A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 64
by Little PandaJiang-ji Opens for Business
A Few Things in Early Winter
On early winter nights, the temperature in the room gradually dropped. The quilts at the inn were a bit thin, but for the past two days, Jiang Chenyu had been able to cling to Shen Hetang for warmth.
“If you don’t go back, won’t Madam Shen come to the inn to drag you home?” Her long hair was pinned low with a jade hairpin, and pale pink pearls dangled from her ears, lending her an indescribable aura of serene gentleness.
“Are you afraid she’ll come settle scores with you? To see exactly which little vixen stole me away?” Shen Hetang lay casually beside her, teasing her with amusement in her eyes.
“The way you put it is so ambiguous, as if the first wife were coming to catch a kept mistress. I recall I’m the primary wife, right? Or have you found someone else?” Jiang Chenyu leaned down, pinching Shen Hetang’s chin with two fingers as she questioned her.
Shen Hetang’s gaze swept down the loose collar of Jiang Chenyu’s nightshirt, catching a glimpse of soft, snow-white skin. With eyes like a hidden galaxy of stars, she smiled and said, “If you like, you can be my wife on the first, fourth, and seventh days of the week; my delicate concubine on the second, fifth, and eighth; and my kept mistress on the third, sixth, and ninth. You can be whichever you please, just don’t go eating the Old Madam’s vinegar1.”
“How can you be so annoying? Who’s going to eat the Old Madam’s vinegar!” Flustered by her words, Jiang Chenyu’s voice grew so sweet and tender it could practically drip water. She buried her face in Shen Hetang’s neck, leaving a succession of light teeth marks along her straight collarbone.
Shen Hetang felt as if she were being nibbled on by a little kitten, the bites tickling her.
She wasn’t particularly surprised by Jiang Chenyu’s move to partner with Jiang Ning to do business in the capital—after all, her wife had always managed her own shops. Still, she was startled by her courage and audacity. Without Shen Hetang knowing a thing, Jiang Chenyu had already secured a relatively large storefront and built a grand new courtyard.
She truly had been quietly pulling off major feats. When Shen Hetang heard that Jiang Chenyu had been here for so long without once looking for her, focusing entirely on her joint ventures with Jiang Ning instead, a sudden wave of jealousy hit her. She cupped Jiang Chenyu’s cheeks and squeezed and kneaded them playfully, letting go only after they were rubbed red.
If they hadn’t run into each other a few days ago, who knew how much longer she would have been kept in the dark? It was clear just how neglected her status was.
“Aiyah, wasn’t I planning to look for you as soon as I finished all the work?” Jiang Chenyu argued, covering her cheeks, which had been pinched multiple times.
“Hmph. Who knows if you’re secretly looking down on me for not having a proper job right now, living as a freeloader eating free meals at home?” As Shen Hetang thought about her current jobless state, she wondered if she lacked the appeal of someone with a thriving career.
“That’s not true at all! I’d rather you stay idle at home as a backyard chicken than go out and become a soaring phoenix. Boss Jiang can afford to keep you,” Jiang Chenyu said, caressing Shen Hetang’s waist with the smug air of a wealthy benefactor.
“Hahaha, how could I let you be the wife of a backyard chicken? It seems you’ve indeed been riding high lately, my lady, even thinking of keeping me cooped up. Your ambition is fully exposed.” Shen Hetang realized she might have indulged her too much lately, making Jiang Chenyu lose track of who was in charge here. If she didn’t set things straight now, she would lose all her leverage.
Slipping Jiang Chenyu’s mischievous hand aside, she began to tickle her with two fingers at a steady, unhurried pace. Jiang Chenyu fought back fiercely at first, but she was no match for Shen Hetang’s strength and could only endure it with teary eyes.
“You’re a bully! You know I’m not as strong as you, you’re playing dirty!” Jiang Chenyu’s exposed skin flushed a delicate pink from her struggles.
Seeing the timing was just right, Shen Hetang suddenly released her grip on Jiang Chenyu’s wrists, meeting those dazed, starry eyes with a mischievous smirk.
A moment later, Jiang Chenyu’s eyes, brimming with desire, gazed at her with mock resentment. Blushing with shy reluctance, she wrapped her arms around Shen Hetang’s neck and murmured against her ear, “You… be quick.”
The woman in her arms seemed soft and boneless, entirely yielding like a ripe fruit waiting to be plucked. There was no reason to leave a ripe fruit unplucked when it was offered so willingly. Wrapping her long, slender fingers around that smooth, fair waist, she pressed Jiang Chenyu beneath her, using her own body to shield her from the chill in the room.
