Chapter 254: Each One Who Fears Death

"Is the horse‑face skirt something that spread from here to the capital?"

"I suppose so," Jin Mama replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Then do you have those sparkling hair ornaments?"

Upon hearing that, Jin Mama understood and said, "You're from the capital, aren't you?"

"Yes, I have relatives in Fucheng and am staying there temporarily."

"Our master stopped selling that years ago when the north suffered a disaster,"

"Hmm, what a pity; I had intended to buy a piece or two to take back."

"Sorry about that."

The lady in fine clothes walked over to Yuehong, watched her embroider, and reached out to take the embroidery thread beside her.

Qiao Mai rolled her eyes, flicked her sleeve, and said, "Grandmother, I have business in the back courtyard; she already knows you, so you see her off. Want to live in my house? Impossible, huh."

The elderly lady personally arranged a cartload of fine goods for her to take away.

"We don't sell them; they're only for those who take commissions. Anyone who dares to swap the embroidery thread will no longer get work."

Qiao Mai refused without even lifting her head; Yuexia opened her mouth, then closed it, about to turn away.

"Invite her to come to the house,"

"I'm asking how you came from the capital to here?"

"She's different; we've spoiled her, whereas Minghua is not."

"Many people ask whether we sell our embroidery work?"

"I'd even toss a princess, let alone a duchess, toss."

The elderly lady heard that and said happily, "So this battle was led by your father, huh?"

"Understood, Madam Pang; I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Hmm, is your father alright?"

"Fine."

Jin Mama saw her asking all sorts of questions, not mentioning purchases, and realized the visitor must have a purpose for coming to the shop.

A palm from Qiao Mai struck his left chest; he was flung backward, fell to the ground, struggled to rise, and then spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

A moment later, Qiao Mai came from the back courtyard to the front‑court living room; upon seeing the lady in fine clothes, she showed no surprise.

"Earlier in the war, my father was the commanding officer stationed at Beiguan; now that the campaign is won, I've come to fetch him."

Qiao Mai stared coldly at the old woman, as if looking at a corpse.

"Ru'er was the same back then,"

"Is the workshop in Shexian still under construction?"

"Yes, but she doesn't want to."

"Mu Guniang, please speak of the matter at hand."

"Of course; otherwise, who would dare approach the court? One after another, cowards."

"Shall I have you take her family's specialty back?"

She, puzzled, went to the back courtyard and asked, "Servant girl, are you refusing to make friends because of Jiaru's matter?"

At that moment, the old woman behind the lady in fine clothes shouted, "How daring! This is Princess Minghua; you actually dare throw our princess out!"

The lady in fine clothes smiled at her, "My surname is Mu, given name Xuehua; I'm from the capital, known as the Twin Blossoms of the capital."

"Thanks to your elder's blessing, everything is well."

Several old women rushed in, ready to act, when the carriage driver outside the gate suddenly leapt from the carriage into the courtyard, moving at lightning speed, shielding the house and protecting the few.

"Yes, Master."

The main gate was open; their party entered Jixiang Yuan, and seeing the clean, elegant residence, the lady in fine clothes nodded with satisfaction.

"But Princess Minghua of the Zhen Guo Gong Residence?"

"These are goods delivered by our eastern family."

Qiao Mai shook her head, "Grandmother, what are you thinking? A complete stranger suddenly tells you, 'I want to live in your house, I want to be friends with you.' Should I accept? Do I look that foolish?"

The lady in fine clothes gave her a wry smile, "Sister Qiao, I truly have no other intention,"

"Then send someone to seek approval; I'll wait here."

"Your family's embroidery thread is unique, bright in color, and comes in many varieties."

"Miss, what business do you have with me?"

"Princess Minghua is a good child, high‑ranking yet unpretentious, very simple‑hearted."

"Master, there's a very beautiful, very aristocratic lady in the shop who wishes to see you."

The lady in fine clothes examined her, "Your skin is wonderful; do you also use overseas skincare products?"

