Chapter 136: Chapter 135: Zhenxiang Courtyard Is the Signature of Spring Street in Xiuyue County

Zhuo Qingyan and the Silk Embroideress didn’t notice anything unusual about the woman.

Gu Zhao didn’t say anything to alert them. His face was impassive, his expression unconcerned. He simply gestured for the two women to come over and pointed to a few sets of ready-made clothes hanging on the wall. "How about these two?"

It was no wonder the young women of Spring Street avoided this shop; its style was completely different from the one next door.

Peeking from the doorway earlier, they had seen that the clothes in the neighboring shop were a riot of color—dazzling, flamboyant, and designed to grab attention. Wearing one would be like having your own personal spotlight.

The young women on Spring Street naturally loved such garments, but in an ordinary household, they would seem rather garish.

The clothes in this shop, by contrast, were more understated. Its reds were like cinnabar and crimson; its blues like the sky and moonlit bamboo; its greens like the spring dawn and twilight mist. The colors were light and refined, the styles crisp and simple. While not overtly opulent, they exuded a certain elegance.

The dress Gu Zhao was pointing at was primarily a moon-blue, trimmed with cinnabar red and a pale, cloud-like white. It looked simple at first glance, but the embroidery was intricate and plentiful.

The Shopkeeper looked over Gu Zhao and his companions, noting their fine clothes and noble bearing. He immediately broke into an obsequious smile. "Young Master has a truly discerning eye. This cloud-brocade skirt with a bamboo motif is a masterpiece by our own Master Liu. The craftsmanship is exquisite."

Gu Zhao nodded, then pointed to the dress and a slightly smaller blouse next to it—a spring-dawn green paired with a delicate goose-yellow. "Wrap both of these up for me. Do you have any other nice styles?"

"Yes, of course!" The Shopkeeper nodded with a grin. As he continued to present more options, he made sure to add, "These are all masterworks. It takes Master Liu half a month to complete just one. A single piece is worth more than a dozen ordinary dresses."

Gu Zhao snapped his fingers and held his hand out to the Silk Embroideress.

The Silk Embroideress pursed her lips and pulled a silver ingot from her coin purse.

SMACK!

Gu Zhao slapped the silver ingot into the Shopkeeper’s hand. "Is this enough?"

"More than enough, more than enough!" The Shopkeeper nodded profusely. He hefted the heavy silver in his hand, beaming from ear to ear. "I’ll go get the clothes for you, Young Master!"

The Shopkeeper told an assistant to look after the guests while he himself hurried off to the back courtyard.

Seeing that Gu Zhao had finished his business, the woman from before slowly put down the dress she was holding. She nonchalantly started to leave, but as she passed by the group, her knees suddenly buckled, and she stumbled.

"Oh!" the woman cried out, falling right into Gu Zhao’s arms.

Gu Zhao instinctively caught her by the waist, feeling the plush softness against his arm and the slender curve in his hand.

The woman whispered into Gu Zhao’s ear with a delicate moan. As she tried to push herself up, she seemed to lose her balance and fell against his chest once more.

Hiss—

The woman finally righted herself and took two steps back. Her footing still seemed unsteady, but she managed a curtsey. "Thank you, Young Master."

"You’re welcome." Gu Zhao waved his hand dismissively. With a slight raise of his eyebrow, he noticed a handkerchief had been slipped into his sleeve.

The woman shot Gu Zhao a sultry, sidelong glance before turning to Zhuo Qingyan with a slight bow. "The Young Master is so generous to his lady. I’m quite envious."

The corner of Zhuo Qingyan’s mouth twitched into something between a sneer and a smirk. She simply nodded in acknowledgment.

The woman lightly touched her lips, gave Gu Zhao another faint smile, then slipped past the group and sauntered away.

Gu Zhao couldn’t resist looking back. He saw the sway of her hips, her form-fitting dress accentuating her exquisite figure and tracing a tantalizing curve.

Right after, he noticed Li Erping, who was trailing behind them, swallow hard.

"Pretty, isn’t she?" Gu Zhao asked.

"She is," Li Erping admitted.

