Thinking that in a few days she would be going to welcome Yu Tang, Gu Xi went to the tailor shop she frequented, planning to make several new outfits.

The weather was getting colder and colder—it was precisely the time for wearing full-sleeved jackets. She picked and chose, finally selecting a honey-colored brocaded fabric with woven gold foliate branch patterns.

The tailor shop’s proprietress was in her thirties, plump and fair-skinned, shrewd and capable—someone with keen observation.

She lavishly praised Gu Xi’s good eye, draping the fabric over Gu Xi’s body: “This honey color is selective about who wears it. Ordinary people can’t pull it off well, but look—this fabric makes your skin appear so fair!”

This was indeed true.

Gu Xi was very satisfied. Thinking that when Yu Tang came to Pei Manor there would surely be family banquets, and perhaps Madam Yin and the others would also host gatherings, and she would accompany Old Madam Pei, so she might have opportunities to make appearances—plus it had been some time since she had patronized this tailor shop, and over time, why would others continue to favor her?

She simply had the proprietress recommend several more bolts of fabric: “I want to make several more satisfactory outfits. There will likely be social engagements in winter.”

When the proprietress heard this, she was so delighted she couldn’t close her mouth. She hurriedly instructed her young apprentice loudly to bring over one bolt each of the fabrics that had been specially brought from Jiangnan a few days ago. She also smiled and whispered to Gu Xi: “These are tribute goods from the Jiangnan Imperial Textile Workshop. Afraid of clashing with the imperial family, only the colors and patterns were changed a bit, but the materials and weaving workmanship are exactly the same.”

Imperial goods had their own regulations. To do business that others would love, naturally one couldn’t copy everything completely.

Gu Xi was from Jiangnan, and the Gu family also had silk shops. She understood all these inside details very clearly.

“Then bring them over to see.” She said casually, supported nominally by the proprietress, sat down in the adjacent private room, and took the tea the proprietress personally offered, drinking a sip.

The proprietress knew Gu Xi came from an extraordinary background and had always wanted Gu Xi to help introduce some clients. Taking advantage of the fabric not yet being brought over, she leaned closer and said with a beaming smile: “When will your sister-in-law return? When she does, I’ll also go pay my respects to Maternal Aunt Madam.”

Families like the Xu family, Li family, and Zhang family had their own embroiderers. Unless they were tired of seeing the clothes at home, they rarely went out to order custom garments. She just wanted to pick up any opportunity that might fall.

If it really succeeded, even if she just made a handkerchief at their home, it would be enough for their family to boast about.

Gu Xi also understood her feelings. Thinking that in the years of dealing with her, this proprietress had been quite honest and dutiful, she smiled: “She should return before the New Year. I’ll let you know when the time comes.”

These past two years Gu Chang had been following Fei Zhiwen’s path. After the new year when the Ministry of Personnel reviewed officials, there would be reassignments. Fei Zhiwen was already helping Gu Chang plan. Yin Shi was thinking that with the New Year approaching, though the matter was still only beginning to take shape, those who should be cultivated and visited should still be called upon during the New Year. She had written her a letter asking her to personally supervise the servant women remaining in the capital to thoroughly clean the residence. She would hurry back to the capital before mid-November and first make a round of visits to the Xu and Li families.

The tailor shop proprietress naturally expressed a thousand thanks upon hearing this. Thinking that giving Gu Xi a discount would break the shop’s rules, but when Gu Xi came again in the future, should she give a discount or not? She thought about it, and while Gu Xi was discussing styles with the tailor, she turned to the storeroom, took two feet of leftover fabric, and gave it to Gu Xi: “It’s Shu embroidery from the Shu region. I only got this piece of fabric. You’ll surely find it ordinary, but for someone like me, it’s extremely precious. Take it back to make a hat for Young Master, or make a hem border for yourself—it will definitely stand out.”

