Chapter 17 This fabric is chafing my skin.
Ever since Jiang Mianmian took over the management of the household affairs, which was the financial power of the Prince's mansion, the life of the Regent's mansion has been getting better and better. The servants are working themselves to the bone for KPI bonuses, and the floor tiles in the mansion have been polished so much that they can be used as mirrors.
Jiang Mianmian was very satisfied with this.
However, as a lazy bum with aspirations, after solving the problem of "food", she quickly discovered a new pain point - "clothing".
On this day, Eunuch Liu from the Imperial Clothing Bureau arrived with a group of embroiderers, carrying newly arrived fabrics for this winter to take the measurements of the Regent and the Queen.
Inside the main hall, piles of colorful fabrics formed a small mountain.
"Your Highness, look!"
Liu, a middle-aged eunuch with a fair complexion and no beard, pointed with a fawning expression to the top piece of bright red fabric, saying, "This is the 'Luminous Shu Brocade,' a new tribute from the Jiangnan Textile Bureau this year. Every inch of this brocade is worth its weight in gold! Feel the texture; it's thick and crisp. The gold thread embroidery on it is incredibly lifelike. Wearing it would make you look absolutely magnificent and incomparably precious!"
Jiang Mianmian sat in the main seat, holding half a piece of unfinished Sachima in her hand.
She glanced at the Shu brocade that shimmered in the sunlight, seemingly proclaiming "I'm very expensive," and gently poked it with a finger.
Hard. It's really hard.
In pursuit of that "crisp" look, this fabric is mixed with countless gold and silver threads, making it feel like touching a washboard.
Jiang Mianmian's lips twitched.
[Expensive beyond words? I think it's more like 'pain beyond words'!]
[Is this even wearable? Is this for a human or a terracotta warrior? The collar is so stiff, it could slice your neck off with a slight turn of your head! And the gold thread on the cuffs, is it some kind of free exfoliation treatment?]
She withdrew her hand, maintaining the dignified smile of a princess: "Indeed... it's a good thing. It's just that the colors are too bright. I usually prefer quiet, so it doesn't suit me."
Eunuch Liu was taken aback, then quickly picked up another piece of deep purple silk: "Then take a look at this? This is the 'cloud pattern heavy satin' from Suzhou and Hangzhou, the most dignified and elegant..."
Jiang Mianmian touched it again.
It's quite slippery, but it's a bit cold and has very poor breathability.
Ugh, I miss my modal cotton. I miss my pure cotton pajamas, I miss my silk camisoles. These old-fashioned clothes, they may look nice, but the comfort level is absolutely terrible!
Sleeping in these clothes makes me feel like a wrapped-up dumpling. Even turning over in bed, I can hear the fabric rustling and scraping – it's a complete killer of sleep quality.
[Isn't there any soft, supple fabric that feels like you're not wearing anything at all? I'd even accept pure cotton! This pile of gaudy garbage, even a dog wouldn't wear it!]
Just then, Shen Jin, who had just returned from outside, stepped across the threshold with one foot and heard the resounding words, "Even dogs don't wear that."
He glanced at the room full of tribute fabrics that Eunuch Liu regarded as priceless treasures.
Rubbish?
She's probably the only one in the whole world who would dare call these things garbage.
And... Modal cotton? What's that? Is it some kind of cotton that was brought as tribute from the Western Regions?
"how?"
Shen Jin strode in, bringing with him a chill of late autumn. The embroiderers and Eunuch Liu were so frightened that they immediately knelt on the ground.
"May Your Highness be well!"
Shen Jin ignored them and walked straight to Jiang Mianmian's side. He glanced at her slightly disgusted expression and asked knowingly, "Does the Princess not like these?"
Jiang Mianmian immediately stood up, took the hot tea handed to her by the maid, and fawned over Shen Jin:
"Your Highness, you flatter me. These are all very fine things. I just... I just feel that I am too coarse and do not deserve such precious materials. I am quite content to wear some coarse linen clothes."
