The next day, while Jiang Shiyao was still threading needles in the embroidery room, Shuangjiang brought the shopkeeper's wife in.
On the embroidery frame sat a Guanyin crown meticulously crafted with the small pearls purchased last time from Yu Bao Tower.
"Greetings, Niangzi Jiang."
Shopkeeper Wen entered with two maidservants, each holding a tray laden with the most fashionable accessories currently trending in the capital.
Jiang Shiyao didn't invite Wen to the outer hall, instead directly instructing Shuangjiang to serve tea and snacks right there.
"Apologies for making you make another trip, Shopkeeper Wen, but this time you won't be returning empty-handed."
Having encountered numerous madams and young ladies from various mansions at Yu Bao Tower, Wen had initially doubted her own judgment yesterday when she noticed something amiss with the pearls at first glance. Only after returning did she realize that Niangzi Jiang must have switched them back while dismantling the pearls. Such occurrences were commonplace in noble households, but they were none of her concern—her focus remained solely on earning a living.
"You flatter me, Niangzi. Witnessing such extraordinary embroidery skills yesterday was worth making several extra trips."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted back to the embroidery frame. "If I'm not mistaken, these pearls are all from the last purchase at Yu Bao Tower."
"Your ingenuity is remarkable—using pearls in embroidery yields unexpectedly stunning results."
Jiang Shiyao smiled faintly, standing up to tilt the embroidery frame upright.
Wen was astonished.
The upper side featured a pearl-embroidered crown, while the lower side revealed the same crown crafted entirely with embroidery threads.
A double-sided image!
An idea sparked in Wen's mind: if this double-sided technique were applied to jewelry, one side could showcase gemstones while the other displayed embroidery. Such pieces would be unparalleled in the entire capital!
"Shopkeeper Wen?"
Wen snapped back to reality. "Niangzi Jiang is truly brilliant. Who would have imagined double-sided imagery?"
Jiang Shiyao pursed her lips into a subtle smile. "I only had time to ponder such things during idle moments."
She then shifted her attention to the trays in the maidservants' hands, changing the subject. "I'll let Fu'er choose for herself."
Wen reluctantly tore her gaze away from the embroidery frame.
When Shuangjiang brought Fu'er in, the child was slightly startled at the sight of the jewelry. Even when Concubine Zheng, the Duke's most favored consort, ordered jewelry from Yu Bao Tower, the selection had never been this extensive.
Fu'er, embodying a child's whimsy, immediately clung to a rabbit pendant and refused to let go.
Wen explained, "This rabbit pendant comes in a pair—perfect for adorning hair ribbons. With Young Miss's fair and delicate features, they would hang charmingly beside her hair buns."
Children typically wore double-bun hairstyles, accessorized either with hair ribbons or crowns. As a concubine-born daughter, wearing a crown would attract undue attention and likely provoke Zhao Shi's displeasure.
Jiang Shiyao selected five pairs of pendants for her daughter—crafted from gold, jade, gemstones, and pearls. These would hold their value well, even if pawned in the future.
Noting that Jiang Shiyao hadn't chosen any crowns, Wen recognized her as someone who understood propriety. She then picked a pair of plain white jade hairpins from the tray—subtle yet elegant.
"With your fair and refined complexion, Niangzi, these jade hairpins, though simple, are made of exceptionally fine jade. They suit you perfectly."
Jiang Shiyao replied, "Since you recommend them so highly, I'll keep them."
Her eyes then fell upon a gold filigree bracelet inlaid with rubies.
"This bracelet is truly exquisite."
Wen beamed as she handed over the bracelet. "You have excellent taste, Niangzi. This is a new design our shop just released yesterday."
While her hair accessories were understated, the bracelet she chose was the most opulent. Wen noted that Jiang Shiyao was someone who knew how to conceal her sharpness.
Jiang Shiyao tried it on—it felt somewhat heavy.
