Chapter 864 - 864: Investigation
Chapter 864: Chapter 864: Investigation
The sedan chair moved slowly out from the Marquis Yongping’s Mansion, a grand procession heading toward Imperial Street.
Outside the sedan chair was a cacophony of noise; Liu Sisi, hugging Niuniu, sat inside, closing her eyes to rest.
Chou Chou’s bruises had healed considerably, and Di Xuan was taking him to Di Hongyuan’s manor for instruction in knowledge, planning to formally begin his education in a few days.
For this occasion, Di Hongyuan even specifically consulted an old almanac, selecting a day five days hence as the date for Chou Chou’s apprentice ceremony. Liu Sisi had not expected Di Hongyuan to place such importance on Chou Chou’s education, and she promptly began to take it seriously as well, preparing a set of apprentice gifts according to tradition.
Although the relationship between the two families meant that these apprentice gifts might appear overly formal, only such measures were adequate to match Di Hongyuan’s solemnity.
“Mom, mom, look quickly! Over there, there’s a monkey show, and there, there’s a competition! Mom, you must look…”
…
Listening to Niuniu’s excited chatter by her ear, Liu Sisi opened her eyes slightly and peered through a corner of the lifted sedan curtain to survey the bustling street outside, then closed her eyes again.
Recently, she had deliberately focused her thoughts on the greenhouse, and only late at night, hidden away in her room with Di Yelei, would they quietly recall the important contents of those historical materials.
She always felt that the other party had not burned those historical materials at the beginning, but instead waited until she had investigated so much before setting them aflame, surely because she had inadvertently mentioned a secret of theirs, and this person was hiding right beside them! Constantly watching their every move.
Therefore, in recalling these historical materials, she kept it a secret even from Ms. Gao, waiting for the foe’s fox tail to show.
The sedan chair suddenly tilted slightly, and Ms. Gao’s gentle call came from outside.
“Your Highness, we have arrived at our destination, please alight from the sedan.” As she spoke, the curtain was softly lifted.
Liu Sisi opened her eyes to look around and then led Niuniu out of the sedan chair.
Xiao Feng also stepped down from another small sedan and came to Liu Sisi’s side, lowering her voice, “Third Aunt, it’s the shop over there with the half-closed door on the left.”
Liu Sisi didn’t look back but instead stepped towards a clothing store across the street.
“Mm, let’s go upstairs and talk.”
As the group approached the clothing store, a sharp-eyed waiter immediately came over with a nod and a bow. Upon seeing the garments on the two women, his eyes instantly narrowed into slits, “Madams, please inside. Our shop has recently received a new batch of imperial supply fabric, diverse kinds, various patterns, everything you might need…”
Although Liu Sisi didn’t pay much attention to dressing up, the fabric of her garments was all top-notch, golden silk and silver thread Suzhou satin bestowed by His Majesty, coupled with the best of the palace’s embroidery workshop’s meticulous craftsmanship, well-tailored to fit perfectly and enhance her best features, like the final touch that brings a dragon to life on a painting.
With her slight movements, the fabric on her body flowed like a silver dragon, dazzling the eyes of the onlookers.
No wonder the waiter was going out of his way to praise the best cloth in his shop.
Casually stepping inside, a multitude of top-quality fabrics of various colors caught her eye, neatly stacked on the shelves. A mere glance was enough to take it all in. There were already a few customers in the shop browsing through the cloth, which caused Liu Sisi to frown slightly.
“Waiter, does your shop have any elegant rooms available?”
The waiter’s eyes suddenly lit up! He hurried forward with a beaming face, “Yes, yes, yes, there are more fabrics on the second floor of our shop, and we have elegant rooms as well. The two Madams can take their time choosing inside. Please, the two Madams, follow me upstairs!”
Liu Sisi had come specifically to observe the situation at the shop across the street today. Hearing the offer, it perfectly matched her intentions, so she slowly stepped upstairs with Xiao Feng’s support, choosing an elegant room with a window directly facing the shop opposite and sitting down.
“Please wait a moment, Madams. The fragrant tea will be served immediately.”
While the waiter was speaking, a woman dressed as a married lady came in with a smile, holding the fragrant tea in her hands.
“Madams, please try the fine Oolong tea from our shop. The soup is thick with a clear aftertaste, its aroma rich and the liquor sweet, with a light color. Please feel free to taste it.”
Liu Sisi didn’t speak, just lifted her eyebrows indifferently and then turned her head again to look outside, pretending to admire the scenery.
“Madam is too kind! Please do have some too, Madam.”
Xiao Feng’s eyes spun around, and she quickly took the opportunity to pick up the teacup, taking a sip before putting the cup down, “Madam, what about the fabrics in your shop? Are there any superior materials, preferably the latest arrivals? Bring over all the best fabrics you have so we can make a thorough selection.”
The married woman maintained a radiant smile, “Certainly, the fabrics in our shop are truly unique in the entire Bianliang City, and many are exclusively supplied to the Madams and Princesses in the palace, guaranteed to satisfy both Madams.”
Proud of her statement, the woman quickly went downstairs to instruct the waiter to bring over the sample boards.
Liu Sisi showed no interest, just sitting silently, watching the activity in the shop across the street.
That shop originally dealt in jade ware, but at the moment, it was not open. Instead, the shop door was half-closed, with a couple of waiters coming in and out of the slightly ajar door, apparently moving something.
Perhaps it was Liu Sisi’s gaze that constantly lingered outside, which drew that woman’s attention. As she rapidly introduced the merits of these cloths and satins to Xiao Feng, she kept an eye on Liu Sisi’s movements.
Then, with a twirl of her eyes, she suddenly laughed, “All the good materials of our shop are piled up here. I dare not claim them to be the best elsewhere. However, I dare say that any piece of cloth from here, if taken outside, would be enough to astonish a multitude of people. Madam, are you satisfied with any of these fabrics from our shop?”
As soon as the woman asked Liu Sisi, her gaze returned from the street opposite, and only then did she look up at the woman.
The Madam appeared to be about thirty years old, exceedingly ordinary-looking yet her eyes and eyebrows conveyed smiles, giving off a very pleasant impression.
Only then did she lower her head to glance at the materials spread out before her. Sweeping over them indifferently, she commanded without showing much interest, “The materials are indeed fine, and I am quite satisfied. You may choose a few pieces to take back for the children to select two each for their winter clothes.”
The woman’s eyes immediately sparkled with excitement!
These materials were not ordinary; how could a common person dare to casually pick several pieces? A single piece could bankrupt a household. Since the other party had said to choose several pieces at will, it seemed this deal could be very profitable.
“I do not dare to boast, but these fabrics will definitely satisfy the Madam, ensuring victory at many social gatherings.”