LGSLAW : Chapter 13 – The Fabric Shop

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Miao He told the shopkeeper that he and Yang Dalang had been hiding one codonopsis root each time they went into the mountains. He planned to save enough to exchange for a new cotton jacket for Yang Dalang as a birthday gift. Now that he had enough, he wanted to sell them all at once but asked the shopkeeper not to tell Yang Dalang.

 

“Oh, I wasn’t wrong to tease you earlier!” The shopkeeper laughed, “Dalang’s little husband is quite considerate.”

 

Miao He had to put on a shy face, “Please, shopkeeper, don’t just laugh at me, I’m in a hurry.”

 

“Alright, alright, I’ll be quick,” the shopkeeper said as he weighed the herbs.

 

“And please, don’t tell Dalang. Even after the birthday, don’t say anything!”

 

“Why not? He’ll definitely ask where the gift came from,” the shopkeeper teased.

 

“My sewing skills are really bad, so I’ll have to buy one. But I don’t want Dalang to know,” Miao He explained.

 

“Haha, I see. Alright, I’ll keep your secret! But you really should practice sewing. Men love wearing clothes made by their own family. My wife’s sewing is terrible, but how could I dislike it? It’s the thought that counts,” the shopkeeper said, showing off his own clothes.

 

Finally, Miao He received the money, totaling one tael and eight maces of silver. The shopkeeper even praised the quality of the codonopsis. When Miao He safely entered the fabric shop, he let out a huge sigh of relief. 

 

Finally, the most worrying part was done!

 

After all, the plan to exchange codonopsis for silver had constantly changed with the circumstances.

 

Initially, Miao He thought he would just get the lay of the land today. He planned to use money to send a message to the shopkeeper, saying he had a batch of codonopsis to sell. He would arrange a meeting place at the mountain pass, where he would appear in disguise to conduct the transaction. Miao He even had a disguise plan ready—he would dress as a woman with a birthmark on his face, always covering his face and unwilling to enter town. As for women’s clothes, it wouldn’t be difficult to find an excuse to borrow an old outfit from Miao He’s mother. She was still waiting for the one tael of silver to be delivered in a month.

 

However, the shopkeeper didn’t recognize him and seemed to have never heard of the original He Ge’er’s story. 

 

So when Miao He casually mentioned, “I’ll try to dig more with Dalang next time,” the shopkeeper didn’t find it strange. This indicated that Yang Dalang hadn’t told the shopkeeper whether he went into the mountains alone or with someone else. Otherwise, the shopkeeper should have been surprised. Confirming this, Miao He’s story could be more confidently fabricated in the future.

 

This was actually the right timing, location, and people!

 

The apothecary was conveniently situated between the oil shop and the fabric shop. Additionally, Miao Min’s help made today’s success possible.

 

“He Ge’er! You got here before me. Huh, isn’t Dalang with you?” Miao Min entered the fabric shop and noticed Miao He.

 

Miao He blinked, “Dalang is waiting for the oil at the oil shop. He’ll come later.”

 

Miao Min leaned in and whispered, “Hey, I saw Yuan Ge’er near Dahe Restaurant earlier! There were many people around him, and some were well-dressed young masters. Did you see him?”

 

“No, I was waiting here the whole time,” Miao He clarified.

 

Miao Min’s eyes brightened, “Since Dalang isn’t here and my mother is still next door, why don’t we go take a look? I’ll just say I left something there and need to fetch it—”

 

Miao He quickly interrupted, “How long does it take to get oil? Let’s not make a fuss. Today is your important day; if you don’t pick something soon, Dalang and I will head back.”

 

“But He Ge’er, are you really—”

 

Although it sounded like concern, Miao He couldn’t help but detect a hint of pity.

 

Miao He emphasized, “I really don’t need to!”

 

Miao Min sighed sincerely, “Alright then. My mother says many things change after marriage, and you have to accommodate more. If you’ve come to terms with it, I’ll support you.”

 

Miao He couldn’t comment on that and quickly changed the topic, “Let’s pick some fabric. There might be a lot, and it’ll take time to choose.”

 

“Right! Liang Ge (brother Liang) said I could pick anything I liked without worrying about the price,” said Miao Min, referring to the custom where the groom’s family pays for the wedding dress fabric while the bride or ge’er takes care of the sewing. “But my mother insists I choose something inexpensive, saying it’s better to be modest before becoming a new ge’er-in-law to make a good impression.”

 

Miao He took these words at face value and nodded, “Your mother is right. Choose that way.”

 

But Miao Min was a bit unwilling, “He Ge’er, what fabric did you choose for your wedding?”

 

Miao He couldn’t remember. The original He Ge’er barely had any impression of Yang Dalang, let alone the wedding clothes forcibly put on him. But he didn’t want to dwell on this, so he casually pointed at a red fabric. “It looks like this one.”

 

The shop assistant, who had been secretly observing Miao He since he entered, immediately came forward.

 

“Oh, this ge’er has a good eye! This fabric suits your complexion well. Wearing it will make you look stunning. But if it’s for a wedding dress, there’s an even better fabric on the rack! It’s red with gold threads, more festive and elegant! That fabric will truly bring out the best in you. Would you like to try it on? We have ready-made long gowns you can try.”

