Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 554 - 552

Chapter 554: 552

A few days after the Dragon Boat Festival, the family of Mrs. Liu Lin set off for their return journey to Shengping County. Shen Chengyao left the city early in the morning with the children to bid them farewell.

Once Xiao’er returned to the mansion after seeing off her guests, Shangguan Wanru, Fu Ranhui and others came to visit. They invited Xiao’er to join them at the beauty salon for skincare treatments.

With nothing else to do, Xiao’er consented and invited Yun’er along as well.

Yun’er wanted to visit the cloth shop to check out some fabrics. She had just drawn a few design sketches and had not yet found the right fabric, so she happily agreed to go, hoping to take the opportunity to find a suitable fabric at the shop.

After their treatments at the beauty salon, the ladies went shopping. Realizing that they would soon be married, Xiao’er decided to find out what they liked and purchase it in anticipation of gifting them as part of their trousseau.

The imperial edict confirming Shangguan Wanru’s betrothal had already arrived. She would be married off to Nangong Country in three months to become the Crown Prince’s consort.

The grand wedding of Shangguan Xuanhao and Ruan Weizhen was due the next month.

Despite her suspicions, Xiao’er is quite fond of Shangguan Wanru, her intimate friend. Faced with the prospect of her friend’s looming departure, Xiao’er couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.

They chose not to ride the carriage and strolled hand-in-hand down the streets of the Imperial City instead. These young beauties created a beautiful street scene that attracted many eyes.

Suddenly, a ticklish sensation from Shangguan Wanru twisted around her arm aroused Xiao’er’s irritation, almost driving her to desperation.

The feelings of regret and attachment vanished entirely. She found herself wishing the next three months would pass quickly so that the Crown Prince could take away this ticklish troublemaker. She couldn’t bear it any longer!

Xiao’er subtly withdrew her hand and ran towards the Nichang Cloth Store: "Princess Wanru, Wei Zhen, Qiqi, you’re all soon to be wed. Let me design a dress for your return journey to give to you all!"

"I knew you had my best interests at heart, Xiao’er," Shangguan Wanru replied excitedly. She tried to catch up with Xiao’er to hold her arm once again.

Seeing this, Xiao’er practically ran to the cloth shop.

Those behind her fully aware of the reason behind Xiao’er’s rush could not help but laugh.

"Wanru, you don’t need to wear a custom dress on your return journey, do you?" Fu Ranhui chipped in.

"Of course I do! Do you expect me to stop wearing clothes once I’m wed?" Shangguan Wanru retorted with a glare at Fu Ranhui.

The others broke out in laughter.

Madam Liu, noticing that several of the most distinguished ladies of the Imperial City had arrived, quickly greeted them with her most radiant smile.

"Madam Liu, do you have any quality fabrics suitable for a dress to be worn on a return journey?" Shangguan Wanru inquired.

"Honored guests, your timing is impeccable. My shop just got a new batch of wedding dress fabrics yesterday. The color is beautifully red, and I am certain you’ll adore them." The Imperial City was about to witness some grand weddings, so naturally, her shop had stocked up on bright red fabrics. Although the Imperial Consort’s wedding dress would be custom-made by a specific department, the bride would still need to prepare many new clothes, undergarments, and quilts.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er laughed gently. Madam Liu’s favorite phrase must be: "We just got a new batch of fabrics yesterday".

"Madam Liu, you always seem to have just received a new batch of fabric every time I visit. Do you get new stocks daily?" Shangguan Wanru couldn’t resist teasing her.

"Not at all. Princess Wanru, it’s simply your good luck that new stock arrives each time you visit," Madam Liu replied, looking somewhat innocent. It was true; they had just received new stock yesterday. She was always honest.

"No one is as sweet-tongued and honest as Madam Liu. Her words always melt people’s hearts," Xiao’er joined the teasing.

The ladies laughed as they entered the reception room of the cloth shop. Madam Liu hurriedly ordered tea for her guests and instructed her staff to bring out the high-quality red fabrics.

The red fabrics were indeed exceptionally dyed, and of good quality. One set of satin even had a hidden pattern; Shangguan Wanru and the others couldn’t resist touching them.

Seeing this, Xiao’er picked out one of each type of fabric and purchased them.

Just as they were leaving the reception room, they saw Mrs. Li and Li Mingfang entering the cloth shop.

On seeing the two women, Di Junya became irate. She couldn’t resist making a sarcastic taunt: "Madam Liu, the thief is here. You’d better keep a close eye on your goods, or you’ll suffer a significant loss if something valuable gets stolen right under your watch."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Li became furious: "Who let this mad dog loose, going around biting people! Accusing others of theft, do you have no manners?"

Madam Liu’s smile froze. Was this a fight between Gods that would spell disaster for the mortals caught in-between?

"Even if I lack manners, I still know how to count hands. Isn’t that right, three-handed Miss Li?" Di Junya said, looking straight at Li Mingfang, who showed no signs of guilt or shame.

Upon hearing this, Li Mingfang’s face turned red. Noticing Madam Liu’s surprised glance and the curious looks of the others in the shop, she hastily retorted: "Miss Di, I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

"Oh really? Are you going to refuse to admit that you violated my sister-in-law’s home, Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, led to her premature birth and even stole her life-saving pill? Weren’t you the one who did that?"

Mrs. Li froze upon hearing this. Ming Jingya had a premature delivery? Ha, perhaps justice was finally served. She couldn’t have expected anything less after stealing someone else’s husband!

Wasn’t the baby in Ming Jingya’s belly only eight months old? As the saying goes, a seven-month-old baby survives but an eight-month-old one doesn’t... Mrs. Li sneered inwardly.

Li Mingfang’s face turned even redder. How could Di Junya be sure that she was the one who stole the pill? Had someone seen her?

"I wonder if your brother grew back the hand he lost after consuming the life-saving pill you stole with your third hand. If not, why don’t you give him your third hand instead?" Di Junya retorted without any regard for Li Mingfang’s feelings.

"You insolent girl! If you don’t stop talking nonsense, I’ll rip your mouth apart!" Mrs. Li, having recovered from her astonishment, vowed angrily and lunged at Di Junya, raised her hand to slap her.

Xiao’er grabbed Mrs. Li’s hand and forcefully pushed her back to where Li Mingfang stood. Li Mingfang quickly steadied her mother and glared at Xiao’er: "Xiao’er, how dare you raise a hand to an elder? Where are your manners?"

"Keep your mother in check and make sure she keeps her hands to herself! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude!" Xiao’er responded, ignoring Li Mingfang’s criticism. An elder? Was she worthy of being an elder?

"A disrespectful chicken has no sense of manners. Today I’m going to teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents! You shouldn’t be going around biting people as soon as you step out of your house!" Mrs. Li asserted vehemently.

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