"What a load of rub! I'm disgusted by how chafing they are! Shen Jin, feel this collar, isn't it sandpaper? If I wore this all day, I'd have a ring of red marks on my neck! Is this the kind of industrial waste my delicate skin is meant to be tortured by?"
Shen Jin took the tea, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against the Shu brocade.
Indeed, the texture is a bit rough, especially the gold thread embroidered on for aesthetic purposes, which is as hard as iron wire.
He had never cared about these things before. He was a man, and had practiced martial arts for many years; his skin was thick and tough, so it didn't matter what he wore. As long as it kept him warm and showed off his status, that was enough.
but……
He glanced at Jiang Mianmian's wrist, which was exposed outside her sleeve, so fair and delicate that it looked as if it would turn red at the slightest touch.
She is indeed delicate.
Not only are people delicate, but their skin is even more delicate.
Last time, he only gripped my wrist a little tighter, and my wrist turned red. The next day, I cursed him as a "violent maniac" for half an hour.
If she were really made to wear these...
Suddenly, an image flashed into Shen Jin's mind: her wearing those stiff clothes, rolling around on the bed, crying and screaming in pain.
For some reason, I feel a little... reluctant to part with it?
"Eunuch Liu." Shen Jin put down his teacup, his voice indifferent.
"Your servant is here!" Eunuch Liu knelt on the ground, cold sweat pouring down his face.
"Take all of these things away."
"Huh?" Eunuch Liu was dumbfounded. "This...this was all specially ordered by the Empress Dowager..."
"I say, withdraw."
Chen Jin's tone became more serious, and his eyes turned cold. "The princess's skin is delicate and cannot withstand such rough and hard objects. If she gets injured while wearing them, your head in the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau will probably not be enough to be chopped off."
Jiang Mianmian listened in a daze.
Wow! Shen Jin, you understand me so well! Rough and hard? That's right! Rough and hard! That's such a precise description! Are you my internet mouthpiece?
[But... if everything's taken down, what am I supposed to wear? I can't exactly run around naked, can I? It's not impossible in the Prince's mansion... but that would be too embarrassing.]
Shen Jin glanced at her.
Streaking?
Dream on.
"Shadow One," Shen Jin turned and ordered, "Go to the storeroom and fetch that sandalwood box."
Upon hearing this, Yingyi's perpetually expressionless face revealed a hint of shock: "Your Highness, you mean... that box? That was bestowed upon you by the late Emperor..."
"Go." Shen Jin uttered only one word.
"Yes!" Yingyi dared not say more and flew away.
A moment later, two guards carried in a large, antique-looking sandalwood chest that exuded a faint fragrance of sandalwood.
Even someone as discerning as Eunuch Liu was immediately impressed when he saw the box.
"This...this is..."
Shen Jin stepped forward and personally opened the box.
In an instant, it seemed as if a soft moonlight flowed out of the box.
Inside, several pieces of fabric, white as snow, thin as wings, and with a sheen like flowing emulsion, were neatly stacked.
Even from a distance, Jiang Mianmian could feel the luxurious feel of the fabric, which exuded the quality of "I am expensive, but I am gentle".
Holy crap! What kind of amazing fabric is this? It looks so soft! So smooth! Like it's made of milk!
[Could this be the legendary...celestial silkworm silk? Didn't the book say that this stuff is more expensive than gold and practically unavailable? Shen Jin actually has so much hidden away?]
"Heavenly silkworm silk?!" Eunuch Liu exclaimed in shock. "This...this is the finest heavenly silkworm silk from the Southern Frontier! It is said that only one bolt can be obtained every ten years. It is impervious to water and fire, warm in winter and cool in summer, and feels like a baby's skin to the touch...This is a rare treasure that even the ladies of the palace cannot obtain!"
Shen Jin reached out and gently stroked the cloud-like texture.
"Take it."