 

In a fabric shop, who are the most welcomed customers? Besides those with money, the second are those who look good. If a good-looking customer is willing to try on several outfits, it can make even the most ordinary fabric look eye-catching. Many other customers often end up buying more because of such impromptu advertisements.

 

Therefore, someone as good-looking as Miao He, with fair skin, big eyes, and a small face, immediately caught the shop assistant’s attention.

 

Miao He quickly shook his head, “I’m not buying. It’s this ge’er who’s choosing wedding dress fabric.”

 

Miao Min, who had been mistaken, naturally felt a bit uncomfortable. It felt like the times when he was overlooked, and everyone’s attention was on Miao He. He couldn’t help but resent a little—Miao He had already worn wedding clothes, so why didn’t the shop assistant recognize him?

 

The shop assistant was quick to react, immediately smiling at Miao Min, “Oh, I thought the young ge’er wasn’t old enough yet. My mistake! If it’s you, this fabric is definitely suitable. Festive and youthful!”

 

Miao Min was finally pleased. “Well… how much is the fabric with the gold threads?”

 

The shop assistant enthusiastically explained, “Considering the craftsmanship, the gold threads, and the quality, it’s really not expensive! Just one and a half maces of silver per foot! If you buy more, I can ask the shopkeeper to give you a discount!”

 

For a ge’er’s outfit, about six feet of fabric would suffice since they were generally smaller in stature. However, wedding dresses required more layers, so eight feet would be safer. At one and a half maces of silver per foot, the fabric would cost one tael and two maces of silver—quite an expensive wedding dress.

 

At this point, Miao Min’s mother also entered the shop, carrying several large bundles wrapped in oilcloth. Her face was beaming, likely because she had bought quite a lot. Compared to the original He Ge’er’s memory of their family being poor, this was quite different. Perhaps they were willing to spend more because their eldest ge’er was getting married.

 

While Miao He’s thoughts wandered, Miao Min had already started arguing with his mother. “I really like this fabric, none of the others are as eye-catching! How can I choose something else?”

 

“No, one tael and two maces is too expensive! Are you planning to drink northwest wind for the whole year after marrying Miao Liang? You’re old enough to know how to manage a household! Do you think no one will control you after you marry?”

 

“But Liang Ge said I could choose what I like. Mother, you’re right, we should consider the in-laws. But if I choose something too cheap, Liang Ge will be upset. He cares about appearances; if the wedding dress is too frugal, people will think he’s stingy.”

 

“But one tael and two maces is really too much! How about we choose something in between? Like this fabric with bright red patterns, isn’t it beautiful?”

 

“I still prefer the one with gold threads,” Miao Min kept touching the fabric. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it and couldn’t bear to let it go.

 

The shop assistant added, “Auntie, wedding dresses are only worn once in a lifetime. Miss this chance, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life! Since the young ge’er likes it so much, why not let him try on the ready-made long gown to see how it looks?”

 

“Mother, please? If we just cut seven feet, we can add some money secretly, and it’ll be about right,” Miao Min pleaded, adding, “He Ge’er also said it’s beautiful. Don’t you trust his taste?”

 

Miao Min’s mother, her face darkening further, turned to Miao He and accused, “It’s you! I knew it was you putting ideas in his head! How else would my obedient ge’er choose such expensive fabric? You’re trying to make him greedy! You, who brought shame and disgrace after marriage, now want Min Ge’er to follow you?”

 

Miao He felt wronged being scolded like this. Miao Min was anxious, but his words did not absolve him, “Mother, why say this! He Ge’er didn’t mean it!”

 

As luck would have it, Yang Dalang arrived at the fabric shop’s entrance, carrying several large packages. The shrill voice just now had probably been heard throughout the shop. When Miao He looked up and met Yang Dalang’s eyes, he felt a bit embarrassed.

 

Thinking for Yang Dalang’s sake, Miao He spoke up, “Aunt Yun, you misunderstood. I didn’t pick this fabric. But I think it’s better if I leave, to avoid more misunderstandings.”

 

Just then, a slightly plump woman in the shop couldn’t help but speak up, “That’s right, Auntie. This young ge’er didn’t say anything about that fabric.”

 

People in the town spoke more tactfully than those in the village. The shrill accusations just now had startled the other customers in the shop. A kind-hearted woman couldn’t bear it and spoke up.

 

Now, it was Miao Min’s mother’s turn to turn red with embarrassment.

 

If Miao He hadn’t instigated it, then all her scolding would fall on her own ge’er!

 

However, Miao He wasn’t interested in watching everyone feel awkward. Even the shop assistant looked embarrassed. After smiling at the kind woman, Miao He quickly walked to Yang Dalang at the entrance. “Everything’s fine. Let’s go.”

 

Miao Min finally realized he might have ruined something, “He Ge’er, wait! I didn’t mean—”

 

Miao He waved his hand, “Just pick what you like.”

 

At the entrance, Yang Dalang had been holding things in both hands, which were quite heavy. But when Miao He approached, he shifted everything to his right hand, freeing his left hand, and reached out to hold Miao He’s.

 

It was as if he was using his actions to tell everyone that he liked and wanted to protect his ge’er, no matter what others said.

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Rain : One more chapter and that’s it for the week-end ! Tomorrow it’ll be 1 chapter / day , busy days will start again (???,)