"Please wait, Duchess."
Madam Wen stepped forward, "I have an impertinent request…"
Zhao Shi was in rather good spirits, "Speak freely, Shopkeeper."
Madam Wen glanced at Jiang Shiyao, "Having seen Lady Jiang's embroidery, I've been truly itching with admiration. Today I boldly wish to seek guidance from Lady Jiang."
Zhao Shi looked back at Jiang Shiyao, "Jiang Shi, you may stay and look if you're willing."
Jiang Shiyao, "It's rare to find someone who appreciates one's work. I'm willing to help Shopkeeper Wen take a look."
The two returned to the second floor.
The maid had replaced the teacups, steam rising from the white porcelain bowls.
Jiang Shiyao gently swirled her teacup, in no hurry to speak.
Madam Wen wasn't in a rush either.
They sat facing each other like this, drinking tea until they were full.
"Shopkeeper, the young man selling pearls is here."
A maid stood at the doorway and announced.
Madam Wen looked at Jiang Shiyao and chuckled softly, "Please bring him up."
Xiao Man was completely baffled, "I said I wouldn't meet anyone. If the items sold, give me the money. If not, just return them to me."
"Such a big shop like yours – are you trying to keep them for yourselves?!"
Hearing the commotion from upstairs, Jiang Shiyao narrowed her eyes slightly.
Then, whatever the maid said to Xiao Man, he was brought upstairs within moments.
"Sister Jiang, you're here!"
Xiao Man was delighted. Not only did he now have work and monthly wages, but he and his younger brother no longer had to suffer hunger and cold.
A few days ago, when Sister Jiang sent someone to deliver items to him and his brother, he had wanted to thank her in person.
The next day at the side gate of the Duke's residence, Sister Jiang asked for his help.
So he agreed without hesitation.
The corners of Jiang Shiyao's lips curved slightly, "Xiao Man, you should go back now. In a couple of days, I'll have Shuangjiang bring you some food."
Xiao Man waved his hand while walking out.
"No need for you to send anything, Sister! We brothers have enough already. The master even found a private school for Xiao Fu. We're doing very well now!"
After Xiao Man left, Jiang Shiyao finally looked at Madam Wen, "Shopkeeper, is this a threat?"
Having struggled and climbed her way up all these years, working under Cheng Wang, Madam Wen naturally had her own courage.
"Lady Jiang misunderstands. I merely wish to show you that we're now people in the same boat."
"Speaking frankly, it's better to cooperate with one's own people."
Madam Wen waved her hand, and the maid behind her pulled a stack of banknotes from her sleeve.
"Lady Jiang, according to Jianghu rules, your pearls were sold using Yu Bao Tower's reputation, so I should take a commission by convention."
"But what interests me more is Lady Jiang's craftsmanship."
Madam Wen pushed the banknotes toward her, "I won't take the commission, but Lady Jiang should teach your skills to the embroiderers in my tower."
Finally, she added, "Naturally, I won't let Lady Jiang's efforts go to waste."
Looking at the banknotes on the table, Jiang Shiyao's fingers on her knees involuntarily curled slowly.
How were they people in the same boat? Clearly, she was the one on shore!
Whenever Madam Wen wished, she could overturn the boat in the river with a single bamboo pole.
Jiang Shiyao's dream of asking for an exorbitant price was shattered.
She raised her eyes to look at Madam Wen, smiled, then collected the banknotes.
"Still couldn't escape Madam Wen's sharp eyes."
"However, even the embroiderers who sit before their embroidery frames every day know that embroidery is not something easily mastered."
As she spoke, she stood up. "I am merely a woman confined to the inner quarters, I'm afraid I cannot fulfill Madam Shopkeeper's wishes."
Madam Wen did not stop her, watching as she walked out.
The embroiderer standing behind her gazed at Jiang Shiyao's retreating figure, hesitating to speak.
Madam Wen rose and stood by the window, looking down at the figure boarding the carriage below. "No need to rush. She will return."
The embroiderer looked puzzled, but Madam Wen had already turned and descended the stairs.
On the way back to the estate, Jiang Shiyao clutched the banknotes in her sleeve, her brow furrowed tightly.
Madam Wen had exposed her right to her face, yet directly handed her the money.
It was clearly a threat.
But then, she had let her go just like that…
Jiang Shiyao bit her lip, feeling certain there was more to come…
"Madam Jiang, the road ahead is blocked."
The coachman's voice came from outside the carriage.
Jiang Shiyao's heart instantly sank to the depths!
It was just like before…
Today, she had been summoned out unexpectedly by Zhao Shi, without informing Wei Xun in advance, and Wei Xun happened to be away from the estate today.
Jiang Shiyao lifted the carriage curtain. This was a main road with many pedestrians.
City defense personnel were hanging lanterns on both sides of the road ahead.
The middle path remained open for pedestrians, but carriages would have to detour.
"Madam Jiang, I just asked around. This road, as well as Xuanwu Street nearby, are both being decorated with lanterns."
"We'll have to take the river embankment road along the Fengshui River."
If this was another trap, would there be a second Ji Xiaoman to help her?
"Madam Jiang?" Not receiving a response, the coachman turned to see Madam Jiang's pale face.
"Madam Jiang, are you alright?"
Jiang Shiyao forced a faint smile. "I'm fine…"
"Why isn't this carriage moving! Don't you know Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching? The entire city is hanging lanterns for celebration!"
"If you delay my affairs, see how many heads you have to spare!"
