A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 38
by Little PandaIt’s Jiejie
You don’t recognize me anymore?
Early on the morning of the day after next, the two of them dressed in clean, neat attire, looking completely different from their flamboyant display the first time.
When they arrived at the shore, the pair—who had thought they were quite early—were met with a bustling, prosperous sea of humanity. Commoners strolled around to watch the excitement, merchants brought horse and ox carts to haul goods, and the young misses and young masters of high officials and noble families came to see the novelties.
Firecrackers blared in unison and deafening gongs and drums filled the air; the noisy clamor of the crowd was incessant. Shen Hetang shielded Jiang Chenyu as they walked toward Jiang Ning’s large ship, having to circle around several times before they could finally break through the surging tide of people.
Aboard the ship, the atmosphere was equally harmonious and joyous. The former sailors had all transformed into shopkeepers, each guarding a stall of goods and enthusiastically pitching them to customers.
Chuntao and Jiang Yi each carried a large leather satchel on their back. With abacuses in hand, they became mobile accountants, moving wherever they were needed.
Jiang Ning had even handed out charcoal pencils to the two of them, instructing them to record all the large items sold. They were so busy their feet hit the back of their heads1.
Meanwhile, in Jiang Ning’s cabin, she had just sent off a few waves of important guests, having offloaded several batches of precious goods.
“Chenyu, you’re here. Hurry over to my side. I just sold a batch of cat’s eye stones; go help me organize the silver I received. I still need to go out and holler a few more times. Here’s the key, hold onto it tightly!” With that, she dashed outside to find her next target. Everyone’s goods were largely the same, so they still had to fight for the wealthy customers.
“All right, don’t worry. I’ll go right now.” Taking the key, Jiang Chenyu headed to the cabin where Jiang Ning received guests.
“Ah Tang, if you’re bored, do you want to go for a stroll?” Jiang Chenyu asked, showing consideration for the first time.
“No need. I’ll stay here and keep you company. It’s not safe with so many people,” Shen Hetang replied, glancing at the crowds shuttling back and forth around them.
“All right, then stay here with me!”
“Mhm!”
Jiang Chenyu quickly gathered the goods and counted the silver taels. Taking out a new ledger, she copied all the scattered accounts anew. She wrote and calculated on the abacus rapidly, her fingers flying in a blur that dazzled Shen Hetang’s eyes.
It wasn’t long before Chuntao and Jiang Yi arrived with rough accounts and silver to tally up with Jiang Chenyu, and she would copy them down anew.
Seeing she was too busy to step away, Shen Hetang took the initiative to help grind ink, serve tea, and pour water, finding her own post so she was no longer idling about.
Her gaze was involuntarily drawn to Jiang Chenyu. Sitting upright and with intense focus, she would flip the page in the space of a few breaths. Her entire person seemed to sparkle, not because of her striking appearance, but due to the personal charisma radiating from within.
At this moment, she was no longer weak and helpless, but a blooming lotus flower, resilient and reliable. She also resembled a gentle spring breeze and drizzling rain, possessing a quiet power that nourished everything it touched.
Shen Hetang observed the paper she was writing on; it seemed to be a material where the ink dried as soon as the brush lifted, boasting excellent absorbency.
Outside was still noisy and chaotic. Inside the ship, people came and went—buyers picking out goods and haggling over prices, sellers fetching items and collecting money—one wave leaving only for another to arrive.
By the Hour of the Horse, the crowd finally thinned out a bit. Everyone on the ship took turns eating, and those who had a moment of leisure collapsed to the side in exhaustion.
“Old Zhang, did you hear? The official over at the lead ship is an Heir. Word is he brought his delicate wife and beautiful concubine along for a pleasure trip. An entire row of masters who caught a glimpse of the beauties’ true faces fell straight into the river, hahahahaha! I have to say, those born into wealthy families just have good lives. Power and beauties are theirs from birth. They’re not like us mud legs2, who have to toil for half our lives just to marry a wife and have a kid!” A sailor chatted about the news and amusing anecdotes during his break.
“It’s no use being envious of their reincarnation skills3. Better to just focus on the work at hand. You’ll be able to go back, marry, and have kids all the same. Stick with our Boss, and you won’t be treated poorly!” another younger sailor said with a proud expression.
