Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
Advance chapters available for patrons on Patreon. And a chapter can be sponsored by buying me a ko-fi.
The next day, after breakfast, You Xu went to the Xu family shop at the North Gate first. The shop was very large, with all kinds of solid-colored and patterned fabrics hanging on wooden poles and folded into pieces on wooden tables.
There was a shopkeeper, two attendants, two general helpers, and four or five girls choosing fabrics.
The attendant came up and smiled professionally and enthusiastically, “Miss, what kind of fabric do you want?”
“Let me take a look myself first,” she said, but the sales assistant followed her around enthusiastically, introducing the fabrics. “This material is new; it’s incredibly comfortable to wear.”
“And look at this one, young lady. This pattern is really popular lately; pretty and young girls like you have bought quite a few.”
“And look at this one too; it’s guaranteed to be durable, wearable for three years without a problem!”
As the saying goes, in any era, a sales assistant is always there for you.
She listened and nodded, then looked around. After confirming it was the right shop, she walked to the counter and looked at the slightly gray-bearded shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper was a professional; as soon as a customer approached, he put down his abacus and greeted her with a friendly, gentle smile: “Miss, what kind of fabric would you like?”
“I think your fabrics are quite nice, so I wanted to ask you,” You Xu said, hefting her money pouch and pushing it towards the shopkeeper, “Where do you get your fabrics from?”
The shopkeeper’s face instantly darkened: “If you’re not buying, leave. Don’t waste our time.”
As expected, You Xu took back her money and left for Xi Pu on South Street.
This shop wasn’t large, only half the size of the Xu family’s shop, but it had more than twice as many customers. There were two shopkeepers, a husband and wife, who employed five young women to serve customers.
The previous shop belonged to the Xu family, who owned several branches, essentially a chain store. But Xi Pu was the couple’s own shop, making it more personal and easier to talk to.
After You Xu explained her purpose, the couple’s expressions didn’t change. The man asked first, “Where would you like to open your shop, young lady?”
You Xu replied, “Over in the East Alley.” Mainly because it was close to her home and had a decent flow of customers. She had her eye on three shops and would compare them carefully before deciding which one to buy.
Since they were far enough away to not affect their business, the man said nothing more. The woman took You Xu’s money bag, kept only half, and pushed the rest to You Xu: “My husband and I have been running this cloth shop for five years. Business is good, supporting our family. Fortunately, my husband is capable and we got through the initial difficulties. You are a widow, and it’s not easy for you. We’re just giving you a little something as a token. The key is that you need to think carefully. Doing business is not easy and there are risks.”
Seeing You Xu nod, the woman continued, “Our cloth comes from Renshi Cloth Shop in Linghuai Town, behind Xinan Mountain outside the city. You’d better go and take a look first. If you decide to buy, you need to sign a contract with them. After that, you just need to send someone to deliver the money, and they will send someone to deliver the cloth.”
“Thank you very much.” You Xu put away the money bag, smiled gratefully, and said goodbye to them before leaving.
After returning home, You Xu looked at the three shops for sale in the East Alley, compared them, and then bought one of them.
Back home, counting the remaining money, You Xu felt a pang of heartache: “Maybe I should just become a nun, with room and board included.”
He Xiang: “…” Madam, calm down.
After the last autumn rain, winter had arrived, and it was uncertain when it would snow. You Xu was thinking of going to the fabric shop as soon as possible to place an order, find someone to renovate the shop, hire staff, and so on. If things went smoothly, she could open before the New Year, not only for good luck but also to make a quick profit.
Many people who didn’t buy fabric all year round would buy some to make new clothes for the New Year, so a Spring Festival promotion was essential.
Having made up her mind, You Xu instructed He Xiang, “Go find someone to hire a carriage now. I’ll set off for Linghuai Town tomorrow.”
“Yes,” He Xiang hesitated, then added, “It’s a long journey to Linghuai Town, and we’ll have to pass through Xinan Mountain. I heard that section of the road there hasn’t been very safe lately.”
