Chapter 13, Chapter 13, Husband, please read.

It was already past 1:00 PM when we left Zuixianlou.

Pei Zhiwei held the list that Chun Tao had just written in her hand. "Father, I want to go to Jinxiu Manor and Linglong Pavilion first."

Pei Lin looked at the undisguised interest in solving the case in his daughter's eyes, and shook his head helplessly and amusedly. This child has been like this since she was a child. As long as she is involved in a case, she will not delay for even a moment.

"I'm going back to the Dali Temple, and the secret guards will be with you. Don't just focus on investigating clues. If you encounter anything suspicious, have the secret guards send a message first. Don't try to handle it yourself."

"Okay." Pei Zhiwei folded the list into a small piece and stuffed it into her brocade bag. She waved to her father and then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Following the address in the directory, it only took half a cup of tea to find the plaque of "Jinxiuzhuang".

On the ebony base, the three characters "Jinxiuzhuang" are neatly outlined in gold paint, and the edges are engraved with the shop's unique patterns, making it look more elegant than ordinary fabric shops.

Blue cloth banners hanging on both sides of the door swayed gently in the wind. The four characters "Jiangnan Silk" embroidered on them were finely stitched, truly capturing the exquisite charm of Jiangnan.

Just as she was about to step onto the steps, a clear voice suddenly came from behind her, like chilled spring water, exceptionally clear even amidst the hustle and bustle of the street: "Madam Pei."

Pei Zhiwei turned around and saw Xiao Yunzhan standing under the old willow tree not far away.

"Why is Your Highness here?" Pei Zhiwei was genuinely surprised. She had thought Xiao Yunzhan would return to the palace first, but she hadn't expected him to come to the cloth shop as well.

Xiao Yunzhan stepped closer, his tone calm yet earnest: "I had someone make a copy of Chun Tao's list."

After parting ways with Pei Shaoqing, I was thinking of coming to Jinxiu Manor to inquire, but I never expected to run into you.

Pei Zhiwei's heart stirred slightly. She glanced inside the Jinxiu Manor and saw neatly stacked silks on the shelves. She smiled and suggested:

"Since it's such a coincidence, why don't we go in together?"

Xiao Yunzhan nodded and walked up the steps with her.

A faint scent of starched fabric wafted over, mixed with the unique aroma of silk threads, making one feel refreshed.

The store shelves were filled with various kinds of silks: light pink soft silk, light green Hangzhou silk, and deep purple brocade, each piece stacked neatly in a square, with even the edges smoothed out.

At the counter further inside, the shop assistant was busy measuring fabric for a lady in a blue cotton shirt. He twirled the measuring tape twice in his hand, muttering, "It will take twelve feet to make a jacket."

The shopkeeper behind the counter was an old man in his fifties with a goatee. When he saw someone come in, he quickly put down his abacus and greeted them with a smile.

"What would you two gentlemen like to buy? Are you getting new clothes for the young lady, or everyday clothes for the young master?"

Pei Zhiwei's eyes flickered, and she suddenly turned to look at Xiao Yunzhan, her tone as natural as if she always spoke like this:

"Husband, look how neat and tidy the fabrics are in this shop. I'll pick out a few bolts for you to wear as everyday clothes."

"Just a few days ago you said the cloth in Beijing was coarse, not as fine as that from Jiangnan. Today we'd better pick out some carefully and prepare a couple more bolts to alternate wearing."

As she spoke, she casually picked up a piece of moon-white silk from the shelf next to her and draped it over Xiao Yunzhan's shoulder.

The soft silk draped over his shoulders, sliding down the fabric a short distance to reveal a small patch of fair skin beneath his neck.

Xiao Yunzhan was clearly not expected that she would say that so suddenly. His eyes twitched almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He raised his hand cooperatively and gently pressed the silk on his shoulder, his voice softening: "I'll listen to you. You have better taste than me, so I'm sure you'll find something I like."

Seeing the two's perfect understanding, the shopkeeper smiled broadly, his goatee twitching: "My lady has excellent taste! This young man is tall and fair-skinned; this moon-white silk suits him perfectly."

