Chapter 26 A chance encounter: The shop's signboard bore an elegant inscription...
Above the shop's entrance hangs a signboard with the bold characters "Xiao's Silk". The side banner, also bearing the words "Xiao's Silk" on a white background, features a wide double border around the edges, dyed in bright red and blue. The Xiao family's silk shop's strength can be glimpsed even from this dyeing technique.
"I wonder if the shop has any suitable clothes. This outfit of mine is almost unrecognizable." Xiao Yan Hui tugged at her sleeves and looked at the black and gray stains on her skirt and elbows, her face full of annoyance.
These were all from rolling on the ground while dodging the runaway horse. It was all Qin Ji's fault for suddenly dropping a "bombshell" that disturbed her mind. Otherwise, she wouldn't have completely ignored the extremely undignified state of her clothes because she was so distracted.
If she hadn't left the restaurant and been given strange looks by passersby, she wouldn't have even realized that she had been dressed so slovenly and embarrassed on the street.
"It's all our fault for being so inexperienced. We should have noticed and prepared a change of clothes for you, Miss." Green Moth and Cat also admitted their mistake, heads bowed in shame.
"After you get home, go find Qingfu and write down each of your mistakes in your notebooks." Xiao Yan didn't say anything like she didn't blame them. As their personal maids, this was indeed a major blunder in their work. She was now their superior, so clear rewards and punishments were necessary.
Xiao Yan considered the situation and concluded that among the people in her Qingnuan Courtyard, Qingfu was the most meticulous and considerate. Lü'e was skilled in dealing with people and affairs, but could be a bit careless at times. Mao'er was endearing and bold, but sometimes overly eager to show off. Zhuyue was also bold and outspoken, and remarkably, she was perceptive; she hadn't revealed anything about the incident at the stream, indicating that both Qingfu and Zhuyue were tight-lipped.
Let's observe further. If Qingfu and Zhuyue can be further cultivated into trusted confidants within the inner quarters, then Lüe and Mao'er might be more suitable to be sent out to manage external businesses.
Originally, Xiao Yan didn't need to plan these things now, but after talking with Qin Ji today, she has to change some of her ideas about the future.
For example, she had previously decided to remain completely cautious until she had enough confidence, so as not to attract the attention of other transmigrators and bring danger to herself.
But now that everyone's identities have been revealed, and if there are no unforeseen circumstances, they will become husband and wife and partners for a long time to come, then my previous concerns will no longer exist, and I can start training the people who need to be trained.
For some reason, her mind automatically started thinking about serious matters. Xiao Yan was quickly adjusting her future plans in response to today's exposure. For a moment, she not only had no mind to pay attention to her clothes, but she was even being helped forward by Green Moth when she walked.
He seemed to be in a semi-conscious state.
"Miss, watch your step," Green Moth whispered, being especially careful now that she realized she had just made a mistake.
But even their carefulness can't stop others from being careless!
As soon as the three entered Xiao's Silk Shop, a woman stumbled upon them, looking disoriented. Fortunately, Mao'er quickly stepped forward and pulled her away, preventing her from bumping into Xiao Yan Hui.
When Xiao Yan came to her senses, she saw a slender woman standing two steps away. The woman was hunching her shoulders and bowing her head, apologizing repeatedly. Because her head was bowed so low, all Xiao Yan could see was a head with a full head of black hair.
"No need to apologize, I was also distracted just now, sorry," Xiao Yan replied with an apology in return.
"Third Miss, what brings you here today? Is there any fabric you like? We've just received some fine silks from the shop; would you like to take a look?" A cheerful, feminine voice rang out, and the woman who came to greet her was none other than Madam Li, the wife of Manager Xiao of the silk shop.
It must be said that Li's contribution to the daily management of this silk shop was indispensable.
As a woman, it was much more convenient for her to deliver the finest seasonal fabrics to the inner quarters of various households, to handle the daily needs of the ladies and young women, or to communicate with the embroiderers in the workshop. She made significant contributions to the shop, and the ladies of the Xiao family, and even Xiao Fuyan, treated her with great respect.
Because he frequently interacted with the women in his family, his speech to Xiao Yan was both respectful and somewhat intimate.
Xiao Yan was about to suggest taking some ready-made clothes upstairs when the woman who had almost bumped into her rushed towards Li Shi.
“Madam Li, please take a look at my embroidery. It’s all made with the finest craftsmanship. The embroiderers are from wealthy families in the capital. You won’t lose money if you accept these.” As she spoke, she opened the small bundle she was carrying.
"Oh dear! I already told you, we don't accept your embroidery here, why did you come to our shopkeeper's wife?"
Upon seeing the sudden turn of events, the shop assistant Xiu San hurried over. This was originally his responsibility, but now it had escalated to the point where it was in front of the shopkeeper's wife, and the owner's daughter was also present, which made him very embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The woman apologized repeatedly, but she didn't move her feet. She had already opened the bundle in her hands. "But this is really good embroidery. My family is in a hurry to sell these to buy medicine. Please, madam, at least take a look."
