?

Who are you looking for? Zhou Ling'an?

Xie Linzhou pointed incredulously at Zhou Ling'an not far away, his voice trembling: "It's him?"