After seeing Madam Li Xu, they passed through Yi Prefecture and couldn’t resist entering the city for a look around. Madam Ji was thinking about Miss Ji’s dowry. Just as she considered furniture, she recalled the young master of Sheng’s shop whom Ji Yaoting had inquired about before.

After returning home from Qingyang Temple on the Double Ninth Festival, Ji Yaoting told Madam Ji everything that happened that day.

“He’s extremely good to his sister.” But unfortunately, his sister didn’t like him.

“He enjoys making friends and is generous.” So generous that he could be easily cheated and would still happily count money for others.

“He’s responsible.” But couldn’t read situations well. He might inadvertently cause trouble without meaning to.

The conclusion was to not consider him anymore. “I was so angry at the time I wanted to curse him for being foolish.”

Since they were passing through Yi Prefecture and needed to prepare things for their daughter, why not take a look at Young Master Sheng? Having made up her mind, Madam Ji found an excuse to say to Miss Ji, “Let’s buy two sets of dressing cases – one for your dowry. When we welcome your sister-in-law at year’s end, you can gift her the other set. How does that sound?”

Miss Ji remembered clearly what others had mentioned before. Her brother had drawn a portrait of the young master from Sheng’s woodcraft shop – surely her mother was using this as an excuse to see him. She lowered her eyes and said, “Alright.”

She still held onto a glimmer of hope. When the mule cart stopped in front of Sheng’s woodcraft shop, Miss Ji lifted the curtain, but the wooden signboard with “Sheng’s” still pained her eyes. Young Master Zhu had acted so foolishly that day, which was why they were now considering Young Master Sheng instead.

Miss Ji only hoped Young Master Sheng wouldn’t be in the shop, so her mother couldn’t see him.

“Madam Ji, you’ve come!” The shopkeeper warmly welcomed the Ji family inside.

Since Miss Ji’s coming-of-age ceremony, Madam Ji had been preparing her dowry. Some furniture that didn’t require measurements had already been ordered from Sheng’s shop. The large pieces of wood had also been purchased and were to be crafted by Sheng’s.

Having become familiar with the shopkeeper, Madam Ji sat down and got straight to the point: “I’d like to purchase two sets of dressing cases. Are there any new designs this year?”

The shopkeeper took the tea from his assistant and personally served it to Madam Ji, smiling as he said, “Madam Ji, you’ve come at just the right time. Our young master just returned from Fujian and brought back some fresh designs from the south. I’ll bring them right over.” He instructed his assistant to attend to them while he lifted the curtain and entered the back hall.

Madam Ji said to Miss Ji, “Go look at the combs if you’d like.”

Seeing the longing in her maid Xiang’er’s eyes, and not wanting to sit idly, Miss Ji took her to look at the wooden combs on the shop’s shelves.

Sheng’s wooden combs were exquisitely made. Most were crafted from peach wood, boxwood, or rosewood, with each tooth smoothly polished. The backs were intricately carved with various patterns. Some retained their natural wooden color, showing golden-brown grain. Others were lacquered in red and black, polished to a mirror finish. The most expensive ones were inlaid with gold and silver threads forming patterns.

Despite her dejection, Miss Ji was drawn to one set of combs. This set was finished in black lacquer, with the backs featuring a series of relief-carved flowers – magnolias, chrysanthemums, and pomegranates. The craftsmanship was superb. She couldn’t put down any of them. Finally, she chose a rose-pattern comb with its back decorated with clustered flowers, the petals inlaid with gold and silver foil. It was elegant within its splendor.

“Young Miss, this is truly beautiful,” Xiang’er’s eyes sparkled.

With its gold and silver inlay and fine craftsmanship, the price was beyond what a servant could afford. She also couldn’t wear the same accessories as Miss Ji. Miss Ji set aside the rose comb and said to Xiang’er, “Pick one for yourself and choose one for Ling’er too. I’ll buy them from my private purse.”

Xiang’er was overjoyed and thanked Miss Ji. She quickly chose one with an engraved monkey pattern, saying softly, “I was born in the year of the monkey. Young Miss, please help me decide. I’m not sure if Ling’er would like this style.”

Miss Ji gradually became interested and huddled with Xiang’er to select combs.

Hearing their daughter’s laughter from afar, Madam Ji and Ji Yaoting both unconsciously sighed in relief. They had been most worried that Miss Ji would stubbornly insist on marrying Zhao Xiuyuan. Seeing her able to cheerfully select combs, they both secretly thought that with such gentle persistence, Miss Ji would eventually let go of those thoughts.