When they stepped out the next day, the trees lining both sides of the street were hung with crystalline frost. Shimmering in the style of early winter, they bloomed under the light of a vibrant morning.
Ever since she had met Ah Tang, she had begun to put far more care into her attire.
She wore a lotus-pink patterned long robe over a purple mamianqun2 embroidered with orchids. The robe featured wide sleeves, a standing collar, and gold frog closures. On her chest rested an agate and pearl yingluo necklace, while her hair was styled in a cloud coiffure adorned with a floral crown, with gold tassels dangling over her forehead. Her face was as radiant as peach blossoms, her eyes bright and lively.
Shen Hetang, by contrast, dressed much more simply, wearing a black cloud-patterned robe and a silver crown adorned with a red feather. She looked poised and sharp.
Though she had planned to return to Shen Manor to stay for a couple of days, seeing her wife looking fairer than any flower, she decided she had better not leave her side.
“Why don’t you come stay with me at Shen Manor?” Staying at an inn was simply too unsafe.
“If the County Princess finds out, won’t it cause trouble for you?” Jiang Chenyu asked, looking back at her.
“The County Princess wouldn’t cause trouble, but… if you go now, it would have to be as a concubine. I don’t want you entering our gates with the status of a concubine.” She was only bringing it up; until she resolved the matter with the Dowager Empress, she couldn’t officially take a wife.
“Staying here is perfectly fine. Jiang Ning is right next door, and the shop renovations will be completed in a few days anyway. We can move in there once it’s done.” She had no desire to meet the Shen family as a mere concubine, either.
“Then give me a little more time. When the day comes, I’ll make sure you enter my household with all the honor you deserve.” Shen Hetang stepped forward, gently taking Jiang Chenyu’s wrists as she made her promise.
“Alright, I’ll wait for you!” Jiang Chenyu smiled, thinking she sounded like one of those scholars from a storybook who could do nothing but make grand promises. Of course, her Ah Tang was nothing like those sweet-talking, faithless Chen Shimei3 types.
Since Shen Hetang had her own difficulties to navigate, she had no intention of making things harder for her.
Since they had run into each other, they naturally had no need to seek anyone else’s help regarding the market permit. For Shen Hetang, doing a little work for her wife was an absolute duty.
Within two days, a few bailiffs respectfully delivered the document in person, even advising them that if they ever encountered any difficulties in their business, they could go straight to the Governor of the Capital for assistance.
Just like that, the problem that had plagued them for days was resolved in an instant. Only then did Jiang Ning finally flash a genuine smile at Shen Hetang.
She decided this person wasn’t a mere embroidered pillow after all; previously, she had always suspected Shen Hetang of climbing her way up solely through good looks.
Then again, Jiang Ning’s drinking sessions over the past few days hadn’t gone to waste, either. She had managed to pry out almost all the crucial information regarding the local power brokers’ supply chains, their networks, and the trading rules of the capital’s merchants, securing it all firmly in her grasp.
Once the old, cunning merchants learned that these out-of-town newcomers had powerful connections backing them, every last one of them abandoned their thoughts of taking advantage of them, remaining on their best behavior for some time.
Half a month later, the Jiang-ji shop finally opened for business.
The first floor primarily sold novelties, spices, silver mirrors, imported soaps, printed fabrics, white cotton cloths, foreign embroidered silk handkerchiefs, velvet quilt covers, imported gauze, aloeswood, cardamom, hanging tapestries, wall rugs, silverware, and utensils.
These were rare items that even ordinary households could afford if they gritted their teeth and splurged a little.
The variety of goods was dazzling. Aside from these novelties, there were also plenty of practical items like rapeseed, various seeds, and medicinal herbs, filling the first floor to absolute capacity.
The second floor was far more elegant, displaying all kinds of top-grade jewelry: cat’s-eye gems, jadeite, coral, pearls, and precious stones. Every single piece was beautifully packaged in fine mahogany boxes, presenting a magnificent, eye-catching sight.
They now merely awaited the arrivals of the young ladies from prominent households to appreciate their worth.
Since Jiang Chenyu couldn’t personally manage the storefront, Chuntao would have to handle most of the running around. Consequently, Chuntao’s daily attire had been carefully curated; she even wore a matching set of cat’s-eye earrings and a collar necklace to serve as a walking advertisement to attract customers.
Since she was a living mannequin, she could wear a different piece every single day. This absolutely thrilled the capable Chuntao—after all, what young woman didn’t love beautiful jewelry?
