The sun hung below the horizon but villagers filled the market streets as they prepared for the next day. Squeezing through the crowd was a worried San'er struggling to catch up to the young miss.
Up ahead, Li Wei excitedly scanned all the stalls on both sides of the road. She moved through the shortcuts with expertise. When she stood in front of a big building with white peonies in front, she stopped.
In her last life, she liked this store the most. Madam Yan was the owner of this fabric store and she had the newest and prettiest designs. Of course, this was also the most expensive store in the city.
San'er was panting heavily when she finally caught up to the young miss. "Miss, here you are. I think I've improved since last time but make sure you don't do this again or Madam Rin will force this servant out the doors."
Actually, Li Wei waited for the girl to arrive. It was fun to tease San'er who always took things too seriously. Li Wei smiled secretly as she walked up the entrance of the store.
Madam Yan was no ordinary woman. On the outside, she was a talkative naïve woman in her forties who seemed passionate about clothing, however, she was a cunning woman who did all things with calculations.
When she saw Li Wei at the entrance, she immediately plastered on a smile, "My my, look who we have here on this fateful evening. What does the second young miss of the Li Manor have in mind today?"
Li Wei stared at the woman she used to confide in as if they didn't know each other. In her past life, Madam Yan was one of the few she trusted. She used to think Madam Yan was full of warmth, similar to that of a mother's. Now she almost wanted to slap herself for not being able to see the intentions behind those fake smiles.
Of course, Li Wei was not a good woman either that's why it was easy for a malicious woman like her to see the ill intentions of another woman.
"Are you also looking for a dress to attend tonight's royal banquet?" Madam Yan pushed after Li Wei stood there blankly. It was unusual for a young lady to not respond to Madam Yan. She was not used to being ignored and it bothered her. "It's the third and last night, but it's not late to find someone worthy of marriage."
Li Wei put on an innocent smile that hid her inner thoughts. She indeed, headed here to look for a new dress. Initially, she wanted to attend the last night of the banquet properly by Aunt Rin's side. Even if Hua Xifeng had already fallen for Li Zhilan, she would face them fearlessly.
Now that she was here, Li Wei didn't want to go to the banquet anymore. What was the point? Their lives were not connected with hers. She quickly made an excuse, "No, actually I got lost and accidentally came here. Aunt Rin wanted me to pick up something for her but I remembered incorrectly."
Before Madam Yan could say anything else, Li Wei turned around to leave. Poor San'er was confused as she followed the young miss towards the door. Li Wei hurriedly walked to the entrance when a familiar voice suddenly made her stop in her tracks.
"Madam Yan, do you have more of this pattern in storage?"
"Miss? Is something the matter?" San'er asked at the young miss' sudden stop.
A sudden pain rang from the depths of her heart. Li Wei dismissed her feelings as quickly as they came, "No, let's go. Aunt Rin is waiting."
The voice came again, this time louder and closer as the owner came towards them. "Li Wei, is that you?"
This voice was bright and sweet. But this voice to her was nauseating.
This voice belonged to none other than the first leading lady, Li Zhilan.
Li Wei paused momentarily and turned to face Li Zhilan, who was all smiles. Li Zhilan was naturally a cheerful person. She was already a beauty, but her personality was what made Hua Xifeng fall for her. Today, she was dressed in a white dress filled with intricate embroideries of pink roses. One could say the dress made her glow, almost like a fairy.
"Greetings, Li Zhilan. I will take my leave now, Aunt Rin is waiting for me." Li Wei didn't bother putting on a fake smile.
"Wait! Are you here to buy a dress too? If you are, pick any dress you like and it'll be on me."
Li Wei sighed lightly and politely declined the offer. "Thank you, but I really came here by mistake. Aunt Rin wanted some buns for breakfast from the Cherry Teahouse. I haven't been out lately and got lost."
Li Zhilan nodded, a bit disappointed. She wanted to talk to continue the conversation longer. "Okay, well, see you later at the banquet then."