This fabric was just shipped from Jiangnan last month. It's incredibly fine and dense, breathable even in summer, and doesn't stick to the body when you sweat.

Pei Zhiwei gently smoothed out the wrinkles on the silk with her fingertips, then leaned closer to examine the pattern, deliberately showing a satisfied expression: "It looks good to me, and it feels soft to the touch."

As she spoke, she took a piece of light gray Hangzhou silk and a piece of light green fine cloth from the shelf and put them on Xiao Yunzhan's shoulders.

Xiao Yunzhan has a good figure and fair skin, so he really doesn't pick on any color. Moon white makes him look elegant, light gray makes him look calm, and even water green doesn't make him look effeminate, but rather adds a touch of freshness.

As she draped the fabric, she secretly observed Xiao Yunzhan's expression. He consistently raised his hand and turned his head in response, even a faint smile playing on his lips.

He really looked like an ordinary husband accompanying his wife to buy fabric, without the slightest airs of a prince.

Pei Zhiwei nodded inwardly, thinking that Xiao Yunzhan's ability to adapt was really good. If it were someone else, they might have been exposed long ago.

“These horses are all good.” Pei Zhiwei finally withdrew her hand and turned to the shopkeeper.

"Shopkeeper, we'll take all three horses. Please give us a fair price. My sister still needs to prepare her dowry. I'll bring her here to choose some in a few days. You'll have to give us a discount as a regular customer."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he nodded quickly: "Don't worry, madam! Our shop is in it for the long haul, and our prices are the most reasonable."

"Shopkeeper, I heard that even the future princess came to our shop to choose materials? Is that true?" Pei Zhiwei chatted with the shopkeeper as if it were nothing.

"That's right. Just a few days ago, the Imperial Censor's wife, Madam Qin, came over in person and picked out several bolts of the finest fabric, saying she wanted to make everyday clothes for the Prince herself."

"Shopkeeper, must you have misheard? She's about to become a princess, why would she still be doing such chores?" Pei Zhiwei asked incredulously.

"Oh dear, how could that be?" the shopkeeper quickly explained. "When this Miss Qin told me, she had the shy look of a young woman about to be married, and she chose the best fabrics in the shop."

Pei Zhiwei was chatting with the shopkeeper when, as if suddenly remembering something, she took out the piece of dark fabric she had found on the locust tree from her brocade pouch and handed it to the shopkeeper.

"By the way, shopkeeper, could you help me check what kind of material this is? My mother-in-law picked it up somewhere and insists that I buy the same one. It looks unfamiliar to me, and I don't know if you have any here."

The shopkeeper took the fragment, first bringing it close to his eyes to examine it, then rubbing it between his fingertips, and even holding it up to the light, his brows gradually relaxing.

"My lady, this fragment of yours is made of dark blue, thick summer cloth from the Jiangnan region!"

Look at the texture and weave; it's much finer than the summer cloth from Beijing. It feels thick, scratch-resistant, and durable. And the dyes are exquisite; they're evenly applied, so the color won't fade easily no matter how many times you wash it.

He paused, then casually added, "However, this material doesn't sell very well in Beijing; it's more expensive than our local linen."

Those who wear linen would not accept this price, and those who would accept this price are those who wear gauze or fine silk, but they would not buy this.

Only the officials transporting grain from Jiangnan liked to wear it. It was cheaper there than here. They spent most of their time on boats, so this material was more durable and lasted much longer than thinner fabrics.

A canal official? Pei Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly exchanged a glance with Xiao Yunzhan.

She calmly retrieved the fragments and smiled, offering the shopkeeper a way out: "I see! I knew this material looked special. Thank you for clearing up my confusion; otherwise, I really wouldn't know where to buy it."

I'll tell my mother-in-law later, so she won't keep nagging me.

The shopkeeper, having sold the goods and received praise, was all smiles and quickly instructed his assistant to wrap up the fabric.