"Silk Embroideress?" Gu Zhao said, turning his head.

"Yes?" the Silk Embroideress answered.

"When we get back, have a chat with Erping’s wife," Gu Zhao said.

Li Erping whipped his head around, horrified. "Young Master!?"

"Just tell her that her husband worked hard driving the carriage and running errands, and that she should make him something nice to eat when he gets home to rest," Gu Zhao said.

Li Erping let out a long sigh of relief. He’d nearly been scared to death.

The Silk Embroideress and Zhuo Qingyan both laughed. Just then, they saw the Shopkeeper return to the main room, carrying four or five outfits and bowing and scraping before Gu Zhao.

...

A shopping spree it was, and a shopping spree they had.

Gu Zhao took the two women to buy dresses, shoes, and socks, as well as a few simple pieces of jewelry.

Meanwhile, Zhuo Qingyan picked out a few long gowns and scholar’s robes for Gu Zhao, and also chose some winter clothes for the old Daoists and Elder He.

Gu Zhao didn’t object. After all, modern items like down jackets and military greatcoats weren’t suitable for wearing here. The pelts taken from the Black Bear King and the White Wolf King, however, could be made into some fine clothes.

Gu Zhao felt a small thrill of excitement at the thought of soon owning a bearskin coat, leopard-skin boots, and a wolf-skin scarf.

With a folding fan in one hand and beautiful companions at his side, Gu Zhao leisurely made his way back to the Zhuo Family Mansion.

"I’ll go make dinner!" The Silk Embroideress announced, heading quickly for the rear kitchen. In her hands, she carried meat and vegetables purchased at the market, along with a small basket of eggs.

Gu Zhao watched Zhuo Qingyan go to put away their purchases, then walked over to the courtyard pavilion and gently drew the handkerchief from his sleeve.

It was a sky-blue, circular kerchief, no more than a foot long. Embroidered on it were a pair of mandarin ducks. The colors were delicate and the scene was full of life; the fine silk threads seemed to make the water ripple, a testament to the creator’s extraordinary skill.

But even more remarkable was the line of characters embroidered in the corner: Zhenxiang Courtyard, Yunyao.

’Zhenxiang Courtyard again?’ Gu Zhao thought of the first young woman who had passed him and extended an invitation. ’The quality at Zhenxiang Courtyard really is top-notch!’

Gu Zhao lifted the handkerchief and sniffed it. It carried the faint fragrance of Orchid, a scent that seemed elegant yet was utterly captivating. ’A true expert!’

Just then, Zhuo Qingyan finished her tidying and emerged from the rear hall.

Casting a quiet glance at the handkerchief in Gu Zhao’s hand, Zhuo Qingyan seemed unconcerned. She simply said to him, "The Silk Embroideress has finished dinner. She says it’s time to eat."

"Alright." Gu Zhao nodded and put away the handkerchief. "I’m going out for a bit tonight."

A flicker of emotion crossed Zhuo Qingyan’s eyes, but she still nodded. "Alright."

"Are you coming with me?" Gu Zhao asked.

Zhuo Qingyan was taken aback. "You’re asking me to go?"

"Why couldn’t you?" Gu Zhao asked. "You don’t need to sleep at night anyway. Think of it as a little excursion."

Zhuo Qingyan thought for a moment before asking, "Are you planning to go to Spring Street?"

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"

Zhuo Qingyan gestured toward Gu Zhao’s sleeve. "I saw her slip you the handkerchief."

"Impressive." Gu Zhao took the handkerchief out again. "It’s from Zhenxiang Courtyard. That place must be the crown jewel of Spring Street in Xiuyue County, right?"

Zhuo Qingyan said quietly, "The tallest building on Spring Street is Zhenxiang Courtyard."

"Just as I thought," Gu Zhao murmured, rubbing the handkerchief.

Zhuo Qingyan stared at the handkerchief, then back at Gu Zhao. A flash of understanding crossed her face, and she suddenly asked, "There’s something wrong with that woman, isn’t there?"

Gu Zhao nodded. "Martial Uncle Yan Song overlooked her last time."