Volume One, Chapter Nine: My Lord, Your Servant Wishes to Make Garments for You

The carriage swayed gently, lulling one to sleep. Liu Wuyi lifted the curtain to catch a breath of fresh air; through a narrow alley, the pointed rooftops of the Entertainment Bureau stretched into her view.

That small, cramped bureau held countless women, each striving earnestly for a way out, a path to a better life.

Aunt Lan had once been one of those women, sold by her father for two taels of gambling money.

Yulan’s spirit was resilient; she knew that whether laughing for others or marrying, neither was a good path in that place. So she saved money and begged a nobleman who was madly infatuated with her at the time to help her buy her freedom. She redeemed herself and escaped the degrading life.

With carefully prepared rouge and powder, she opened a small shop in Guilan Alley and started a business. The sisters from the bureau often supported her trade.

After gaining her freedom, whether she maintained contact with that nobleman was unknown to Liu Wuyi, but Aunt Lan had secured her own way out, living the life she desired.

And what of her own path? Could it truly depend on the capricious Governor Dantai?

“Madam, we have arrived at the Zhenlong Pavilion.”

Zhenlong Pavilion was the most luxurious and well-stocked gold and jewelry store in all of Shengjing City. Rumor had it that the owners had deep connections, perhaps even ties to the imperial family, allowing them to occupy four three-story storefronts on the main street of the Eastern Market.

Once out of the carriage, Liu Wuyi, accompanied by two maids, was ushered inside by a footman. The counter displayed a dazzling array of gold and silver ornaments, making her eyes dizzy.

Prices ranged from over ten to more than twenty taels, causing Liu Wuyi to gape in astonishment. She calmly selected several colorful pearl hairpins, two gold hairpins, and a somewhat costly carved hairpin inlaid with red gemstones.

“Please deliver these to the Dantai estate,” she said.

Master He, the shopkeeper, having just served a regular customer, turned at Liu Wuyi’s request, smiling warmly. “I am He Shengcai, manager of Zhenlong Pavilion. May I ask which Dantai estate madam wishes these sent to?”

Chunlan replied proudly, “Of course, the Dantai estate in Pingkang Alley. Which other Dantai estate could it be?”

Liu Wuyi furrowed her brow slightly.

He Shengcai, quick-witted, was also surprised. This was the estate of Governor Dantai himself. Hastily, he invited Liu Wuyi to a private room on the third floor.

Liu Wuyi declined politely. “No need for such courtesy, Master He. I have already chosen what I need and must return now.”

He Shengcai did not press further but struck up another conversation. “In three days, Zhenlong Pavilion will receive a new batch of jewels from the Western Regions. We will hold a small gathering. If madam is free, we would be honored by your presence.”

“It is quite all right if nothing catches your eye. Your visit alone would bring great honor to our humble shop.”

The meeting was scheduled for three days later, coinciding with her appointment with her brother. Liu Wuyi had been fretting over a reason to go out, and this invitation arrived just in time. Though the event might cause some inconvenience, Master He had said she was under no obligation to buy anything. She could simply appear and leave if nothing suited her.

“Thank you for your kind invitation, Master He. I shall honor you with my presence then.”

Both parties parted satisfied.

After a fortnight of confinement at the Dantai estate, accompanied by the lively Chun Tao, Liu Wuyi was reluctant to return so soon. She chose to dine at the renowned Tongfu Restaurant in the Eastern Market. In the afternoon, she ordered a pot of tea and several small delicacies while listening to a storyteller, letting the day drift quietly by.

As the last hour of Shen time approached, Chunlan urged her to return. Glancing at the sky, reluctant, Liu Wuyi agreed. Passing by a fabric shop, memories stirred of her mother bringing small gifts home for her father after a shopping trip—sometimes food, sometimes little trinkets.

They were not worth much, but they conveyed a mother’s affection.

Her father had been delighted, carefully storing the non-edible items in a small rosewood box. Likewise, her mother would occasionally receive surprises brought back by her father.

In childhood, she and her brother had been as blessed as children in a nest, always smiling, their greatest worry being whether their favorite dishes were on the table.

Liu Wuyi wished her own children could grow up in such a carefree environment. With this thought, she stepped inside the fabric shop. Noticing that Dantai Canaan was always seen in official robes, never casual wear, she thought to make him an undergarment instead—he might not wear custom outer clothing, but an undergarment might be accepted.

As she winced at the price of twelve taels per bolt of plain silk, she hesitated, recalling that before marriage, undergarments for men of official families were made by embroidery maids, but after marriage, the wives made them.

Would he think too much of it? No—she was resolved to become his wife and ought to show some care.

Having settled her mind, she asked the shopkeeper to bring down the bolt of fine silk and happily paid with money Chun Tao took from her purse.

Returning to the Dantai estate, Steward Liu informed her that Dantai Canaan had already returned and was in the main hall.

It seemed he had taken her words to heart the day before. He was not hard to please. Catching sight of the bolt of silk Chun Tao carried, Liu Wuyi decided to seize the moment and have Dantai Canaan measured.

Walking toward the main hall, she paused at the entrance, touching her belly for courage from the child within.

“Godmother here to see godfather? Come in,” said Dantai San, stepping out.

“Godmother?” Liu Wuyi smiled gently at the fair and delicate Dantai San who had suddenly appeared. She waved her hand in denial. “No, no, not yet. I’m here to see the master.”

Dantai San only smiled silently and gestured with his right hand, inviting her in.

Unprepared, Liu Wuyi was led inside.

The slow walk took less than the time of a cup of tea, and soon she was in the side chamber.

Unable to see Dantai Canaan, Liu Wuyi felt uneasy and even dared to grumble inwardly. Being just inside the door made her heart flutter.

Dantai Canaan glanced at her. “Sit.”

“Have the kitchen prepare some dishes she likes and send them over.”

His words were directed to Dantai San, who promptly left.

Looking at the already arranged meal, Liu Wuyi knew she had interrupted his dinner. She stole a glance at his expression before speaking.

“Master, have I disturbed your meal?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

The awkward tension lingered until the meal ended.

Dantai Canaan asked, “What brings you to see me?”

Only then did Liu Wuyi remember her purpose. “I wish to make you a garment, Master, and have come to take your measurements.”

“No need. I usually wear official robes and don’t require other clothes.”

That fine silk, costing twelve taels per bolt—she would never wear it herself. Parting with it would be painful.

“You have treated me so kindly, Master. I want to do something for you, so I bought this fine silk to make you an undergarment.”

Liu Wuyi looked at him earnestly, her words sincere and heartfelt.

Dantai Canaan regarded her curiously, then remembered today’s report from the accounts office: Zhenlong Pavilion had sent jewelry worth over a thousand taels, apparently a gift. But the Dantai estate was not one to be casually entangled; the accounts had already settled the matter.

Perhaps it was the shop’s own doing, not hers.

Though Liu Wuyi had summoned great courage, he did not wish to cause her ongoing distress, which would be harmful to the child she carried.

After a moment’s thought, Dantai Canaan nodded in agreement. After all, it was only one garment, and in the past, maids had made such things—it was no trouble.