The translucent blue cat’s-eye gems shone brighter than the stars in the night sky, instantly elevating Chuntao’s aura as a capable young maid by several notches. There was no doubt they would easily dazzle any wealthy young lady who walked in with a full purse.
Whenever she had the time, Jiang Chenyu would also sketch jewelry designs. By having craftsmen turn raw gemstones that were otherwise hard to sell directly into exquisite jewelry, they became much easier to market.
With the task of selling the remaining stock left to Jiang Chenyu, Jiang Ning and her forty-odd crew members were naturally free to pursue other business ventures.
The two women had always shared an unspoken understanding in business and trusted each other deeply. Though the work was physically taxing, they found it mentally fulfilling, and with no shit-stirrers around to muck things up, everything proceeded exceptionally smoothly.
The local residents had also been keeping a close eye on the shop’s progress, eager to head inside and see what treasures lay within. Even the massive tapestry hanging right outside the entrance was enough to keep people staring for a good while.
It was truly exquisite, looking as though a painting had been woven directly into the fabric, with vibrant colors and intricate patterns.
Every passerby stopped to marvel at the novelty. If anyone harbored thoughts of stealing it, they would find it virtually impossible; not only was the tapestry securely fastened to a wooden frame, but there were also dedicated guards keeping watch over it at scheduled intervals.
Most amusingly, this tapestry was rotated for a new one every two days. Some curious neighborhood children made a habit of running over to stare at it every single day, which added a great deal of lively bustle to the storefront.
On the grand opening day, Shen Hetang made a special trip to deliver a Gold Fortune God, which Chuntao placed in a prominent position.
Some among the crowd immediately recognized the Little General. They silently marveled at the import shop’s formidable connections—if it could associate with the Shen family, there had to be an incredibly powerful backer behind it.
The news of the Little General delivering a gift soon spread quietly to a few of their business competitors. A sudden wave of dread washed over them as they frantically wracked their brains to make sure they hadn’t done anything to cross the new shop.
That was General Shen, after all. What if he grew displeased and had them beheaded? To a general fresh off the battlefield, crushing a few individuals probably meant nothing at all.
At the same time, they couldn’t help but feel curious about the relationship between the two parties. For someone who usually kept such a low profile, they truly hadn’t seen this coming!
Shen Hetang sent word to Madam Shen, explaining that she would be busy with some matters for the time being and wouldn’t be returning home.
Thus, she and Jiang Chenyu quietly moved into the tiny cottage behind the shop.
Though the room was small, Jiang Chenyu’s eyes curved into crescent moons of pure happiness.
While the shop’s storefront was spacious, the small courtyard in the back contained only two tiny rooms. It was hard to tell what they had originally been built for—they looked somewhat like kitchens, or perhaps woodsheds—but they had long since been swept completely clean.
Now, aside from their minuscule size, they had absolutely no flaws.
Shen Hetang looked at the tiny room, which had barely enough space to turn around once a bed was put in, and her brow furrowed.
“This is simply too small. Let’s find somewhere else to stay.” It couldn’t even compare to Jiang Chenyu’s former bathhouse.
“Why would we move? It’s wonderful! It’s so small, just perfect for the two of us to sleep, and we can reach the window the moment we sit up.” Jiang Chenyu had never lived in such a tiny room before and found it incredibly cozy and secure. Her rooms in the past had always been too large; she had been rather afraid of sleeping alone since she was a child, but had never had any choice in the matter.
“Winter is fast approaching, so it won’t be hot at all. I want to bundle up under a thick quilt and sit on the bed with you, watching the snow.” The room happened to have a modestly sized window, past which a branch from a plum blossom tree reached. The moment she pictured a winter spent sipping hot tea and eating pastries while watching the falling snow and blooming flowers, she felt incredibly content.
“Do you really like it? If you do, then we’ll stay here.” Shen Hetang realized that even if her imperial engagement were canceled, her father’s mourning period was not yet over, making a grand wedding impossible for now. They might very well have to live in this little snail shell of a room for several months.
“I love it, let’s stay here!” Jiang Chenyu agreed happily, though she wasn’t sure if her joy was because of the room, or because of the person beside her.
Footnotes
- A classic Chinese colloquialism where 'eating vinegar' represents jealousy, originating from a Tang Dynasty historical anecdote.
- A traditional Chinese wrap-around skirt featuring flat front and back panels ('horse-face' panels) and pleated sides.
- A legendary Chinese cultural figure and archetype of unfaithfulness who abandoned his wife for wealth and high social status.
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