Xiao Yunzhan promptly took out a few taels of silver and placed them on the counter, his movements so fluid that he truly resembled an ordinary husband paying for his wife's bill.

After the shop assistant finished wrapping the fabric, the two thanked the shopkeeper and walked out of Jinxiu Manor side by side.

As soon as they reached the door, Pei Zhiwei lowered her voice and said, "It seems Chun Tao wasn't lying; Madam Qin is genuinely preparing for her wedding."

After saying that, he pointed to the east and said, "Let's go take a look at Linglong Pavilion again."

Linglong Pavilion was only half a street away from Jinxiu Manor, and the two of them slowly walked there carrying the fabric.

The street was crowded with doctors carrying their goods and vendors pushing their carts. Xiao Yunzhan subconsciously walked on the side closer to the center of the street, occasionally raising his hand to block the pedestrians who brushed past him.

Once, an old man selling candied hawthorns pushed his cart by and almost bumped into Pei Zhiwei. He reached out and gently stopped him, his action very natural and without any deliberate intent.

Upon arriving at Linglong Pavilion, lifting the blue cloth curtain hanging at the entrance, one hears a clear, melodious sound of pearls colliding.

The store shelves were filled with all kinds of jewelry, including pearl earrings, jade hairpins, and gemstone rings. Even the counter was covered with red velvet cloth, on which were placed several hairpins inlaid with gemstones, which sparkled in the light.

The shopkeeper, a woman in her thirties, greeted the two men with a smile as they entered: "Please have a seat, gentlemen! Are you looking for accessories for your husband, or jewelry for your wife?"

Pei Zhiwei gently placed the fabric in her arms on the octagonal table next to her, smoothing out the corners of the fabric with her fingertips, before turning to the shopkeeper and speaking with a smile.

"Shopkeeper, today I'd like to pick out a few accessories for my husband, and also take a look at some suitable headwear for me."

I'll be visiting my elders soon, and I should bring some presents; I can't be impolite.

Xiao Yunzhan stood beside her, casually glancing at the counter. He picked up a black jade thumb ring from the displayed brocade box, rubbing the cool jade surface with his fingertips. With a gentle turn, the thumb ring spun steadily between his fingers.

"She has always preferred simple styles and never wears anything too flashy. Shopkeeper, just bring more; price is not a problem."

When the shopkeeper heard this, his eyes lit up and the smile lines on his face deepened. He hurriedly took out several jade crowns, a jade belt, and two pairs of lustrous pearl earrings from the back of the counter.

He carefully laid out the jade crown in front of the two of them, speaking in a warm tone: "My lady, look at this jade crown. Touch it, the material is so smooth and warm. The bamboo leaves and veins carved on it are clearly visible, as if they were just picked from the bamboo. It is simple yet elegant."

This jade belt is even more exquisite; it's made from the same piece of material as the jade crown, and the patterns match perfectly, making it a complete set.

"If your husband wore this, he'd definitely look even more refined and elegant."

Pei Zhiwei was intrigued. She reached out and picked up the bamboo leaf jade crown, tiptoed slightly, and raised her hand to measure it against Xiao Yunzhan's head.

Xiao Yunzhan cooperated, naturally bending slightly forward and leaning forward to help her align the hair crown more clearly.

The cool jade crown clung to the top of his jet-black hair, perfectly accentuating his handsome features. Pei Zhiwei stared at it for a moment, then couldn't help but nod softly, "It really is beautiful, and suits you perfectly..."

Before the words had even finished, a series of heavy footsteps suddenly came from the doorway. With a "whoosh," the cloth curtain hanging on the lintel was forcefully lifted, and a man dressed in coarse cloth shorts strode in.

The man looked to be about thirty years old, about five feet seven inches tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back; his physique appeared exceptionally sturdy.

His shorts were faded from washing, and the toes of his black cloth boots were worn shiny. He always walked with large, quick steps, his toes striking the ground with a "thump-thump" sound.

Pei Zhiwei caught a glimpse of the man's gait, and her heart tightened. Instinctively, she reached out and gripped Xiao Yunzhan's wrist tightly.