Chapter 11: The Second Aunt's Waist Support

  Whenever it came to buying clothes, Mama Wen would feel a belly full of resentment and pent-up anger, her tone involuntarily laced with annoyance.

  "Uh-huh," replied Yao Cunhui in a drawling tone, "and after taking your measurements? What about the fabric, style, and workmanship? I wonder what plans Mother Wen has for this. This is going to be clothing for all four seasons, you know - quite a large quantity!"

  Wen's mother's face suddenly changed color, the pain of cutting meat started, and the amount was not small, all spent her own silver!

  "Second Miss, don't worry, I'll take care of it myself." Warm Mama's cheek muscles twitched slightly, and she cast a resentful glance at Yao Cunhui.

  "How dare you!" Yao Cunhui slammed her hand on the table, immediately putting aside her temper and pointing at Wen's mother in anger: "What are you? Just a slave! How can you be my master? No wonder Father was so angry. It seems that Father is still merciful, and the punishment and lesson you received were not enough. You still dare to be arrogant and overstep your bounds today! Our Yao family cannot afford to raise a capable person like Mother who can take charge of the household. I won't bother Mother anymore either. Honglian, come with me to report back to Father and Mother!"

  Hong Lian saw Wen Mama's face was gloomy and crying since she entered the door, speaking in a bad tone, which made her unbearable. Hearing Yao Cunhui's voice, she felt invigorated and responded loudly with a "yes", supporting her to get up and wanting to leave.

  "Second Miss! Second Miss, please calm down!" Madame Wen was so frightened that she knelt down with a thud, clutching Yao Cunhui's legs and begged: "Yes, it was all this old slave's fault, everything was this old slave's mistake. Please spare this old slave, Second Miss! From now on, this old slave will do whatever you command, I dare not disobey again!"

  Madam Wen begged non-stop, only now did she realize the severity of Yao Cunhui's situation. If Yao Cunhui really walked out that door and returned to Old Master Yao and Madam Ma, she would be completely finished! Weighing the pros and cons, how could she still put on a strong front?

  Hongzhi lowered her head, not saying a word, serving beside him. She slightly raised an eyebrow and glanced at Wen's mother, secretly mocking in her heart: Just like her, she didn't know what was good for her, and indeed, their outcomes were similar!

  "Get your dirty hands off! What are you pulling and tugging at?" Hong Lian glared at Wen Mama, scolding in a low voice.

  "Oh dear, what's all the commotion about? Hui'er, this Plum Blossom Courtyard has been bustling with activity every day for the past few days!" As she spoke, Second Mistress Mao entered with a gentle swaying motion, her hands holding a sandalwood-handled, double-sided embroidered cat-shaped fan. Her peach-red silk dress with golden thread embroidery seemed especially alluring, and she smiled faintly as she glanced at Warm Mama on the ground, feigning surprise: "Oh dear, isn't that Warm Mama? Which act is this? Could it be that I'm seeing things?"

  Wen's mother's face turned red, and she hastily let go of her hand, looking at Yao Cunhui with a pleading expression.

  "What wind brought Second Aunt here? Please sit down! Hongzhi, serve tea!" Yao Cunhui smiled and greeted Mao Shi to sit down, then turned to Wen Mama and said slowly: "Get up!"

  Mrs. Wen hastily got up from the ground, stood in front of her with her head bowed and didn't dare to make a sound, and secretly called out in her heart even more. She really hated it, if she had settled things with Yao Cunhui earlier, wouldn't that have been better? The second lady had always been at odds with the lady, and now she was here too, catching this opportunity to thoroughly show off herself? She was a crafty person...

  Mom was so anxious that she felt dizzy and almost fainted!

  This guy is really unlucky, even drinking a glass of water can get stuck in his teeth!

  "Tell Auntie Er what's going on?" As expected, Mrs. Mao took a sip of tea and asked impatiently.

  Yao Cun Hui's heart was secretly amused, although Mao Shi left early last night, but what happened later she wouldn't know? Now a pair of eyes stared wide, looking at her full of doubt and curiosity, acting to the fullest, singing, reciting, doing, and fighting all perfectly!

  With her around, it seems like there's nothing much to do for myself anymore. Mao Shi has been holding back for so many years, and now that she's finally got the chance to vent out the resentment in her heart, she'll let it go? Don't be ridiculous!

  Yao Cunhui tacitly gave her a supporting role, and told the reason why Wen's mother came one by one.

  Mrs. Mao's eyebrows and eyes curved with joy, her heart feeling extremely pleased. She glanced at Warm Mama and clapped her hands, laughing: "So that's how it is! This really is heaven's blessing! Hui'er, you're truly a lucky one! Since that's the case, Warm Mama, what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and find the tailor shop's master to come over! Our family's clothes have always been made by Qian Si Workshop, old customers, they'll arrive as soon as we call! Hmm, let's call Master Nie over, he's a skilled craftsman, meticulous, and has good workmanship. Let the apprentices bring over several boxes of high-quality fabrics for Second Miss to choose from! I might as well do a good deed thoroughly, Su Mama, go to Qian Si Workshop and invite Master Nie over, tell him it's urgent! Warm Mama, you won't blame me for meddling in other people's business, will you?"

  Wen's mother had a face that was almost crying, and she was so angry that she couldn't help but want to slap herself several times! She knew how formidable the Mao family was, and didn't dare have an opinion. With a forced smile on her tear-stained face, she weakly said: "Wherever you are, Second Madam is so enthusiastic about helping, I'm grateful and can't even express it!"

