Chu Fuyu knew what Shopkeeper Zhou meant and nodded in satisfaction.
“Shopkeeper Zhou, you’ve really gone to great lengths. All these garments look excellent—the craftsmanship is superb, and the designs are beautiful.”
Shopkeeper Zhou picked up a crimson brocade jacket embroidered with butterflies and said with a smile, “Look at this color. It took our master dyer half a month to produce it. This shade of red is especially flattering on women—it brings out their charm. It’s a pity that none of the other ladies or young misses are worthy of it. Only someone with your looks and temperament could carry it off!”
The crimson color was indeed breathtaking—Chu Fuyu had never seen anything like it even in her modern world.
On a fuller figure, it would look especially enchanting.
She glanced down at herself and agreed—it suited her perfectly.
She accepted the goodwill. “I understand your intention, Shopkeeper Zhou. I’ve brought five bolts of fabric this time for you to develop.”
When Shopkeeper Zhou heard this, his face lit up with joy.
“Good sister! I knew you were my lucky star! Don’t worry, I won’t take advantage of you. I’ll buy them at twenty taels per bolt!”
Chu Fuyu did not refuse. These fabrics were high-quality even by modern standards. Although this was a parallel world—some alternate version of a post-Song dynasty era—the craftsmanship of ancient people was impressive, but they had never seen materials like these before.
Scarcity made them valuable.
Shopkeeper Zhou then brought out a purse and said with a smile, “Sister, here is one hundred taels of silver. Take it.”
Chu Fuyu accepted it and nodded. “The five bolts of fabric are in the donkey cart. Have your helpers move them down.”
“Good, good, good!” Shopkeeper Zhou said three times in excitement, eager to begin work immediately.
Chu Fuyu did not stay any longer and prepared to leave.
As they went downstairs, Shopkeeper Zhou arranged for people to help load the clothes onto the cart while warmly saying, “Next time you come, bring those boys with you. I quite like them—I’ll make them some clothes. They look just like you, like little New Year paintings—so lively and festive.”
Downstairs, the shop was becoming increasingly crowded.
Chu Fuyu noticed and said quietly, “Business is very good today, Shopkeeper Zhou.”
He smiled proudly. “I heard the Prince of Jin just won a battle at the border and is returning to the capital in a few days. So all the ladies and young misses are buying new clothes to welcome him at the city gate.”
Chu Fuyu nodded in understanding, but then asked curiously, “Isn’t the Prince of Jin already nearly thirty? And he’s still so popular?”
Shopkeeper Zhou laughed even more.
“Oh my silly sister! With his status—great general, undefeated war god, and the most handsome man in the Great Liang—how could any woman not be moved?”
“But didn’t he already have a princess consort… and then divorced her?”
“So what? That just gives others a chance now! I heard the former princess consort was rather domineering. But the prince himself ordered that no rumors be spread, so no one dares speak carelessly. She’s just an unfortunate woman, that’s all.”
Hearing this, Chu Fuyu felt a faint discomfort in her chest.
Unfortunate?
To her, being free from men and marriage was the greatest fortune of all.
Without saying more, she loaded the goods onto her donkey cart and left.
..
After leaving the embroidery shop, Chu Fuyu wandered aimlessly through the town on her cart. Seeing a stall selling children’s toys, she stopped to take a look.
Although her sons often played on the mountains, they were still only five years old—what child didn’t like toys?
She decided to pick some as rewards for their studies.
The stall was not large, but it had a good variety.
She saw clay figurines—vivid and lively, with rosy cheeks and amusing poses—and chose six of them.
She also picked three Kongming locks, which would likely keep them occupied for a while.
Seeing her careful selection, the vendor struck up a conversation.
“Madam, how old are your children?”
“My three sons are five years old.”
“Oh my! Three sons? That’s impressive! I recommend getting a cuju ball too. Boys that age are full of energy—they can kick it around instead of causing trouble at home.”
The vendor took out a finely made cuju ball, similar to a soccer ball. Chu Fuyu nodded and paid for it. It suited them well—they loved running and playing anyway, and it would help them build strength.
After buying toys, she continued driving the cart forward.
The market today was especially lively.
She bought vegetables, meat, and fruits—she couldn’t always rely on food from her spatial storage, or people would become suspicious.
Ahead was a pastry shop called Ruyi Zhai, so she went in and bought some hibiscus rolls, cherry pastries, and yam cakes.
That way, even if she went out, the children would still have snacks at home.
After finishing her purchases, she also bought vegetable seeds. Once Aunt Li finished preparing the garden, she would start planting vegetables in the back yard.
By now, she had almost finished all her errands, and it was already past noon. Her stomach began to protest.
So Chu Fuyu decided to go to a restaurant and order a couple of signature dishes. Since she had traveled to ancient times, she should at least taste some real local cuisine instead of always eating modern food from her space.
She drove the donkey cart for another ten minutes and arrived at Xing’an Town’s largest restaurant—Qianwei Lou.
The building was four to five stories tall, with a grand signboard written in flowing calligraphy and an imposing architectural style.
It was said that Qianwei Lou was backed by nobles from the capital.
No one dared cause trouble here, and the food was extremely delicious—many people dreamed of eating here even once.
As soon as Chu Fuyu arrived at the entrance, a waiter came forward to help tie up her donkey cart.
Since she had many items, she gave him five copper coins and asked him to watch the cart carefully so nothing would be lost.
The waiter happily accepted, patted his chest in guarantee, and stayed right beside the cart, even feeding the donkey fine fodder.
Seeing the donkey happily eating in the stall, Chu Fuyu relaxed and entered Qianwei Lou.
Inside, the first floor was already nearly full. It was lively and fragrant, clearly living up to its reputation.
A waiter guided her to a slightly quieter seat and handed her the menu.
Chu Fuyu flipped through it and ordered their signature dishes: crab stuffed in oranges, five-flavor wine sauce crab, and fried eel noodles.
Then she waited for her food.
The restaurant was bustling—not only were there many diners, but there was also a storyteller performing, drawing bursts of applause from the crowd.