Jiang Mingyue and Hongshao refused to let go, each tugging fiercely at the piece of fur in their hands, pulling it towards themselves.
The fur began to distort under their force.
"Ladies, please stop pulling," the shopkeeper pleaded, worried they would ruin it.
Jiang Mingyue and Hongshao paid him no mind.
Riiip—
The red fox fur tore, and both Jiang Mingyue and Hongshao simultaneously released their grip.
"This red fox fur isn't as good as the ones in my wardrobe," Jiang Mingyue said disdainfully, flicking her handkerchief before turning to leave.
"The color isn't vibrant enough; it's not worthy of my young lady," Hongshao added, twisting away to depart.
"You two damaged the fur in my shop. You must pay for it," the shopkeeper blocked Jiang Mingyue and Hongshao's path.
"Nonsense! It's clearly because the fur in your shop is of poor quality," Jiang Mingyue had no intention of paying.
"That's right. This red fox pelt of yours even smells faintly of fox musk—it wasn't properly treated," Hongshao chimed in, accusingly.
"You're talking rubbish! Every piece of fur in my shop is carefully inspected. There are absolutely no issues," the shopkeeper couldn't bear the accusation that his goods were inferior.
"Everyone, come and see! This shameless shopkeeper is trying to swindle us!" Jiang Mingyue shouted loudly.
Her voice attracted quite a crowd, who gathered around.
"Quick, everyone, look at this crooked shop. He's forcing a poor young woman like me to buy damaged fur," Jiang Mingyue said pitifully, dabbing the corner of her eye with her handkerchief.
"I did no such thing! It was you and her who tore the fur," the shopkeeper pointed at Hongshao.
"Shopkeeper, you are not only black-hearted but also vicious. I merely witnessed you pressuring this lady to buy the torn red fox fur, and now you're dragging me into it," Hongshao looked at the shopkeeper with an expression of shock.
A delicate, pitiful young matron, a pretty maiden, and a burly middle-aged man. Needless to say, whose side would the crowd's sympathy lean towards?
"Shopkeeper, if you're wrong, you should apologize."
"Exactly, be a man about it. Don't let people look down on you."
"Shopkeeper, admit your mistake. We'll still come to your shop in the future."
"Come back for what? A black-hearted shop like this deserves to be shut down."
...
"I'm not lying. I'm telling the truth. It was these two who fought over this red fox fur, tore it, then refused to take responsibility and are now slandering me," the shopkeeper was wronged. He had been running an honest business; how had it become a crooked shop?
Both sides insisted they were right, blaming the other.
"The shop is quite spacious. Was there anyone else who saw what happened?" someone asked.
"Yes, there was another lady. She was the first to take a liking to this red fox fur. Because these two fought over it, that lady had no choice but to let go," the shopkeeper now regretted not being firmer earlier and selling the fur to Ye Yunniang. Then none of this would have happened.
Hearing this, the expressions of Jiang Mingyue and Hongshao changed simultaneously.
They had forgotten about Ye Yunniang.
Their changed expressions were noticed not only by the surrounding crowd but also by the shopkeeper.
"Will you two explain yourselves, or shall I go and invite that lady over? We can confront each other directly and lay everything out."
The shopkeeper now spoke with full confidence.
"What's going on here?" Xing Jinxiu walked in.
"Young lady, this shopkeeper is black-hearted. He—" Hongshao stepped forward to complain.
Xing Jinxiu impatiently cut her off, her gaze turning to Jiang Mingyue.
"Weren't you going to Mountain City? Why are you back?"
Back when Jiang Mingyue was still the fifth young lady of the wealthy Jiang family, she had dealt with Xing Jinxiu many times, though their relationship was merely passable.
Xing Jinxiu looked down on Jiang Mingyue's "stench of money," yet envied the luxurious way she dressed.
