Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 440 Bait
Even if Song Yuanqu wanted to give Zhao Shuqing dignity, according to etiquette, Zhao Shuqing's spirit body could only be displayed for three days before the funeral.

As for a county lady with an honorary title, who has no husband or children, no mansion would hold a roadside sacrifice.

In the end, Zhao Shuqing could only be hastily buried in a cemetery that Song Yuanqu had someone buy on a desolate mountain.

After seeing Zhao Shuqing off to the funeral, Zhao Wangshu returned home and saw a big red invitation on the table. He picked it up, opened it, and saw that it was sent from the Minister of Revenue's Mansion.

On the sixth day of August, the Shangshu’s wife celebrated her fiftieth birthday.

The Minister of Revenue is also one of the four regent ministers, holding a high position and great power. He used to be relatively low-key, but now that his power has greatly increased, he has become high-profile.

Zhao Wangshu had to go to the birthday party, and she wanted to lure people into the party by preparing birthday gifts, guest clothes and jewelry.

It's not reasonable for people to guard against thieves all day long, and she doesn't want to be worried all day long.

After arranging people to protect him secretly, Zhao Wangshu went out with Luzhi and Lanfen the next day.

The streets are bustling with all kinds of people passing by.

Zhao Wangshu, sitting in the carriage, didn't know if someone was watching her secretly. She went into the weaving workshop as usual.

Zhou Haijia saw her, came over, saluted and said, "Auntie, you are here."

"I'm going to attend a birthday party in a few days, so I came here to pick out some fabric to make clothes," said Zhao Wangshu.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Haijia hurriedly led Zhao Wangshu inside, saying as they walked, "My aunt, you came at the right time. We just received a batch of top-quality floral silk yesterday. Take a look. Which pattern do you like?"

Zhao Wangshu followed her to the shelf where floral silks were placed, and saw floral silks of various colors and patterns, some as elegant as orchids, some as bright as fire, and some as fresh as water.

Zhao Wangshu's gaze stopped on a piece of lavender floral silk, on which were embroidered several graceful peonies. The clusters of flowers exuded a graceful and luxurious temperament, yet still remained elegant and refined.

She reached out and touched it gently. The silky touch made her happy. "This is it."

"My lady, you have really good taste. The peony on this piece of floral silk was embroidered stitch by stitch by an embroiderer from Suzhou. It will look great on you." Zhou Haijia complimented.

Zhao Wangshu smiled and picked out a pink and purple gauze for the blouse and an apricot brocade for the waist. "When it's done, send it to the mansion."

"Yes, auntie." Zhou Haijia responded with a smile.

After leaving the weaving and dyeing workshop, Zhao Wangshu went to Yage to buy jewelry.

Ya Ge was not too far from the weaving and dyeing workshop. In order to lure the enemy out of their hole, Zhao Wangshu deliberately walked. Not to mention the guards following him, even Zhao Wangshu could sense the vague gaze.

The corners of Zhao Wangshu's mouth curled up slightly, and a gleam of light flashed in her eyes. Should she say that these people were too impatient, or that she was lucky to have lured these people out on the first day.

She deliberately slowed down her pace, even stopping from time to time to admire the scenery on the street, as if she was not aware of the existence of those gazes at all.

Seeing a stall selling jelly on the roadside, Zhao Wangshu deliberately said, "Lvzhi, Lanfen, the weather is so hot, let's have a bowl of jelly."

While Zhao Wangshu was leisurely enjoying the jelly, the guards in the dark quietly approached the suspicious person.

"This jelly is really refreshing and delicious." Zhao Wangshu praised with a smile, but his eyes passed through the crowd, quietly observing the situation around him.

The movement of people on the street allowed her to only see one guard. She quickly walked up to one of them, raised her hand, pinched the man's back, and took him away.

Zhao Wangshu raised the corner of his lips slightly and said to Zhong Sheng, the person behind the scenes will be found out soon.

