Duoduo nodded. "Then take good rest, Nanny. I'll be going now."
Nanny Li bowed, and Qingliu followed out, holding the clothes.
"Qingliu, put this back. I'll wait for you at the gate," Duoduo instructed.
"Yes." Qingliu knelt in a bow before hurrying away.
Duoduo walked slowly toward the gate with Lüdou. By the time they reached the entrance, Qingliu had caught up.
A carriage was already waiting by the gate. Duoduo climbed aboard.
Inside, Old Madam Su already looked impatient. When she saw Duoduo enter, she immediately spoke up.
"Even leaving the house takes so long. Hurry up and go!"
Duoduo sat down next to Su Xian. "Mother, I came out late."
"It's fine. We only just got on the carriage ourselves," Su Xian comforted Duoduo.
The carriage began to move, and Duoduo looked across at Yunmeng.
Yunmeng was dressed especially beautifully today.
Her black hair was styled into two buns, each fastened with a dangling ornament decorated with colorful beads.
As Yunmeng moved, they made a crisp, clear sound.
She wore a light pink dress, with delicate embroidery on the collar and cuffs.
On her wrists were a pair of very thin gold bangles, hung with tiny bells.
In contrast, Yunxi was dressed much more simply.
Seeing Duoduo appraising her, Yunmeng let out a triumphant "Hmph" and lifted her chin.
Across from them, Yunxi gave Duoduo a warm smile.
Duoduo ignored Yunmeng and smiled back at Yunxi, then quickly swept her gaze over Old Madam Su.
Today, Old Madam Su was also dressed in new clothes.
Duoduo noticed that her Grandmother was wearing more valuable jewelry than usual.
It seemed the other family's background was not ordinary.
Su Xian saw Duoduo's eyes flitting over Yunmeng and the others as soon as she got on the carriage.
She gently stroked Duoduo's head and said softly.
"You should pick a few pieces you like today too. Look at Yunmeng—she looks very pretty dressed like that."
Duoduo turned her head toward Su Xian. "Mother, I don't want any."
Su Xian was slightly surprised. "Why not?"
"I don't want to jingle and jangle everywhere I go, like a little dog!" Duoduo said, playfully squeezing her eyes shut.
Su Xian paused for a moment, then laughed.
"Naughty girl!" She gently pinched Duoduo's nose.
The carriage was small, so even though mother and daughter kept their voices low, the people across from them could hear a thing or two.
Yunxi let out a "Pfft" and laughed out loud.
Yunmeng's face flushed bright red, and she looked at Old Madam Su with a aggrieved expression.
"Grandmother, she insulted me!"
Old Madam Su, mindful of the importance of today's outing, patted Yunmeng's hand.
"She doesn't understand. You look beautiful this way."
Yunmeng looked uncertain. "Really?"
Old Madam Su shot Duoduo a sidelong glance. "Look at her—she's not wearing a single ornament. How could she be as pretty as you?"
Because Duoduo practiced martial arts, she disliked jangling jewelry.
Every time Lüdou suggested Duoduo wear ornaments, Duoduo refused.
Today, Duoduo's hair was simply tied into two little buns with vermillion silk cords, each topped with a pearl the size of a thumb.
The pearls were gifts from the Emperor.
What made them rare was that a few were colored pearls.
Lüdou had used them to make Duoduo's hair ornaments.
Yunmeng was calmed by Old Madam Su's words.
Su Xian patted Duoduo's hand to reassure her.
Duoduo gave Su Xian a obedient smile.
She wouldn't bother with people who didn't matter!
The carriage fell silent.
After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the carriage stopped.
Lianxin lifted the curtain. "Your Highness, we've arrived."
Su Xian took Duoduo's hand and stepped out first.
Yunxi helped Old Madam Su down from the carriage as well.
This was the largest silver jewelry shop in the capital, Fuxiang Tower.
Next to Fuxiang Tower was the largest fabric store, Lingluo Manor.
Old Madam Su entered Fuxiang Tower first, leading the way.
Duoduo tugged Su Xian's hand and followed.
As soon as Old Madam Su entered Fuxiang Tower, her eyes were drawn to the glittering gold jewelry.
A shop assistant ran over with a beaming smile.
"Welcome, honored guests! Are you looking at finished pieces or custom orders?"
Old Madam Su was taken aback. "You do custom orders?"
The assistant's smile didn't waver. "Of course, we do. Our craftsmen are very skilled. As long as you can describe it, they can make it!"
Yunmeng and Yunxi were both captivated by the various ornaments in the display cases.
Yunmeng, being short, stood on tiptoe to get a better look at the styles.
Old Madam Su had initially felt a bit intimidated by the size of the shop, but then she remembered Su Xian behind her.
She pointed at the jewelry in the counter. "Can I try these on?"
The assistant hesitated, then discreetly sized up Old Madam Su and her party. Finally, his gaze landed on Su Xian and Duoduo, and he nodded with a smile.
"Yes, Madam, you may."
Hearing this, Old Madam Su immediately pointed to several pieces of jewelry.
The assistant carefully took them out and placed them on the velvet cloth on the counter.
Old Madam Su first picked up a heavy gold bangle and slipped it onto her wrist.
"This bracelet is a perfect match for your noble hand, Madam!" the assistant flattered with a smooth tongue.
Old Madam Su laughed with joy.
She then picked up a gold hairpin and stuck it into her hair.
Su Xian found it a bit difficult to watch. She walked over and pointed to a jade bangle in the counter.
"Assistant, take this out and let her try it."
As soon as the assistant saw Su Xian point to the jade bangle, he beamed and brought it out.
"Madam, you are truly a lady of great fortune. This jade bangle has excellent water translucency. Please, try it on."
Old Madam Su looked at the jade bangle in the assistant's hand, and her eyes lit up.
She immediately reached out and slipped the jade bangle onto her wrist.
Yunmeng stared wide-eyed at the jewelry on her Grandmother's hands.
She tugged at Old Madam Su's sleeve. "Grandmother, I want some too!"
Old Madam Su admired the jade and gold bangles on her wrist with satisfaction. Hearing Yunmeng's request, she casually gestured.
"Ask your Aunt to buy them for you!"
Since Su Xian had agreed to accompany her mother and nieces shopping, she had mentally prepared herself.
She saw the eager look in Yunxi's eyes as well.
"Assistant, bring out some pieces suitable for the three of them."
Seeing a big customer, the shopkeeper hurried over from behind the counter, his face full of smiles.
He personally selected a few pieces of jewelry and brought them over.
Yunmeng immediately spotted the wobbling step and grabbed it first.
Yunxi had also liked it, but since Yunmeng got it first, she looked at Yunmeng with some envy.
"Shopkeeper, is there another one?" Su Xian noticed their actions.
The shopkeeper smiled broadly. "In answer to your question, Madam, each item in our shop is one of a kind—there are no duplicates.
If you truly want one, we can have our craftsman make a custom piece."
Yunxi quickly tugged Su Xian's sleeve. "Aunt, it's fine. I don't really like it."
Suddenly, Duoduo noticed her Grandmother's eyes light up, and she walked toward the entrance.
