“Miss, with so much money, are we just going to carry it around the streets?”
Chunhong’s sleeves were heavy with broken silver, and she watched as Wanqing unhesitatingly carried a bag of money herself—several times more than what she held. Having never seen so much money before, Chunhong couldn’t help but glance worriedly at Wanqing as soon as they left the general’s residence.
“Of course, I need all this money for shopping. First, we’ll buy some fabric to make two nice outfits each, and then we’ll get some meat and other things. Look at us—if we don’t nourish ourselves, a strong wind might just blow us away. Come on, let’s head to the tailor shop first…”
Wanqing smiled faintly at Chunhong’s concern and, spotting a tailor shop nearby, led her inside.
“Miss, what brings you here today…?”
The shopkeeper, though noting their slightly worn clothes, greeted them warmly, adhering to the principle that the customer always comes first.
“We’re here to buy clothes. This one, and this one, plus these two pairs of shoes—how much in total?”
The shopkeeper’s hospitality put Wanqing at ease, and she quickly browsed through the ready-made garments. She selected two outfits: one a lavender silk blouse embroidered with peonies, paired with a matching pleated skirt, and the other a light-red short jacket with a pale-green long skirt—one set for a lady, the other for a maid.
The fabric and texture were excellent, and based on her knowledge of her own and Chunhong’s figures, she swiftly made her choices, even picking out shoes for both of them.
“You have excellent taste, miss! These are the latest styles, made from the finest silk. Perfect for the hot weather—cool and breathable. If you’d like them, the total comes to twenty taels.”
The shopkeeper beamed as he quoted the price.
“T-this expensive? The fabric and style are nice, but the price… Miss, maybe we should…”
Chunhong gasped at the cost of two outfits and shoes, whispering hesitantly to Wanqing.
“Silly girl, these clothes can’t even compare to what noblewomen in the palace wear. Twenty taels it is. Shopkeeper, find us a place to change. Chunhong, come with me to try on our new clothes.”
Amused by Chunhong’s frugal instincts, Wanqing chuckled lightly. Though the girl clearly adored the outfits, her concern over the cost was endearing. After paying, Wanqing took the clothes and led Chunhong to the back to change.
Moments later, two women emerged.
The first wore the lavender silk blouse and matching pleated skirt, her slender waist tied with a silk ribbon of the same hue. Though her face was veiled, her slightly golden hair was loosely tied in an elegant knot with a ribbon, and her bright, satisfied eyes exuded an indescribable freshness and grace. The veil only added to her mysterious, noble aura.
Beside her stood a maid in a light-red short jacket and green long skirt. The girl’s simple, honest features were complemented by a plain maid’s bun, yet the transformation was striking enough to impress the shopkeeper.
“Your eye for fashion is impeccable, miss! With just a simple change, you both look entirely different. I’ve packed your old clothes. Would you like anything else? We also have hairpins and accessories…”
Delighted by their transformation, the shopkeeper eagerly recommended more items.
“Sure, since we’re here, we might as well pick a few more. Chunhong, see if there’s anything you like. I’ll take this hairpin. Shopkeeper, wrap them up—how much in total?”
Noticing their plain hairstyles—devoid of any valuable ornaments except for the ribbons—Wanqing browsed the accessories without hesitation. She selected a white jade hairpin similar in quality to the one she carried in her sleeve (originally from the brothel but kept for self-defense). Meanwhile, Chunhong, though reluctant, was drawn to a small silver hairpin with floral decorations and a matching hairpiece.
“Miss, this white jade hairpin is crafted from pure jade sourced from the south. I won’t overcharge you—twenty taels for the pin, and fifteen for the silver hairpin and flowers, totaling thirty-five taels.”
The shopkeeper grinned as Wanqing made her selections.
“Miss, this is too expensive! Maybe we should…”
Chunhong balked at the price, instinctively trying to dissuade Wanqing.
“Silly girl, I told you—our lives will only get better from now on. Hairpins and jewelry are nothing. I’ll give you even finer things in the future. Shopkeeper, wrap them up. Here’s the payment. Let’s go—next stop, the fabric shop. We’ll pick out some fine cloth to make a couple more outfits.”
With a light laugh, Wanqing paid without hesitation. Carrying their old clothes in a bundle, they left the tailor shop and headed toward a nearby fabric store.
Not long after stepping out, Wanqing sensed someone following them.
Years of experience told her they were being tailed, but she didn’t turn around. Instead, she pretended to browse a street vendor’s stall while catching a glimpse of a figure darting into an alley—wearing the distinct uniform of the general’s household servants.
“Paying someone to follow us—only they’d stoop so low. Shopkeeper, how much for this dagger?”
Spotting the pursuer, Wanqing smirked and picked up a curved blade from the stall.
“Miss, you’ve got a sharp eye! This dagger comes from the northern kingdom of Xiluan—exceptionally sharp. Here, try it!”
The vendor, assuming her to be a noblewoman despite her veil, was surprised when she actually examined the weapon.
“Not bad. It may not split hairs, but it’s sharp enough. I’ll take it. How much?”
Wanqing tested the blade by slicing a thin layer off the vendor’s stall, then looked up for the price.
“Miss, since this is from Daluan, it’s a bit pricey. How about twenty taels?”
Pleased with her interest, the vendor quoted the amount.
“Twenty it is. Chunhong, give him the silver from your bag. Later, we’ll exchange my banknotes for cash at the money shop before buying anything else.”
Though Wanqing had twenty taels on her, she deliberately had Chunhong pay, keeping her own funds untouched.
“Yes, miss.”
Though puzzled, Chunhong handed over the silver without question.
Soon after, they exited a money exchange shop—Chunhong with a small bag of silver, Wanqing with a much larger one.
“Miss, carrying over six hundred taels like this… What if we get robbed?”
Chunhong fretted as they walked.
“Robbed? I’m not worried about that…”
Noticing their followers had multiplied to two, Wanqing smiled faintly and strode confidently forward.
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