Chapter 102: Beautiful Embroidery and Frog Closures

Where did they go? Just a moment ago, I could still hear their laughter—where could they have disappeared to so quickly?

“Xiao Liu, where are they?” the young boy blinked and asked.

Xiao Liu turned around, glanced left and right, looking equally puzzled. “They… are gone!”

“Then hurry and find them!” The boy stamped his foot and dashed forward. It had only been a short while; he didn’t believe he wouldn’t catch up with them.

Seeing his master take off, Xiao Liu hastened after him.

After the two had disappeared into the distance, Qin Wanru and Yu Jie clapped their hands softly and emerged.

They had actually been hiding in a narrow gap at the corner between two walls. Adjacent to them was the mansion of a wealthy family. The crevice between the two walls looked quite small at first glance, hardly enough to hide anyone. But Qin Wanru, who had once witnessed Qi Baiyu hiding there, knew that appearances could be deceiving; it was indeed possible to conceal oneself there.

After evading that strange master and servant, Qin Wanru and Yu Jie left in the opposite direction and soon found themselves on the busiest street of Jiangzhou Prefecture, well accustomed to the route.

The street bustled with many passersby, and the shops on both sides seemed prosperous. Yet Qin Wanru did not pause, instead heading straight toward a large silk and satin shop.

The storefront was expansive. Yu Jie observed that this was likely the largest silk and satin store in Jiangzhou Prefecture, much bigger than the others they had seen. Inside, many people came and went, most of them women.

Entering the shop, Qin Wanru examined the silks on display—there were many varieties, vividly colorful and captivating to the eye.

She did not linger near the entrance but proceeded further inside, where there was a ready-made clothing section. Customers could select fabric and have garments tailored on-site, which was very convenient.

Qin Wanru stood before the fabrics in the ready-made clothing area.

A clerk quickly approached, immediately recognizing her as either wealthy or noble, and bowed respectfully. “Miss, have you found anything you fancy? Would you like us to measure you here and help select further?”

“What about these fabrics?” Qin Wanru picked up several pieces, but seemed dissatisfied, speaking with a discerning tone.

“If you don’t like these, you may go upstairs,” the clerk pointed to a staircase nearby, modest and not very conspicuous. “Upstairs, we have embroidered trims and ornamental frog buttons. If the miss likes, she may also choose from those.”

“Are there many good fabrics upstairs? They can’t all be like these, right?” Qin Wanru placed the fabrics down disdainfully, lifting her chin with an air of pride as she surveyed the shop. Clearly, she was unimpressed with what she’d seen so far.

“Our miss only wants the finest fabrics and money is no object!” Yu Jie chimed in smartly, also eyeing the fabrics with disdain.

Indeed, this was a major patron!

The clerk smiled broadly, pointing toward the staircase, urging them upward, “Miss, please follow me upstairs. I’m sure you’ll find fabrics you like there!”

He walked a few steps ahead, then turned back respectfully, gesturing politely and smiling warmly.

Qin Wanru nodded and, accompanied by Yu Jie, ascended the stairs.

After leading them upstairs, the clerk sought out the manager responsible for the second floor. Since this was a major client, no effort would be spared in their reception.

Thus, the person attending to Qin Wanru was no longer a mere clerk.

Upstairs, the fabrics were neatly arranged, unlike the casual piles downstairs. Each piece occupied about the same space, organized by category, some even exquisitely packaged.

In one corner stood many garment accessories—delicate frog buttons and embroidered trims—beautiful but costly.

Since these accessories occupied only a small area in the northeast corner, there was a counter displaying them, but due to high prices and their inconspicuous position, few customers tended to browse there.

Qin Wanru now stood before this counter, having asked a clerk to retrieve several frog buttons and embroidered trims for closer inspection.

“Miss, these frog buttons are among the finest here. There’s nothing like them anywhere else in Jiangzhou, and even we have very few of these in stock,” the manager boasted, pointing to the pieces Qin Wanru had selected.

They were crafted in four styles: plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. Each was exquisitely shaped, beautiful, and even imbued with a certain poetic charm—clearly not made by novices.

“Miss, take a look at these embroidered trims. Aren’t they lovely? Applied to a garment, they’ll instantly make your clothes flow with an ethereal beauty, like a celestial fairy’s attire,” the manager gushed, practically gesturing toward the heavens in praise.

