Chapter 7: This Dress Doesn’t Suit You

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Compared to when they came, the atmosphere in the carriage on the way back was even stranger.

There was no need to mention Madam Li and Shen Mingyao. Shen Mingyao was purely envious of Shen Mingjiao’s sudden rise to power. Madam Li, on the other hand, was uneasy because of some things she had done in the past.

Shen Mingyan’s mind was in a mess. She could not understand how things had turned out like this. She had indeed given that dress to Shen Mingjiao with the intention that she would fall into the water with Su Qing.

She wanted Shen Mingjiao to follow in the footsteps of the original owner. She wanted her to become a decoration in the Prince’s Mansion for the rest of her life.

But who could tell her what happened to the second male lead? Why did he look at Shen Mingjiao as if he had never seen a woman in eight lifetimes?

Shen Mingjiao, who was sitting at the side, seemed to be completely unaware of all this. She was focused on playing with the black token in her hand and thinking about which shop to begin with.

…

The Jinxiu Shop was the largest ready-made clothing shop in the capital. It contained ready-made clothes, various fabrics, and various accessories that matched the clothes.

Shen Mingjiao glanced at the ready-made clothes hanging in the hall casually. She walked past the crowd of guests and was about to go up to the second floor when Haitang gently tugged at her sleeve and whispered,

“Miss, I heard that the clothes on the second floor are very expensive. We’re almost out of money…”

Shen Mingjiao waved her hand nonchalantly. “It’s fine. It doesn’t cost anything to look.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a woman sneered behind her. Shen Mingjiao pretended not to hear her and went straight to the second floor.

Compared to the lobby on the first floor, there were clearly fewer people on the second floor. After all, most of the people who could afford to go up to the second floor were either rich or noble.

Shen Mingjiao looked at the complicated and gorgeous clothes with interest.

She casually picked up a fan with flowers, birds, insects, and fish embroidered on it. Not only was the embroidery vivid, but when she flipped it over, she saw that it actually had rare double-sided embroidering.

However, the price was also very impressive.

Haitang stared at her lady’s hand playing with the fan in fear. She was afraid that she would accidentally drop it on the ground. They were really running out of money!

Shen Mingjiao turned around and asked, “How much silver do we have left?”

Haitang had a bad feeling. She stammered, “4… 40 taels.”

Shen Mingjiao pondered for a moment and asked the female attendant beside her, “How much is this fan?”

The female attendant smiled gently. “Thirty taels.”

Haitang secretly clicked her tongue. This was too much! She only earns one tael a month!

Shen Mingjiao said, “Wrap it up.”

Haitang said with a bitter face, “Miss, didn’t we agree that we would only look and not buy?”

Shen Mingjiao responded. “How can you believe a woman’s words when she’s shopping?”

In the end, Shen Mingjiao dragged the listless Haitang out of Jinxiu Shop.

As they passed by the lobby, they brushed past a group of rich ladies in gorgeous clothes.

She patted the little girl’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. With me around, we won’t starve.”

Haitang’s eyes lit up as realization dawned on her. “Miss, you mean that Jinxiu Shop is the property of the Prince?”

Shen Mingjiao replied, “Of course—”

“Not.” She pointed at the deserted and dilapidated three-story building opposite. “That’s the ready-to-wear shop under the Prince’s name.”

Haitang stared at her. Then what are you doing? Giving money to your competitors?

At this moment, in the lobby of Jinxiu Shop, Xu Ningyue asked the shopkeeper, “How many Flowing Cloud Brocades are there in the shop? I want them all.”

The shopkeeper shook his head awkwardly. “Miss Xu, this year’s Flowing Cloud Brocade has already been sold out.”

Xu Ningyue frowned and wanted to say more, but her good friend pulled her aside. “Forget it. Why don’t we look at something else?”

“But this is a makeup gift for Sister Su Qing. How can I give her anything else?!”

Suddenly, she thought of something and turned to the tall woman who was picking out clothes in the corner. “Gu Danxue, come here.”

The woman paused and walked over with her head lowered.

Xu Ningyue said in a commanding tone, “I remember that the Empress rewarded you with a Flowing Cloud Brocade last year. Bring it over another day so we can make a fairy dress for Sister Su Qing.”

The woman pursed her lips and remained silent.

Xu Ningyue said impatiently, “Why? Are you unwilling? Have you forgotten how well Sister Su Qing treats you? Besides—”

She glanced at the other party’s obviously ill-fitting dress and sneered. “Look at you, don’t waste good things!”

The woman’s eyes darkened when she heard this. In the end, she said in a low voice, “Got it.”

…

Haitang followed Shen Mingjiao into the extremely deserted shop opposite. Previously, she had curiously glanced at the plaque at the door. The golden words “Beautiful pavilion” were dazzling under the sunlight.

The corner of Haitang’s mouth twitched speechlessly. Who named it? It’s so plain!

The hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. There were some old-fashioned ready-made clothes hanging on the shelves, and behind the counter sat a stern-looking woman in her fifties.

Seeing that someone was coming, the woman raised her eyes and swept a cold glance over. Haitang was immediately frightened and thought to herself. It’s no wonder this shop is so deserted. Just that gaze is even more terrifying than the most strict disciplinary nanny in the Duke Mansion.

Nanny Tao glanced at the black token hanging on Shen Mingjiao’s waist. She walked over and went down on her knees to bow respectfully. “Greetings, Consort.”

Shen Mingjiao raised her hand and gently supported her. “Nanny, you don’t have to be so formal. I haven’t married. Just call me Miss Shen.”

Nanny Tao hid the surprise in her eyes. After a while, she said firmly, “Miss, take a look around.”

Shen Mingjiao smiled and nodded. She carefully looked at the workmanship of each piece of clothing and went up to the second floor.

The second floor was pitch-black, and there were piles of fabrics of various colors inside.

Nanny Tao, who had been following behind, sighed. “Miss Shen, please persuade His Highness to close this shop.”

“I know he wants me, the old lady, to have something to remember. I appreciate that.”

Shen Mingjiao shook her head. “Nanny, don’t think too much. His Highness naturally has his reasons for keeping this shop.”

Nanny Tao sighed and didn’t say anything else.

The two of them went downstairs and they saw a tall woman standing in the hall. She was staring at an aqua blue chest-length dress in detail.

Shen Mingjiao went forward and said with a smile, “Miss, this dress doesn’t suit you.”