"I'll keep this one as well. The rest can be put away."
Madam Wen instructed her maid to pack up the remaining jewelry.
After casting another glance at the embroidery frame, she slowly rose to her feet. "Should you require anything else, young mistress, simply send someone to Yu Bao Tower to summon me."
Jiang Shiyao smiled. "Of course. Shuangjiang, escort the shopkeeper out."
Watching Madam Wen’s retreating figure, she gently touched the bracelet on her wrist.
Next time…
Next time, she would focus on earning money.
The two maids Madam Wen had brought along were both skilled embroiderers, taken with the intention of secretly learning techniques.
Yet upon returning, despite numerous attempts, neither could replicate the double-sided imaging technique.
Surveying the pile of ruined jewelry pieces, Madam Wen noted that the latest attempt was barely passable.
But having seen perfection, how could this mediocre work satisfy her?
Jiang Shiyao had deliberately received Madam Wen in the embroidery room to let her witness the technique.
Visible but unreachable.
Only then could she maintain the upper hand during future price negotiations.
After Jiang Shiyao completed the double-sided embroidery of Guanyin’s sacred image, she brought it for Zhao Shi’s inspection.
Zhao Shi was well aware of her embroidery skills—Matron Chang had praised them repeatedly in her presence years ago.
For her eldest daughter’s wedding, the mandarin duck fan she carried had been embroidered by Jiang Shiyao.
Today, Zhao Shi gained a new appreciation for Jiang Shiyao’s craftsmanship.
"It’s actually double-sided embroidery!"
A smile spread across Zhao Shi’s face. "I’ve long heard that the Empress Dowager devoutly practices Buddhism and retreats to the imperial palace for a month each year to cultivate her faith."
"Better to offer Buddha than gold or silver."
She handed the unfinished embroidery to Xiang Mama with satisfaction. "Excellent. You’ve clearly put thought into this."
Then her tone shifted. "I heard the Yu Bao Tower shopkeeper visited a few days ago."
Jiang Shiyao promptly knelt with practiced deference.
Zhao Shi’s gaze swept over the jade hairpin in her hair—unobtrusive yet fine.
"Rise. Must you be so timid? If Xian’er gifted it to you, did you fear I’d take it back?"
She twisted the ring on her finger. "There was some misunderstanding in the old madam’s courtyard, so we had to invite the shopkeeper to verify authenticity."
"With so many pearls on my birthday gift, if I discover any counterfeits, don’t blame me for disregarding Xian’er’s reputation."
Jiang Shiyao responded with trepidation, "This humble one wouldn’t dare."
"All pearls were purchased from Yu Bao Tower, with quantities and prices properly recorded."
Seeing her warning had taken effect, Zhao Shi concluded, "Very well. The Empress Dowager’s birthday approaches—complete this swiftly."
"Yes."
Only after returning to her courtyard with the embroidery did Jiang Shiyao’s smile fade.
For Old Madam Zhou’s birthday gift, it had to pass through Song Jiyun, who would assign it to other embroiderers or external workshops. After changing hands multiple times, she dared make alterations.
But Zhao Shi’s gift was submitted directly—she couldn’t tamper with it.
To profit from this, she needed to find another approach.
As Jiang Shiyao sat before her embroidery frame, a crimson figure strode hurriedly through the side entrance.
She turned in surprise.
Zhou Congxian threw a memorial booklet before her.
"Do you have anything to explain to me?"
He hadn’t even changed out of his official robes.
Jiang Shiyao didn’t know when she’d gained such influence to affect court affairs.
But reading the memorial’s contents, she shot to her feet.
"This is slander!!"
Song Yitang had impeached a censor for privately meeting another man’s concubine!
Though no names were specified, his presenting it to her made the implication unmistakable.
She didn’t know how this might impact others, but for her—it meant certain death.
In her previous life, she too had been falsely accused of adultery.
She hadn't even seen Zhou Congxian's face and had no chance to defend herself.