Qin Wanru smiled faintly. As expected, a manager was a skilled talker; the salesman’s praises seemed to lift him right off his feet.

“How many of these frog buttons do you have? And these embroidered trims?” Qin Wanru asked softly, clearly interested in the few items displayed.

“We still have about ten sets of each kind of frog button, miss. If you like, you could take them all,” the manager smiled knowingly. As a major client, Qin Wanru’s visit promised several sales, as these items had remained untouched for a long time.

“Not enough,” Qin Wanru shook her head.

“Not enough?” The manager was taken aback. Ten sets times four styles made forty sets—enough to last a lifetime!

“Do you have more?” Qin Wanru asked gently.

“That… will take some time,” the manager replied reluctantly.

“Why? Also, I want these embroidered trims—they’re quite beautiful! How many do you have?” Each style—plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum—expressed a distinct elegance.

“Those are all we have here, miss. If you want them all, you may take them, but there truly aren’t any others,” the manager hesitated. Embroidered trims required much time to produce, unlike frog buttons.

“Could you have more embroidery made? Our miss likes them and money is no object!” Yu Jie added helpfully from the side.

Even the maid was so lavish—indeed, a major patron!

The manager looked troubled but, seeing these affluent visitors, spoke candidly, “These embroidered pieces and frog buttons were made by a single embroiderer. However, her contract with us is about to expire, and she has informed us she will not renew it.”

Qin Wanru glanced at Yu Jie, who immediately understood. She reached into her sleeve and produced two purses, offering them to the manager. “Tell us about this embroiderer. Such a talented artisan—why would you stop using her?”

With the bribe in hand, the manager’s doubts vanished. He glanced around to ensure no one was near, then lowered his voice. “Her frog buttons are exquisite, but her prices are high and few customers buy them. The owner decided it wasn’t profitable and planned to let her go. This just happened within the last few days.”

“Where does she live?” Qin Wanru inquired.

Given the bribe, the manager was attentive and did not consider the question rude. “She lives at the entrance of Tangdong Street. Ask Madam Dong who makes the frog buttons and embroidery; many people know her.”

By revealing this, he was exposing the shop’s secret, so he spoke even more quietly.

Such knowledge was fortunate for a manager; a mere clerk would likely be unaware.

“Thank you very much,” Yu Jie said with a smile as Qin Wanru turned to leave. They descended the stairs together.

Qin Wanru knew Tangdong Street was just a couple of blocks ahead. After crossing two intersections, they asked an elderly woman at a corner grocery store for directions, and she pointed the way.

The two turned into a small alley.

The alley was narrow, paved sporadically with bluestone slabs, many cracked. On both sides were small courtyards, some with open gates and steady traffic, indicating several households lived there. The surroundings were modest, to say the least.

Fortunately, Madam Dong’s home was at the alley’s entrance—a small, single-gated courtyard. After confirming directions again with a passerby, Yu Jie stepped forward and knocked.

After a long moment, the door opened to reveal a middle-aged, slender woman. Seeing a finely dressed young lady outside, she was momentarily stunned.

“Is this Madam Dong’s residence?” Yu Jie greeted with a cheerful smile.

“Yes, that’s me. May I ask what brings this young lady here?” Madam Dong stopped them at the door, surveying Qin Wanru intently. She did not recognize this remarkable young lady, or she would have remembered such a face.

“May we come in to talk?” Qin Wanru smiled softly.

Madam Dong looked them over again, finding no ill intent, then stepped aside to let them enter. Once inside, she closed the gate behind them.

The courtyard was small, with three single-story rooms. The yard was cluttered with all sorts of miscellaneous items, showing signs of hardship.

Madam Dong led them inside. In the main room stood a table and several stools; near the window was another table piled with scattered embroidered trims, fabrics for frog buttons, and frog button molds—unfinished work, messy and piled about.

“Please have a seat, miss. Our home is humble; I hope you will pardon us,” Madam Dong invited Qin Wanru to sit, then picked up a chipped teapot and poured lukewarm water into a large porcelain bowl, handing it to her.

“Mother, do we have visitors? Who else could it be at this hour?” a woman’s surprised voice came from the right wing room.

A half-curtain of floral fabric fluttered as someone emerged from inside.