Chaрtеr 20: Не Wаnted So Bаdlу to Hоld Her
Shеn Мingshu’s еуеlаshes fluttеrеd lightlу, hеr gaze timid аnd hesitant.
Suddenly, thе sсenе frоm thаt dау flashеd thrоugh hеr mind.
She had сriеd uncоntrollably, hеr teаrs soaking Jiang Хun’s laрel аs shе clung to him dеsperatеlу, rеfusing tо let go.
Аt thаt mоmеnt, she had bеen оverwhelmеd with distress, yеt in his embraсe, she had fеlt аn unрreсеdented sensе of реacе.
But that dаy, shе hаd bеen undеr the influenсe of mеdiсinе, her mind hazy and confused, which hаd givеn her the courаgе to throw hersеlf intо his arms.
Now, fully conscious, she would never dare to do such a thing again.
The carriage was quiet, with only the soft sound of wheels rolling over the stone pavement.
Shen Mingshu lowered her head, not daring to look at Jiang Xun again, and quietly clenched her small hands inside her sleeves.
Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, everything will be fine.
She kept comforting herself in her heart.
The next day.
Shen Mingshu jolted awake, her forehead covered in cold sweat, her lips pale and unhealthy.
“Xiao… Xiao Tang…” Her voice was faint but trembling violently.
The two maids outside the door rushed into the room almost simultaneously.
Xiao Tang hurried forward first and, seeing her pale face, knelt by the bed in a panic, using a handkerchief to wipe away her sweat.
Chun Xing brought warm water. “Miss, have a sip of water to soothe your throat.”
Shen Mingshu took the cup, but before the water even reached her lips, she choked up.
She had dreamed of Prince Xuan.
He wanted to kill her.
In the dream, she had run and screamed endlessly, but no one came to help.
Xiao Tang gently patted Shen Mingshu’s back while cautiously asking, “Miss, did you have a bad dream?”
Shen Mingshu lowered her eyes, unwilling to mention it again.
“It’s nothing, just a nightmare.”
The evening class at Chengwen Academy had just ended, and the glow of the sunset had already painted half the sky red.
On the bluestone path in front of the academy, Shen Mingshu walked quietly, while Jiang Yuan beside her was discussing the poetry topic their teacher had assigned in class that day.
Her expression carried its usual cold pride, but her tone softened slightly when she was with Shen Mingshu.
“I think Teacher Zhang was in a good mood today, otherwise why would he assign such a topic? Mingshu? Mingshu?”
She called several times before Shen Mingshu finally snapped back to attention.
“Huh?”
Jiang Yuan gave her a suspicious look. “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been distracted since class ended. I called you several times, but you didn’t hear me.”
Shen Mingshu, having slept poorly, took a moment to process what she said before slowly shaking her head. “It’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well last night and had a nightmare.”
Not far away, in the shadows behind the rockery.
Xiao Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed intently on the slender figure in the distance.
She wore an apricot-pink brocade dress, her figure graceful and elegant, with a pearl and jade butterfly hairpin tucked into the side of her hair, making it impossible to look away.
He whispered to the attendant beside him, “Go closer quietly and listen to what they’re saying.”
Under the corridor, the two had already moved on from the topic of sleep to other matters. Shen Mingshu asked softly, “Sister Jiang, which shop in the capital has the best fabric?”
“You want to buy fabric? For making clothes?”
Shen Mingshu nodded.
The procurement of her clothing had always been handled by the steward of the estate. If she needed anything, she would simply inform the steward.
At the beginning of each month, the steward would deliver newly made clothes to her. Every month, she received four new outfits, along with various handkerchiefs, embroidered socks, and other items, neatly folded and packed into four large boxes.
Each box contained clothes of a single color, embroidered with seasonal flowers, with no repeating patterns.
