Chapter 34 The designs (1)
The red-clothed girl was only fifteen or sixteen-year-old. In this era, it was the time when young girls yearned for love. And the fierce contest about little girls, aside from talent and reputation, naturally, was the outstanding outer appearance. Clothing and personal adornment were bonus points. The hidden meaning of Chen Hui’s words was that as long as she wears the riding outfit Chen Hui designed, this Commandery Princess was likely to stand out from the many young girls who are about the same age and succeed in attracting the attention of the person she likes.
Commandery Princess Shuning didn’t know what the hidden meaning of Chen Hui’s words was, but her mind thought about what Chen Hui wanted her to think about. She squeezed the long whip in her hand. Her arms dangled loosely on her side. Her eyes brought a bit of shyness, but she asked courageously, “Are you telling the truth? If it isn’t as beautiful as you said, see how I will smash your shop!”
Chen Hui smiled and said, “Commandery Princess, if I didn’t have the confidence, I wouldn’t have dared to talk big. How about this? Come five days later to Li Clan’s Cloth Shop at Changfu street. If you are not satisfied, I won’t have any complaint if you smash my shop on spot.”
Commandery Princess Shuning raised an eyebrow and smiled. The confidence that Chen Hui emitted was convincing enough. Also, she didn’t think anyone would dare to deceive her like this. Therefore, she didn’t intend to investigate the truthfulness of Chen Hui’s words. What if there was no Li Clan’s Cloth Shop or that Li Clan’s Cloth Shop didn’t belong to this woman? She didn’t have any interest in teaching people a lesson anymore. The expectation in her heart made her smile brightly and she said loftily, “Then, it is settled. I will definitely come have a look in five days! Let’s go!”
The last sentence was addressed to her two servants. After saying that, she jumped into the carriage without sparing a look at the old woman on the ground again.
Chen Hui watched the carriage leave. Xiao Liu leaned over and said worriedly, “Lady Chen, you have been a bit impulsive today. If you brought trouble to lord…”
Chen Hui said, “I won’t. That Commandery Princess didn’t ask who I am. If it comes to that, I will just say that Li Clan’s Cloth Shop was sold to me by lord and let Commandery Princess come only at me and won’t implicate lord.”
Chen Hui casually went over. She saw that the people who watched the commotion disappeared one by one. She squatted down in front of the old woman and asked, “Old lady, are you okay?”
That old woman groaned once and looked at Chen Hui with muddled eyes. There was still fear in her eyes and her whole person looked confused.
“Xiao Liu, come help. Send her to the doctor,” Chen Hui said.
Although Xiao Liu was reluctant, he could only come and help.
“Mother!”
Someone cried out in alarm and rushed here at a fast pace. He instantly fell down and carefully checked the condition of the old woman. He turned around and glared angrily at Chen Hui’s group, “What did you do to my mother…Lady Chen?” He recognized Chen Hui and exclaimed.
Chen Hui also recognized this person. It was Qi Shengwen who she saw in the bookstore before. No one has this luck of hers.
“Gentleman Qi, you have misunderstood. Someone else hurt your mother. I just happen to pass by here,” Chen hui was too lazy to claim credit and was also afraid that it wouldn’t be good if her explanation got to Commandery Princess Shuning. She said, “If you don’t believe me, you can go ask around.”
Qi Shengwen immediately blushed with shame and hurriedly said, “Naturally this humble one believes Lady Chen’s character. This humble one was rude just now and asks Lady Chen for pardon.”
“It’s okay,” Chen Hui said, “Since gentleman is here, then I will leave your mother in your care.” She looked once at Xiao Liu and stretched out her hand.
Xiao Liu looked at Qi Shengwen. Is he an old friend of Lady Chen? He lowered his eyes, took out some silver and handed it to Chen Hui.
Chen Hui handed the silver to Qi Shengwen and said, “Gentleman Qi, this is a small kind feeling of mine. Your mother seemed to have suffered a serious injury. You better take her to the doctor quickly.”
