There's a brook just outside the window.
Willow trees line the brook.
Beneath the trees, a woman rhythmically beats clothes against a slab of stone.
A little farther along, the precipitous eave of one house adjoins to another, presenting an alluring beauty in their compactness.
From her seat by the second-floor window, Jiang Mianmian observes the view outside.
Indeed, the world looks quite different when viewed from up high.
The shopkeeper brings out a wooden tray, upon which lays a white silk cloth, then he carefully places piece by piece of jewelry on top.
The white silk cloth reflects light, somewhat similar to the effect when jewelers light up their stores, making the jewelry look supremely charming.
However, Jiang Mianmian only glanced at the array of shiny objects a few times, exhibiting little interest, and soon turned her gaze back to the window.
Aunt Yin noticed the young girl’s disinterest in the jewelry on the table and the curious attention being devoted to the outdoors, where she was swinging her legs slightly.
Aunt Yin found this energetic side of the young girl quite endearing.
She handed over a glass of water for Jiang Mianmian to drink while she enjoyed the view and waited for her mother and sister to finish shopping.
Thankfully, there was no seesaw, otherwise, she might have been tempted to take a ride.
Qin Luoxia didn't quite have much shopping experience, especially when it came to purchasing jewelry.
She recalled Aunt Yin’s words vividly, advising them to observe much and speak little, not revealing too soon if they liked something.
She understood this well, only through scrutiny one could select the right item.
In essence, it wasn't that different than purchasing other goods, just that the item in question had changed.
However, Jiang Yu seemed to be much more excited.
Just a moment ago, she was engaging in a standoff with Jiang Wan, radiating a kind of superiority akin to a proud young phoenix, nearly protruding her belly with arrogance.
Now sitting down, she was still slightly exhilarated.
Jiang Wan was probably irritated by her, or so she liked to think.
In the past, Jiang Wan always appeared aloof, as if she was unconcerned by anything Jiang Yu did, which left the latter introspecting if she had done something wrong.
Reflecting on it, that was Aunt Yin's journaled adage, “Maintain an even temper.”
However, she caught a whiff of Jiang Wan's displeasure just now.
Feeling a bit triumphant, Jiang Yu thought she managed to understand Jiang Wan's wavelength. seeing her upset brought a tinge of joy.
She admired Aunt Yin's wisdom and decided to prepare a soup for her later as a gesture of respect.
Irritating Jiang Wan seemed more delightful than selecting jewelry.
Despite being unfamiliar with it and never having owned any, she was slightly scared to touch it, worrying she might damage it.
Fearful of being accused of breaking an art piece, Jiang Yu turned to Aunt Yin and asked, "Can you help me pick one out?"
Aunt Yin appreciated this trait in Jiang Yu, unlike others, she did not pretend to understand what she didn't. It was a refreshing honesty.
And as for Madam Qin, despite being less worldly, she was exceptionally clever. She would easily draw inferences from hints and wouldn't boast of her wisdom. This made her easy to guide.
Aunt Yin requested Madam Qin to select first.
Qin Luoxia chose a simple hairpin. It was a silver one with a thick head that could easily hold back hair. In Qin Luoxia's eyes, it could serve as a handy weapon if necessary - pull it from the hair and aim for the heart, neck, or head. Unsure if it could penetrate through the skull as it was quite hard.
She planned on sharpening it upon returning home, on a livestock skull perhaps.
Aunt Yin nodded slightly. In her opinion, the items in this store weren't worth much praise.
Either they are too tacky, the styles have been popular in the Capital City years ago, probably only recently spread here.
Or they are simple and crude.
The hairpin chosen by Madame Qin is a rare pleasing one among the pile.
When you don't have, simplicity can be nice.
Overcomplicated details, but sloppy craftsmanship, only result in inferior quality.
She asked the shopkeeper, "Can they be custom-made? I saw two nice hairpins on the counter downstairs."
The shopkeeper had just heard Madame Wang greeting from downstairs, knowing that the women in front of him are relatives of Master Jiang, became even warmer.
After all, Master Jiang is now their immediate superior.
Moreover, with Master Jiang around, their business gradually recovered and became even better.
There were no more repeated fees.
Having calculated, they even made more profit. He was thinking about contacting his old colleagues to do some business here.
"Yes, we do accept custom orders. We will prioritize those of Madame Jiang. Those hairpins are made from the samples sent by Miss Wan. They are styles I haven't seen before, but that doesn't stump us. We send them to the Provincial Capital where a grand master will craft them. No matter how difficult, it can be done," the shopkeeper said.
The shopkeeper was about to speak more when he recalled that Miss Wan, besides the two custom-made hairpins, had also given him a few new designs, saying she wanted to sell them to him.
The shopkeeper hesitated. The daughter of a wealthy family had never made money before, drove a hard bargain, but seeing the stunning effects of those hairpins, he couldn't let go and even felt they would certainly be a hit in Capital City.
So, he gritted his teeth, planning to buy all of them.
The shopkeeper felt that this Miss Wan was really capable.
Aunt Yin nodded and praised, "Miss Wan is indeed talented, she can even remember the fashion in Capital City, impressive."
The shopkeeper's heart skipped a beat, feeling a little uneasy.
"Let me see those pair of earrings." Aunt Yin slightly mentioned it, and did not say more.
