Jinyi Spring

Chapter 166 Fur Cloak

About fifteen minutes later, Xia got out of bed in the dark.

She first reached under her pillow and took out a purse and a key. Then she quietly walked to the wardrobe, opened it, and used the key to unlock the drawer.

She reached in and touched several brocade boxes and a white silk bundle. She touched the bundle before locking the drawer with peace of mind. Then she touched a fur cloak folded to the side and closed the wardrobe.

In the afternoon, she quietly sewed a compartment inside the cloak. She planned to put the package inside the next morning, then sew a few stitches to secure it. The fur was thick, making it difficult to detect anything inside.

She groped her way to bed and put the key under her pillow.

She usually carries her key pouch with her during the day.

The whole process was as light as a cat's touch.

On the couch in the side room, Yuxiang kept her eyes open and heard the slightest movement clearly.

She smiled slightly and reached into the collar of her coat, where a key that had been recently made was hanging.

Silent all night.

After breakfast on the seventh day, Xia went to Furong Hall to pay her respects to the old lady.

She wore a blue feather gauze cloak with a white fox fur lining, looking extremely wealthy and elegant.

Madam Ming smiled and said, "The old lady knows how to train people. Look at the demeanor of Sister Chan. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was your own daughter."

The old lady looked Xia up and down with delight and said with a smile, "This cloak was a gift from me a few years ago. It's rare to see you wearing it."

Xia smiled and said, "I gave it to you eight years ago, and I've always been reluctant to wear it. It's cold today, so I dug it out and wore it."

He then smiled and said, "Yan'er is growing up. I want to go out and pick out some good leather to make her a fine cloak as part of her dowry."

She was still a little guilty, and she went out quite often these days, but there was nothing she could do about it.

The old lady said, "It's so cold, let the servants go and buy it."

Madam Xia smiled and said, "To be honest, my grandfather was a hunter, and he knew the quality of furs best."

The old lady couldn't stop her any longer. "Then let's go. Since it's part of the dowry, it's best to buy red leather and have it made together with the Zhaojun outfit. I have a thick piece of gold brocade in my storeroom; take it and have it made."

Xia beamed, "Thank you, Mother."

Xia strolled through the busiest streets of Changshun and Zhonglou, visiting three fur shops and buying five top-quality red fox pelts before noon.

She sent Yuxiang to Xu's bamboo ware shop to get a flower basket, while she and a few other servants went to a restaurant for dinner. Defuquan Restaurant was nearby, so they went straight there.

With two of her head maids dying in succession, she dared not let anything happen to Yuxiang for the time being.

Xia instructed the other servants to eat in the main hall on the first floor, while she only took Granny Cai up to the third floor.

Granny Cai was over fifty years old. Although her legs and feet were not very nimble, she had a silver tongue and was highly valued by Madam Xia, who kept her around to serve her even at her advanced age.

Upon entering Tingzhu Pavilion, Granny Cai was about to step forward to help her take off her cloak, but Madam Xia waved her hand, saying, "No need."

Once all the food was served, she raised her chin and said, "Go and lock the door." Granny Cai locked the door as instructed, then turned around and saw Madam Xia take out a twenty-tael silver note from her sleeve and slap it on the table. Her face darkened immediately.

“Keep today’s events to yourself. If things go well, I’ll find a way to get your son a job as a pawnbroker. If you dare to let even a whisper out,” she paused, “you and your family will all be dead.”

Granny Cai's legs went weak, and she knelt down. "This old servant dares not betray my aunt. May I die a horrible death if I dare to gossip."

Xia nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, there was a knock on the side door on the west wall. Xia went over and knocked three times as well, then pushed the door open, went in sideways, and closed the door tightly behind her.

Granny Cai stood there, stunned, not even noticing who was inside. Incredibly curious, she tiptoed to the door and pressed her ear against the crack, but it was completely silent inside; she couldn't hear a thing.

On the other side, Madam Xue smiled and took Xia's hand as they sat down at the table.

Xia lifted her cloak, untied the threads of the lining, took out a white silk package, placed it on the table, and said with a troubled expression, "This is not easy to take; I took a great risk."

Madam Xue opened the package with a smile, first picking up the jade pendant and glancing at it, then looking at the neatly folded, nearly new undergarment, and nodded in satisfaction.

She rewrapped the package and smiled, "Very good, these are all old things." She patted Xia's hand, "I know I've put you in a difficult position, and the Imperial Concubine is very concerned for you. Don't worry, after this, there won't be anything else that requires your personal attention."

As she spoke, she pulled out two silver notes from her purse and pushed them over, saying, "Four thousand taels is our token of our appreciation. Please do not refuse, sister."

Xia glanced at the silver notes, then looked up again. "You want to... use that person to deal with Ming Changqing?"

She frowned, looking reluctant. "The Ming family has been kind to me, and Second Brother Ming is a loyal and capable general. What you... are doing is not right."

A hint of sarcasm flashed across Madam Xue's eyes, but she quickly put on a gentle smile again.

"General Ming, you can rest assured. Princess Changning is here. The Emperor respects her, and the Empress Dowager has a childhood friendship with her. General Ming, nothing serious will happen to you. At most, you'll get a few dozen lashes, but you won't die."

She paused, lowering her voice even further, "The one we need to deal with is that nun. Hmph, even after becoming a nun, she's still not behaving herself. She's repeatedly sent letters to the Empress Dowager, saying she's innocent, saying she's never done anything to wrong the Emperor..."

His gaze swept towards Xia Shi.

Xia's cheeks flushed slightly, and she was a little angry, but since someone had a hold on her, she couldn't get angry.

Madam Xue added, "Hmph, she's paving the way for her own succession, even after becoming a nun she still can't stop causing trouble. The Empress Dowager is kind, she's never mentioned these things in public."

"It was one of her maids who couldn't stand it anymore and secretly mentioned it to the Imperial Concubine last month, who then told my master. Once that matter is confirmed, that nun won't dare to cause any more trouble, and Prince Zhao's path will be smoother..."

Xia forced a smile and said, "Of course I also hope that His Highness Prince Zhao will have a smooth journey. Alas, the Empress Dowager is so kind; I haven't seen her for so long."

Madam Xue said sympathetically, "To be honest, no matter how hard you work, it's never as good as family. The Imperial Concubine has said more than once that, in terms of Xia's talent and looks, the Imperial Concubine is more than qualified... But alas! Your life will only truly improve when Yan'er becomes successful in the future."

Xia smiled helplessly, everything was understood without words.

The two exchanged a few more words, then Xia got up, opened the door, and went back inside.

After sitting down, seeing that Granny Cai was looking down and didn't dare to look at her, she said, "Actually, it's nothing. I just met with Madam Wan. As you know, Madam Wan has been asking me to help Shanyue and Miss Wan get married."

Granny Cai smiled obsequiously, "This old servant knows that Madam is worried about the old lady, hoping that Master will find a good wife soon..." (End of this chapter)