The shopkeeper presented a cleverly designed hairpin, a haitang (crabapple blossom) adorned with pearls and gems, each jewel accentuating the flower's noble aura.
Beside it lay a hairpin crafted from pure gold, shaped like a delicate lace lantern. Its form was so intriguing, the patterns on the lantern clearly visible, a testament to its exquisite craftsmanship that left one in awe.
On a tray rested two bracelets. One was white jade inlaid with gold, the jade divided into four sections, enveloped by intricate golden clasps that made the white jade appear exceptionally elegant.
The other was a gold filigree bracelet studded with gems. Extremely fine gold threads were wound around the bracelet, forming complex and opulent patterns, further adorned with eight rare and precious stones – tourmaline, ruby, sapphire, pink jade… it was a sight that captivated the eye.
"Does the esteemed patron find them to her liking?"
"Yes, yes, the treasures from Zhenbao Zhai are indeed extraordinary!" Bai Sihan, utterly captivated, immediately reached out and put on the jeweled gold bracelet. She admired it from every angle, her eyes brimming with satisfaction.
"Mother, look how beautiful I look wearing this bracelet."
"Beautiful, beautiful, Han'er looks beautiful in anything."
Shen Shi's reply swept away her previous gloom. Such exquisite items truly befit her peerless beauty. Her resolve to marry into a prominent family grew even stronger; otherwise, this splendor would be fleeting, a prospect she absolutely could not tolerate!
"If the young lady likes them, shall we wrap them up and send them to your residence?"
"No need to send them, we'll take them with us. Shopkeeper, the bill, please."
"Yes."
Shen Shi did not want the items delivered to the Bai residence, fearing any potential mischief along the way.
Bai Siruo could acquire treasures from Zhenbao Zhai because her mother was the Princess Wenyi, who brought a vast dowry. Now, they too could afford such fine things, all thanks to Bai Sanlang's past. In that instant, she felt that Qiao Xiuniang wasn't entirely without merit; at least she had left behind a decent jade pendant, hadn't she?
A total of six hundred taels. Shen Shi felt a twinge of pain as she paid, parting with the newly acquired silver so quickly. But seeing her daughter's delighted face, it was worth every bit of heartache.
"Mother, let's go."
"Mm."
"May the esteemed patron have a pleasant journey, and do visit again."
The shopkeeper and the attendant saw them out the door before returning. The attendant glanced at the shopkeeper and asked curiously, "Does the shopkeeper know who these two ladies are?"
"Just some nouveau riche, uncouth women. I doubt they'll be back, so no need to waste your energy. Miss Wei's ordered headwear is far more important; she's our true major patron, understand?"
"Heh heh, the shopkeeper has sharp eyes."
The shopkeeper sneered. True noblewomen would never fancy such gaudy items. They say gold and stones have value, but jade is priceless. Look at the young ladies in the capital; who wears anything but understated and elegant jade jewelry? Only those eager to show off would choose gold, silver, and gems.
Shen Shi and her daughter, blissfully unaware they had been seen through, returned home happily, only to encounter Bai Chaoke.
"My lord returns early today. Have you dined?"
"Weren't you injured? Why did you go out with Han'er?"
Bai Chaoke had just returned and heard from a servant that the mother and daughter had gone out. He was curious as to why, when he saw Bai Sihan raise her wrist, revealing the bracelet she had just acquired, her expression proud and smug as she looked at Bai Chaoke.
"Father, look, isn't this bracelet beautiful?"
"Is the bracelet newly bought?"
"Yes, Mother took me. It was on the third floor of Zhenbao Zhai. Father, you haven't seen it, they have so many good things inside."
Her words were filled with lingering delight. If she could, she'd buy everything on the third floor!
Bai Chaoke's brow furrowed. He knew Shen Shi's financial situation all too well. Over the years, she had spent a considerable amount of her dowry to help him navigate court relationships. This bracelet, he reckoned, couldn't be had for less than a hundred taels. Where did she get so much money?
His gaze towards Shen Shi became more probing and questioning.
Under his scrutiny, Shen Shi felt a flicker of unease. Some things were bound to be revealed. Rather than have her husband discover it himself, it was better to be upfront. After all, she had witnessed his methods, and a cold sweat broke out on her back.
"Han'er, you must be tired today. Go back and rest. Mother also needs to lie down. We'll talk tomorrow."
Having acquired these fine items, Bai Sihan was eager to return and place them alongside the things Princess Wenyi had sent last time. This trip to the capital had been worthwhile; these ornaments alone were worth over a thousand taels.
"Very well, then Daughter shall take her leave."
Watching Bai Sihan's gleeful departure, Bai Chaoke remained silent. Turning back to Shen Shi, his gaze was calm.
"Where did the money come from?"
Bai Chaoke gave Shen Shi no time to think, pressing her directly.
Shen Shi's meager schemes were no match for Bai Chaoke. His stern demeanor terrified her into confessing the truth on the spot.
Upon hearing it, Bai Chaoke was furious, sweeping a teacup from the table to the floor.
"Nonsense! How dare you!"
His eyes seemed to devour her as he stared intently at Shen Shi. If not for the presence of other Bai family members, he would have likely lunged forward and beaten her to vent his anger.
"My lord, what are you doing? Are you… are you going to punish me for that lowly woman and that rebellious son?"
Shen Shi thrust her neck forward, her words defiant, but her imposing aura had already diminished significantly. Subdued by Bai Chaoke, she could barely articulate her sentences.
"You… you mustn't forget what that master said back then… He said if you were to acknowledge that rebellious son, there would be mortal danger! Let alone your future, my lord, it's even a question of whether you can survive!"
Shen Shi's words brought Bai Chaoke's thoughts back to many years ago.
Back then, he was merely an insignificant illegitimate son of the Bai family. By chance, he met Qiao Niang. The dashing young man and the gentle, beautiful seamstress fell in love and secretly pledged their lives to each other.
He thought heaven had taken pity on him, a pitiable soul with a father but no mother, finally allowing him to live a happy life. Who knew that before he could bring Qiao Niang home, his engagement to Shen Shi had already been decided by Old Madam Bai.
At that time, he had neither his father's affection nor any power to support himself. How could he resist? He could only grit his teeth and marry Shen Shi.
He planned to bring Qiao Niang into the household as a concubine in a month. Their love was deep, and he believed Qiao Niang would agree.
Alas, he had ultimately underestimated Old Madam Bai's methods. In less than half a month, she had persuaded his father to send him to an official post in a distant region, thus cutting off his promising future in the capital.
Qiao Niang's belly grew larger. How could she follow him through hardships and uncertainties?
After much deliberation, Bai Chaoke decided to let Qiao Niang give birth in the capital first. Once he had established himself in his official post, he would come to pick them up, mother and son, for a reunion.
However, the unexpected happened.