He pointed to the box and said to Jiang Mianmian, who was already stunned, "Use this to make clothes. Inner garments, outer garments, and... what you call pajamas, all made from this."
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone was stunned by the Regent's extravagant gesture.
Using silkworm silk to make inner garments? Or even pajamas?
That's such a waste! It's like using diamonds to line a toilet or using Lafite to wash your feet!
Jiang Mianmian was also surprised.
She reached out her hand tremblingly and touched the fabric.
It felt cool to the touch, but warmed up instantly, so soft and smooth it was unbelievable, a hundred times more comfortable than the finest silk she had ever worn in her previous life.
Is this the taste of money? Is this the allure of power?
【Chen Jin! You're such a spendthrift! But I love it! This is practically my dream fabric! Wearing this, I feel like I could sleep like a log, and my skin would never hurt from chafing again!】
[You are electricity, you are light, you are unique... cough cough, anyway, Shen Jin, you're two meters and eighty centimeters tall today!]
Looking at her eyes, which instantly turned into stars, and the genuine, undisguised joy on her face, Shen Jin felt that spending those few bolts of fabric was... well worth it.
Since it's just gathering dust in the storeroom anyway, I might as well use it to cheer up this delicate cat.
"Hurry up and take the measurements!" Shen Jin coldly glanced at Eunuch Liu, who was still kneeling on the ground.
"Yes, yes, yes! This servant will measure it right away! Measure it right away!"
Eunuch Liu scrambled to his feet, his attitude now ten times more respectful than before. The extent to which the princess was favored had utterly shattered his understanding. For the Regent to provide her with silkworm silk for everyday wear—this wasn't just favor, it was practically worship!
Several embroiderers stepped forward tremblingly, holding soft measuring tapes, ready to take Jiang Mianmian's measurements.
"Reach out your hand."
"Lift your waist."
Jiang Mianmian cooperated like a puppet.
Shen Jin did not leave, but sat to the side, holding a teacup, watching the scene with a deep gaze.
The embroiderer's soft ruler was placed against Jiang Mianmian's waist. With a slight tightening, it outlined her slender waist that could be grasped in one hand.
His usually composed eyes darkened.
Too thin.
It seems they're still not full.
Next, the measuring tape is moved up to measure the chest circumference.
Jiang Mianmian straightened her chest slightly.
[Hehe, even though I'm skinny, I'm got some assets. I trained hard during the apocalypse; while not a D cup, I'm definitely a C. Shen Jin, did you see that? This is my asset!]
Shen Jin paused in his tea-drinking motion, almost choking.
C? D?
What kind of strange code is this?
but……
His gaze swept over her undulating curves almost imperceptibly.
Indeed... it's not small.
"Take careful measurements." Shen Jin suddenly spoke, his voice a little hoarse. "The princess prefers loose-fitting clothes, especially... clothes for sleeping. Don't make them too tight and restrict her movement."
【Oh? You know I like loose-fitting clothes? You know you're worried about it being too tight for me?】
Jiang Mianmian felt a surge of emotion. [This jerk, despite his mysophobia and sharp tongue, is surprisingly considerate in such small details. What is this? This is the epitome of male virtue!]
[Because of the silkworm silk, I'll give you an extra chicken leg tonight!]
After taking the measurements, Eunuch Liu and the embroiderers withdrew with profuse thanks, promising to produce the first batch of clothes within three days.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
Jiang Mianmian touched the sandalwood box with great affection, wishing she could crawl inside it.
“Your Highness,” she turned to look at Shen Jin, her eyes sincere, “this silkworm silk is far too precious, I…”
"precious?"
Shen Jin put down his teacup, stood up, walked to her, and looked down at her. "No matter how valuable it is, it's still just an inanimate object. If it can make the princess stop calling me 'industrial waste' in her heart, then this deal is worthwhile."
Jiang Mianmian was startled.
Did he hear me? No, he's definitely bluffing! Or maybe he guessed I didn't like the previous fabric.