But now, Zhou Congxian stood right before her.
Jiang Shiyao's hands trembled. "Is the Young Lord here to condemn me?"
In this lifetime, was he going to personally drown her in a pig cage!
Zhou Congxian watched her agitated state and couldn't help blurting out, "Shouldn't I be asking? If this memorial had truly reached the court, do you think you'd still be alive to waste words with me now?"
"I ask you, that day when you said you were taking Fu'er to fly kites, was that really all you were doing?!"
Jiang Shiyao dug her nails into her palm, forcing herself to calm down.
She couldn't afford any mishap, otherwise Fu'er wouldn't survive either!
"Last time at White Horse Temple, this humble concubine encountered Minister Liu. Minister Liu recognized me as my elder brother's sister."
Zhou Congxian frowned. "White Horse Temple? Jiang Shiyao, how much more have you been hiding from me?"
Jiang Shiyao looked up. "Wasn't it the Young Lord who brought this humble concubine to White Horse Temple? If you suspect anyone, you should first suspect yourself!"
Zhou Congxian clenched his jaw. "Then what about the matter mentioned in this memorial?"
Jiang Shiyao replied, "After flying kites that day, I took Fu'er to eat wontons by the roadside. Minister Liu openly sat across from me."
"He questioned why I wouldn't acknowledge my elder brother! He was standing up for my brother's grievances!"
"If the Young Lord doesn't believe me, you can go ask at the wonton stall! By the way, I also bought two bowls of wontons for two beggar children on the street—you can ask them too!"
Jiang Shiyao couldn't suppress the trembling at the corner of her lips, the suffocating sensation from drowning in her previous life washing over her.
She and Fu'er had already died unjustly once.
Having been reborn with great difficulty, she only wanted to struggle desperately to break free!
Zhou Congxian knew Jiang Shiyao had an elder brother back in her hometown. It seemed she had sold herself into servitude back then because both her brother and father were critically ill.
Her father hadn't survived, leaving only her brother in their hometown.
"What do you mean by not acknowledging your brother? When have I ever forbidden you from recognizing your family?"
Jiang Shiyao raised her red-rimmed eyes. "Because my brother has been saving money to redeem me! He's been waiting for me to return home!"
Zhou Congxian asked, "You… haven't told your elder brother?"
Jiang Shiyao's lips moved slightly as she placed the memorial on the table.
"This humble concubine has explained everything clearly. If you still don't believe me, you may question the one who was impeached."
Her eyes lowered slightly.
"My life may be insignificant, but I still have dignity. Whether secret meetings can shake a man's foundation, I don't know. But for this humble concubine, it would be a catastrophic disaster."
Zhou Congxian watched her evasive demeanor, his gaze turning cold.
"Being my concubine seems to cause you such distress—it must be my fault then."
Hearing this, Jiang Shiyao's heart trembled imperceptibly.
As if something had shattered.
After a moment, she lightly curved her lips. "The Young Lord misunderstands. Becoming your concubine is an honor I cherish. My elder brother is merely a countryman."
"Not worthy of your attention."
Zhou Congxian laughed instead of growing angry, his eyes already icy cold. "Good, very good."
Jiang Shiyao no longer looked at him, sitting down before her embroidery frame. "This humble concubine has made it clear—the allegation of adultery is baseless. The handwriting on the memorial is delicate and elegant. In truth, the Young Lord already knows who wrote it."
"You questioned me merely seeking confirmation."
"I don't know if the answer satisfies the Young Lord, but I only seek to clear my name."
Zhou Congxian strode out of the small courtyard, his face dark with anger.
"Take this memorial to Song Yitang! Deliver it to him personally!"
Wei Xun accepted the memorial, watching the Young Lord's retreating back as he scratched the back of his head.
Hadn't the Young Lord himself said that this person's framing tactics were rather clumsy?
Why does it feel like he's even angrier than before?