When the governor of Xizhou learned that Xue Shen had brought a pregnant woman with him on his trip to Xizhou, he began to plot. However, he was a timid man and always acted cautiously. Therefore, although his subordinates had already inquired about the situation, he sent his wife to investigate as well, just to be on the safe side.
Madam Xu was of humble birth, the eldest daughter of the Northwest garrison commander. In this region of Xizhou, her husband, Cai Wenxuan, was the governor, and her maternal family, the Xu clan, held military power. She had always been fawned over, practically living a life of privilege. But now, her husband was forcing her to make friends with a mistress, which she naturally refused.
Especially since this mistress had a vixen-like appearance, she couldn't stand looking at her.
Madam Xu followed behind at a leisurely pace with her maid, and saw Shen Youying enter a fabric shop.
The climate in Xizhou City is hot. Even though it's only early summer, the sun is blazing, making people dizzy and lightheaded. The clothes Shen Youying brought from the capital were either too ornate in style and too delicate in fabric, making movement difficult, or too thick and not light enough for ventilation.
Shen Youying occasionally saw passing women wearing a kind of very thin material, so she thought of asking at the fabric shop if they had it, and if so, she could make a few more new clothes for herself and Xue Shen.
The shopkeeper, seeing her bearing, knew she must be a lady of some family, and quickly stepped forward with a smile, saying, "What kind of fabric would you like to see, madam?"
Upon hearing that Shen Youying wanted a light and breathable material, the shopkeeper quickly brought out the best material: "This is our local specialty, Tencel brocade. Because it's rare, you can't find it anywhere else. The material is light, soft, and breathable, making it perfect for making clothes that are cool and comfortable to wear."
Shen Youying touched the tiansi brocade; it was indeed soft and light to the touch, and had a cool feel unlike any other fabric. She nodded and said, "It's really nice. I'll take this piece. However, this color is more suitable for women. Does the shopkeeper have any other colors suitable for men?"
When the shopkeeper saw that she had bought it without even asking the price, he knew that she must be from a wealthy family. He was overjoyed and said repeatedly, "Please wait a moment, Madam. There are two more in the storeroom. I will go and get them for you right away."
Shen Youying sat for a while, and sure enough, the shopkeeper brought out two more bolts of cloth, one white and one navy blue, both suitable for making clothes for men.
Shen Youying glanced at them briefly and said, "I want them all. Please pack them up and send them to my residence."
Upon hearing this, Bai Luo stepped forward to pay the bill.
But just as he took out his purse, a rough voice rang out behind him: "Manager Wang, I heard that your shop has just received some new Tencel brocade? Send it all to the governor's mansion."
When his name was called, Manager Wang's smile faltered, and he could only bow and apologize with a forced smile: "Madam, your timing is unfortunate. All three bolts of celestial silk brocade have been reserved by this lady. Perhaps we should wait a few more days until the new stock arrives, and then I will deliver them to your residence."
Madam Xu stepped forward, scrutinizing Shen Youying with a critical eye before her gaze fell upon the three bolts of celestial silk brocade laid out before her.
She sneered and sat down, tapping the table: "Manager Wang, the governor's mansion receives its annual supply of Tian Si brocade from your shop. This year you have new stock but aren't sending it to the governor's mansion. Do you not want to do business anymore?"
Manager Wang's expression changed, and his back immediately hunched even more.
Who gets the shops in this city is entirely up to the governor's wife. He hesitated for a long time, ultimately daring not to offend the local power broker, and could only look at Shen Youying with apologetic eyes, saying, "Madam, what do you think of this…"
He hesitated, saying, "Why don't we wait until the new goods arrive in a few days, and then Madam can send someone over again? I'll definitely save some for Madam then, and we can discuss the price. I promise Madam won't suffer any loss."
His meaning was that he couldn't afford to offend the governor's wife, and he wanted Shen Youying to back down and give up the cloth.
Seeing Xu's overbearing attitude, Shen Youying knew that it was not easy for these shops to do business, and she had no intention of making things difficult. Thinking that the cloth was not urgent and that playing with it for a few days would not cause any trouble, she agreed in a good-natured manner: "It's alright. Since the governor's wife is in a hurry to get it, we will let her have it."
Unexpectedly, she was unwilling to start a conflict, but the governor's wife became even more aggressive upon hearing this.
"Hmph, who dares to talk to me like that?"
The governor's wife scrutinized Shen Youying from head to toe once more. However, Shen Youying was so beautiful that even someone as picky as Madam Xu couldn't find anything wrong with her. She could only swallow her humiliating words and said sarcastically, "Who doesn't know that all the fine silk brocade in Xizhou City belongs to the governor's mansion? What kind of status does this vixen kept outside have that she dares to wear the same material as me?"
If Shen Youying had previously thought that this governor's wife was used to being domineering, she could tell from the tone of her words that this was clearly aimed at her.
Shen Youying frowned and looked her over. Although she didn't understand why the governor's wife was targeting her for no reason, she figured it must be related to things in officialdom, especially since the other woman kept calling her a vixen, which made her quite unhappy.
Although she has a good temper, she is not someone who can be easily manipulated.
She glanced at Madam Xu and said to the shopkeeper, "If someone treats me with respect, I will treat them with even greater respect. But some people are shameless, so there's no need to be too polite to them. Shopkeeper, I won't accept this cloth."
Upon hearing this, Bai Luo took out a silver note from her purse and slapped it on the table. Before the shopkeeper could react, she picked up the three bolts of celestial silk brocade and handed them to the guards following behind her.
The shopkeeper was truly stunned when he saw the amount on the silver note.
The reason he didn't immediately send the newly arrived Tencel brocade to the governor's mansion was because the governor's wife was domineering. Every time he ordered, she would only pay 30% of the market price. Not to mention making a profit, he would have to lose a lot of money.
Fortunately, the governor's wife hadn't been particularly fond of celestial silk brocade before, because this brocade was delicate and selective in its wearer; not everyone looked good in it, and if one didn't have the right bearing, wearing it would actually make one look inferior.
However, this Tian Si brocade is the most precious, and the governor's wife would still ask for several bolts every year to save face. If new stock arrived later, he would quietly sell it and the other party would not pursue the matter.
Who knew that today, after finally meeting a big customer who ordered three horses in one go, we would unfortunately run into the overlord of the governor's mansion.
The shopkeeper was caught in the middle, torn between the two sides. He dared not offend the governor's wife, nor did he want to offend the new big customer.
Shen Youying paid the money, and without waiting for the shopkeeper's reaction, she glanced lightly at Xu Shi and said, "Let's go."
Bai Luo and Liu Yun glared at the governor's wife, then flanked her on either side as they turned and left.
When Madam Xu saw that a mere concubine dared to openly challenge her and humiliate her, she was furious. She suddenly stood up and shouted, "Stop! You dare to leave today! Do you know who I am?"
Shen Youying stopped, turned around, and sized her up. She chuckled and said, "Your clothes are simple, and your manners are vulgar. You're probably not from a high-ranking family. Who you are is none of my business."
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