Marquis Mu Houchu smiled, "I just got the news about this as well. Things that happen in the capital always have widespread effects. Song family is now under such high favor, the sudden sickness of their young master is definitely not simple. However, what exactly is not simple, it’s still too early to conclude, let’s wait until the young master is sent to Yu State."
Yu State is his territory, so it’s convenient for him to investigate.
On hearing his tone, Xin He couldn’t help but say, "Are you suspecting that this incident is done by the Song Family...?"
Marquis Mu Houchu calmly responded, "Perhaps someone else did it, or perhaps it’s the Song family’s own doing. After all, for their own younger son, rather than having him held hostage in the palace, it might be better to take this opportunity to send him out of the palace for treatment, particularly not to get treatment in the capital but in the remote Yu State, whether it’s for letting him wait for death here or thinking that Yu State is far away from the capital city and convenient for concealment, who knows?"
Xin He’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, she was holding her tea cup, her slender fingers were tapping on the cup as if she was thinking about something.
Marquis Mu understands Xin He’s habits so well that seeing her like this, he knew she was puzzling over something.
"Don’t think about it anymore, I will handle these matters. All of these matters concern the capital city, we can never know exactly what will happen, and besides, for us, these may not necessarily be bad news." Mu Houchu said softly.
His voice seemed to have a sort of infectious quality that made Xin He feel quite at ease. She nodded, "All right."
——
A month passed just like this and Xin He was four months pregnant. She was finally allowed to move around.
The lifting of her confinement was something she had to beg Mu Houchu for over many days. However, it wasn’t her efforts alone that did it. When the doctor came to check her pulse, he mentioned, "Now that the first trimester is over, it’s not that dangerous. It’s good to move around regularly."
Finally, Marquis Mu Houchu generously allowed her to go out occasionally.
But she had to be accompanied by four secret guards.
Since the guards hid in the shadows, Xin He did not fuss about it.
Now that she was pregnant, she no longer dressed as a man. There was a slight bump already showing on her belly which would look strange were she to wear men’s clothing.
There weren’t many people at the Winding Pavilion who knew her. Basically, only a few managers knew her.
So, she went into the store following the rules of ordinary customers and was warmly invited to a private room by a waiter. The shopkeeper then personally came upstairs. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
"Greetings to the owner." The shopkeeper hadn’t seen Xin He for long time but still wasn’t the least bit careless.
Xin He smiled, "I haven’t been here for several months, is everything alright with the store?"
"There’s no big problem. You may rest assured, madam," the shopkeeper quickly replied, "It’s just that spring is already upon us, many customers are asking when the new spring garments from the Winding Pavilion will be available, and many are also asking about the show."
After the previous two shows, the customers have pretty much grasped the rules of the Winding Pavilion: new collections being launched every season, and having a show each season. Earlier, there were shows for summer and winter, but the show for the spring collection has not yet been arranged.
This was mainly because Xin He was now pregnant and was unable to organize it.
"I have already sent the design blueprints to get them made. Let’s schedule the spring fashion show for half a month later. Invitations can be sent ahead of time." Xin He said.
The shopkeeper had been awaiting this news from Xin He, and he quickly smiled, "Nothing could be better! Customers are repeatedly asking for it. I really couldn’t hold them off any longer."
The unprecedented anticipation for the Winding Pavilion filled Xin He’s heart with satisfaction.
The reason that Xin He herself was organizing the show was not unfounded. The youngest son of the Song family had already been sent back home, to the Song family’s ancestral home, which is not far from the prefecture city and Lian’an Town, only an hour’s car ride away. The younger branches of the Song family are always keen to flaunt their wealth. Since the Winding Pavilion had gained prominence, the Song family had been present at every show.
She wanted to take this opportunity to probe some information.
While they were speaking, a servant boy hurried in and said, "Boss, Madam Song has come. She wants you to accompany her personally."
Typically, for distinguished households, the shopkeeper would personally accompany and help to select jewelry or dresses. Common waitstaff simply wouldn’t be able to meet their demands. Moreover, only the shopkeeper or the managers of the store could have the privilege to display the most valuable jewelry or dresses from the store.
Xin He raised her eyebrows, she didn’t expect this person to actually come and voluntarily offer herself.
It was only then that the shopkeeper bowed towards Xin He, "I have to go to attend to something. Please wait a moment, madam."
Xin He’s eyes flashed but then she suddenly said, "Wait."
"What else has madam ordered?"
"You go do me a favor..." Xin He lowered her voice to say.
By this time Madame Song was already on her way to the second floor, with two young ladies on either side, presumably the Song family’s daughters. Behind her were a group of maids and women, acting very haughty.
The shopkeeper personally ushered them and said, "Madam Song’s esteemed presence really graces the Winding Pavilion."
This flattery was too blatant, but Madame Song enjoyed this type of praise. She hummed, "Does Manager Jin have any new goods? I came here specifically today. You had better not disappoint me."
Manager Jin’s face showed a troubled expression, "We have good stuff, indeed. I saved it especially for Madame Song, only..."
Madame Song frowned slightly, impatiently asking, "Only what?"
"Only that all the private rooms to serve distinguished guests are not available today, unfortunately. There are no vacancies at the moment. I don’t have the capacity to turn out guests abruptly. After all, we are running a small business and we dare not offend people casually. How about this? Madame Song can wait at the tea house opposite our shop for a while. Once a room is available, I will send someone to invite you over?"
"Oh! Are we, the Song family, now reduced to waiting in line?" Young Lady Song Ya Lan was more and more dissatisfied and glared at Manager Jin, then turned to Madame Song and said, "Aunt, it’s clear that the Winding Pavilion doesn’t take us, the Song family, seriously. Even now that elder sister is Consort Shu in the palace, we are technically related to the Emperor, but it turns out that even such imperial kin can be disregard so blatantly!"
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