Jiang Mingyue disliked how Xing Jinxiu always looked down her nose at people, but due to Xing Jinxiu's status as an official's daughter, she had to be careful and accommodating.
"It's the New Year. I returned to pay respects to our ancestors."
"How filial of you," Xing Jinxiu's words carried a hint of sarcasm.
"Being filial to one's elders is only right."
"Hmph. You're so filial, running off to Mountain City to enjoy yourself while leaving your elderly parents in a dilapidated temple, not caring if they live or die."
"A woman follows her father at home and her husband after marriage. Alas, there was nothing I could do," Jiang Mingyue recounted the helplessness of a married woman.
"Hypocrite."
Jiang Mingyue paid no mind to Xing Jinxiu's remark. "Miss Xing, your maid here is quite impressive. The moment she entered the shop, she demanded the shopkeeper wrap up all the good furs and deliver them to the Xing residence."
Upon hearing this, Xing Jinxiu frowned and looked at Hongshao.
Hongshao guiltily lowered her head, not daring to admit she had been throwing her weight around in public using the Xing family's name.
"Shopkeeper, I see the furs in your shop are quite good. Pick out some of the best and send them to the Xing residence."
Xing Jinxiu noted Hongshao's transgression but dealt with the immediate matter first.
With the Xing family's young lady speaking, the shopkeeper dared not say much more.
"This humble one will select the finest and deliver them to your residence."
"The piece of red fox fur in your hand looks to be of excellent color. Send that as well. It can be tailored into a pair of sleeve covers," Xing Jinxiu instructed.
"Very well, I'll wrap it up right away." Damaged fur, sold off. If even the Magistrate's residence favored the furs from his shop, he needn't fear being driven out of business by competitors.
The shopkeeper very obsequiously saw Xing Jinxiu out of the shop.
Watching Xing Jinxiu's performance, Jiang Mingyue uttered disdainfully, "Putting on airs."
Jiang Mingyue searched the shop for Ye Yunniang. She had just remembered where she had seen Ye Yunniang before.
Ye Yunniang was Jiang Tingjun's wet nurse.
Considering that Chunyao was also Jiang Tingjun's wet nurse, and the two were familiar, Ye Yunniang might also know who Jiang Mingzhe's woman was.
The object of her thoughts, Ye Yunniang, had already gone with Cai Damei to another fur shop.
After another round of careful selection, Ye Yunniang took a liking to a cloak made of brown fox fur. It felt smooth to the touch and was very warm.
"Mother, how about this one?"
"Mm, that will do," Cai Damei agreed.
As the weather warmed, the price of fur garments had dropped considerably. Cai Damei picked out two for Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang refused, saying she had clothes to wear.
Cai Damei insisted.
Ye Yunniang agreed, but on the condition that everyone in the family buy something.
Cai Damei, Ye Yunniang, the three boys, and Little Shushu all selected some good quality furs.
On March 16th, Ye Yunniang brought the three children to the completely transformed No. 8 courtyard.
On March 8th, after Baise saw their future home, she went back and found workers.
The next day, she brought about a hundred people to No. 8 courtyard for a major renovation.
After the renovation, the once stain-covered gate of No. 8 courtyard was now a clean, natural wood color.
The ground was paved with grey bricks, so there was no need to worry about stepping in mud or puddles on rainy days.
The biggest change was the originally dilapidated house full of holes.
In less than five days, it had become a two-story building.
The first floor contained the bedrooms for Tie Yi and Baise, a study, and a main hall for receiving guests and dining.
The second floor held Tie Xiong's bedroom, a study, and a guest room.
The staircase to the second floor was located near the alley leading to the backyard. Tie Xiong going up and down wouldn't disturb Tie Yi and Baise's lives.
"You are truly remarkable," Ye Yunniang praised after seeing the house.
"This is called 'a worthy daughter of a tiger father.' My father used to design and build houses for the royal family," Baise said proudly.
"Could I ask for your help in renovating my family's house?"