“It’s alright, go ahead.” You Xu had previously heard from the shop owner that they had recently received a large shipment from Linghuai Town and planned to make a big sale before the Spring Festival. Since their goods, which arrived a few days ago, were fine, the rumors about unrest were probably just hearsay. The unknown is the most frightening. Being afraid of this and that makes it difficult to accomplish anything. After all, doing business is risky. Should everyone just give up?
It seems she won’t be able to visit Wen Shu for several days. Mainly because You Xu had been so insistent on his treatment last time, she couldn’t very well approach him so easily. She should let him calm down first.
Not everyone could remain calm when their flaws were exposed.
Not even a master, You Xu thought.
….
The birdsong was crisp and clear at dawn, and the deep, resonant sound of the temple bell echoed through the mountains.
Before Wen Shu lay a scroll of scriptures. He twirled the prayer beads in his hand, his face expressionless, his gaze indifferent, fixed on the scroll as if focused, but in reality, he was lost in thought.
Three days had passed, and she still hadn’t appeared.
Her usual chattering, cheerful voice was gone; the bright, lively smile he could see out of the corner of his eye was gone; that almost imperceptible presence had become empty.
A nameless anger rose within him; even his usually unambitious heart was inexplicably restless.
What was wrong with her? Was she embarrassed by her advances, or was she disgusted by his missing arm, finding his face respectable but his arm repulsive?
Wen Shu couldn’t figure it out, and this only made him feel more uncomfortable.
“Wen Shu,” a steady voice called out.
Wen Shu pulled himself together and lowered his head slightly. “Yes.”
“The essence of Buddhist practice is a calm mind, and your mind is not at peace right now,” Master Xuanjing said. “Today’s lecture ends here. You may return.”
Wen Shu lowered his eyes, rose, and left the meditation room.
The monks outside hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to greet Wen Shu. After all, he usually seemed aloof, but now he appeared even more distant.
“Master Wen Shu.”
“Hmm.” Wen Shu nodded in response, then turned and left, not returning to Guili Garden, but heading down the mountain.
“What is the master doing?” another monk whispered. “Never mind that, just sweep the floor first.”
Wen Shu didn’t know what he wanted to do either. As his thoughts raced, he arrived at the You Xu family’s gate.
She had brought him here before, but he hadn’t gone in. It was a small house with three courtyards, black tiles and blue bricks, the walls weathered and cracked, looking quite old.
Should he go in?
Wen Shu pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened, and the old woman at the door recognized him and respectfully asked, “Master, what can I do for you?”
“Where is your Madam?”
The old woman replied. “She set off for Linghuai Town a few days ago. Judging by the time, she should be arriving at Xinan Mountain soon.”
Wen Shu asked again, “What is she going to Linghuai Town for?”
“My Madam wants to open a cloth shop, so she’s going to Linghuai Town to buy fabric.”
“Excuse me.” Unconsciously, Wen Shu felt a slight sense of relief, not because he felt embarrassed by her advances, nor because of his missing arm, but simply because she had something to attend to.
The clouds parted, the rain cleared, and Wen Shu’s mood brightened slightly. Just as he stepped out of the east alley, a man stopped him: “Master, please tell my fortune.”
Wen Shu didn’t tell fortunes after leaving Shanyuan Temple; it was the rule, but he had set the rule. Now that he was in a slightly better mood, he didn’t mind doing this.
Wen Shu had just taken out the three gold-inscribed copper coins when he suddenly remembered that he hadn’t yet divined You Xu’s fate. She was traveling, and he wondered if she might face any dangers.
On a whim, Wen Shu cast a divination for You Xu.
As soon as the result was given, Wen Shu’s expression changed.
“Excuse me, sorry.” He immediately took out his money pouch, stuffed it into the hand of the roadside groom, led a horse, and rode away quickly.
Watching the dust rise, the man who had sought divination took a long time to react, then hurriedly shouted, “Master, can I postpone this divination until next time?”
The only answer was a disappearing figure.
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