As a wife, one should attend to her husband's comfort with care, adjusting his wardrobe with the turning seasons.
In recent days, Liu Miantang's health had shown marked improvement. With idle hours stretching before her, she resumed the needlework she'd studied for a single month at her maiden home. Using measurements obtained from Li Mama and leftover fabric from her husband's undergarments, she managed to fashion a padded jacket with some added cotton wadding.
Cui Jiu observed the somewhat coarse stitching on the jacket in silence, his expression inscrutable.
Miantang immediately regretted her impulsive decision. She shouldn't have exposed such glaring inadequacy. If her husband found it displeasing, the embarrassment would be unbearable.
However, after a prolonged moment, Cui Jiu accepted the jacket and removed his outer robe, preparing to try it on.
Miantang's eyes brightened instantly. She eagerly assisted her husband in donning the garment. Fortunately, the proportions proved appropriate and the fit flattering. Cui Jiu's tall, straight figure filled out the jacket admirably, rendering even the rough stitches less conspicuous.
Cui Jiu then replaced his outer robe and draped a cloak across his shoulders, all under Miantang's attentive ministrations.
As he attempted to fasten the ties, Miantang noticed his long, elegant fingers fumbling somewhat awkwardly. After several attempts, he inadvertently created a tight knot.
Feeling the constriction around his neck, Cui Jiu reached out and gently grasped the nape of her neck with his large hand. With a slight smirk playing at his lips, he inquired, "Are you attempting to strangle me?"
His touch and the faint, indescribable fragrance emanating from him enveloped her senses entirely. Standing in such proximity, she could observe his thick, dark, curving eyelashes and the depths of his eyes, which seemed to harbor a hint of amusement.
Miantang felt his grip was somewhat forceful. Instinctively, she employed a small grappling technique, attempting to break free from his hold.
This wasn't born of disrespect for her husband, but rather the reflexive action of someone trained in martial arts since childhood.
However, the move she had once executed flawlessly now lacked power due to her weakened wrists. Losing her balance entirely, she tumbled forward into Cui Jiu's embrace.
Somewhat frustrated, she complained, "Didn't Doctor Zhao declare I had fully recovered? Why do my hands still lack strength?"
Her late mother—the only daughter of the renowned Shenwei Escort Agency's leader in Da Yan—had instructed her in martial arts from the tender age of three. Even after her mother's untimely death when Miantang was merely ten years old, she had maintained a rigorous daily practice routine.
Now it appeared that her prolonged illness had left her limbs enfeebled, and she feared losing the precious skills her mother had painstakingly imparted.
Cui Jiu gazed downward, noting the frustration etched across her features. He relaxed his grip gradually, assisting her to steady herself. Observing her dejected, pallid countenance, he said softly, "Haven't you improved considerably already? Try venturing out more frequently and exercising your muscles and joints. Perhaps you'll recover even more rapidly."
After a moment's contemplation, he reached into his inner pocket and produced a small, flat box. "This fragrant powder comes from Hanxiang Zhai in Jiangnan. It possesses a pleasant scent. You may use it to add some color when you dress tomorrow."
Miantang accepted the exquisite box with both hands. Hanxiang Zhai was undoubtedly a high-end establishment catering exclusively to wealthy households. Unlike ordinary porcelain containers for cosmetics, this one was luxuriously crafted with gilt decorations and inlaid turquoise accents.
As it constituted a gift from her husband, she naturally accepted it with a gracious smile. However, inwardly she sighed with concern. The saying "It's harder to descend from luxury to frugality" seemed painfully apt. Her husband remained accustomed to extravagance, spending money as freely as water flows. Their current household expenses could scarcely match those from their previous life in the capital.
She made a mental note to gently remind her husband later that such expensive items were unnecessary for her simple needs. Nevertheless, as she received the powder box, she offered him a grateful, radiant smile.
Her luminous smile captivated him entirely. Cui Jiu gazed at her for a prolonged moment before wordlessly turning to depart.
As Miantang watched her husband's tall, imposing figure disappear behind the courtyard's screen wall, she reflected thoughtfully: despite his slender, scholarly appearance, he possessed quite a formidable grip and a robust, well-proportioned physique. It seemed highly probable he had trained in martial arts as well.