Indeed, after this batch of goods was sold, each of them would earn enough to secure the rest of their lives. Although Boss Jiang was a woman, the compensation she provided to her sailors was truly second to none. Furthermore, her methods were so ruthless and decisive that absolutely no subordinate dared to harbor crooked thoughts.
Rumor had it that the last piece of scum who had changed his loyalties and ruined Boss Jiang’s business had been left behind in the foreign nations to do free hard labor, never to return for the rest of his life.
“Do you want me to accompany you for a stroll to check out the excitement on the other ships?” Jiang Chenyu asked, looking at the person who had been doing odd jobs for her all morning.
“Aren’t you tired? You’ve been busy all morning!”
“I’ve been sitting the whole time, so I want to move around a bit.”
“All right then, let’s go!” With that, the two walked out hand in hand.
“Hey, where are you going?” Jiang Ning turned her head just in time to see the married couple throw down their carrying poles4 and run.
“I gave the key to Chuntao. We’re just taking a quick walk around and will be right back!” Jiang Chenyu replied without even turning her head.
“Oh! Then stay safe.” Jiang Ning paid them no further mind and returned to the cabin.
Window shopping was still very exciting. Although the goods were largely similar, there were still some differences. The two picked a few ships to glance over casually. To her surprise, Shen Hetang actually spotted a Western-style dress here. With puff sleeves, a voluminous skirt, and a deeply plunging neckline, complete with lace and ribbons that vied for attention across the fabric, it was exceptionally gorgeous.
Made from a glossy, silvery-white fabric, its neckline and cuffs were layered with light tulle, and sparkling beaded strings hung from the waist. The bodice was clearly a fitted, waist-cinching style, which paired with the slightly puffy three-tiered skirt to perfectly highlight a woman’s curves.
“Do you like this one?” Seeing Shen Hetang fixated on such a strange-looking garment, Jiang Chenyu asked in confusion.
“I just think it’s very gorgeous and pretty.” This dress brought a rush of period-drama flair that instantly reminded her of the Western television shows she had watched as a child.
“Miss, this is a skirt from Luosha, and it’s incredibly luxurious. The noblewomen over there all wear this kind of thing. If you put it on, you would definitely outshine everyone in the room.” To be honest, the merchant regretted stocking this dress. She had originally thought that since there were none locally, she could sell it as a novelty. Who knew she had overestimated the openness of the women of the Great Qian Dynasty? It was pretty, sure, but who would dare wear a dress that exposed both the arms and the chest? She feared that even the girls from the brothels wouldn’t necessarily dare to put it on.
“But this can’t be worn outside!” Setting aside the overall style, this neckline practically exposed half the chest.
Shen Hetang had only been browsing casually. Seeing that Jiang Chenyu didn’t seem particularly interested, she was just about to pull her away.
“Madam… Little Madam… don’t be in such a rush to leave! I see your husband quite likes it. At worst, you can just wear it at home! I’ll give you a discount and throw in some matching stockings and accessories. What do you say?” The seller’s gaze was eager as she spoke to Jiang Chenyu in a hushed voice, acting as if she would say anything to sell this dress today.
Jiang Chenyu suddenly understood the older saleswoman’s implication. Looking at the dress again, she surprisingly felt that it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question.
In the end, the merchant forcefully sold her this strange yet magnificent dress for twenty-five silver taels, even gifting her a pile of items she claimed were stockings.
Seeing that Jiang Chenyu had bought the dress, Shen Hetang asked the merchant if she had any crown-like headpieces. Hearing her description, the shopkeeper actually dug out a pearl flower wreath, which served a similar purpose to a crown.
They had walked a full circle and only bought an unwearable piece of clothing, but as long as Jiang Chenyu was happy, that was all that mattered. She could totally wear it at home on a birthday or a special holiday to dance and amuse herself.
Standing on the high platform, the woman in white with the initially indifferent gaze suddenly widened her eyes as they swept over a figure in the crowd. Her expression froze in shock for a moment, and then she hurriedly walked down from the platform. She completely lost her usual poise, casting aside the dignity of the Heir’s Wife.