“How…how can I accept this…,” Qi Shengwen blushed and was embarrassed.
Chen Hui said, “Your mother’s body matters the most.”
Qi Shengwen seemed to be entangled for a moment. In the end, embarrassment couldn’t win short of money. He nodded and said, “Then, thank you, lady. Lady’s character is lofty, unsullied and admirable.”
Chen Hui smiled politely and have a more favorable impression of this scholar. Although, he looked rather shy when he spoke, it was nice and comfortable to listen to.
Qi Shengwen looked once at his mother and said embarrassed and apologetic, “It seems a bit difficult for me to take my mother to the doctor alone. Can I trouble Lady Chen again?”
Chen Hui looked at Qi Schenwen’s not very strong body. She didn’t refuse and let Xiao Liu help. Together with Qi Shengwen, the old woman who was in a confused state was sent to the doctor.
Qi Shengwen expressed his gratitude the whole way, making even someone as thick-skinned as Chen Hui feel embarrassed. The whole group finally arrived at the doctor’s and sent the old woman in. When the doctor was diagnosing the treatment, Qi Shengwen came out to send Chen Hui off. His eyes seemed to be shining when looking at her, “Don’t know how it is at Lady Chen’s home. This humble one would definitely pay a visit to express my gratitude.”
Chen Hui smiled slightly and refused simply and firmly, “No need. It was just a trivial matter.” If she told this scholar from where she came from, he would be scared to death.
Fortunately, Qi Shengwen wasn’t someone who kept entangling. Although, he showed disappointment, but he didn’t say more. He watched Chen Hui and her group leave.
The corners of his mouth raised slightly and he seemed to be in a good mood. He turned, entered the medical center and sat down beside the old woman. That old woman had just woken up. She stared at him for a long time and thought that he had saved her. She smiled gratefully, “Many thanks for gentleman’s help…”
Qi Shengwen smiled gently, “You don’t have to. The one who saved you is not this humble one. Instead, it is a…lady.” He handed all the silver that Chen Hui had given him to the old woman and said, “These are also given by that lady. Take it.”
“Thank you, gentleman!” The old woman thanked repeatedly.
Qi Shengwen said a few things to the doctor and left the medical center. Looking at the wonderful weather today, he smiled slightly and said to himself, “Today is really interesting.”
—
When Chen hui arrived at the cloth shop, she was more eager. Her first admirer and client would appear in five days. After choosing a long time, she selected many fabrics and asked shopkeeper Wu to sent them to Li residence as soon as possible. Afterward, she asked him to sent a tailor to Li residence before she returned to the residence.
What Chen Hui said to Commandery Princess Shuning was not entirely false. There was a kind of willful pride emitting from Commandery Princess Shuning. She spoke and acted very willfully. She was in high spirits and really somewhat stimulated her creativity. Fortunately, she happened to have a finished design of a riding attire. It only needed some alteration before it could be made and worn.
The fabrics had been delivered first on the same day. Chen Hui asked Xiao Liu to call the two dressmakers especially supported by Li residence. The two were a pair of sisters. Both were in their forties and had the surname Sun. Chen Hui heard Xiao Liu call them eldest aunt Sun and second aunt Sun. She first stared at them, spread out the design and explained it. After all, there was a gap of hundreds of years between the two sides. In order to let both of them understand how to do things according to her design, Chen Hui took a lot of trouble to explain. Until her mouth and tongue were dried did she made some progress. Soon after, the two hurried with work to get it done in time. Finally, two sets of clothes were made within three days. One set was a riding outfit that Chen Hui promised Commandery Princess Shuning and the other was made with slight modifications based on the daily dresses of ladies. There was not much difference at first glance, but if you look at it more, you will find some thoughtful small designs, which were eye-catching. The tailor sent by shopkeeper Wu had also arrived in the meantime. Chen Hui took pains to communicate with the three of them, kept the two who she could communicate with and started other designs under her instructions.
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It seems QS is not ordinary man