Gu Xi saw it was an orange-colored gauze silk embroidered with repeating patterns of magpies among plum blossoms. As it was, it could be used for hem borders, or cut down for edging. No wonder the proprietress suggested using it on a skirt or hat.

Though such fabric was common, this piece had exceptionally fine embroidery. Whether the magpies or plum blossoms, all were lifelike, each with different expressions, full of vitality, carrying an air of lively festivity.

One could see this wasn’t the handiwork of an ordinary person.

Since giving a gift, of course one should explain it clearly.

The tailor shop proprietress didn’t hide anything from Gu Xi, saying with a smile: “It was embroidered by Madam Mei who embroidered the ‘Thousand Cranes Picture’ for the Emperor that year for the Longevity Festival. As you know, after her embroidery became famous at the Longevity Festival, people seeking her services came in endless streams. She no longer accepts ordinary commissions. This was embroidered before she became famous. I obtained it by chance and have always been reluctant to use it. Otherwise, for someone like me, how would I have the opportunity to obtain Madam Mei’s embroidery?”

Gu Xi had heard of this matter.

That year when the Emperor celebrated his birthday, the Governor of Sichuan sent the Emperor a “Thousand Cranes Picture” as a birthday gift. On a small screen, one thousand white cranes in various postures were embroidered. Madam Mei who embroidered this picture became famous in one stroke, surpassing numerous Jiangnan embroiderers to become the most sought-after embroiderer now. It was said her embroidery was worth its weight in gold, priced by size, with a waiting list that couldn’t be filled.

Gu Xi had never seen this Madam Mei’s embroidery and didn’t know if the fabric in her hands was genuine or fake, but whether in color or embroidery work, it was extremely exquisite and rare—a fine piece. She liked it very much. Accepting it wouldn’t be inappropriate.

She thanked her openly and generously, then ordered a gray squirrel fur cloak and two hand warmers. After arranging the date to collect the clothes, she returned to the residence with He Xiang.

He Xiang knew Gu Xi’s thoughts. While serving her to change clothes, she couldn’t help but say: “There are still several fox furs in the storeroom, just right for making a cloak. Why not make you another cloak?”

Gu Xi shook her head: “Those furs were left by my mother—all uniformly black fur. Such furs are rare nowadays. Moreover, they could make a whole cloak? Save them for when Yuan Geer grows up. One gray squirrel fur cloak is enough for me.”

But when Yu Tang spent winter in the capital that year, she was pregnant with child. Third Master and the Old Madam, afraid she would be cold, had made five or six each of gray squirrel fur, sable fur, and fox fur.

He Xiang wanted to speak but hesitated.

Gu Xi didn’t even notice. Her thoughts had already turned to jewelry.

She knew Yu Tang had abundant jewelry. These past years because she had a mother-in-law above her, it wasn’t appropriate to dress up too much. She hadn’t added jewelry for several years. If she went to buy some now, she feared the Grand Madam would gossip. Better to re-melt and remake the jewelry she had obtained at the Pei family in the past. Mainly because the gemstones were of good quality—even if she went to buy them, she might not be able to find such fine gemstones in a short time.

Gu Xi busied herself for several days. On the day of going to welcome Yu Tang, she deliberately wore that honey-colored brocaded full-sleeved jacket, donned a flower crown inlaid with rubies, and together with Pei Tong, bringing Yuan Geer, went to Pei Manor.

Pei Tong went to see Pei Xuan.

Second Madam was waiting for her in the inner courtyard.

Seeing her arrival, she hugged Yuan Geer and said to her with mixed laughter and tears: “Let’s go—A’Dan left together with Madam Xu and the others, A’Hong went with A’Chan and them. They said they’d go with me, but one by one they all ran off without a trace.” After speaking, she also kissed Yuan Geer’s pink chubby little face, saying: “Our Yuan Geer is still obedient—said he’d come see Great-Aunt and here he is. Later Great-Aunt will buy you something delicious and won’t give any to your aunt and uncle.”