“Madam, where are you going?” Seeing that they had reached a critical moment, Heir Wei was shocked that his wife was abandoning him to go sightseeing. He hurriedly grabbed her sleeve and asked.
“Move aside. I don’t have time to deal with you right now!” She threw off Heir Wei’s hand, her gaze locked onto the cyan-clad figure ahead.
“You can’t do this, Madam! Without you, how am I supposed to converse with the Commandery Governor shortly?! Ah???” Thrown off, Heir Wei stood in place and stomped his feet.
“Talk with your mouth!” Without even turning her head, the Heir’s Wife abandoned Heir Wei!
She quickened her pace to chase the figure ahead, simultaneously glancing around to see if she was being followed.
Seeing them board a large ship, she quietly followed them up. It just so happened that Jiang Chenyu was called away by Jiang Ning at that moment, leaving Shen Hetang alone to carry their purchases toward the resting area.
“A’tang?” She caught up to the cyan-clad back. She called out that name in disbelief, her voice carrying a cautious, fragile hope.
Hearing the voice behind her, Shen Hetang glanced back nonchalantly.
It was a woman with strikingly pure features and an aura of complete tranquility. Dressed in a spotless white gown, she gave Shen Hetang an incredibly familiar feeling.
However, the gaze this cold, noble woman was giving her right now was anything but innocent.
The woman’s eyes were slightly red, surging with inexplicable emotions. She wanted to step closer, but seeing Shen Hetang’s lack of reaction, she seemed afraid to move.
“Miss, do I know you?” In truth, Shen Hetang knew she definitely recognized her; the sense of familiarity was simply far too strong.
“You don’t recognize me anymore?” Hearing Shen Hetang’s response, the woman’s previously gentle eyes suddenly turned sharp and serious.
“You couldn’t be my… wife, could you?” Considering this woman’s age, her attire, and the way she was gazing at her with such pent-up emotion—at the thought, Shen Hetang shivered all over, scaring herself half to death. This wouldn’t do. She couldn’t acknowledge the original owner’s debts.
“Have you smashed your brain into stupidity? Where would you get a wife? Do you truly not recognize me?” The woman fired off three questions in a row with a grave expression, giving Shen Hetang no chance to breathe.
“My brain really was smashed; I don’t remember anything!” Seeing the woman’s solemn face and her clear, calm eyes that seemed capable of seeing right through a person’s heart, the momentum of Shen Hetang’s response involuntarily shrank by thirty percent.
“A’tang, it’s jiejie. How could you have forgotten me?” The woman stepped forward and smoothed the stray hairs on her forehead, her eyes filled with heartache.
“My biological sister? Then who am I?” So it was her older sister. Thank goodness, thank goodness—her little life was safe.
Hearing her question, the woman’s composure completely broke. She pulled on Shen Hetang’s hands and gently patted her body up and down, seemingly checking to see if she was injured.
After completing her inspection, she relaxed and glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention to them.
“Let’s find a secure place to talk,” the woman said.
“Okay.” Toward this older sister’s words, Shen Hetang felt an obedience baked into her blood that she could not resist.
The two found an empty cabin. The woman continued to hold onto her arm, treating her as if she were a mascot5.
“I knew the heavens watch over the fortunate, and you wouldn’t be in trouble. A’tang, jiejie arrived late. You must have suffered a lot. Come back with me shortly!” She had sent people to search for a long time without any news of A’tang, but she had never felt that sense of heart-palpitating dread, so she had concluded that A’tang was still alive and well.
“Ah… about that… do you want to first tell me where I came from?”
“…Mhm… All right… you probably do need that!”
Footnotes
- A Northern Chinese colloquialism meaning someone is so busy walking or running that their feet kick the back of their head.
- A colloquial, often self-deprecating or derogatory term for a farmer or laborer who works in the mud.
- A modern Chinese internet slang concept (tóutāi shì ge jìshù huó) joking that being born rich requires 'skill' in reincarnation.
- A colloquial phrase (liào tiāozi) meaning to drop one's work and leave.
- A modern term (jíxiángwù) used anachronistically to describe how the Heir's Wife holds onto Shen Hetang as if she were a lucky charm.
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