During their time residing in the capital, she had mostly remained within the courtyard confines and hadn't ventured beyond its walls in considerable time. The prospect of exploring Lingquan Town's local customs and scenic beauty tomorrow filled her with genuine excitement.
Early the following morning, before Miantang could naturally rouse herself, Li Mama entered the chamber bearing hot water for washing, calling out with uncharacteristic energy, "Madam, it's time to rise."
Miantang emerged lazily from beneath the warm covers, thinking privately: Usually so reluctant to exert herself, today she demonstrates such eager diligence. It's solely because of the master's return that this typically idle old servant has suddenly remembered her proper manners and is attending to duties conscientiously.
Since the hot water had been thoughtfully prepared, she couldn't justify lingering in bed any longer. She rose to wash and dress herself, arranging her hair and applying makeup with careful attention.
Normally, Miantang harbored a distinct dislike for cosmetics. However, not wishing to disappoint her husband's thoughtful gesture from the previous evening, she applied a delicate layer of powder and a subtle touch of crimson to her lips.
Li Mama, observing her reflection through the bronze mirror, found herself struck by the woman's dazzling beauty. There existed an almost bewitching quality to her allure—something that caused the old servant to release a faint, disapproving snort.
Miantang, thoroughly accustomed to Li Mama's perpetually sour attitude, inquired casually while continuing her preparations, "Li Mama, did I ever severely punish the household servants before I lost my memory?"
Li Mama, assisting her in fastening silver bracelets, replied with measured neutrality, "Madam has always demonstrated kindness toward the servants and has never imposed harsh punishments."
Hearing this confirmation, Miantang turned to face her directly with a disarming smile. "If that's genuinely the case, why do you consistently seem displeased with me, Li Mama? Is there something I've done to offend you?"
Li Mama, caught entirely off guard by such direct confrontation, hesitated momentarily before dropping to her knees. "This lowly servant comes from humble rural origins and speaks crudely without refinement. If I've been lacking in any capacity, I humbly beg for Madam's gracious forgiveness."
Observing Li Mama's apologetic prostration, Miantang didn't press the matter further and gently instructed her to rise.
She recognized that being young and having only recently recovered from life-threatening illness, she had been incapable of managing herself earlier. It was entirely understandable that the servants might have grown somewhat lax in their respect during that vulnerable period.
Li Mama was a long-standing servant of the Cui family household, reportedly having attended Master Cui since his childhood. For her husband's sake and household harmony, Miantang decided against reprimanding her too severely.
Having made her point clear and witnessing Li Mama's apparent understanding, she allowed the matter to rest.
After completing her preparations and consuming a light breakfast of rice porridge, she selected a white dress adorned with subtle floral patterns from her wardrobe—one whose colors hadn't faded excessively with washing. She then prepared to depart the courtyard and board the waiting carriage.
However, Li Mama informed her with barely concealed reluctance, "Yesterday, before departing, the master specifically instructed this old servant that you should walk today, Madam. Doctor Zhao emphasized that increased walking would significantly aid your recovery."
This recommendation made perfect sense. The weather outside appeared pleasant, and with the morning sun not yet grown harsh, a leisurely walk amidst the fragrant spring blossoms would indeed prove enjoyable and therapeutically relaxing.
Therefore, Liu Miantang set forth from the tiled-roof residence with Li Mama trailing dutifully behind.
By this hour, the breakfast period had concluded. The men of North Street had long since departed for their various occupations, while the women who performed mending work had congregated at their doorsteps to bask in the gentle sunlight.
The notoriously gossipy Old Woman Yin spotted the beautiful lady emerging from the tiled-roof courtyard and immediately called out with presumptuous familiarity, "May I inquire how to properly address you, young mistress?"
Liu Miantang, keenly aware these were her neighbors and that the Cui family—even if not impoverished—remained of merchant status, understood she couldn't afford aloofness that might earn their collective disapproval. She paused gracefully, offering a slight smile. "My husband's surname is Cui. You may simply call me Madam Cui."
But Old Woman Yin, thoroughly unsatisfied with this minimal information, pressed aggressively forward. "What occupation does your husband pursue, Madam Cui? From which location have you relocated?"