She chuckled dryly twice: "Your Highness is too kind. How could I possibly scold Your Highness? My admiration for Your Highness is like a surging river, never-ending..."
"Alright."
Shen Jin reached out and gently flicked her smooth forehead.
The sound was a soft "thump," not painful, but carrying a hint of intimacy.
Instead of wasting time flattering him, you should think about what to eat tonight.
Shen Jin withdrew his hand, his fingertips still lingering on the soft touch of her forehead. "I heard that you had the kitchen try making a pastry called 'egg tart' yesterday? If it turns out well, I'll reward you with the leftover scraps of this silkworm silk to make... that 'eye mask'."
Jiang Mianmian's eyes lit up instantly.
[Eye mask! A sleep aid! Shen Jin, you even know this? Are you a mind reader?]
"No problem! Leave it to me!"
Jiang Mianmian patted her chest and guaranteed, "Tonight we'll not only have egg tarts, but also double-skin milk pudding and mango pomelo sago! I guarantee it will sweeten the prince's heart!"
Seeing how overjoyed she was over a few pieces of fabric and some food, Shen Jin shook his head, his eyes overflowing with doting affection.
This salted fish is really easy to coax.
As long as you give her something nice and delicious, she can forget all her complaints and even praise you to the skies.
This is probably what they call... fools having good luck?
However, to let her wear the clothes I gave her, and wear them close to her skin...
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as an unspeakable thought quietly took root in his heart.
Perhaps, once the clothes are finished, he should personally "check" them to see if they fit.
...
Three days later.
The first batch of nightgowns made from silkworm silk has arrived.
It is a light pink two-piece pajama set, modified according to the drawings drawn by Jiang Mianmian (actually, it is a modern pajama style).
In the evening, after taking a bath.
Jiang Mianmian couldn't wait to change into her new clothes.
The cloud-like touch enveloped her entire body; the silky, cool, and unrestricted feeling made her almost moan out loud from the comfort.
Ah... this is what freedom feels like! This is heaven! Modal and all that stuff is so weak! Silkworm silk is the real deal!
She happily rolled around on the bed, like a cat rolling in catnip.
Just then, the door was pushed open.
Shen Jin walked in.
He immediately spotted the pink and tender figure on the bed, doing yoga stretching exercises.
The silk fabric clung tightly to her body, and with her movements, the soft material conformed closely to her curves, outlining...
His steady breathing suddenly stopped.
He suddenly felt that this silkworm silk... seemed a little too "transparent"?
Moreover, the style she drew exposed half of her calves, and the sleeves only reached her elbows. Although it wasn't cold indoors, this... this was inappropriate!
But I must say...
It's really beautiful.
"Your Highness?"
Jiang Mianmian stopped what she was doing, turned to look at him, and said with a smug look, "How is it? Doesn't it look good? This material is absolutely amazing! Thank you, boss!"
[Praise me! Praise my amazing design! And this expensive buyer's review!]
Chen Jin's throat went dry. He looked away, not daring to look at those dazzlingly white calves any longer.
"It's acceptable."
He forced himself to remain calm as he walked to the bedside, pulled the blanket over her, and wrapped her up tightly.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Mianmian asked, completely bewildered.
"Be careful not to catch a cold." Shen Jin said sternly, but her ears were secretly turning red. "Since you're comfortable, then just go to sleep. Don't move around."
[Tch, so prim and proper. My eyes were practically glued to it just now.]
Jiang Mianmian pouted from under the covers, "But considering you bought me such nice clothes, I won't hold it against you. Goodnight, my ATM."
Hearing the phrase "ATM Master," Shen Jin closed his eyes helplessly.
As long as she doesn't call him a "dog of a man," he can be an ATM if he wants.
That night, Jiang Mianmian slept exceptionally well. But Shen Jin, listening to the steady breathing beside him, was filled with that lingering pale pink hue—it was that familiar sleepless night again.
It seems that spoiling one's wife comes at a price.
For example... getting a sore throat or fever.
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