Soon, the attendant returned with several bolts of fabric.
Huo Shu glanced at them. The colors were nearly identical - at a glance, they seemed the same, making it hard to see why one needed to choose.
He sipped his tea as the attendant explained the craftsmanship, materials, and hues - phoenix purple, hibiscus purple, mushroom purple.
Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. They all looked purple to him, yet the attendant spun elaborate descriptions, and Ji Taoyu listened with keen interest.
“Purple fabrics are common here in Tongzhou. Elsewhere, they’re expensive, let alone having so many varieties to choose from.”
“Young master, you’d look splendid in these. Wearing this to an autumn chrysanthemum viewing, you’d stand out in the crowd.”
Ji Taoyu smiled faintly. He was long immune to such flattery.
He was no longer the naive ger who’d empty his purse at sweet talk. Coming here, he was cautious.
He touched the fabrics, the texture was decent. It wasn't silk, but the price would still be at least three to five taels per bolt.
Buying two would drain his savings and force him to work for his grandfather for months.
Though he found the fabrics beautiful, he stayed sharp, never forgetting his real purpose.
Just as he was about to ask about weavers under the guise of discussing dyeing techniques, Huo Shu suddenly spoke.
“Wrap them up.”
Ji Taoyu and the attendant both froze, turning to the man who had seemed like mere decoration.
Before Ji Taoyu could protest, the attendant who was quick to spot a big spender exclaimed, “All three, sir? I’ll pack them right away!”
Huo Shu nodded.
The attendant looked as if it were New Year’s. “You have excellent taste, sir! I’ll prepare them immediately.”
Ji Taoyu grabbed the attendant’s sleeve, forcing a smile. “No need, no need! My brother was joking. We’ll keep looking.”
He shot Huo Shu a glare, urging him to take it back.
But Huo Shu leisurely set down his cup and took out his purse. “How much?”
“Five taels per bolt, but for three, we’ll charge fourteen taels and eight qian.”
[1 tael = 10 qian (钱)]
Huo Shu placed a silver ingot on the table. The attendant, fearing he’d change his mind, swiftly pocketed it. “I’ll get your change!”
“Keep it.”
Huo Shu said, “Consider the rest your tip. I want to ask about someone.”
The attendant beamed. “Of course, sir! I’ve been here a long time, I know many people.”
Huo Shu glanced at Ji Taoyu.
Ji Taoyu's heart sank. Seeing the attendant already secure the silver, he forced a smile.
“We’re looking for a weaver named Wu Lianhe.”
The attendant thought for a moment. “Do you mean Third Lady Wu? She’s the only Wu in the weaving section, we call her Third Lady, but I don’t know her full name.”
“Her skills are exceptional, highly valued by the manager. But she rarely meets outsiders. Many customers have asked to see her after admiring her work, but she always refuses. The manager respects her wishes and doesn’t arrange meetings.”
“Even if you wish to see her, she likely won’t agree.”
Huo Shu took out a token. “Show her this. Whether she comes is up to her.”
The attendant carefully accepted the hairpin. “Understood. Please wait a moment. Would you like more tea or snacks? I’ll have some brought in.”
“Just a little is fine.”
Once the attendant left, Ji Taoyu turned to Huo Shu. “What was that? We came here to find someone, not buy half the shop!”
“If we didn’t buy anything, why would they help us?”
Huo Shu was unfazed. “If you like it, buy it.”
Ji Taoyu gritted his teeth. “Do you know how much a shi of grain sells for? Just one or two taels! Even a rural family’s wedding might only cost twenty or thirty taels!”
[1 shí (石) = 10 dǒu (斗) = ~59–70 kg of unhusked rice]
He muttered under his breath, “And here you are, spending half a dowry just to ask a favor.”
“There’s still half left.”
Ji Taoyu was speechless. Huo Shu looked utterly unbothered, as if it weren’t his money.
He took a deep breath. Why was he worrying? It wasn’t his silver. If Huo Shu spent it all and stayed single forever, so be it.
Noticing Ji Taoyu's exasperation, Huo Shu found it amusing. He raised an eyebrow. “What? Did the Yu family pay that much to marry you?”
“Nonsense! They haven’t paid anything!”
“Oh. So how much are your parents asking for?”
“They’re not!”
“Then how much are they planning to ask for?”
Ji Taoyu frowned. “Huo Shu!”
Huo Shu tilted his head. The ger was glaring at him, even using his full name - he was truly angry.
Every time Yu Lingxiao was mentioned, he got upset. Tch.
Huo Shu fell silent, refraining from further teasing.
After a pause—
“I was just asking for reference. So I don’t get swindled.”
Ji Taoyu turned away. “With that face of yours, who’d dare swindle you?”
“You never know. Greed emboldens people.”
Ji Taoyu muttered, “You don’t even have a proper livelihood. Even swindlers wouldn’t bother.”
Huo Shu glanced at him.
Feeling the gaze, Ji Taoyu realized he’d spoken too harshly and shrank slightly.
Just as silence settled between them, the door burst open.
Thanks for the update!!!
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