After days of exhausting travel, the group spent three full days resting properly.
Shi Rong worried about Lin Wanxin’s health and stayed in her room the entire time, taking meticulous care of her. Meanwhile, Lin Hongyuan had just arrived in the capital and had a mountain of matters to handle together with Concubine Liu.
Still, Lin Hongyuan hadn’t forgotten about Lin Yanxi. He had servants deliver many fine items to Xiyan Pavilion.
After behaving herself and staying in the residence for three days, Lin Yanxi was bored out of her mind. So she changed into a simple outfit and prepared to head out and set up her fortune-telling stall.
Staying at home was nowhere near as entertaining as gossiping outside.
Just as she was about to reach the gates of the Lin residence, she happened to run into Shi Rong, who was heading out with Lin Wanxin and Concubine Liu.
“Stop. Where are you going?”
Shi Rong’s tone was icy cold, as though they were complete strangers.
Lin Yanxi frowned prettily, scratching her neck in annoyance before replying in the exact same tone with two curt words:
“Going out.”
“You’re a young lady, yet you’re dressed so improperly and still planning to go out? Are you dissatisfied with the Lin family and trying to disgrace us?”
Lin Yanxi was still wearing a green robe. She had deliberately asked Cuizhi to style her hair into a flowing cloud bun, decorated only with a jade hairpin. While not extravagant, she looked bright, natural, delicate, and charming.
Yet in Shi Rong’s eyes, it was “improper.”
Concubine Liu smiled lightly. “Madam, I was the one who invited the eldest miss along. We’re going to inspect the shops today, and it just so happens we had a dress made for her earlier. We were planning to let her try it on today.”
Speaking of clothes, Shi Rong glanced at Lin Wanxin and said, “Wanxin just returned and doesn’t have many suitable outfits either. We may as well look around together today.”
In Shi Rong’s heart and eyes, only Lin Wanxin existed. After a pause, she sternly added, “Ruqiu, didn’t I already tell you? Wanxin is the Lin family’s eldest daughter. Don’t say it wrong again.”
Concubine Liu cast a quick glance at Lin Yanxi and awkwardly smiled. “Alright, I understand.”
“If there’s nothing else to say, let’s go. Wanxin’s body is weak and she shouldn’t be exposed to too much wind.” After speaking, Shi Rong led Lin Wanxin toward the carriage.
Concubine Liu clicked her tongue mockingly. “Tsk, tsk. I wonder who it was before, worrying that my position would be threatened. I wonder if she’s worried about herself now…”
What a sarcastic remark.
The two carriages headed directly to Huajin Workshop, the Lin family’s clothing store.
The Lin family had originally built their fortune selling fabric. Later, because Lin Hongyuan was loyal and generous, he took over Huajin Workshop from a friend whose business was failing.
Lin Hongyuan had a sharp business mind and quickly revived the nearly bankrupt shop. By now, Huajin Workshop had become the favorite boutique of noble ladies and young misses throughout the capital.
The Lin family had relied on this success to firmly establish themselves in the imperial city within just three months.
The shop was quite crowded at the moment. As soon as Concubine Liu stepped inside, the shopkeeper immediately came out to greet them.
“Madam, Eldest Miss!”
Since Shi Rong had not yet returned to the Lin residence, most of the Lin family’s businesses had been managed by Concubine Liu. So even though she was merely a concubine, the servants still addressed her as “Madam.”
“Ahem, ahem!” Lin Wanxin suddenly coughed a few times and affectionately hooked her arm through Shi Rong’s. “Mother, the shopkeeper is calling for you.”
Shi Rong instantly understood what Lin Wanxin meant. Lifting her chin proudly, she nodded. “We’re just here to take a look. Bring out your finest clothes for the eldest miss to see.”
When mentioning “eldest miss,” Shi Rong deliberately patted Lin Wanxin’s hand, clearly signaling to the shopkeeper that Lin Wanxin was the true eldest daughter.
The shopkeeper quietly glanced at Concubine Liu. Only after seeing her nod did he respectfully reply, “Please wait a moment, Madam. I’ll have someone bring them out for… the eldest miss to inspect.”
The shopkeeper was puzzled. Wasn’t the eldest miss the young lady beside Concubine Liu? And hadn’t the master only one daughter? If this person was the eldest miss, then who was the previous one?
Because of that exchange, Shi Rong suddenly adopted the full aura of the household’s legal wife. She ordered the staff to prepare couches, tea, and pastries, putting on an impressive display.
The women shopping there were all ladies and young misses from influential families in the capital. They felt displeased and disgusted by Shi Rong’s behavior. One by one, they all set down the clothes in their hands and found excuses to leave.
Watching those noblewomen depart unhappily, the shopkeeper felt worried, but since Concubine Liu said nothing, he could only remain silent.
After the attendants brought out the clothing, Shi Rong paid no attention to anything else and happily began choosing outfits with Lin Wanxin.
Meanwhile, Concubine Liu memorized the identities of the ladies who had just left. While Shi Rong and Lin Wanxin were busy selecting clothes, she quietly instructed the shopkeeper to prepare gifts for them.
After receiving the order, the shopkeeper went to the back courtyard, leaving only Shi Rong and the others in front.
Shi Rong and Lin Wanxin thoroughly enjoyed choosing clothes. Shi Rong loved nearly every outfit and selected over a dozen new dresses for Lin Wanxin before finally feeling satisfied.
Then she noticed Lin Yanxi sitting alone in the corner drinking tea, and her expression instantly darkened again.
“Didn’t Ruqiu say she had a dress made for her? Why hasn’t she tried it on?”
“Madam has finished choosing?” Concubine Liu deliberately paused before turning to a nearby attendant. “Go bring out the Golden-Thread Hundred-Butterfly Cloud-Satin Dress custom-made earlier for the second miss.”
“Yes!”
The moment the dress was brought out, it immediately attracted Shi Rong’s attention.
“Why didn’t you bring this one out earlier?”
Concubine Liu explained, “Because it was custom-made in advance for the eldest miss, we didn’t display it.”
“I think this dress suits Wanxin perfectly. Give it to Wanxin instead. Have another one made for her.”
Shi Rong’s attitude was extremely firm, directly making the decision on Lin Yanxi’s behalf.
Seeing this, how could Lin Yanxi possibly allow Shi Rong and Lin Wanxin to bully her so arrogantly?
She slammed down her teacup and strode over, lifting the corners of her lips in a confident smile.
“Since it was tailored specifically for me, my sister’s figure is somewhat different from mine. If she wore an ill-fitting dress outside, wouldn’t people laugh at her?”
Damn it. Bullying her right in front of her face? Had they really started thinking she was a harmless kitten just because she hadn’t fought back these past few days?
Although the dress had not originally been made for her, as long as she wanted it, then even if it wasn’t hers before, it would become hers now.
Concubine Liu backed her up. “Second Miss is right. It was made according to her measurements. If Eldest Miss truly likes it, perhaps you can discuss it with Second Miss. Or maybe try it on first?”
Those words left Shi Rong and Lin Wanxin rather embarrassed. Naturally, Lin Wanxin no longer wanted to try it.
Lin Yanxi revealed a wild, triumphant grin and carried the dress inside.
About fifteen minutes later, she walked back out.
At that very moment, Xiao Junyan happened to be riding past on horseback when he suddenly heard a voice again in his ears.
“Seriously, I admire nothing more than my own skills. To alter this dress so perfectly in such a short time—I’m a genius! Wahahaha!”