Yuan Geer couldn’t understand at all. He only knew to grin and smile, smiling until his mouth was full of drool, making Second Madam laugh continuously. She urged Gu Xi: “Let’s quickly get in the carriage. It’s too cold—don’t let our Yuan Geer catch a chill.”

While helping Second Madam into the carriage, Gu Xi said: “Where’s Sen Geer? Did he go to Tongzhou with A’Dan?”

Second Madam sighed softly: “His grandmother said the weather is too cold, afraid he’d catch a cold, and wouldn’t let him be brought out. A’Dan left with her husband.”

Gu Xi attended to Second Madam sitting down and smiled: “The weather is indeed quite cold. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t dare bring Yuan Geer out either. But didn’t Madam Yin’s child just have the full-month celebration? How did she also go out? Did Minister Yin let her go out?”

“Certainly he didn’t let her.” Second Madam said without thinking: “But with her temperament, if she truly wants to do something, who can stop her? So Minister Yin also went along. Brother-in-Law Qin only went with A’Dan when he heard Minister Yin was accompanying Madam Yin. Otherwise, he was planning to go with A’Chan and A’Bo.”

As they spoke, the carriage rumbled out through Pei Manor’s main gate.

Second Madam asked about Pei Tong’s studies.

Everyone held high hopes for Pei Tong taking the exams this time.

With Gu Chang not in the capital, Gu Xi couldn’t gauge Pei Tong’s true capabilities and could only tell Second Madam about his usual situation. The two talked about family matters, continuing all the way to Tongzhou.

They rested at the residence Yu Tang had purchased back then.

The women stayed in the inner courtyard, the men in the outer courtyard.

Gu Xi saw Xu Xuan, Eldest Miss Zhang, and others.

She knew them all.

But Eldest Miss Zhang also coming to welcome Yu Tang still surprised Gu Xi somewhat.

Eldest Miss Zhang smiled and pointed at Xu Xuan: “It’s all her. I said I wouldn’t come, but she insisted I come. She also said your Third Aunt had a very good impression of me. I’m afraid your Third Aunt doesn’t remember me at all. When I see your Third Aunt, I must ask properly to see if this is really what she said.”

Xu Xuan had given birth to children consecutively. Whether from a joyful mood or good care, she showed no signs of exhaustion. Instead, she seemed even more spirited than before.

She smiled cheerfully, allowing Eldest Miss Zhang to scold her, and took Pei Dan’s arm: “Come! It’s rare that neither children nor husbands are around. We can do whatever we want—let’s have a good drink or two today.”

Pei Dan cried out: “Don’t involve me. Brother-in-law said not to let you drink alcohol. The child hasn’t even reached the hundred-day mark yet. I don’t want brother-in-law to dislike me.”

Xu Xuan then threatened Pei Dan: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll dislike you?”

Pei Dan appeared caught in a dilemma.

Eldest Miss Zhang pulled her toward the inner chamber: “Why argue with her? You definitely can’t win. Let’s quickly wash up and rest early so we can play mahjong tonight!”

Pei Dan ran along.

“You actually didn’t wait for me!” Seeing this, Xu Xuan put her hands on her hips: “I was wondering why A’Dan has been listening to me less and less lately—so it’s you instigating from the side. See how I deal with you later.”

“Night demon!” Eldest Miss Zhang laughed back at her: “If you have the ability to put your hands on your hips and shout like this in front of brother-in-law, I’ll be impressed.”

Pei Chan’s wife smiled with pursed lips.

Several people went playfully toward the inner chambers.

Second Madam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She teased Yuan Geer: “Our Yuan Geer is still obedient. Come, let’s go have bird’s nest soup and ignore these wild people.” As she spoke, she carried Yuan Geer away as well.

Gu Xi watched the servant women bustling about the room tidying luggage and suddenly felt somewhat cold.