A young, fair-faced eunuch approached in a shrill voice, discontentedly patting the carriage and urging the coachman to move quickly.
Having driven for the Duke's estate for several years, transporting masters to banquets and court sessions, the coachman had encountered many palace attendants.
He hurriedly nodded with an apologetic smile and turned the carriage around.
"Madam Jiang, judging by his attire, that man was a senior eunuch. Not someone to offend lightly."
Jiang Shiyao looked back at the redirected route and patted the carriage. "Stop the carriage!"
"You take the carriage back first. I… I'll return later!"
The coachman watched as Jiang Shiyao leaped down from the carriage. "Where are you going, Madam Jiang? Should I wait for you?"
Jiang Shiyao, "No need. You go back first."
The carriage belonged to the Duke's estate, easily recognizable from afar.
This main road was spacious, lined with numerous shops.
Since arriving in the capital, Jiang Shiyao had rarely ventured onto the streets, let alone traveled this far.
Especially after becoming Zhou Congxian's concubine, she had even fewer opportunities to go out.
Often, she could only glimpse the outside world through the small carriage window.
Now, listening to the shopkeepers' calls from both sides of the street, Jiang Shiyao felt as if she had returned to her days in Chuzhou.
"Customer, freshly harvested spring tea!"
"Freshly baked Fatso pancakes!"
As she passed by the pancake shop, someone emerged and they nearly collided.
"Watch your step, madam."
It was that spendthrift again.
Xiao Shu was dressed in luxurious attire, yet held pancakes worth just two copper coins each.
When he bumped into Jiang Shiyao, he instinctively reached out, his fingertips brushing against her sleeve.
There seemed to be paper-like objects inside the sleeve.
A glint flashed in Xiao Shu's eyes.
He casually glanced at her sleeve, "This lady looks familiar. Have we met before?"
Jiang Shiyao instinctively clutched her sleeve pouch. This fool had given her several hundred taels upon their first meeting – could he have remembered?
"Last time at Huaiyue Tower, when I dropped my jade pendant, it was you who picked it up for me."
Xiao Shu feigned sudden realization, "Ah, I remember now."
"We also crossed paths at White Horse Temple, among the Duke of Ying's household."
"That jade was rather unique. Afterwards, I kept wondering if the lady might be willing to part with it."
He paused deliberately, "So it seems we're fated to know Lady Zhou…"
He intentionally used the wrong surname.
Jiang Shiyao corrected, "Young master, my family name is Jiang."
Xiao Shu said, "Lady Jiang, may I presume to ask if you'd be willing to part with that jade pendant?"
Jiang Shiyao replied, "My apologies, this jade was left by my father, so it's not for sale."
Xiao Shu nodded, "My apologies for the impertinence."
"I won't disturb you further, young master. I'll take my leave now."
Unwilling to continue the conversation, Jiang Shiyao stepped back, bowed slightly, and hurried away.
Xiao Shu watched her retreating figure without moving, lowering his head to take a bite of the slightly cooled flatbread in his hand.
A dark figure landed beside him, "Master."
"This path is close to the Yan Guard Camp. If Zhou Congxian is using his concubine to deliver messages…"
The shadow said, "This subordinate will capture her."
"There's something in her sleeve. While speaking just now, she instinctively protected her left sleeve and her gaze was shifting."
"Don't kill her. Bring back the items."
"Yes." In the next moment, the shadow vanished.
Jiang Shiyao pressed her hand against her pounding heart, walking faster and faster.
Someone was following her!
Was it that fool from earlier, or someone from the Song family?!
Jiang Shiyao's nerves were stretched taut like a bowstring.
She felt as if a hand might grab her from behind at any moment!
"Hey!"
The sudden shout from behind completely snapped her composure.
Jiang Shiyao broke into a run, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
The faster she ran, the harder she cried, until her vision blurred with tears and she could no longer see the path ahead.
She was angry at her own helplessness, angry at her wretched luck!
Zhou Congxian, who had just emerged from a nearby alley, saw Jiang Shiyao's panicked state.
He had only called out once, yet she immediately bolted like a frightened rabbit!
"Young Lord, someone is following Lady Jiang."
Wei Xun remained highly alert.
Zhou Congxian pressed his thin lips together, "You capture that person. I'll go after her."
The woman ahead ran faster and faster, fleeing as if demons were chasing her!
She didn't even notice the hairpin falling from her head.
Zhou Congxian spotted a wheelbarrow by the roadside ahead. With a running start, he stepped onto the wheelbarrow, using the momentum to turn and land steadily in front of Jiang Shiyao.
Jiang Shiyao's vision blurred as she crashed directly into a slightly cool embrace.
She jumped back in shock, but found her waist restrained, unable to move.
"What are you running from?"
A familiar voice came from above.
Jiang Shiyao lifted her tear-streaked face, and upon seeing Zhou Congxian, immediately burst into tears.
"It's you!"
"It's actually you! You scared me to death!!"
Caught off guard, Zhou Congxian found the person in his arms crying even more violently than three-year-old Fu'er.
This was the first time he had seen Jiang Shiyao in such a state.
"Don't… don't cry. No one is chasing you anymore."
Jiang Shiyao continued to sob, wiping her tears as she spoke, "I'm so scared, so afraid it might be those bandits from that day again!"
"I wouldn't be lucky enough to meet another Xiao Man."
Zhou Congxian's eyes darkened slightly as he gently drew her into his embrace. "It won't happen. It won't happen again."