"How about we just tell the truth?"
The maid accompanying Qin Qing exchanged glances with another maid, who felt it was agreeable and complied.
"Madam Tang, to be honest, this fabric was reserved long ago by another lady of the house. I see it can make two outfits for sumr attire. Since we're all family, could you perhaps negotiate and have the other lady share half of the fabric with you?"
Another lady?
Regardless of whether it was possible to share half with Qin Qing, Qin Qing ca to buy fabric to sew a dress, not without finding a way to keep Tang Rao closer. Her attire was ant to be unique, distinct from what Tang Rao's other won wore. What sense did it make?
Furthermore, Qin Qing was curious about who this other lady was. Who could she be?
"Who exactly is this other lady you speak of?"
There are only so many won in the household. They are so occupied with business, how can they find ti to specifically co to a tailor shop to choose fabrics and make outfits?
Could it be Wang Han?
"The lady's na is You Xiaoxiao."
It's not easy selling fabrics. Day in and day out, they laboriously sell so fabric and eke out a living on commissions, not expecting trouble occasionally rears its head. Force the maid, sure, but then making the maid tell who bought the fabric? Should this be ntioned?
"You Xiaoxiao? She's making outfits here too?"
Qin Qing clearly had not thought the one making outfits would be You Xiaoxiao.
"Yes, indeed. Her deposit receipt is still here. If you don't believe it, you're welco to have a look yourself."
All the receipts are there. Qin Qing, having seen them, didn't say more.
The fabric reserved by You Xiaoxiao was taken. How could a woman who entered the household later than You Xiaoxiao expect You Xiaoxiao to give up what she had reserved long ago?
Would she lose face over a piece of fabric?
No, they have always called each other sisters. Competing for fabric or favors—what's the difference?
Sotis, Qin Qing needed You Xiaoxiao's help in certain matters anyway.
"So it's fabric Xiao Xiao admired early on. Naturally, I won't fight my sister for it."
Qin Qing suddenly laughed, "Please, madam, recomnd so other fabric then. Though precious, I believe there might be sothing better in this shop than this silk. Wouldn't you say I am right?"
Hahaha.
Contrary to Wang Han's expectations, the more Qin Qing sought to obtain better fabric than You Xiaoxiao, the more fate seed to thwart Qin Qing's wishes.
This ti, it wasn't a maid causing trouble but rather the shop having nothing Qin Qing desired.
"The young lady wouldn't simply want Jin Qiao and Yin Qiao to see the wives unable to buy their preferred fabric in Zijing City, right?"
Jin Qiao whispered in Wang Han's ear, her face betraying disappointnt.
"If you think your young lady enjoys doing such trivial stuff, then take it as I do indeed have such thoughts."
Wang Han fondled a piece of fabric, pretending to examine it closely while observing Qin Qing's every move, not letting Jin Qiao's disappointnt bother her.
She knew as long as she alone saw through so matters, it was sufficient. If Jin Qiao and the others couldn't discern without hints, how could Wang Han's cleverness be fully appreciated?
"The young lady increasingly enjoys keeping secrets from us. Why not let her reveal a little, lest we don't catch on after watching drama for so long and end up dozing off."
How naive, Wang Han finally couldn't hold back, communicating to the two maids, "Do you think a woman's mind can really be as broad as Qin Qing's? Seeing sothing she likes and not fighting for it, instead willingly handing it over, what's more, as a tool potentially earning her Tang Rao's favor. Qin Qing absolutely won't let this slip by."
Were Qin Qing's words to the maid earlier just polite talk? Or did she have other ideas unknown to others?
"Just wait and see, saying things too bluntly isn't advisable. In the harmonious facade of Tang Rao's harem, it's far more intriguing than the person Tang Rao himself."
Wang Han wished to leave the Kao Shan Sect but realized how many amusing individuals were there; Qin Qing suddenly wanted to stay, observing how Tang Rao maintained fairness among this group of won.
"Since the young lady put it this way, we'll just wait and see, using our limited brains as an opportunity to gain so insights following the young lady."
Yin Qiao's words pleased, comforting most listeners. Wang Han, hearing such flattery from Yin Qiao, had her smile broaden a bit more.
Qin Qing failed to find better fabric, unleashing considerable anger at the shop, eventually subdued by the maid's persistent assurances that when the best fabric beca available, it would be reserved for Qin Qing to choose, alongside apologies and compensations to her, before finally heading ho in a huff. Wang Han, anwhile, kindly fashioned two outfits for her two maids.
If outsiders knew that Wang Han's maids dressed better than noble ladies, it would likely lead to many envious gazes.
Wang Han and Qin Qing returned on different paths, yet nearly simultaneously entered the gates of Zijing City. Having shed masculine traits along the way, Wang Han had returned to her maidenly appearance. No wonder Qin Qing, encountering Wang Han at the gate, appeared unsurprised.
She was in a foul mood, bristling at the sight of Wang Han, though inwardly acknowledging Wang Han's greater strength. Qin Qing was no match, so planned to minimize the matter, pretending not to see each other, each walking their separate paths, ensuring no trouble for one another as the best outco.
"Ah, eting without greeting, feigning unfamiliarity. Despite Tang Rao's boasting of the good atmosphere in Zijing City, what's truly here is familiar only to his won. Don't you agree, sister?"
Qin Qing, married into Tang Rao's family with formal ceremony, whereas Qin Qing lacked even a rite. Add Qin Qing being younger than Wang Han, being addressed as sister didn't leave Qin Qing feeling aggrieved.
What surprised her was Wang Han's active needling. Perhaps assuming Wang Han would wisely avoid disturbing her, yet Wang Han clearly targeted Qin Qing. How could Qin Qing respond?
"Greeting if I feel like it, not greeting if I don't, applying our intimacy to other sisters. Don't you think your actions are sowhat excessive?"
Qin Qing retorted directly, clearly showing Wang Han she harbored such hostility mainly towards her, but was well with others.
"Oh, only towards ? Seems my presence discomforts you. I'll leave then, hoping your earlier words stem from sincerity and not dual-faced conduct. Jin Qiao, Yin Qiao, let's go."
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