As a wife, one should be attentive to her husband’s comfort, adjusting his clothing with the seasons.
In recent days, Liu Miantang’s health has improved. With idle time on her hands, she resumed the needlework she had learned for a month at her maiden home. Using the measurements she’d obtained from Li Mama and the leftover fabric from making her husband’s undergarments, she managed to create a padded jacket with some added cotton wadding.
Cui Jiu silently observed the somewhat coarse stitching on the jacket, his gaze inscrutable.
Miantang began to regret her decision, thinking she shouldn’t have exposed her shortcomings. If her husband found it displeasing, it would be embarrassing.
However, after a moment, Cui Jiu accepted the jacket and removed his outer robe, preparing to try it on.
Miantang’s eyes brightened, and she eagerly helped her husband don the garment. Fortunately, the size was appropriate and fit well. Cui Jiu’s tall, straight figure filled out the jacket nicely, making even the rough stitches less noticeable.
Cui Jiu then put his outer robe back on and draped a cloak over his shoulders, all under Miantang’s attentive care.
As he tried to fasten the ties, Miantang noticed his long, elegant fingers fumbling somewhat. After several attempts, he inadvertently tied a tight knot.
Feeling the constriction around his neck, Cui Jiu gently grasped the nape of her neck with his large hand. With a slight smirk, he asked, “Are you trying to strangle me?”
His touch and the faint, indescribable fragrance he exuded enveloped her. Standing so close, she could see his thick, dark, curving eyelashes and the depths of his eyes, which seemed to hold a hint of amusement.
Miantang felt his grip was a bit strong. Instinctively, she employed a small grappling technique, attempting to break his hold.
This wasn’t out of disrespect for her husband, but rather the reflexive action of someone trained in martial arts.
However, the move she had once executed flawlessly now lacked power due to her weakened wrists. Losing her balance, she fell into Cui Jiu’s embrace.
Somewhat frustrated, she said, “Didn’t Doctor Zhao say I had fully recovered? Why do I still lack strength in my hands?”
Her late mother, the only daughter of the renowned Shenwei Escort Agency’s leader in Da Yan, had taught her martial arts from the age of three. Even after her mother’s untimely death when Miantang was ten, she maintained a daily practice routine.
Now, it seemed that her illness had left her limbs weak, and she feared she might lose the skills her mother had imparted to her.
Cui Jiu looked down, noting the frustration on her face. He relaxed his grip, slowly helping her up. Gazing at her dejected, pale countenance, he said softly, “Haven’t you improved significantly? Try going out more often and exercising your muscles and joints. Perhaps you’ll recover even faster.”
After a moment’s thought, he reached into his inner pocket and produced a small, flat box. “This is a fragrant powder from Hanxiang Zhai in Jiangnan. It has a pleasant scent. You can use it to add some color when you dress up tomorrow.”
Miantang accepted the exquisite box. Hanxiang Zhai was likely a high-end establishment catering to wealthy households. Unlike ordinary porcelain boxes for cosmetics, this one was luxuriously crafted with gilt and inlaid turquoise.
As it was a gift from her husband, she naturally accepted it with a smile. However, she inwardly sighed. The saying “It’s harder to go from luxury to frugality” seemed apt. Her husband was accustomed to extravagance, spending money like water. Their household expenses couldn’t match those of their life in the capital anymore.
She made a mental note to gently remind her husband later that such expensive items were unnecessary for her. Nevertheless, as she received the powder box, she gave him a grateful smile.
Her radiant smile captivated him. Cui Jiu gazed at her for a moment before wordlessly turning to leave.
As Miantang watched her husband’s tall figure disappear behind the courtyard screen wall, she thought to herself: despite his slender, scholarly appearance, he had quite a strong grip and a robust, handsome physique. It seemed he might have trained in martial arts as well.
During their time in the capital, she had mostly stayed within the courtyard and hadn’t ventured out in a long while. The prospect of exploring Lingquan Town’s local customs and scenery tomorrow filled her with excitement.
Early the next morning, before Miantang could rise, Li Mama entered the room with hot water for washing, calling out, “Madam, it’s time to get up.”
Miantang lazily emerged from under the covers, thinking to herself: Usually so reluctant to move, today she’s eager to serve. It’s because of the master’s return that this idle old servant has remembered her manners and is attending to her duties diligently.
Since the hot water had been brought, she couldn’t linger in bed. She got up to wash and dress, arranging her hair and applying makeup.
Normally, Miantang disliked using cosmetics. However, not wanting to disappoint her husband’s thoughtfulness from the previous day, she applied a light layer of powder and a touch of crimson to her lips.
Li Mama, observing through the bronze mirror, was struck by the woman’s dazzling beauty. There was an almost bewitching quality to her allure, causing the old servant to let out a faint, disapproving snort.
Miantang, accustomed to Li Mama’s sour attitude, casually asked while dressing, “Li Mama, did I ever severely punish the servants before I lost my memory?”
Li Mama, helping her put on silver bracelets, replied, “Madam has always been kind to the servants and has never imposed harsh punishments.”