After eating the jelly and paying the bill, Zhao Wangshu took Lvzhi and Lanfen to the elegant pavilion. When they arrived at the elegant pavilion, Zhao Wangshu's eyes were attracted by a red gold jadeite tassel hairpin in the cabinet.

The base is made of pure gold, and a lotus carved out of jade is inlaid on it. The petals are layered and emerald green, just like a blooming lotus in a rippling pond.

The tassels made of rice beads were like ripples on the water, swaying gracefully with Zhao Wangshu's gentle touch.

The emerald is as green as lake water, the red gold is as bright as the sun, and the pearls are crystal clear. The three are intertwined together, like the essence of heaven and earth, emitting charming brilliance, making the hairpin more gorgeous and elegant.

Zhao Wangshu is now busy with trivial matters and rarely draws jewelry. However, the craftsmen of Ya Ge did not disappoint her and the jewelry they made is extremely exquisite.

At this time, He Yiniang heard the news and came down from the second floor, "Auntie, this is what Master Hong spent a month making. It has just been put out. If you like it, try it on and have a look."

"Yes." Zhao Wangshu agreed readily.

He Yiniang carefully picked up the red gold and jadeite tassel hairpin and inserted it into Zhao Wangshu's hair bun.

Zhao Wangshu tilted her head slightly, and her tassels swayed gently, as if they had life, adding a bit of agility and charm to her.

She smiled with satisfaction and said, "I like this hairpin very much. Master Hong's craftsmanship is really getting better and better."

He Yiniang smiled when she heard Zhao Wangshu's praise: "I'm glad you like it, Master Hong has always wanted to make the most satisfactory jewelry for you."

Zhao Wangshu took out his hairpin and said, "Put it together. How much is it?"

"Three thousand taels of silver." He Yiniang took the hairpin and said.

"Write it down and go to the mansion to get the silver." Zhao Wangshu took things from his shop and paid for them, so that the accounts would not be messed up.

After choosing the main hairpin, Zhao Wangshu also had to choose a matching hairpin. He chose a set of six short hairpins made of emerald dragonfly and a tassel hairpin made of red gold lotus. It was just like the saying goes, "As soon as the lotus leaves show their pointed tips, a dragonfly will stand on them."

The top hairpin is a ruby ​​double phoenix peony, with the outline of the phoenix carefully outlined with gold thread. The inlaid gems sparkle in the sun, as if a real phoenix has descended, dignified and elegant yet gorgeous.

The hairpin that covers the sideburns is also a jade dragonfly hairpin, which echoes the matching hairpin. The difference is that the dragonfly on the hairpin is smaller, and the dragonfly's eyes are inlaid with rubies, which echoes the top hairpin.

It seems that Zhao Wangshu chose casually, but in fact he paid attention to every detail.

She also ordered a pair of teardrop-shaped amethyst earrings with round bead peony top clasps.

"Aunt, these jewelry are worth a total of eight thousand taels of silver." After He Yiniang finished recording the accounts, she looked up and said to Zhao Wangshu.

Zhao Wangshu took out a small seal, handed it to He Yiniang, and asked her to stamp it on the account book.

"Okay, you go ahead and do your work. I'll go back home." Zhao Wangshu waited for Luzhi to take the brocade box and said.

He Yiniang hurried out from the counter and respectfully saw Zhao Wangshu off. She watched her get on the carriage and drive away before returning to the store.

Zhao Wangshu took the jewelry worth eight thousand taels and went straight back home. As for the birthday gift, it would not be too late to prepare it after Qiao Ni found out about the Shangshu's wife's preferences.

In the afternoon, Qiao Ni came to report, "The minister's wife believes in Buddhism."

Zhao Wangshu took a few sips of tea and said, "I remember there was a white jade Guanyin Buddha in the north warehouse."

Bai Rong, who was in charge of the North Treasury, replied, "Yes, Madam."

"Let's just give that." Zhao Wangshu decided on what birthday gift to give simply and decisively.