“First, follow me and get familiar with these things.”
The Marchioness said, “Summer is almost here. There are many young ladies in the Marquis household—three branches together make eight. The younger ones don’t count, but there are five who are already past fourteen.”
Shen Qingluo asked, “Is it for making summer clothes?”
The Marchioness nodded. “Not only summer clothes, but also jewelry. They’re all unmarried girls—it wouldn’t do for them to appear too shabby.”
The fabrics were stored in the warehouse, fine Shu brocade. The Marchioness had Nanny Qian open the storeroom and led Shen Qingluo to inspect them one by one.
“Your grandmother started her fortune in the cloth trade, so you’re familiar with silks and brocades. I intend to entrust this matter to you.” The Marchioness looked at her, placing a weighty responsibility on her.
“I’ll follow Mother’s instructions,” Shen Qingluo replied.
The Marchioness praised her for being sensible, then took her hand and led her into the inner room of the warehouse, where the items were even more precious than those outside.
They stopped before a bolt of cloud-patterned brocade. The Marchioness said, “This was bestowed by the palace. The colors are bright and vivid. I’ve always been reluctant to use it, not even for Qingyi’s clothes.” She tightened her grip on Shen Qingluo’s hand. “I’ve always felt I owed you. This bolt of cloud brocade will be made into clothes for you.”
“Mother, I already have clothes to wear,” Shen Qingluo declined.
The Marchioness had already ordered Nanny Qian to send the brocade to Banyue Pavilion. She said, “This is different. Now that you’ve returned, you’ll inevitably have to make appearances. Wearing this cloud brocade will make others look at you with greater respect.”
Unable to refuse further, Shen Qingluo had no choice but to agree.
Back at Banyue Pavilion, the bolt of brocade woven with golden threads was laid out on the table. Nanny Zhou stood flanked by Chunlan and Xiahe, the three of them caressing the fabric with undisguised delight. Only when Shen Qingluo entered did they reluctantly set it down.
Nanny Zhou hurried forward with a smile. “The Marchioness truly dotes on the eldest young lady. This is the finest material—this old servant has never seen its like before.”
“Do you like it, Nanny?” Shen Qingluo lifted her eyes to look at her.
“Not at all, not at all!” Nanny Zhou flinched under her gaze, waving her hands quickly. “This is something only the eldest young lady is worthy of. How would I dare even look at it too much?”
Chunlan and Xiahe lowered their heads in unison. In their hearts, however, all three believed Shen Qingluo unworthy of brocade bestowed by the palace. The second young lady was another matter—skilled in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a refined temperament. But the eldest? What was she? Could brocade truly conceal the stench of copper coins and the rustic air of the countryside?
Shen Qingluo had no interest in probing their thoughts. She waved them away.
“Does the young lady not like this brocade?” Nanny Bai approached with tea in hand.
With the Marchioness, Shen Qingluo was always on guard, forced to play along with false courtesy and staged affection. The act was exhausting. She collapsed into the chair and said, “The brocade is bait. Once I take the hook, the price I’ll have to pay will be tenfold, if not more.”
Every item entering or leaving the Marquis household was carefully recorded. The *ginseng nourishing pills* were rare and must be kept in the storeroom. With more than a hundred people in the estate, she would have to trace the source from the very beginning. Catch the thief with the stolen goods. And the spies in this courtyard needed to be rooted out as well.
The palace‑bestowed brocade had barely entered Banyue Pavilion before word spread throughout the Marquis household. Everyone praised the Marchioness for her favor toward the eldest miss. By contrast, the eldest miss herself never visited the main hall except for the morning and evening greetings. It was the second miss who shone—thoughtful and filial.
“Sweetheart, though the brocade is gone, I’ve kept a bolt of soft gauze for you. Purple suits you best—beautiful and noble,” the Marchioness said, stroking Shen Qingyi’s head.
“I won’t compete with my elder sister. Only merchant’s daughters like to flaunt themselves.”
“Flaunting is just what’s needed. The more your elder sister tries to show off, the less others will value her. In time she’ll realize everything Madam Li taught her was wrong.”
