Chapter 25: Inspecting the Shop and Encountering the Mistress

“Yicui, take the accounts to the Warm Jade Pavilion and inform Mother of what just happened. Tell her to handle the accounting room,” Shen Qingyun instructed as she walked.

“Yes, Miss.” Yicui curtsied, fully aware of the importance of the matter, and hurried off toward the Warm Jade Pavilion.

“Pearl, come with me. Let’s go inspect that shop that’s been losing money.”

“Yes, Miss!”

With the carriage prepared, Shen Qingyun and Pearl departed. Upon arriving at Pipa Street, Shen Qingyun instructed the guards to wait at the entrance, then entered the street with only Pearl by her side.

She counted the shops one by one, until at last, she found the one she sought.

It was a jewelry shop, with a courtyard extending behind it, occupying a sizable plot of land. Though Pipa Street was not as prosperous and bustling as West Street, foot traffic was nevertheless considerable. A casual glance told Shen Qingyun that the shop’s jewelry was finely crafted, though made of ordinary materials. Thus, the prices were not high, attracting a fair number of ladies and young misses who were browsing and trying on pieces.

Shen Qingyun glanced around, a cold smile crossing her lips. This hardly looked like a shop losing money month after month—far from needing subsidies, it ought to be turning a tidy profit.

Perhaps it was her refined attire and the commanding air about her, but soon enough a shop clerk approached, eager to assist. “Miss, are you looking for anything in particular today?”

“As long as it’s beautiful. Young man, this is my first time here. How’s the quality of your jewelry? Don’t try to cheat me,” Shen Qingyun replied with a smile.

“Oh, rest assured, Miss. We’ve been here for many years, and our workmanship is superb. You see all these ladies here? Many are regular customers! Just look at this hairpin—made from hibiscus jade, rosy and pleasing, and right in line with the latest fashion. It would suit a young lady like yourself perfectly.”

“Is there anything even finer?”

“Of course, Miss, let me show you this set…”

Having grown up with Madam Han, Shen Qingyun had seen her share of fine treasures and could tell at a glance that the jewelry here was only average.

Then her gaze caught on a set in the side cabinet—a bracelet, earrings, and necklace of flawless jadeite. The pieces were delicately translucent, the color pure and the material substantial, glowing with a gentle luster.

The quality was leagues above the rest of the shop’s offerings, not even in the same class.

By rights, the clerk should have eagerly recommended such a set to a customer like her. After a moment’s thought, she pointed. “Show me that jadeite set.”

The clerk looked troubled. “I’m sorry, Miss, but that set was custom-made for my lady, the owner’s wife. It’s only being stored here for now—she’ll be picking it up soon.”

“Oh? The owner’s wife?” A subtle, contemplative glint flickered in Shen Qingyun’s eyes.

Yet she didn’t press the issue, instead shifting her demeanor from gentle to imperious. “No matter. I want that set—wrap it up for me.”

The clerk grew more embarrassed. “Miss, I really can’t sell you that one. Besides, you’re quite young—it wouldn’t suit you. We have others that would look better on you. Would you like to try one?”

Their argument began to draw the attention of others in the shop, glances drifting in their direction.

Pearl, standing quietly behind Shen Qingyun, was bewildered. Wasn’t this shop owned by the Marquis’s household? In that case, the owner’s wife must be the mistress of her own house. What was Miss up to?

Still, trusting her mistress implicitly, Pearl remained silent.

Shen Qingyun, meanwhile, played the role of a spoiled young lady to perfection. “What a laughable shop—open for business, yet refusing to sell what’s on display! I insist on having that set today. I’ll pay double, if that’s what it takes!”

“I’m sorry, Miss, but I can’t sell you this set.” A gentle voice sounded from behind her. “It’s not a matter of price—my husband had it made especially for me. It’s not for sale.”

The clerk breathed a sigh of relief at the sound and called out with a smile, “Madam, you’re here.”

Shen Qingyun turned to see a voluptuous woman dressed in a peony-pink skirt embroidered with pomegranate blossoms, her skin fair as snow and her waist slender as willow. Her chest was ample, and though she wore a veil, her eyes glittered with seductive charm, as if brimming with spring water. She was like a ripe peach, alluring in every gesture.

No wonder Shen Zhifeng was so besotted—keeping her outside the household and visiting every few days.

Her hair was bedecked with jewels even more lavishly than Madam Han’s usual attire.

Behind her stood a maid carrying silk and pastries, as if the madam had just returned from shopping.

“So, you’re the owner’s wife?” Shen Qingyun asked coolly, a trace of mockery in her voice. “And who, pray tell, is your husband?”

Her scrutinizing gaze and open disdain stung the woman. The maid at her side bristled with anger. “What does it matter to you? I’ve told you, this set belongs to Madam. Kindly show some self-respect, Miss. Must you covet others’ belongings so shamelessly?”

The woman rebuked her softly, “Enough, Linger. She is still a guest, do not be rude.”

Though her words were mild, there was not a hint of apology in her tone—she merely fixed her gaze on Shen Qingyun, sharp and unyielding.

Perhaps she took Shen Qingyun for a stranger, or perhaps assumed the shop’s clientele were but merchants’ daughters or minor officials’ wives, so she showed no restraint in her words.

Pearl, seeing her mistress thus insulted, felt her blood boil and was on the verge of retorting when Shen Qingyun stopped her.

Shen Qingyun stepped forward, unhurried. “Do you know to which household I belong?”

Linger could not restrain herself. “What difference does that make? Even if you’re the daughter of a great family, you can’t be unreasonable. Are you going to force a sale in the capital, right under the Emperor’s nose?”

Shen Qingyun smiled. “I’m afraid this set will be mine today.”

The woman frowned, examining her closely. Though Shen Qingyun’s clothing was not ostentatious, the fabric was of the finest quality, and the jade hairpin in her hair was seamlessly carved, its hue lustrous, the openwork butterfly poised as if to take flight. Her demeanor was elegant and otherworldly, and her presence set her apart.

But it was her eyes that left the strongest impression—deep and unreadable, with a trace of mockery.

“Miss, you jest. Perhaps you should look at something else.” With that, the woman moved to the counter and signaled the clerk to wrap up the jadeite set for her, clearly unwilling to entangle herself further with Shen Qingyun.

The other ladies in the shop began to whisper among themselves, some finding Shen Qingyun overbearing and unreasonable.

Shen Qingyun did not argue the point. She merely turned to the clerk and said, “Could you please summon your manager? Inform him that the owner’s young lady is here.”