Elder daughter's hair was lush, the jet-black hair, even without hairpins, can look gorgeous.
Her ears were delicate, and though this pair of little pearl earrings was small, their luster was nice and suited her.
Her skin was white, face plump, and well-matched with pearls.
Aunt Yin also found a pair of embroidered shoes with pearls in younger daughter's room, quite different, not something their family would buy.
She said it was a gift from her brother's friend, who gave lots of things, just one of the many, such a good person, but has been out of contact for a long time now, worried if he might be dead.
Aunt Yin: ......
Gifting shoes is not proper, and judging from the situation, this was a matter of a wealthy family. There's definitely something wrong.
However, the elder daughter didn't perceive it yet.
Will discuss later.
Aunt Yin felt that she might lose a handful of hair due to stress when she combs her hair after returning home.
She's too worried about too many things.
Qin Luoxia chose a hairpin and pearl earrings, and chose a little silver tiger for Jiang Mianmian.
Jiang Mianmian was quite content playing with it in her hand.
She never fancied accessories for her hair anyway, afraid of straining the already light volume she had.
She didn't fancy accessories for her ears, neck, or hands either. The economy in ancient times wasn't great and she'd feared wearing anything might make her a selling target. Also, partly worried if there would be lead in the accessories, she simply chose a handheld piece, fun to play with and collectible.
And it did look quite cute with a tiger's face.
She walked with joy, feeling she was the luckiest.
Her tiny tiger could be placed flat, with a hole on its back, through which a string had been threaded.
When she was tired from playing, she could hang it on her wrist.
Aunt Yin discussed with the store owner on the spot about the designs she had brought and how they should be made.
Jiang Mianmian held her tiny tiger toy, leaning against the window, looking downstairs. From afar, she saw a group of people. The leader was her eldest brother and another young man. Her brother looked so majestic, riding on his horse and holding his sword unmindful of anyone else.
Jiang Yu also saw her eldest brother.
She then waved enthusiastically and cried, "Brother."
The young man riding a horse downstairs looked up; so did the man beside him.
They were Jiang Feng and Zi Ganjiang.
Zi Ganjiang had come to ask Jiang Feng to send troops for battle.
Zi Ganjiang looked up to see the girl, her smile was clean and pure, her eyes were round and sparkling with joy.
Beside her, there was another little girl, also waving her chubby little hand, sweetly calling, "Brother."
"Brother Ganjiang, please wait for a bit. I shall be back soon," Jiang Feng gave a brief bow to Zi Ganjiang.
He got off his horse and entered the shop, rushing upstairs, not noticing Jiang Wan at all.
Jiang Wan was always the centre of attention everywhere, so she was taken aback when she was not only considered to be an idle spectator but also completely ignored.
The man waiting on his horse at the entrance paid no attention to her but kept looking upstairs time and again.
Jiang Wan felt aggrieved as she felt continually eclipsed by Jiang Yu, leading to her misfortune every time they met.
Contrary to her expectation, Jiang Yu hadn't become a maid, hadn't lost her memories and was just as flamboyant and irritating as she had appeared in Jiang Wan's dreams.
Upon reaching upstairs, Jiang Feng lifted Mianmian up in his arms.
After greeting his mother, Aunt Yin, he turned to Jiang Yu and asked, "What is that which is making you so happy that your teeth are showing?"
Jiang Yu revealed the earrings, and said, “Auntie Yin chose these for me. I like them."
"Silly girl," Jiang Feng pinched Jiang Yu's cheeks teasingly.
Terrified, Jiang Mianmian held up her own little tiger toy, and said, "Brother, this is my little tiger toy. I gift this to you."
As expected, her brother refused the gift but ruffled her hair endearingly.
After a brief visit, citing that he had work to do, Jiang Feng disappeared again. He left generously, asking the store-owner to add the bill to his account.
Jiang Mianmian almost spurt out a mouthful of saliva bubbles in surprise. She wondered when her brother had his own secret stash of money. It was amazing.
The family picked up the jewellery and got ready to return to the village.
They took the carriage as before.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Yu couldn't contain her excitement. She kept attaching the pearl everywhere, smiling so much that she could hardly sit still.
Qin Luoxia's hairpin was already tucked in her hair, which only revealed a pair of silver round balls. It was really low-key.
Sitting in her mother's arms, Jiang Mianmian hugged her little tiger toy. She felt the carriage jostling rhythmically and found herself humming a tune, which was neither melodious nor in tune.
The sound was soft and fluctuating.
Aunt Yin sat quietly, listening to the girl’s unknowing humming. Everyone in the carriage including Jiang Yu and Qin Luoxia, fell silent.
Oblivious to all this, Jiang Mianmian continued to play and hum.
Aunt Yin couldn't help but feel it was inherited. The young girl was just so small, but the humming tune she sang was something Aunt Yin had never heard before — no one else had — it seemed disorderly, yet exceptionally profound.
Her fingers gently tapped her knee, surprisingly jotting down every single word.
Jiang Mianmian tired herself out from playing. She rested her face in her mother's embrace and fell asleep.
Her little head bobbed gently with the sway of the carriage, cradled by her mother's broad hand, sleeping deeply with her chubby cheeks pressed and flushed.
