The Exquisite Pavilion!
Wen Shiyi and Sui Changle slowly walked in with their maids.
The shopkeeper’s face lit up at the sight of them, warmly greeting:
“Madam Wen, young lady, what a surprise to see you at the Exquisite Pavilion today! Please, come inside!”
He led them toward a private seating area.
Wen Shiyi smiled faintly:
“Shopkeeper Chen, have there been any new head ornaments recently?”
“Ah yes, of course! Madam and young lady, please be seated. I’ll fetch them right away.”
Chen diligently offered fragrant tea while a footman hurried to retrieve the newest pieces of jewelry.
Madam Wen was generous, never hesitating to buy ornaments for her daughter. Today’s visit promised a substantial boost to the shop’s earnings.
Soon, a footman returned with a tray, placing it on the table before Wen Shiyi.
She casually scanned the pieces, then picked up a jade hairpin, holding it up to inspect:
“The jade is rich and lustrous, the quality excellent, and the carving exquisite. Truly a rare treasure.”
At that moment, a richly dressed mother and daughter entered, accompanied by two little maids.
It was Chu Rou’er and her daughter Sui Jiaojiao.
Chu Rou’er’s gaze swept the room, landing on Wen Shiyi and Sui Changle with a hint of arrogance and provocation:
“Shopkeeper, I’ll take that jade hairpin.”
Chen hesitated, smiling apologetically:
“Madam, Madam Wen and young lady arrived first. Perhaps you could look at something else?”
Chu Rou’er crossed her arms, her coquettish face twisted with insolence, snorting:
“I don’t care. I want this hairpin today. If I can’t have it, I’ll make sure this Exquisite Pavilion can’t stay in business.”
Wen Shiyi and Sui Changle exchanged a glance, puzzled by the audacity that Chu Rou’er dared display.
In the capital, even a random stone could hit a royal or noble family.
Sui Jingxing was merely a minor compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and she was merely his mistress.
Yet the Exquisite Pavilion was no ordinary shop—it was backed by the current Princess, the emperor’s elder sister, revered even if rarely seen publicly.
Chu Rou’er clearly didn’t know who owned this shop; otherwise, no matter how bold, she wouldn’t dare make such threats here.
Chen’s expression hardened immediately, showing no leniency:
“Madam, what a bold statement. I wonder which household lady you are, to threaten our shop like this.”
Chen knew business thrived on harmony. Anyone acting out in his shop would face consequences.
Jiaojiao, slightly wiser than her mother, quickly tugged at Chu Rou’er’s sleeve and whispered apologies:
“Shopkeeper, I’m so sorry! My mother speaks without thinking. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Chen softened slightly at Jiaojiao’s words:
“Then young lady, be mindful of your mother. Not everyone in the capital is as easygoing as I am.”
Jiaojiao nodded, then smiled at Wen Shiyi and Sui Changle:
“Madam, my mother admires the jade hairpin in your hands. Might you be willing to part with it?”
“No.”
Changle’s gaze swept her up and down disdainfully:
“And pray, which noble household are you ladies from?”
Jiaojiao felt a strange thrill at Changle’s question. So what if she was the Sui family’s young lady? Her father adored her above all else.
“Madam, may I ask—”
Changle cut her off sharply:
“Stop. Only I speak here; do not falsely claim any relation.”
Then she sneered:
“Since you cannot name your household, we’ll report this to the authorities.”
Jiaojiao’s expression changed, instantly putting on a tearful face:
“Madam, it’s only a hairpin. If you don’t want to part with it, simply refuse. Why involve the authorities?”
Changle’s expression remained calm as she sat back, instructing:
“Meiyin, go to the capital’s magistrate immediately and request the prefect. Say this is a case from the Zhen Guo General’s household. Xiangyun, instruct the guards at the doors to prevent anyone from leaving.”
Chen, puzzled, looked toward Wen Shiyi.
She set down the hairpin, smiling faintly:
“Shopkeeper Chen, pardon us for interrupting your business. Whatever loss occurs in the meantime, I will cover it myself.”
Chen, experienced in commerce, quickly observed the situation. The woman making threats was clearly targeting Madam Wen. His gaze studied Chu Rou’er carefully.
Seeing this, Chu Rou’er and Jiaojiao panicked. They no longer mentioned any ornaments and hurried toward the shop entrance.
However, Sui household guards blocked their way without hesitation.
Chu Rou’er’s expression darkened as she glared at Wen Shiyi:
“Madam, why are you detaining my daughter and me without cause? What is your intention?”
Wen Shiyi, nonchalantly, picked up another delicate ornament and toyed with it, ignoring Chu Rou’er’s question.
Jiaojiao suddenly felt a foreboding dread.
Could this venomous woman already know their identities?
Her father had always protected them meticulously; exposure seemed impossible.
If this woman truly knew about them, she would have already gone to the General’s household to make trouble—hardly leisurely shopping at the Exquisite Pavilion.
Calming herself, Jiaojiao stepped forward with dignity:
“Madam, we are leaving now. Blocking us without reason seems unjust, doesn’t it?”
Xiangyun’s expression darkened as she stepped in front:
“What are you, to dare question our lady? How bold of you!”
Jiaojiao’s face turned icy. Raised with utmost indulgence by Sui Jingxing, she had never been humiliated like this.
Lacking patience at her young age, she raised her hand to strike—but “smack!”—before her hand touched Xiangyun, Sui Changle struck her sharply.
Changle shook her hand to dispel the sting, and Wen Shiyi tenderly held it, massaging it:
“You child, why get into a fight with a maid? Fighting such people achieves nothing but losing face. Does it hurt? Is your hand sore?”
Jiaojiao’s cheek burned; a bright red handprint marked her fair, delicate skin.
Chu Rou’er screamed, rushing forward, tears welling:
“Jiaojiao, my child! How could they bully you so?”