"Oh dear, I had forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it, sister-in-law. Let's go to the jewelry store and have a good look around, see if there are any nice styles. If we don't find anything we like, that's okay too. I'll draw up a design and have a craftsman make it for us."
Jiayin responded enthusiastically and then called Shuiling to the outer courtyard to arrange the carriages and horses.
The two sisters-in-law went back to change into their outdoor clothes. It was too hot, so Jiayin didn't wear a veil.
Granny He wanted to stay and watch the house, but Jiayin pulled her into the car with her.
"Grandma has been looking after the house for so long, always staying in the village. It must be quite boring. Why don't you come with us for a stroll this time!"
Granny He tried to decline, since she was leaving too, leaving only a few young maids in the old house. If anything happened, there would be no one to help.
But Wan'er also extended an invitation, "Don't worry about home, Granny. It's just a morning of free time, nothing's going to happen. Besides, the village chief and the others are here. They'll give us a few instructions later, and if anything happens, they'll naturally send someone to the city to find us."
Only then did Granny He agree, smiling, "Very well, this old servant will go and take a look for the young mistress and the princess. There are many things to consider when giving gifts to children!"
“That’s right,” Jiayin said with a smile as she sat down next to Granny He. “Granny, pick out a pair of bracelets for yourself later as a way of thanking you. My sister-in-law and I aren’t home most of the time, so the old house and the Princess’s residence are all relying on your hard work!”
"This is what this old servant should do, but I don't deserve the princess's thanks!" Granny He was a little apprehensive, but she was happy in her heart.
With her masters away, she does have to put in more effort, but isn't that a servant's duty?
They have no worries about food and clothing, no one beats or scolds them, and their master is kind. Who wouldn't envy them if word got out?
Jiayin wouldn't let her refuse, and turned to Shuiling, Shuiyun, and her sister-in-law's maid Chunxiu, "You too, if you like anything later, just pick it out. I'll pay today as a reward for you."
The lively and energetic girl immediately cheered.
"Princess, I want a silver bracelet so I can give it to my mother when I get home."
Shuiyun smiled and bowed in thanks, without refusing.
Following a generous master, she got used to receiving good things from time to time.
Only Chunxiu looked at her master with some hesitation.
Wan'er patted her hand and said with a smile, "Just accept the princess's gift. The princess has the most money in her family, so just pick what you like and don't be polite with her."
Everyone laughed as they listened, and they discussed animatedly which jewelry store on the street was the best.
Thus, the carriage entered the city and then turned onto the commercial street.
I originally thought that there wouldn't be many people shopping in such hot weather.
Unexpectedly, the entire street was bustling with people, making it difficult for even horse-drawn carriages to pass each other.
Everyone had no choice but to get off the carriage early and walk in.
"What a wonderful day! So many people are out and about?" Wan'er felt her thin-soled embroidered shoes burning hot as she stepped on the bluestone floor.
Jiayin suddenly realized the reason and replied, "In a few days, the Crown Prince will be selecting a consort, and I guess many people will come to prepare clothes and jewelry for their daughters."
"Oh right, I really forgot about that. There are probably even more people at the jewelry store and embroidery shop." Wan'er frowned, somewhat wanting to back out.
Jiayin laughed and said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, we can ask for a private room and choose one at our leisure. Besides, our feet are practically burning hot; it would be a waste of time to suffer like this if we didn't spend some money."
Wan'er laughed, "Then hurry up, or we'll be familiar with everyone, let alone our feet."
The two women, aunt and sister-in-law, laughed and joked, and soon entered the jewelry store.
Sure enough, the jewelry store was packed with people.
Normally there are three or four waiters, but today there are seven or eight, and they still can't keep up with the demand.
The old shopkeeper was sharp-eyed; he spotted the two women, an older sister and her husband, standing at the entrance from afar, and struggled through the crowd to get to them.
"Princess, Young Madam, we are so sorry for the neglect!" The old shopkeeper greeted them politely, "Our shop is too busy with customers today, and we didn't notice you two had arrived. Please forgive us."
Jiayin waved her hand and replied, "Shopkeeper, we'd like to see the longevity locks and necklaces for the children, as well as the hairpins and jade pendants for the men. Please find us a quiet place!"
The shopkeeper was overjoyed and also breathed a sigh of relief.
The shop was packed with people, almost all of whom were buying women's hairpins and accessories. If Princess Kang Le wanted to get involved, it would be quite a dilemma.
Unexpectedly, Princess Kang Le wanted to buy things for both the child and the man, which were niche items in the shop and didn't conflict at all.
He immediately led the way, taking Jiayin and the others to the backyard.
The jewelry store has a typical layout with a shop in the front and a courtyard in the back. The shop is two stories high, spacious and grand, while the courtyard in the back is much smaller.
However, if your employer or friends visit, it's not appropriate for them to come first; you should guide them to the back.
Therefore, the two rooms in the east wing were cleaned up and decorated in an elegant and clean manner, and turned into tea rooms for entertaining guests.
At this moment, Jiayin and the others were led into the room on the north side.
The shopkeeper called out to the maids to serve tea and snacks, and even brought out two basins of ice.
The room quickly cooled down, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.
Jiayin noticed that the shopkeeper kept looking outside and guessed that he was thinking about the business in front, so she smiled and said, "Shopkeeper, please prepare more of what we need and bring it over for us to choose from. Then you can go and get busy in front, no need to bother us."
Wan'er added, "Yes, shopkeeper, don't neglect our customers. We'll choose some things and also take a break here."
"Oh, no, no, no." The shopkeeper smiled broadly, bowed and thanked them, "Thank you for your understanding, Princess and Young Madam. I have been very busy today."
"In that case, I will have someone send the things over right away. If you two have any requests, just come and find me, and I will be there whenever you call."
After exchanging a few polite words, the old shopkeeper went to the front.
Shui Ling glanced at the snacks on the table, which looked rather plain, and there wasn't much fruit. She then sidled up to her mistress and said with a grin, "Princess, this place is very close to our shop. Shall I go and get some fruit juice for you and the young mistress to quench your thirst?"
Shuiyun glared at her and scolded, "If you want juice, just say so! Why are you using the master's name as an excuse?"
Everyone laughed, and Shui Ling blushed, tugging at her master's sleeve and acting coquettishly.
Jiayin said, "Go ahead, and bring over a few servings of ice cream if you want. It's so hot, it's the perfect time for cold drinks."
"Okay! I'll be right back!" Shui Ling jumped up and ran off happily, not forgetting to wink at Shui Yun as she left.
Everyone laughed again at her antics.
At this moment, a young waiter carried in several trays, one half of which contained longevity locks and necklaces, while the other half contained various jade pendants and hairpins, and even small items such as fan pendants.
It has to be said that reputation is the ultimate measure of success.
This jewelry shop is doing well, entirely due to its own merits.
All the items were exquisitely made and of good quality.
Jiayin remembered the jewelry she had promised to Granny He and Shuiyun, so she asked the shop assistant to bring over some more ordinary hairpins and rings.
The crowd gathered around the tray, picking up this and saying it was good, picking up that and saying it was also nice, just as they were having a lively time choosing. Then another group of guests arrived and were led into the next room.
Two updates today!
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