  "Hui'er is my niece, and it's only right that I take more care of her!" Mrs. Mao smiled bluntly in response, completely ignoring the barb in her words.

  "Hard work, Second Aunt, I really can't bear it!" Yao Cunhui looked helpless and smiled awkwardly, leaving everything to her elders.

  "Hui'er, you're just too kind and polite! You feel uneasy about it, so from now on, go visit Second Aunt more often and chat with her, that's how you can be filial to her!" Madam Mao said with a hint of a smile.

  "It's only right to show respect to one's elders!"

  "Haha!" The corners of Mr. Mao's mouth were slightly hooked, and he smiled as if he was mocking but not really mocking! It's different, it's really different now! He spoke without leaking a single word, even if Mrs. Ma were here, she wouldn't be able to grasp any handle!

  Su's mother led the way, and in less than half an hour, she brought in Master Nie, followed by six apprentices, who carried in a large wooden chest as tall as a person, and then exited again.

  It's clear that Madam Mao had already invited Master Ni and the others to the gate, and all Su Mama did was lead them in from the gate of the Yao residence! Madam Mao deliberately made it so obvious precisely to give Madam Ma something to be jealous about.

  Ni Shifu bowed and greeted Mao Shi and Yao Cunhui. Mao Shi was apparently very familiar with him, and they chatted casually for a few sentences before ordering him to take Yao Cunhui's measurements. Then he ordered Su Mama, Hong Lian, and Hong Zhi to open the large wooden trunk, and together they helped Yao Cunhui select fabrics.

  Mrs. Wen looked up and saw that it was a stunning piece, with soft light and excellent texture, obviously a top-notch product. Mrs. Wen's heart began to beat rapidly again.

  "Two years' worth of seasonal clothes, four suits for everyday wear per season, two suits for visiting guests, plus two more for Mid-Autumn Festival and two more for Chinese New Year. And then there are the winter coats - two big ones, plus two windbreakers for spring and autumn each, two cloaks for winter, and one snow-cape. That makes thirty-five pieces per year, seventy pieces in total! And don't forget the warm hats, two per year, four in total... Ah, Master Nie, hurry up and write it down! What are you spacing out for?"

  "Hmm, okay, okay!" Master Ni rubbed his eyes as if waking up from a dream, hastily took out paper and pen from his toolbox to take notes, secretly marveling in his heart, and glanced at Yao Cunhui with a slight raise of an eyebrow.

  Can't he be more sensible? Who has ever heard of adding new clothes like this? Not to mention seeing it, he hasn't even heard of it!

  Hong Lian laughed so hard on one side that her face bloomed like a flower, as if she was the one making clothes!

  "You just remember and follow it, that's all! Don't worry, I absolutely won't shortchange you on your silver!" Mr. Mao sighed, his words full of meaning.

  "Ha ha, the second lady is joking! Hehe, I'm at ease, very much at ease!" Master Nie was startled and broke out in a cold sweat. In such a large and deep mansion, what strange things hadn't happened? Being too curious wasn't a good thing, after all!

  At first, she remembered the quantity well, and Mrs. Mao helped Yaoke Hui select materials with enthusiasm and expertise, talking endlessly and choosing only the best materials. Every time she chose something, the corner of her mother's mouth twitched. In the end, her mother was also numb, standing still and apathetic on the side, letting Mrs. Mao choose.

  Yao Cunhui looked bewildered and ignorant, most of the time following Mao's advice, saying only "Hui'er doesn't understand, if Second Aunt says it's good, then it must be good!"

  After selecting, Mao ordered to take 16 pieces of soft silk fabrics on the spot, including two pieces each of bean green, goose yellow, light red and smoke pink, and eight pieces of white silk, which were used to make close-fitting clothes, socks and other small items.

  These things in a girl's home would naturally not be made by a tailor's shop, usually they are made by personal maids or done by themselves.

  Finally, Madam Mao's slender fingers pointed to the wooden carved mud sculpture of Wen Mama and smiled: "How much silver is it in total? Master Nie will collect the deposit from her!"

  Master Ni nodded calmly, counted his fingers briefly, and smiled: "The total is 2,893 taels and 6 mace. After deducting the discount, you should pay 2,890 taels. The deposit is 1,000 taels first."

  "How can this be!" Madam Wen cried out in a loud voice, her face turning deathly pale as she stared at Master Nie in incredulity.

  "Heh heh, this is already the best price I can offer you, take a look," said Master Nie, handing over the paper record and pointing to explain: "One red fox fur coat with white satin lining, one down-filled jacket; one rabbit fur, gray mouse, silver mouse, and fox fur each, made from peacock silk and embroidered satin, just these are over 1,500 taels. The fabrics for the seasonal clothes are also top-quality brocade, satin, and gauze in various colors and patterns, all the latest fashion. At this price, you won't even find it on the market! I'm giving you the old customer discount!"

  Mom was extremely frustrated and thought to herself, "Why did I buy all these from the market? I'm already full!"

  She thought for a moment, her eyes lightly scanning Mao Shi and Yao Cun Hui's faces, before turning to Wen Mama with a hint of melancholy in her eyes, saying: "Please trouble Nian Shifu to follow me back to retrieve the silver."

  If she had known this earlier, what was the point of arguing with Yao Cunhui? If they had settled things before Mao's arrival, wouldn't everything have been calm and peaceful? She really got what was coming to her!

  "Zhu Men Chun Shen" latest chapter is released by Yun Qi Shu Yuan, the fastest and most popular online release site! (This site provides: traditional pagination, waterfall two modes, can be selected in settings)