A Good Country Wife
Chapter 443 - 437_1

Chapter 443: 437_1

Lin Yue did not want the Emperor and Princess Yongle to think she wanted to return because of the incident that had occurred in the palace, so she concocted such an excuse, which was reasonable and logical.

"What are you saying? I seldom find a friend I can converse so well with, and I’d really like to keep you for a few more days. However, since there is something urgent at home, there is no helping it. I can only wish you a smooth journey. Since you also have a residence in the Capital City, there will always be a time for you to return, and then we can reunite,"

"Thank you, Commandery Princess, for your understanding. I cannot enter the palace freely, so please convey my farewell to Princess Yongle on my behalf,"

After bidding farewell to Lady Roujia, Lin Yue returned from the Princess Residence with a carriage full of items, all gifts from Lady Roujia for her to take back to her hometown—food, utilities, playthings, fabrics, ornaments, ginseng, bird’s nest, and the like, all taken from the storerooms of the Princess Residence. How could there be anything undesirable among them?

Lin Yue initially declined to accept them, but facing Lady Roujia’s kind insistence, she could only reluctantly accept and expressed her gratitude repeatedly.

"That’s right, accepting them is proper. These things are just lying idle in the storeroom anyway, especially the textiles, which, though fashionable now, will lose their luster if left in storage for too long. They are mostly rewards from various palace events, and I can’t use so much myself. It’s better for you to take them than to let them sit unused. Whether you use them to make clothes for yourself or to give away, they are certainly much better than what you’d buy at the fabric store,"

"Of course, there is nothing inferior in the Princess Residence’s possessions. I will shamelessly accept them, so don’t feel sorry, Commandery Princess,"

"Look at what you’re saying; just take them without worry. After all, every year there are rewards from the palace, and aside from the giveaways, I mostly use the surplus to reward servants. If you feel uneasy about accepting them, just send me some tasty food materials in return. I really love them. In fact, Brother Jiang has even sent over someone with offerings, but truthfully, the food from your family tastes more authentic," Lady Roujia said, not standing on ceremony with Lin Yue, which only made them seem even closer.

"Sure, that’s not a problem at all. As long as you like them, Commandery Princess, I will have someone send them to you,"

Seeing Lin Yue return from the Princess Residence with such a large load, Zhao Erhu knew it must be gifts from Lady Roujia. "Wife, that Lady Roujia is really good to you. Such generosity with her gifts—but is it really fine for us to accept so much from her?"

"It’s all out of the Commandery Princess’s kindness; I couldn’t refuse. In the end, she likes the food preparations from our family. After preparing them, I’ll have Shopkeeper Liu help send them to the Commandery Princess. It’s an exchange of favors,"

"As long as you’ve thought it through, wife, that’s fine."

Having brought the items home, Lin Yue carefully sorted them. To Lady Roujia, these might seem trivial, but they were truly valuable: all were rewards from the palace. Even a single item would be worth dozens of taels of silver, not to mention the fine fabrics and embroidery threads, which couldn’t even be bought outside. Lin Yue was delighted and packed some in a separate box for safekeeping. She figured Lady Roujia probably knew she liked embroidery and had specifically instructed. Initially, she thought to ask Jiang Ziqi to buy some, considering that some embroidery threads and fabrics couldn’t be found even in the big Embroidery Stores of the Capital City, but now that was no longer necessary.

With all the things given by Lady Roujia, Lin Yue still went shopping, picking and choosing various items to bring back. Since the gifts from Lady Roujia were rather high-end, they weren’t quite suitable for relatives and friends in Zhao Family Village. Lin Yue had her uses for keeping these valuable items and couldn’t bear to give them away so easily. Instead, she chose many affordable goods. Coincidentally, a fabric store was clearing out inventory, selling off old styles or excess stock cheaply, and Lin Yue happened to be there. Though labeled as old-fashioned, Lin Yue found them quite nice and thought they’d make great gifts if they could be bought at a good price.

"Shopkeeper, how are you selling these fabrics?" Lin Yue asked, prompting the shopkeeper to start responding, but then noticing Jiang Ziqi was standing by, obviously with the couple, he couldn’t help but become surprised and approached with a respectful greeting.

"This servant has the honor to meet the Family Head. I was unaware of your visit today and failed to greet you appropriately, I hope the Family Head will not blame me,"

Jiang Ziqi waved his hand nonchalantly, "No matter, I’m just accompanying a friend. You needn’t mind me; just attend to their needs. Since these fabrics are clearance items, sell them at the lowest price. Same for the rest. Price everything at the bottom line,"

"Understood, this servant will comply," with commands from the Family Head, the shopkeeper naturally followed, serving Lin Yue with great attentiveness.

"Brother Jiang, so this fabric store is also under the Jiang Family’s name. It seems I am once again taking advantage of your favor," Lin Yue only now learned that this fabric store was a part of the Jiang family’s assets. She spoke teasingly, aware that with Jiang Ziqi, the Jiang family head accompanying her, there was no need for haggling—the shopkeeper naturally offered her the lowest prices.

Lin Yue selected much of the clearance fabric, and then chose a few bolts of trendy, attractive textiles, naturally purchasing them at rock-bottom prices. Upon leaving the store, she continued her shopping spree, visiting several more shops and ended up filling half a carriage with purchases. She shopped to her heart’s content, spending most of the day without feeling the slightest bit tired. It was Jiang Ziqi who noticed it was getting late and suggested they have lunch at a restaurant before continuing their shopping.

"Little Yueyue, I really didn’t expect you to enjoy shopping so much, tsk tsk, you’ve almost covered the whole Capital City without once complaining of fatigue,"

"What’s tiring about spending money? I don’t often come to the Capital City, and who knows when I’ll be back next. I might as well buy as much as I can to take home. Besides, most of it is for giving away; it’s not too much. I plan to keep shopping this afternoon,"

Days passed quickly, and Zhao Erhu had everything arranged. Since their newly bought residence was unattended and they had to leave in a hurry, they had no choice but to entrust it to Jiang Ziqi, asking him to oversee it. If he found suitable tenants, he could also rent it out—after all, it would be vacant otherwise.

"Brother Jiang, I’ll leave everything in your hands,"

"Alright, rest assured. Leave it all to me. Take care on your way back. For the return trip, I will still have Li Xun escort you," on the day Lin Yue and her party were departing, Jiang Ziqi not only prepared another carriage of items for them but also arranged for Li Xun and several guards who had escorted them to the Capital City to accompany them back to Zhao Family Village.

Jiang Ziqi was unaware that Lin Yue had already reached an agreement with the mountain bandits privately, so he was still very concerned. He felt that although the bandits of Longhu Mountain had spared Lin Yue and others the last time, that was an exception. Who knew what might happen this time? He would only feel assured if he sent an escort with them.