“You!” Tao Chun’s almond-shaped eyes widened. Ordinary maids couldn’t afford such fabrics, but having served her mistress all these years, she could scrape together enough to indulge her.
Shen Xinyao’s condescending attitude made Tao Chun want to curse.
Though a daughter of a concubine, Shen Xinyao was extremely favored. Using her status as General Shen Yu’s half-sister, she strutted through the capital, more ostentatious than legitimate daughters.
Tao Chun thought for a moment but didn’t want trouble, so she held her tongue.
Su Yihan narrowed her eyes slightly at Shen Xinyao. There were few people around her, and though Tao Chun was a bit naïve, she had grown up alongside Su Yihan. When had a mere concubine’s daughter ever had the right to bully her maid?
“Miss Shen’s behavior truly resembles that of the infamous Third Madam Shen—taking what does not belong to her.”
Third Madam Shen had once been a famed courtesan who bewitched the Marquis of Qing’an. He even neglected his pregnant wife for her, taking her into his household as a concubine a year after his wife gave birth. That woman was beautiful, cunning, and patient—no ordinary person.
But her daughter, it seemed, was a bit dim—probably overindulged.
“What do you mean?” Shen Xinyao hated people using her status as a concubine’s daughter against her. Fuming, she threw the fabric back onto the counter:
“How dare you criticize me! Do you know who I am? One word from me, and you’d find it impossible to survive in the capital!”
She had never seen this young lady at any noble family gatherings. Her simple attire, face hidden under a straw hat—surely she was too ugly to show her face…
Shen Xinyao’s lips curled slightly, satisfied:
“A hideous thing pointing fingers? A country maid visiting the capital for the first time, perhaps. Zhu Yan Tower fabrics start at five taels of silver. Do you even know what five taels mean?”
An ordinary maid’s monthly wage was barely three taels, while a single bolt of fabric at Zhu Yan Tower cost five.
Seeing her mistress in danger, Tao Chun could not endure it. She stepped forward, her chattering mouth finally useful:
“Miss Shen is so noisy; an outsider would think someone let cicadas loose indoors in midsummer.”
Tao Chun snorted coldly:
“My mistress has studied poetry and books, she doesn’t stoop to answering your nonsense.”
She mimicked Su Yihan’s scolding style, making a face:
“I suggest Miss Shen go to Jiang Dian’s shop in the east of the city to buy a bag of walnuts to improve her brain.”
“You insolent maid!” Shen Xinyao’s chest heaved with anger as she shouted:
“Jiao’er! Control her mouth and teach this impertinent thing a lesson!”
The maid called “Jiao’er” was sturdy and advanced toward Tao Chun.
Tao Chun fell silent, quietly stepping back.
She turned and ran, shouting: “Miss, save me!”
Su Yihan, however, was unhurried, watching the scene with amusement.
Tao Chun was quick on her feet; Jiao’er chased for a long time but couldn’t even touch the hem of her dress.
Panting, Tao Chun complained:
“Miss, you let me be bullied and do nothing to save me…”
Shen Xinyao’s gaze fell on Su Yihan. With a presence like a hidden orchid, slender and graceful fingers, a supple waist, and elegance evident even under the straw hat, jealousy flickered in her eyes:
“If you’re brave, show yourself! Hiding like a snake or worm—what kind of cowardly behavior is this?”
Su Yihan didn’t care to respond to this spoiled noble girl. Shen Xinyao was younger than her by a year.
Ignored, Shen Xinyao became frantic, reaching to snatch Su Yihan’s hat.
Having been lifted by Shen Yu once, Su Yihan was prepared. She stepped back, coldly saying:
“Is the Shen family’s custom to rob without permission?”
Shen Yu was like this, and so was his half-sister, Shen Xinyao.
Shen Xinyao froze, frowning:
“Our Shen family?” She had barely seen any of them.
Su Yihan unleashed full sarcasm:
“Shen Xinyao, drain the water from your brain and clean your mouth. Don’t let people think you just grabbed someone else’s work at night because you had nothing better to do. Your smell can be detected from afar.”
She coughed lightly—a normal bodily reaction from talking too much—but Shen Xinyao misinterpreted it as being overcome by Su Yihan’s scent.
Used to flattery, Shen Xinyao had never faced such ridicule. Her face flushed crimson with shame.
Su Yihan calmly called the shop assistant:
“Bring out the newest fabrics to look at.”
Seeing the argument, the staff froze, but upon hearing her, they quickly brought out the fabrics.
Su Yihan scanned them, picked a few pleasing bolts, took out her pouch, and tossed ten taels of silver:
“Please have the young man deliver these to the Su residence.”
“Tao Chun, let’s go.”
Tao Chun ran over to support Su Yihan.
Her steps flowed like lotus blooms, the hem forming a graceful arc as she walked.
Su Yihan stopped after a few steps, turned back, and said in a calm, even tone:
“I, Yihan, can only buy a few bolts for my maid. Miss Shen, you have wealth enough to purchase all of Zhu Yan Tower, letting this country girl see the capital for the first time.”
Each word humble, yet dripping with sarcasm.
Tao Chun, Su Yihan’s maid, introduced herself as “Yihan,” spent lavishly—no one in the capital could compare to the noble Miss Su Yihan of the Su family at Beizhen Patrol.
Nearby noble girls all bowed politely:
“Miss Su, please go safely.”
Shen Xinyao stood frozen.
She—was Su Yihan? That fragile young lady, born with illness?
Mortified, she wished she could sink into the ground. If this truly was Su Yihan, all her prior boasting and arrogance had been a joke.
Su Jin, commander of the Embroidered Guards and a third-rank official, and Su Yihan’s maternal family, wealthy merchants in Yangzhou dealing in salt, coal, and silk, were indeed wealthy enough to rival a nation.
After leaving Zhu Yan Tower, Tao Chun exhaled in relief:
“Miss Shen’s final expression was so satisfying! She was arrogant, relying on General Shen’s reputation, but our mistress humiliated her today.”
“But…” Tao Chun grinned mischievously:
“Miss, did you really buy the fabric for me?”
“Have you ever seen me break a promise?” Su Yihan shot her a smiling glance.
“You’re the best, Miss!” Tao Chun gushed flatteringly. “Today you seem shrouded in an ethereal aura—I fear in a blink you’ll turn to smoke and ascend to the heavens to continue being a fairy…”
“My little mouth is so good at praise—why not praise me too?” Di Yuanshin followed along, hands behind his back. He had been observing during the clash with Shen Xinyao, ready to step in if needed.
But in just a few words, the mistress had scared Shen Xinyao off, leaving him useless.
Tao Chun turned up her nose, ignoring him, running off to a distance:
“What’s there to praise about you? Praising you for not washing for three days and five days without washing your feet?”