An Sheng left the manor a step ahead of her, leaving A Mei feeling a tiny bit disappointed. However, she quickly cheered up and decided to visit Ruiyu Pavilion today.
Ruiyu Pavilion was a famous jewelry shop in the capital. A Mei had heard of it but never had the chance to visit before. Today, she had Wu Da make the arrangements and left the manor, taking Hehua and a few maidservants who usually attended to her in her room.
Upon entering Ruiyu Pavilion, A Mei marveled inwardly. It truly lived up to its reputation; to describe it as a dazzling array of glittering gold and jewels would not be an exaggeration.
Those who could afford to shop at Ruiyu Pavilion were either wealthy or noble, mostly consisting of rich merchants, as well as the wives and daughters of officials.
As soon as A Mei walked through the door, an enthusiastic shopkeeper greeted her. Perhaps because she had received and seen far too many gifts while accompanying An Sheng in the past, she could now view any rare treasure with a calm and unruffled expression, showing no deep interest.
The shopkeeper noted A Mei's demeanor and could not help but feel secretly astonished, becoming even more careful and attentive in serving her.
In truth, it was not that A Mei disliked the items. But no matter how much she liked them, her interest vanished the moment she saw the price tags. Although her husband and godfather had handed over the family's financial power to her, her innate frugality meant that no matter how much money she had, she was unwilling to be extravagant.
That was until A Mei saw two Sinan jade pendants displayed on a shelf.
Sinan pendants were currently popular among men as amulets to ward off evil. One was made of flawless, pure mutton-fat white jade, while the other was also crafted from premium Hetian jade, with a streak of blood-red suffusing its center.
A Mei immediately took a liking to the blood-infused Sinan pendant. She pointed at the two pendants and said, Please, shopkeeper, bring these two down for me to take a look.
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, thinking to himself that this young lady certainly knew her goods. He immediately instructed an assistant to fetch the items down.
A Mei carefully examined the two Sinan pendants, felt their texture in her hands, and then asked for the price.
The shopkeeper stated a figure.
A Mei raised her eyebrows slightly but quickly composed herself. She smiled politely and said, Then please wrap up the...
Just as A Mei was about to say to wrap up the blood-infused jade, a bold yet steady female voice came from beside her.
Young lady, I am truly sorry, but could you part with one of these two Sinan pendants for me?
A Mei turned to look. The speaker was a middle-aged woman dressed in luxurious clothes with an elegant and dignified appearance, followed by several older female servants and maids.
Oh my, Madam Wang, you have arrived! Quick, someone, serve tea! The old shopkeeper's face instantly bloomed into a wide smile. This Madam Wang was a major patron of their shop.
A Mei blinked. She nodded to Madam Wang and asked, May I ask which one you have your eye on, Madam?
Madam Wang pointed to the mutton-fat jade Sinan pendant. Her tone was frank but not annoying. To tell you the truth, young lady, my youngest son is a handful. He seems to have encountered some evil spirits these past few days. The abbot of Fa'en Temple just performed a ritual for him and specifically instructed that he wear a mutton-fat jade Sinan pendant to ward off evil. That is why I had the audacity to ask this of you.
However, to express my apologies, I am willing to compensate you with one hundred taels of silver.
A Mei smiled and shook her head, saying honestly, There is no need for that, Madam. Actually, I only had my eye on this blood-infused jade. This way, it works out perfectly with each of us taking one.
Madam Wang gave a hearty laugh. Regardless, thank you, young lady.
Ruiyu Pavilion had dedicated seating for resting. After settling their bills, A Mei and Madam Wang sat together waiting to collect their items.
Hehua came in from outside and whispered, Madam, Xiao Zhengzi sent word that the master will be at most another two quarters of an hour. He instructed that you continue shopping first, and he will meet up with you a bit later.
A Mei nodded, thinking to herself that it was quite fast.
Madam Wang, sitting nearby, naturally heard Hehua address the young woman as Madam. Surprised, she simply asked directly,
Young lady—no, Madam—I see you are quite young, yet you are already married.
In fact, many girls married at A Mei's age. It was just that A Mei always dressed like an unmarried maiden and did not wear her hair up in a married woman's bun, so Madam Wang had assumed she was still unwed.
A Mei's mother had passed away early, so no one had taught her these customs. An Sheng was also an orphan, with only his godfather in the family. Marrying An Sheng meant that A Mei had truly never been restricted by certain conventions.
Hearing Madam Wang's question, A Mei immediately smiled and replied, Yes, my husband's family name is An.
So it is Madam An. My husband's family name is Wang; you may just call me Madam Wang.
Madam Wang.
These two Sinan pendants were quite expensive, and the blood-infused jade was a full one thousand taels of silver more expensive than the mutton-fat jade. Madam Wang had a straightforward personality and a sharp mind. Seeing how generous A Mei was despite her young age, she formed the desire to befriend her.
Madam An, you spent five thousand taels of silver just like that. This is a large sum of money. Do you not need to inform your family?
A Mei paused for a moment and said, I manage all the household finances, so there is no need to inform my husband.
A look of surprise crossed Madam Wang's face. She thought to herself that although this woman looked young, she was capable of making financial decisions. Looking again at A Mei's unbound hair, she could not help but sigh in admiration, To become the lady of the house at such a young age, Madam An, you are truly capable.
In a normal household, only the lady of the house could manage the money, and only the lady of the house would dare to be so casual about it.
A Mei smiled shyly. It is not a matter of being capable or not.
Madam Wang raised an eyebrow. Seeing you dressed like someone from a wealthy family, little sister, your husband must be an official, if not a nobleman.
A Mei nodded with a smile but did not elaborate.
The wives of the officials in the capital were generally not this young. Madam Wang concluded in her heart that A Mei must be the wife of a descendant from some noble family, and she said warmly, It is still better to be from an established, wealthy aristocratic family. As long as the household is divided, life is comfortable.
A Mei knew Madam Wang had misunderstood, but she was not annoyed. Instead, her face filled with a smile. My husband is not a nobleman; he is an official himself.
Being an official is wonderful! With such a good husband, little sister, you truly have a blessed life.
At these words, A Mei perked up instantly, feeling a bit closer to Madam Wang. She agreed wholeheartedly, At the risk of sounding silly, I also think I am very lucky to have married my husband.
A flash of envy crossed Madam Wang's eyes. Looking at A Mei's slender figure, a thought occurred to her, and she asked, Little sister, how long have you and your husband been married?
It has been half a year.
Is there any news in your belly?
News? A Mei looked confused.
Then I suppose there isn't.
A Mei blinked.
Madam Wang continued enthusiastically, There are three forms of unfilial conduct, and having no descendant is the worst. Don't just look at how your man dotes on you and loves you now; if a long time passes and you haven't provided his family with an heir, that absolutely will not do.
To be honest, I know a master physician who specializes in this field. If you trust me, I can introduce you to him for a pulse diagnosis and some conditioning. I guarantee that within three months you will conceive a son, and you'll have two in three years. Your position as the lady of the house will be as solid as a rock.
Madam Wang had quite a loud voice. Before A Mei could even react, Hehua and several other maidservants behind her suddenly turned deathly pale upon hearing her words. Their eyes widened in terror, as if they had just heard something truly horrifying.
One timid maid dropped straight to her knees with a heavy thud, making such a loud commotion that even Madam Wang was startled.
A Mei: ...