Shen Qingyi nodded. “Mother is thinking of elder sister’s good.”
The Marchioness believed it too. I am doing this for her own good.
On the first day of the fifth month, the Marquis household held a banquet, inviting several ladies familiar with the Marchioness. The others were mere decoration—the true guest of honor was Madam Zhong, wife of the Minister of Justice.
The Marchioness intended to use the occasion to settle Shen Chang’an’s marriage with Zhong Ling.
In the flower hall, the conversation shifted several times, yet Madam Zhong never once responded to hints about the marriage. Instead, she asked, “Why do I see only the second young lady and not the eldest?”
Two of the other ladies had never met Shen Qingluo, and curiosity stirred them to join in: “Indeed, Shurong, we envy your good fortune—three sons and two daughters. Yet we’ve only met your younger girl, never the elder.”
Smiling without faltering, the Marchioness replied, “My eldest was raised in a small place. She cannot compare to your daughters, all so proper and refined.”
“What nonsense,” Madam Zhong countered. “I’ve met your eldest—she is well‑read and courteous.”
The Marchioness had already planned to bring Shen Qingluo forward, to let her see for herself the gulf between her and the other young ladies. Pretending reluctance, she instructed Nanny Qian: “Go call the eldest young lady. Tell her to dress properly—no shabby appearance to invite ridicule.”
Nanny Qian understood at once.
Just days before, the eldest miss had ordered the brocade made into a gown, embroidered with golden butterflies and pearls at the cuffs, dazzling in its brilliance. Even the Marchioness had been momentarily blinded by its gleam. She did not say it was too ostentatious, but instead praised: “The gown is well made. Tomorrow I’ll host guests—wear it then and let others see.”
But today’s gathering was a small one. The young ladies present were dressed simply, in everyday attire. If the eldest appeared in that gown, she would surely become the object of scorn.
Nanny Qian walked briskly toward Banyue Pavilion. Yet the courtyard was empty of Shen Qingluo. She asked Nanny Zhou, “Where is the eldest miss?”
Nanny Zhou looked puzzled. “Didn’t the Marchioness summon her to the flower hall? She left early to go there.”
Nanny Qian’s heart sank.
She must be hiding somewhere, waiting for her to leave Banyue Pavilion—only then to appear in the flower hall.
“What gown is the eldest miss wearing?”
“That bean‑green jacket embroidered with bamboo leaves, paired with a moon‑white skirt.”
“You useless fool!” Nanny Qian lost control of herself, scolding in fury. “I told you to keep watch over the eldest miss—if you can’t even keep track of her, what good are you?”
Nanny Zhou, ignorant of the Marchioness’s scheme, felt wronged but dared not protest. She only kept admitting fault again and again.
Their voices rose, drawing Nanny Bai from the house. A string of keys hung at her waist. She asked Nanny Qian, “Did the Marchioness give instructions?”
Nanny Qian’s eyes flicked briefly to the keys, then she smiled. “Nothing serious. The Marchioness only asked me to inquire after the young lady’s health.” Turning, she pulled Nanny Zhou aside into the courtyard.
“You’ve ruined the Marchioness’s plan. She will demand accountability. Fortunately, you still have a chance to make amends.”
Nanny Zhou grew anxious. “Tell me, elder sister—I’ll do whatever the Marchioness requires.” A whisper sounded in her ear.
The curtain of the flower hall lifted, and Shen Qingluo entered.
The Marchioness froze for a long moment, nearly boring holes into her with her gaze. Her lips twitched before she finally spoke: “Ah Luo has arrived. Greet the ladies.”
In the capital, etiquette was strict, and no one had taught Shen Qingluo. The Marchioness expected her to falter. Yet to her surprise, Shen Qingluo not only recognized the guests but greeted them with proper courtesy, poised and graceful. Where had she learned this?
The Marchioness could not know—Shen Qingluo had once been wife to the Grand Chancellor. In secret, she had labored hard. She knew not only the households of fifth‑rank officials, but even the families of the smallest clerks.