But she wanted to give Jiang Xun a surprise, so she couldn’t let the steward know about this.Jiang Yuan pondered seriously for a moment and said, “For ready-made clothing, Moonweave Pavilion is undoubtedly the best. Their clothes are the hardest to buy, but they truly are beautiful.”
“As for fabrics, Jinchun Workshop is the finest—exquisite craftsmanship and the latest styles.”
Shen Mingshu listened intently, committing the names to memory.
Jinchun Workshop was located in the bustling Zhixiu Alley in the capital. As the name suggested, the alley was filled with fabric and clothing shops.
Carriages of the nobility came and went in front of the workshop, and inside, people bustled about.
Shen Mingshu stepped out of her carriage. The shopkeeper of Jinchun Workshop, noticing her luxurious attire, immediately recognized it as clothing from Moonweave Pavilion. In the entire capital, the number of people who could afford Moonweave Pavilion could be counted on one hand! She was undoubtedly from an immensely wealthy and noble family!
The manager hurriedly bowed and welcomed her, “Please come inside, young lady. The private room upstairs is quiet and comfortable. Please follow me.”
Shen Mingshu was led to an elegant private room on the second floor. Inside, incense wafted from a burner, and the rosewood tables were of the highest quality. By the window, one could enjoy a view of the street—clearly designed for distinguished guests.
The shopkeeper served fragrant tea and asked with a warm smile, “Are you here to select fabrics, miss? For women’s clothing or men’s attire?”
Shen Mingshu replied gently, “Men’s attire. The fabric must be of the finest quality, regardless of the price.”
The shopkeeper nodded, “Rest assured, miss. I will have someone bring out the best, newest, and most expensive fabrics in the workshop.”
Soon, brocades, cloud-patterned gauze, Shu brocade, embroidered silk, Qingyin satin… fabrics of all kinds were spread out before her.
Shen Mingshu touched the fabrics and found them exceptionally soft and fine.
What colors should she choose?
An image of Jiang Xun appeared in her mind. In the end, she selected deep blue, dark jade, lotus gray, and added two bolts of deep crimson and navy blue for inner garments.
The shopkeeper waited on her attentively, observing her decisive selections and confirming his earlier judgment.
This young lady was immensely wealthy!
He immediately took charge of counting and packaging the fabrics himself.
Shen Mingshu didn’t even glance at the ledger, instructing Xiao Tang to settle the bill. She then said, “Wrap these up, and also pick out some matching trims and linings in similar colors, one of each.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” The shopkeeper beamed with delight, nodding repeatedly.
The shopkeeper respectfully escorted Shen Mingshu to the door, smiling broadly as he said, “If you have any further needs, Miss Shen, please do not hesitate to ask. In the future, if we receive new fabrics, I will send someone to your residence immediately to inform you.”
The carriage departed from Jinchun Workshop.
The shopkeeper’s face still wore a fawning smile.
Wonderful! Truly blessed by the God of Wealth—Miss Shen had actually come here!
Miss Shen wasn’t particularly well-known, though she had been mentioned by some noble ladies. However, the Shen family had one very famous member—Vice Minister Jiang!
To enter the Grand Secretariat at such a young age—there was only one such person in the entire history of Great Zhao!
And Miss Shen had actually come to their workshop.
Hehe! Tonight, he would add three extra dishes to the meal!
No—five!
He turned to instruct the assistants to tidy up the private room when suddenly, a shadow loomed over him.
The shopkeeper was startled. Turning around, he saw a tall, imposing man standing before him, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Xiao Zheng sat in the carriage, one hand resting on his knee.
Not long after, the carriage curtain was abruptly pulled aside. Hu Qing, expressionless, half-pushed the shopkeeper inside and growled in a low voice, “Hurry up.”
The shopkeeper stumbled and knelt on the floor. Looking up, he met Xiao Zheng’s icy gaze and immediately kowtowed, trembling with fear.
“Sir, may I ask… why have you summoned me?”Xiao Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly. “What did that young lady just buy from you?”