My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 15 Part 1

Chapter 15  

The cart stopped at the city gate. Ji Taoyu jumped off, handed three copper coins to the driver, bid farewell to the villagers, and then headed into the city.  

The rain over the past two days had washed the bluestone streets until they gleamed. However, with many people coming and going today, though it was still early, the ground was already covered in muddy footprints.  

[Bluestone (青石板): a specific type of durable, blue-gray limestone commonly used in traditional Chinese paving]

Ji Taoyu avoided the dirt and quickly followed the crowd into the city. Just past the gate, he spotted a tall figure standing on the left fork in the road.  

The man was wearing the same coarse short jacket as before, with that plain sash tied around him - just like the first time they met.  

Ji Taoyu glanced around, making sure no acquaintances were nearby, then stepped forward and asked, “Is something wrong?”  

Huo Shu’s brow relaxed slightly when he saw him. “No, where are you going?”  

“To my grandfather’s clinic. I need to organize the goods there. Grandfather even pays me for it.”  

Huo Shu’s gaze fell on the dark circles under those peach-blossom eyes, stark against the fair skin.  

His displeasure grew, and his distaste for certain people deepened. “Are you going to Shili Cloth Shop?”  

Ji Taoyu raised his eyes. “I wasn’t planning to buy fabric today.”  

“Don’t you want to know the outcome?”  

“I’ll find out sooner or later. I’m not in a hurry.”  

Huo Shu frowned and tightened the reins.  

“I don’t know how to talk to young girls properly. Come with me. Once this is settled, I’ll take you back to the clinic.”  

Ji Taoyu's eyes widened. He blinked, wondering if he’d misheard, was this man actually speaking softly?  

But then it occurred to him - he really did understand him well.  

Seeing that Ji Taoyu still hadn’t agreed, Huo Shu tentatively added, “What do you want? I’ll buy it for you.”  

Ji Taoyu found Huo Shu’s attempt to coax him amusing. He pressed his lips together to keep from smiling too obviously.  

“Really? Then I want something from Duobao Pavilion. Will you buy it?”  

Huo Shu didn’t hesitate. “Fine.”  

“Do you even know what Duobao Pavilion sells? How can you agree so easily? Boasting!”  

Ji Taoyu scolded, then strode ahead. After a few steps, he glanced back at the man still rooted in place and tilted his head slightly. “Hurry up.”  

Huo Shu’s brow twitched. A hint of autumn light softened his fierce eyes as he led the horse after him.  

The two walked one after the other to the cloth shop.  

Shili Cloth Shop was located on the main street in the heart of Tongzhou City - a grand, three-story building, imposing and splendid.  

Jiangnan silk was renowned, sold across the Dali Empire, so Tongzhou had no shortage of fabric shops.  

This shop had been in business for decades. Though not the largest in the city, its prime location made it a landmark.  

The shop boasted an extensive variety of fabrics, from the silks and satins worn by the wealthy to the hemp and coarse cloth used by commoners.  

Prices were fair, with no deliberate overcharging, earning the shop a solid reputation among cloth merchants.  

When Huo Shu arrived, it was still early, but the shop had already opened for business.  

Today was a market day, so shops in the city opened half an hour earlier than usual.  

Customers were already coming and going.  

The shop had over a dozen attendants - men, women, and ger, assisting with fabric selections, along with four accountants. Two checkout counters stood at the entrance, each with four clerks.  

There were also two managers overseeing operations.  

The moment Huo Shu reached the door, a ger attendant warmly ushered Ji Taoyu inside.  

“Young master, your complexion is exquisite! We’ve just received new autumn fabrics, the colors and textures are superb, but few can carry them well. With skin as fair as jade, these would suit you perfectly! Shall I show you?”  

“Sir, leave your horse to me. We have a stable nearby.”  

Huo Shu turned and saw another attendant approaching.  

“Please take your time browsing. We’ll feed and water your horse in the stable.”  

Huo Shu grunted in acknowledgment, handed over the horse, and quickly entered the shop.  

The interior was far more spacious than it appeared from outside. Rows of shelves displaying dazzling fabrics divided the space, with customers browsing everywhere.  

In the blink of an eye, Ji Taoyu had disappeared.  

Huo Shu’s brow furrowed. Just as he was about to search, someone spoke behind him.  

“Sir, this way, please.”  

He turned and saw the ger who had greeted Ji Taoyu earlier, then followed him.  

After winding through corridors and going up and down stairs, he was led into a room where Ji Taoyu sat leisurely sipping tea, flipping through a book of fabric patterns.  

The attendant poured Huo Shu a cup of tea and said to Ji Taoyu, “Young master, shall I bring the new fabrics I mentioned earlier for you to examine here?”  

Ji Taoyu looked up. “Sure.”  

The attendant smiled. “Please wait a moment.”  

Once the attendant left, Huo Shu sat across from Ji Taoyu. “Why come here?”  

“It’s too crowded outside, hard to talk privately. I’ll ask the attendants about the weavers while looking at fabrics. Shili Cloth Shop employs many weavers, but without connections, it’s impossible to find them. Only the attendants can help.”  

Huo Shu nodded. “Won’t they gossip if you’re seen with me?”  

“No. The shop keeps customers’ affairs confidential.”  

Ji Taoyu knew this well, it was why he dared to come.