At this moment, the shopkeeper lifted the curtain to the back hall. Young Master Sheng personally carried out a dressing case.

This time, Madam Ji observed Young Master Sheng with the eye of a potential mother-in-law. He had refined features. As he held the red-lacquered dressing-case, his long, slender fingers appeared particularly dexterous. She thought to herself that Young Master Sheng had a craft to rely on, and with no brothers to divide the family business, he would make a good match. She only wondered about his temperament.

Ji Yaoting stood up, deliberately raising his voice: “Thank you, Young Master, for personally bringing out the dressing-case.”

Miss Ji instinctively turned her back to Young Master Sheng and continued selecting combs with Xiang’er.

Young Master Sheng placed the dressing-case on the table, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the shelves. A delicate figure caught his eye. He tried hard to remember, vaguely recalling seeing her last year, but couldn’t recall Miss Ji’s face. He had to suppress the thoughts in his heart and greeted Madam Ji before opening the layers of the dressing-case to introduce it.

When Madam Ji came to order dowry furniture from Sheng’s shop, Master and Madam Sheng knew the Ji family had an unmarried daughter of marriageable age and naturally thought of Young Master Sheng. Madam Ji had ordered all fine wood, indicating substantial family wealth. The Huanhua Dye House and Sheng’s woodcraft shop were well-matched in both status and circumstances. The Sheng family, having interest, had previously sent someone to inquire with Madam Ji. At that time, Madam Ji had tactfully said she wanted to keep her daughter for a couple more years. This year, when Ji Yaoting actively inquired about the Sheng family, this potential marriage took a new turn.

“This dressing case is special, made from the finest rosewood. Fuzhou Prefecture is a gathering place for maritime merchants. Besides the gold and silver thread inlays, it also features mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell…”

Madam Ji, whose true interest lay elsewhere, immediately said to Ji Yaoting: “Call your sister over to see if she likes it.”

With her mother’s command, Miss Ji could no longer keep her back to Young Master Sheng and reluctantly walked over with slow steps.

She kept her head lowered, her hair arranged in an elegant heart-shaped bun that was particularly charming. Her soft, flowing hair was gathered up, highlighting her smooth, full forehead. A small golden ornamental hairpin adorned her bun, its inch-long tassels swaying gently as she walked. As she was seeing off her aunt today, Miss Ji wore formal wide-sleeved attire. The wide neckline of her rose-red robe revealed a slender, snow-white neck, displaying the grace of an orchid.

Young Master Sheng’s mind buzzed, his mouth went dry, and he found his eyes couldn’t look away.

Madam Ji observed this and her approval increased twofold. Marrying someone who truly liked you was a hundred times better than having an indifferent husband who showed little affection.

“Young Master Sheng, how many layers does this dressing-case have again?”

Madam Ji’s voice barely brought Young Master Sheng back to his senses. He swallowed and softly answered, “Four layers in total. Please don’t think it is too few. There’s also a secret compartment inside.”

Speaking of his craft, Young Master Sheng gradually regained his composure and began describing the dressing-case in detail: “The bronze mirrors in our dressing cases are all custom-made by Mirror Master Liang’s family. We have various styles. As you know, their polished mirrors are famous throughout the Great Tang. I found two translucent mirrors in Fuzhou Prefecture. If Madam Ji is interested, they can be installed in the dressing-case.”

Madam Ji was moved: “You have Mirror Master Liang’s translucent mirrors?”

Soon, the shopkeeper personally brought over a wooden box.

Miss Ji’s interest was piqued by the translucent mirrors: “Mother, what is a translucent mirror? Can bronze mirrors be as transparent as crystal?”

If their daughter married into the wealthy Zhao family and asked such a question, she would likely be laughed at by Madam Zhao. This was the difference in family status. Madam Ji once again strengthened her resolve not to ally with the Zhao family, and patiently explained, “The Liang family’s mirror-polishing craft is exceptional. Among their mirrors is a type that allows one to see patterns on the back through the mirror face – these are called translucent mirrors.”

Young Master Sheng watched Miss Ji’s bright black eyes, finding her curious expression indescribably charming. His heart warmed as he handed her the translucent mirror: “Second Miss Ji, it’s clearest when held up to the light.”

Miss Ji took the mirror and turned toward the light coming through the door. Indeed, she could faintly see a peony engraved on the mirror’s back.

The sunlight hit the mirror’s back, and its silver surface reflected the light outward, shining onto the face of someone passing by the woodcraft shop.