Madam Yan watched the two young misses at the door and couldn't bear to miss the opportunity. "Li Wei, I have something for your aunt. If you don't mind, can you wait while I retrieve it from the back?"
Li Zhilan saw this chance and grabbed Li Wei back's hand to lead her back into the store. Li Wei followed with heavy footsteps. While Madam Yan disappeared into the backroom, Li Wei looked through the fabrics for entertainment. Li Zhilan was also busied looking the dresses displayed on the walls with her maids.
There were thousands of different patterns and types of fabrics, shelves from the ground to the top of the walls were filled with fabrics. As Li Wei scanned around the store, they stopped at a light blue, almost white brocade located at the bottom of a shelf in the corner. On the light blue color, there were familiar white birds embroidered in flight.
The pattern itself was not interesting, but it was the memories attached that made Li Wei's eyes glistened with a desire to pull the fabric into her embrace.
It was the fourth year of their marriage in early December. Li Wei woke up and found a dress folded nicely on the foot of her bed. It was a dress made with this pattern. On top of the dress, there was a short note:
"Father had asked for my assistance. I'm afraid I can't decline this time. I have to leave again, and I don't know when I'll be back. If possible, I wish to see you in this dress upon my return."
The morning he left, Li Wei took only one look at the dress and didn't hesitate to have the maids throw it out.
Khan Bojing frowned and coldly passed her when he returned six months later. She couldn't erase the disappointment in his eyes and the sadness hidden away in his heart. His eyes fell onto the ground and for the first time, walked past her as if she wasn't there.
More to come soon :)
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ĐÃ NHẬN ĐƯỢC
Chương 3: A Business Proposal
When her large eyes finally fluttered open, bright sunlight already filled the big room. The first thing Li Wei did was looked at herself in the mirror.
In the reflection, she still looked as she had at the age of sixteen. As unbelievable as it was, she stared at herself. Slap! The loud sound against her cheek broke the silence in the manor.
Li Wei eyed her hand that just hit herself. Her hand was still her hand and she was still herself. She had really gone back! Excitement travel throughout her body, causing her to jump up in happiness. Oh, there were so many things to do.
The first order of business was to change her room. She was an orphan, but Aunt Rin really spoiled the girl. Her bedroom was double that of the size of other young misses of wealthy families. She even had her own pottery gallery in the corner, where each piece was so expensive its value could last a commoner years of living expenses.
Not to mention the shelves after shelves of jewelries and clothes that even if she wore different ones each day, she still wouldn't be able to wear them all in the duration of a year.
If she was like before, she would've jumped out of bed and tried on the newest dresses and trendiest makeup. The girl knew she was a rare beauty and loved to show it off every chance she got. Perhaps it's because the soul inside Li Wei's body was older, but looking at all the abundance of items in the room made her feel sleepy again.
"San'er, come in here," Li Wei called out, knowing that as usual, her personal maid would be standing outside the door.
The doors opened as a young girl about age twelve entered. The young maid was slight trembling as she kept her head down and knelt in front of the young miss. In her mind, San'er wondered what she did wrong this time. The young miss really had a talent in finding faults.
One time, she had to kneel out in the sun for a whole day for not getting to the young miss' room fast enough. On another occasion, she had to clean the whole courtyard because she sneezed near the young miss. San'er mentally prepared herself to face punishment as the silence drew on.
Li Wei could see the fear in the girl's shaking body and only sighed in response. How horrible she was. San'er was her personal trusted maid who would actually be loyal to her for years to come.
"Miss, is there something this servant can do for you?" San'er almost whispered. She couldn't stand the silence anymore. Any punishment was better than being in a silent room with the young miss.
"San'er, how many summers am I this year?"
San'er only then realized that the young miss called her by her name. The young miss actually... knew her name. "Miss, you just turned sixteen summers last month."
Li Wei nodded. Her guess was correct, she had gone back to her sixteenth year. "Then, is my aunt home?"