Miantang responded with practiced politeness, "My husband engages in mercantile activities. We've moved here from the capital." She then made to continue her departure.
However, Old Woman Yin eagerly rose to her feet, practically blocking the path. "Since he's a merchant, where precisely has he established his shop?"
This particular question left Liu Miantang at an embarrassing loss. She couldn't help but glance backward at Li Mama with silent appeal.
Upon reflection, she realized she had posed Li Mama this identical question previously, but the old servant had responded vaguely—mentioning only that it existed "somewhere in town" without providing specific location details.
Now that a neighbor was inquiring directly, it naturally fell to Li Mama to provide an appropriate answer.
Li Mama, still harboring resentment from the morning's earlier reprimand, found herself cornered by these intrusive, gossipy women in the narrow alley. Her already dark complexion seemed to adopt a distinctly purplish hue as she stammered defensively, "This servant spends entire days attending to the mistress's needs and isn't clearly informed regarding the shop's precise location."
Disappointed at failing to uncover the complete details of her new neighbors' circumstances, Old Woman Yin nevertheless continued with aggressive warmth, "Don't consider me excessively nosy, Madam. It's simply that we elderly women are longtime residents of this town. We possess intimate familiarity with the feng shui characteristics and commercial history of every establishment. Should you ever have questions, feel completely free to consult me. I'll share everything I know without reservation…"
Finally managing to extricate herself from her enthusiastic new neighbor's clutches, Miantang was able to depart North Street.
Although Lingquan constituted a relatively small town, it bustled energetically with merchants from every corner of the land, creating a remarkably lively atmosphere.
However, Miantang's thoughts weren't focused on the various goods displayed attractively at the market stalls. It proved genuinely embarrassing that even unfamiliar neighbors possessed sufficient awareness to inquire about such fundamental matters, while she—the ostensible lady of the household—remained completely ignorant.
"Li Mama, when the master's servant arrives to collect meals today, remember to inquire clearly regarding the shop's exact location," she instructed firmly. "My husband must be laboring tirelessly day and night, likely missing proper meals entirely. Tonight, prepare some particularly delicious dishes, and I shall deliver them to him personally."
Hearing this declaration, Li Mama's dark face seemed to darken even further—as though someone had accidentally spilled an entire vat of soy sauce across it. She hesitated noticeably before responding, "The master is extraordinarily busy and probably won't return for several days consecutively. There's no necessity for Madam to trouble herself with concern. The servants currently attending to the master are properly attentive and will provide adequate care."
Liu Miantang smiled faintly, saying nothing further, and continued her leisurely walk through the morning streets.
The social customs of Da Yan were remarkably open and progressive, with most women venturing outdoors without concealing veils—especially throughout the Jiangnan region where short tops and long skirts predominated, freely exposing fair necks and charming countenances.
Miantang adhered to these local customs without reservation. However, her unusually tall stature and striking features, enhanced considerably by the subtle makeup she wore today, truly distinguished her within the bustling marketplace. Passersby and vendors alike frequently turned to stare openly, whispering amongst themselves about which prestigious family this extraordinary lady belonged to. Could she possibly be a celestial maiden who had descended temporarily to the mortal realm?
As fortune—or perhaps misfortune—would have it, the fabric shop her husband had established occupied a prime location in Lingquan Town's busiest commercial district. Consequently, the crowd following Liu Miantang with fascinated curiosity grew progressively larger and more intrusive.
Eventually, it became genuinely difficult for old Li Mama to adequately protect her charge as they attempted to navigate through the pressing throng.
Lingquan Town, functioning as a prosperous hub for traveling merchants, naturally hosted its fair share of pleasure quarters and entertainment establishments—and consequently attracted numerous dissolute men of questionable character. Observing a beautiful, unfamiliar face unaccompanied by male escorts, they presumed she couldn't possibly belong to any influential household and boldly approached to deliver inappropriate flirtations.
"May I inquire where the exquisite young miss is headed?" one called out with brazen familiarity. "Those jade-like feet of yours will surely swell painfully from such extensive walking. This young master possesses a comfortable sedan chair at his disposal. If you don't object to the intimacy, we could squeeze in together quite comfortably!"
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