Chapter 46: Jealousy

Chapter 46: Jealousy

The Marquis's carriage wasn’t flashy, but Shen Qiuyu and her maid recognized it immediately.

The curtain dropped swiftly, yet the two still saw Wei Xun’s face clearly.

Hmph.

Shen Qiuyu clenched her fist tightly, her eyes burning with jealousy.

She hadn’t expected Wei Xun to personally accompany A Yuan to the Su Embroidery Workshop, yet he’d always been too busy to see her when she visited.

Compared to this, her jealousy was impossible to hide.

“Miss, should we approach them?” the little maid asked timidly.

Shen Qiuyu turned her head; her face in the dim light looked like a demon’s.

Crack!

The woman raised her hand and fiercely slapped the little maid’s face. “Why? So others can laugh at me?”

Wei Xun had obviously tried to keep A Yuan’s visit discreet. If she approached, she’d be blowing their cover.

Shen Qiuyu wanted to see Wei Xun, but definitely not at this moment.

The maid’s cheek was already red and swollen from the slap, and she quickly knelt at Shen Qiuyu’s feet, kowtowing. “Miss, I’m sorry! Please forgive me this time!”

“Scram!”

Shen Qiuyu kicked the maid away. Her chest ached, but she didn’t dare say a word.

Though Shen Qiuyu seemed gentle, her mood swings were unpredictable. Her maids had endured her abuse countless times.

This time, she’d only been kicked—she should count herself lucky.

The little maid silently knelt at her feet while Shen Qiuyu peeked outside by lifting the curtain slightly.

Su Embroidery Workshop.

A Yuan walked in to find a line of customers waiting. She’d been sick for days and hadn’t been able to embroider. The shop’s screens and pouches had all sold out, and those who wanted her to make dresses were now crowded inside.

“Lady Xie, how can you keep a shop with no stock? I’ve come three times in the past few days, and each time I left empty-handed.”

“Me too. I’ve got the Mid-Autumn palace banquet coming up and was hoping Lady Xie could make me a dress. Lady Xie, what style do you think suits me?”

“…”

The crowd chattered away, not judging A Yuan for her status.

After all, her embroidery skills were truly excellent.

A Yuan’s brow gradually relaxed, and a joyful smile appeared in her eyes.

This was the first time she felt genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart. This was what it felt like to earn respect through her own efforts.

She smiled, though it was hidden behind her veil, the joy in her eyes was unmistakable.

“I work at my own pace. If you’re willing to wait, feel free to place an order, and I’ll have it delivered to your residence once it’s done.”

A Yuan's voice was soft and gentle, making it difficult for anyone to speak harshly to her.

The anxious young ladies, previously in a rush, now stopped pressing her. "Take your time, we're not in a hurry, don't overwork yourself."

After all, she wasn't merely a seamstress but also Wei Xun's concubine—someone they couldn't simply rush.

However, the young lady attending the palace banquet timidly chimed in, "Lady Xie, I'm in a hurry."

This young lady was the younger sister of Sister Lin Er. She had been captivated by Lin Qingshuang's wide-sleeved fairy dress when she saw it that day.

As it happened, she was of marriageable age, and her family planned to introduce her to potential suitors at the palace banquet. To impress her beloved, Qi Ruier wished to dress beautifully.

"Miss, please come in so I can take your measurements."

A Yuan had already learned of Qi Ruier's identity from Granny Zhu. The Su Embroidery Workshop's reputation was built by Lin Qingshuang, so A Yuan naturally wouldn't refuse a dress request from her relative.

After recording Qi Ruier's measurements and requirements, A Yuan accepted two more dress orders.

It took her at least seven days to finish one garment, and with the orders for pouches and screens, today's orders would keep her busy well into the new year.

Though business was bustling, A Yuan was truly happy.

Earning an honest living with her own skills brought her far more joy than her life in the Marquis's residence.

As A Yuan left the embroidery workshop, a smile still graced her face.

Seeing her so happy, Wei Xun hooked her finger.

"Tell me, what made you so happy?"

A Yuan's veil was lifted, revealing her rosy, charming face.

The young concubine's almond-shaped eyes sparkled, and her tone was cheerful. "So many people asked me to make dresses for them; they like my embroidery work."

She rarely experienced such kindness, especially from so many people. A Yuan's excitement was beyond words.

"Your embroidery is so good, it's only natural they like it," Wei Xun snorted lightly. He was narrow-minded and didn't like others knowing about his little concubine's talents.

"I opened the shop for you just to pass the time. Don't overwork yourself, or I'll have someone take away your needles and threads."

Although the man's tone was caring, A Yuan felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water, her body chilling to the bone.

She had no other hobbies; embroidery was the only thing she had persisted with until now.

Not only because it calmed her mind, but also because of what her aunt had once said.

She didn't want to lose her ability to stand on her own, nor did she want to clip her wings and become a caged canary for a man.

Even though her life and death were now in the hands of a man, at least she still had hope.

A Yuan desperately held back her tears, forcing herself to put on a gentle and obedient smile.

"A Yuan knows; she won't overwork herself."

The man was very satisfied with her obedience and rubbed her head with his big hand. "I knew you were the most obedient."

Was she obedient?

A Yuan laughed mockingly in her heart.

She wasn’t truly obedient; if she were, she wouldn’t think of leaving.

A Yuan hid her thoughts, keeping up her obedient appearance.

Wei Xun held her in his arms, taking a hairpin from his sleeve and inserting it into her bun.

The hairpin featured a golden bird clutching a red pearl, its golden tassels swaying gently, as if the bird had come to life.

"Master?"

A Yuan felt the weight in her hair, not knowing what he’d placed there, but the golden tassel brushed her ear, making it itch.

Wei Xun pinched her earlobe, kneading the soft flesh until it flushed red.

A Yuan’s toes tensed involuntarily, her hand gripping his clothes, trying to escape his teasing but held even tighter.

"This is also missing jewelry."

After a while, the man released her, staring at the two earlobes and suddenly speaking.

A Yuan wasn’t fond of jewelry; today, she wore only the iris gold hairpin Wei Xun had gifted her.

The simple gold hairpin wasn’t flashy, but it was a bit too plain.

Wei Xun hadn’t noticed before; his concubine’s modest and obedient nature put him at ease.

But now that he’d grown fond of her, he couldn’t stand to see her suffer.

"To Yu Gui Fang."

The carriage turned and stopped in front of Yu Gui Fang on the way back to the mansion. Wei Xun stayed in the carriage, sending Chang Yuan and Chun Tao to choose some gold and jade pieces.

He spoiled A Yuan, but he avoided being showy.

This, however, left Shen Qiuyu, who’d been trailing them, seething with anger.

"That wretch, what does she even deserve!"

Wei Xun’s affection for A Yuan was both secretive and intense; once a cold-hearted man falls in love, it’s like a wildfire out of control.

Shen Qiuyu wasn’t worried about Wei Xun taking a concubine, but she dreaded his heart belonging to another woman.

If she couldn’t have his love, no one else would.

A flicker of resentment crossed Shen Qiuyu’s eyes; A Yuan had to go.