"Reporting to young miss, Madam Rin is in the garden with an esteemed guest. She had requested there be no disturbance." San'er took deep breaths after informing the young miss. This was the longest conversation she's ever had with her in the two years she's worked at the Li Manor. In fact, she was only maid who lasted that long too.
San'er knew the young miss didn't care for her. Other servants pity San'er for she had it hardest, but she could still take it. The life she led prior to her servitude at the Li Manor was far worse.
Li Wei knew immediately who the guest was. In the business world, Master Mo was a highly respected figure. He was so successful that the emperor hired him to do international trades and secret missions with other countries. Aunt Rin was in talks to join Master Mo for the biggest merchandise exportation yet.
Li Fahrin, who could be a bit dramatic at times, was also just as amazing. Don't let her small appearance trick you because she was a genius in the business world. At the age of fifteen, she left her family of scholars to become a trader. She's made such a big name for herself that even though she remained unwed all these years, no one dared to say a word.
That summer, Aunt Rin was unable to get the deal with Master Mo because they couldn't reach the same terms. This caused Aunt Rin's business to suffer multiple losses. Afterwards, Master Mo joined with another business that was just newly established and brought them immense success and fame. If Aunt Rin got the deal this time around, her business would reach new heights and expand into international trades.
With this in mind, Li Wei smiled in excitement. "San'er, please pack all my dresses and potteries by this evening. I'm heading to the garden."
"But miss--"
Li Wei had already disappeared down the corridor. San'er glanced around the room and wanted to cry. But miss, which ones? If she couldn't guess the miss' preferences correctly, what kind of punishment would that entail...
----
Amidst the colorful blooms, the mood was gloomy. In the garden, two figures silently drank tea in an intense atmosphere.
Li Wei put on a smile before calling out sweetly, "Aunt Rin!"
The stubbornness on Li Fahrin's face vanished in a flash. "Li Wei, why aren't you taking a rest? You should be in bed, silly girl."
"Thanks to your care, I'm full of energy now." She walked up to the pavilion and gave a respectful bow. "Aunt Rin, this is...?"
At the mention of the man's presence again, Li Fahrin's expression dimmed. "Master Mo."
"Greetings, Master Mo," she spoke with a bright smile. Li Wei hadn't pulled off a sweet image in so long that this much already drained her. Ah, must remember to smile now and relax later.
Master Mo was frustrated, but he still had his manners. He gave a nod. "You must be Li Wei? It's been so long since the last time we met that the last image I remember of you was when you were seven."
"En, the naughty girl running freely on the streets was me," she confessed bashfully.
Master Mo smiled upon recalling the memory. "That's what a child ought to do."
Li Fahrin glanced at her niece. This girl ought to rest right now. "Mo Ying, it seems like we can't come to an agreement. I'm afraid we'll have cut the deal here."
"I understand you don't want to entangle other things with business. You've always done your deals cleanly and that's your trademark." Master Mo gathered his papers and stood up. "No harsh feelings, Fahrin."
"En, fine by me. No harsh feelings." Li Fahrin sat back, feeling more relaxed. "The empress' request is a bit complicated. Business should never cross with politics."
Li Wei glanced at the map on the top page of the pile in Master Mo's hands. She must interrupt before these two old classmates agreed to disagree. "Hai'an?"
"You've been there before?" Master Mo gave the young woman a second look. He didn't expect she'd recognize the kingdom from just a couple horrible lines.
Li Wei shook her head innocently, but her eyes held a deeper meaning. "I haven't been to Hai'an, but I've heard a few things about it."
Master Mo glanced from Li Fahrin to her niece, then sat back down with a new resolution. "Li Wei, what do you think about entering the business world?"
1SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO alixlia
Hello readers!
If you're still here from the beginning, thank you so much. I know I haven't update in forever. I apologize, I hope I will be able to update more often now that I'm on summer break. I hope everyone enjoy this chapter. Everything is building up, it will get more exciting soon, I promise.