Hearing this, Miantang turned to her with a smile and asked, “If that’s the case, why do you always seem displeased with me, Li Mama? Is there something I’ve done wrong?”
Li Mama, caught off guard by the direct question, hesitated before kneeling and saying, “This lowly servant comes from a rural background and speaks crudely. If I’ve been lacking in any way, I beg for Madam’s forgiveness.”
Seeing Li Mama apologize, Miantang didn’t press further and gently told her to rise.
She realized that being young and having recently recovered from a serious illness, she had been unable to care for herself earlier. It was understandable that the servants might have become lax in their respect for her.
Li Mama was a long-time servant of the Cui family, said to have watched Master Cui grow up. For her husband’s sake, Miantang decided not to reprimand her too harshly.
Having made her point and seeing Li Mama’s understanding, she let the matter rest.
After finishing her preparations and having a light breakfast of rice porridge, she chose a white dress with subtle floral patterns from her wardrobe, one that hadn’t faded too much. She then prepared to leave the courtyard and board the carriage.
However, Li Mama informed her, “Yesterday, before leaving, the master specifically instructed this old servant that you should walk today, Madam. Doctor Zhao said that walking more would help your recovery.”
This made sense. The weather outside was pleasant, and with the morning sun not yet too harsh, a walk amidst the fragrant spring blossoms would indeed be enjoyable and relaxing.
So Liu Miantang set out from the tiled-roof residence with Li Mama in tow.
By this time, breakfast hour had passed. The men of North Street had long since left for work, while the women who did mending had gathered at their doorsteps to bask in the sun.
The gossipy old woman Yin spotted the beautiful lady emerging from the tiled-roof courtyard and immediately called out in a familiar tone, “May I ask how to address you, young mistress?”
Liu Miantang, aware that these were her neighbors and that the Cui family, even if not impoverished, was still of merchant status, knew she couldn’t afford to be aloof and risk their disapproval. She paused, smiling slightly, and replied, “My husband’s surname is Cui. You may simply call me Madam Cui.”
But Old Woman Yin, unsatisfied, pressed further, “What does your husband do for a living, Madam Cui? Where have you moved from?”
Miantang answered with a smile, “My husband is a merchant. We’ve moved here from the capital.” She then made to leave.
However, Old Woman Yin eagerly stood up and asked, “Since he’s a merchant, where has he set up shop?”
This question left Liu Miantang at a loss. She couldn’t help but glance back at Li Mama.
Come to think of it, she had asked Li Mama the same question before, but the old servant had vaguely said it was somewhere in town without specifying the location.
Now that a neighbor was asking, it was naturally Li Mama’s responsibility to answer.
Li Mama, still in a foul mood from the morning’s reprimand, found herself cornered by these gossipy women in the alley. Her already dark face seemed to take on a purplish hue as she stammered, “This servant spends all day attending to the mistress and isn’t clear on the shop’s location.”
Disappointed at not uncovering the details of her new neighbors’ circumstances, Old Woman Yin nevertheless continued warmly, “Don’t think me nosy, Madam. It’s just that we old women are longtime residents of this town. We’re familiar with the feng shui and history of every shop. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me. I’ll tell you everything I know…”
Finally bidding farewell to her enthusiastic new neighbor, Miantang was able to leave North Street.
Although Lingshui was a small town, it bustled with merchants from all corners of the land, creating a lively atmosphere.
However, Miantang’s thoughts were not on the various goods displayed at the stalls. It was embarrassing that even unfamiliar neighbors knew to inquire about such matters, while she, the lady of the house, was completely in the dark.
“Li Mama, if the master’s servant comes to fetch meals today, remember to ask clearly where the shop is located,” she said. “My husband must be working tirelessly day and night, likely missing regular meals. Tonight, prepare some delicious dishes, and I’ll deliver them to him myself.”
Hearing this, Li Mama’s dark face seemed to darken further, as if someone had spilled a vat of soy sauce on it. She hesitated before responding, “The master is busy and probably won’t return for several days. There’s no need for Madam to worry. The servants attending to the master are attentive and will take good care of him.”
Liu Miantang smiled faintly and said no more, continuing her walk.
The customs of Da Yan were quite open, with most women going out without veils, especially in the Jiangnan region where short tops and long skirts were common, exposing fair necks and charming faces.
Miantang followed local customs. However, her tall stature and striking features, enhanced by the light makeup she wore today, truly stood out in the market. Passersby and vendors frequently turned to look, whispering amongst themselves about which family this lady belonged to. Could she be a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world?
As it happened, the fabric shop her husband had established was located in the busiest part of Lingquan Town. Consequently, the crowd following Liu Miantang grew larger and larger.
Eventually, it became difficult for old Li to protect her charge as they moved through the throng.
Lingquan Town, being a hub for merchants, also had its fair share of pleasure quarters and, consequently, many dissolute men. Seeing a beautiful unfamiliar face without male escorts, they assumed she couldn’t be from an influential household and boldly approached to flirt.
“May I ask where the young miss is headed?” one called out. “Those jade-like feet of yours might swell from all this walking. This young master has a comfortable sedan chair. If you don’t mind, we could squeeze in together!”