"Ha ha, you!"

The lady in fine clothes sat down calmly, while the servant girl beside her fanned herself, standing properly behind her.

Qiao Mai rose, "Attendants, throw these lunatics out!"

"Overseas?"

"Yes. Once the workshop opens, I'll often go over, and I'll select a few reliable people to manage it."

"What a good child."

"Seems so, I guess."

She lightly flicked a palm forward; the carriage driver, proud of his martial skill, couldn't even parry.

The elderly lady liked Minghua very much; although she's a wealthy young lady, a golden‑branch jade‑leaf, she has no airs at all. It's truly a pity—had they met earlier, they wouldn't have quarreled so unpleasantly.

"Why?"

She left, leaving an embarrassed old lady behind; it seemed her appearance put the servant girl in a difficult spot.

"Hmm, I understand. Then you be busy. If that Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl comes again, don't drive her away like that."

The lady in fine clothes, upon hearing that the Main Family saw her, left Embroidery Manor, boarded a carriage, and got off at the gate of Jixiang Yuan.

She seemed as if she had seen a savior, and immediately lunged toward the old lady.

"Don't force it; everything is a matter of destiny."

Qiao Mai's gaze finally brightened a bit, "Your driver is good; his martial skill is surprisingly high."

"He was injured a bit, nothing serious; after a few days of recovery he'll return to the capital."

The old woman led them into the Keting, brewed tea, and then left.

"You?"

"Madam Pang, is that you? I am Minghua; Minghua respectfully presents herself to the madam."

"I've long heard of Miss Qiao's great name, of Jixiang Embroidery Zuofang's great name, and of Qiao Ji Snack Puzi's great name, so I came over to see."

"I want to stay at your house, want to be friends with you,"

"May I see your Master?"

"I've long heard your great name, would like to make your acquaintance."

Qiao Mai stared steadily at her without speaking, until the lady in fine clothes had finished rambling.

"Next time you don't come in through the main gate, I'll take your life!"

"As you say, I don't want to make more friends; I have a pile of household matters, plus a pile of affairs Yuan Jiaqi assigned to me, I can't keep up, I have no time to look after her."

"I've never heard of it; just tell me directly what business you have with me?"

The old lady heard this and let out a chuckle.

Jin Mama, impatient, gave Yuexia a signal; she set down the work in her hands and hurried back to Jixiang Yuan.

"Making friends requires mutual consent; I don't want to be friends with you, you may leave, but he dared to fly in through my courtyard gate, so a small punishment is necessary."

The lady in fine clothes wanted to cry but had no tears; she truly was eager to befriend Miss Qiao, it seemed her method was wrong, and as she planned to retreat to advance, the old lady hurried over with people.

"Why are you here?"

Yuexia felt an indescribable, somewhat oppressive feeling toward that lady in fine clothes; she longed for such a person so that the Master could deal with her.

"Since Sister Qiao does not welcome me, I will leave."

"This is not something we can decide; we need to consult."

"Too many formalities; how is your Grandmother's health?"

"Not seen,"

Qiao Mai frowned, "I am very busy, have no time to make friends, and I won't befriend others."

"Are you really here to befriend Miss Qiao?"

At the sight of Miss Mu, she immediately shouted in surprise.

This episode passed that way; Jin Mama, having nothing to do that night, went to find Qiao Mai.

"Then she shouldn't act foolishly; if she wisely seeks my daughter to befriend, I won't oppose it."

"In the Ming Imperial Court, tea is monopolized, salt is monopolized, cloth is monopolized, and even thread has big merchants; once our family's thread is bought or sold, it's as if we are cutting into others' flesh. Though I am not afraid of them, I fear trouble; money is never enough, and living quietly is the proper way."

"I understand; my consideration was shallow."

"That shop is meant for Ling'er to practice her skills; you may play with it, it's fine. Though we don't cause trouble, we aren't afraid of trouble either!"

"Yes, madam."

(End of chapter)