Seeing the slightly troubled look in Li's eyes, Xiao Yan raised her hand slightly to indicate that she should deal with the shop's affairs first, as there was no rush here.
The truth is that Xiao Yan Hui has become curious about the woman who wants to sell embroidery, and at this moment she doesn't mind waiting to see how things develop.
At this moment, the woman finally raised her head. She was unexpectedly young, no more than twenty years old. Her skin was dark yellow, and there were some obvious sun spots on her cheeks. Although her features could be described as beautiful, her eyebrows were too thick and her lips were too pale, which made her face look dull and gray.
What piqued Xiao Yan's interest was precisely this gloom.
After all, the Hua family's modern makeup techniques are known as one of the four great evil arts. Although she hadn't mastered them to the highest level, she still knew how to do some makeup on a daily basis. So she could tell at a glance that the woman's face had been deliberately covered up with makeup.
This is quite interesting; she seems to have caught a whiff of melon.
As the story unfolded, Xiu San's face darkened upon seeing the woman's actions. Fearing that the shopkeeper's wife might think he was careless in his work or was being condescending, he quickly offered an explanation.
“Madam Li, it’s not that I want to make things difficult for her, but although her embroidery skills are not bad, the material is too poor. If our shop sells such inferior materials, it will ruin our reputation. That’s why I asked her to ask other shops.”
After saying that, she hurriedly added some background information: "She had done some work in our shop before, but not only did it waste time, she also tore a piece of silk."
Upon hearing this, the woman's face flushed red from its sallow complexion, and tears welled up in her eyes. She looked extremely ashamed, clearly indicating that Xiu San was telling the truth.
The woman still stammered, trying to explain, but couldn't find a good explanation. In the end, she could only mumble, "I've already paid for the damaged fabric. Please give me another chance. My family really needs the money to buy medicine."
He looked very pitiful.
She could actually sell her embroidery at other shops, but Xiao's Silk Shop offered the highest prices in the whole city for exquisite embroidery. So today, she shamelessly came to ask for help. Selling the goods was secondary; she was just using this as a stepping stone. Her main goal was to continue working at Xiao's, as she desperately needed the job right now.
The woman gritted her teeth, thinking that if all else failed, she would kneel down in front of the landlady and beg again. She figured that a young girl of that age would still have some compassion for the weak, and begging her might work.
But if you really go and ask her for help, you'll inevitably offend Madam Li as well, and Madam Li is not like Xiu San, the shop assistant.
Just as she was hesitating, she suddenly heard the young girl speak up: "Madam Li, I think these embroideries are quite exquisite and lovely. It's a rare opportunity to meet you today, so please help me collect them. They don't belong in the shop; I'm just buying them for my own amusement."
"Alright." Madam Li winked at Xiu San, signaling him to take over the rest of the business.
The woman quickly bowed and thanked Xiao Yan Hui repeatedly. Xiao Yan Hui simply waved his hand and said there was no need to be so polite.
The woman asked if she could continue taking jobs, but the man in front of her had already gone upstairs.
Madam Li was also going to the back room of the shop to get a few sets of ready-made clothes. The time she had been standing there was enough for Madam Li to see clearly the dust and dirt on Xiao Yan Hui's clothes.
"Madam, could I possibly... please, if you have any work to do, could you share some with me? I promise I'll be careful," the woman pleaded.
"Since the Third Miss says you two are destined to meet today, then let's consider the previous mistakes forgiven." Seeing how pitiful she looked, Madam Li finally didn't refuse.
......
“Miss, I think that woman is dishonest.” As soon as they reached the second floor, Cat said this.
"Everyone has difficult times, but it's just a small favor. Whether she's honest or not is none of our business." Xiao Yan Hui naturally saw through the man's ulterior motives.
However, judging from her appearance, she did seem to be in trouble. For me, it was just a chance encounter and I was just helping her out. I didn't need to think too much about it or make a fuss about it.
Moreover, when she went upstairs just now, because of the high angle and the fact that the person happened to be bowing down to thank her, she saw a section of the woman's neck hidden under her clothes, and sure enough, it was a fair complexion, which confirmed her suspicions.
Although I'm afraid I'll never know the woman's story, this little special discovery is still a bit of fun for today.
Unfortunately, today was still more unlucky than anything else.
Having changed into clean clothes, Xiao Yan Hui had just stepped out of Xiao Ji Silk Shop when she bumped into Xiao Que Xian.
"What are you doing here?" After blurting out the question with a hint of accusation, Xiao Quexian coughed lightly and softened her tone: "Third sister, are you out looking at fabrics today? Don't you like any of the ones that Madam Li sent to our house a few days ago?"
"Xian'er, is this your third sister?" The one who spoke was a girl who was traveling with Xiao Quexian. It was a simple question, but her tone was sarcastic, which made people uncomfortable.
"I was just feeling a bit bored at home, so I came out to have some fun. I won't disturb Second Sister and her friends. I'll head back now." Xiao Yan nodded to the unfamiliar girl, gave Xiao Quexian's question perfunctorily, and then turned to leave.
"He certainly lacks manners."
The cool sound behind her made Xiao Yan stop in her tracks.
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