Chapter IBMLS Ch.19 Dowry (2)
Suddenly, she remembered that she still needed to remind the Jiang family to prepare her dowry. Since Jiang Honghao had sold her for a high price, she would need to make sure to squeeze every bit of money out of him.
The next morning after Jiang Honghao left for his imperial court duties, Madam Jiang happily called in several fabric shopkeepers to help her choose the fabrics for Jiang Mingwei’s wedding
Jiang Mingwei disliked bright colors, but she had to wear red for the ceremony and the many formalities after that, and Madam Jiang planned to select the fabrics for everything on the same day.
The different shopkeepers gathered around Madam Jiang as they showered her with flowery praises. One of them unfurled a roll of fabric and showed her its luster from all angles. “Madam Jiang, this one is our best product. Not only is it a flawless color but there are also subtle auspicious greetings woven exquisitely into the fabric.”
When the shopkeeper turned the fabric to showcase the embroidery, Madam Jiang gasped in wonder. Another shopkeeper, unwilling to lose to the competition, quickly pulled out one of her own products to show Madam Jiang. “The embroidery is indeed subtle and exquisite, but it cannot be seen from afar. Madam Jiang, take a look at our fabric. This fabric is tri-layered, the color ripples under the sunlight and changes at night time!”
“How extraordinary!” Mrs. Jiang sighed heartily and turned her head from left to right, admiring both of the fabrics. “The embroidery is auspicious, while the tri-layered fabric is beautiful. How could I possibly choose one?”
“If the madam is unable to choose between one, then you should just buy both of them.”
Madam Jiang looked up in surprise. The maidservant who was trying to block Mu Mingtang from entering gave up and bowed deeply. “I’m sorry, madam! This servant couldn’t stop the second young miss.”
The maidservant felt aggrieved. She had clearly said that the madam was not free, but Mu Mingtang didn’t care. A scholar could not argue with a soldier. Most of the maidservants were used to serving the high-class nobilities and had never dealt with someone like Mu Mingtang. By the time she broke into the room, the maidservant was still trying to catch up with her.
Looking at the maidservant’s expression, Madam Jiang could roughly guess what had happened. She waved her hand and said, “You are dismissed.”
After bowing again, the maidservant quickly fled. As if she couldn’t feel the stares at all, Mu Mingtang stepped forward and touched the fabrics. “Oh, this is indeed nice. It’s like running my hand through water. I think both of them are good, so why don’t you buy both of them, mother?”
In her embarrassment, Madam Jiang failed to respond immediately. The shopkeepers looked at each other and then bowed with smiles on their faces. “Greetings, second young miss.”
These women specialized in doing business with the noble wives of the capital and were naturally very skilled at adjusting to changing circumstances.
“Ladies, there’s no need to be so polite. Please, get up.” Mu Mingtang didn’t feel bothered at all by the tense atmosphere in the room. After generously telling the shopkeepers to get up, she smiled and said, “My elder sister and I will be getting married very, very soon, so we must make haste. We will have to trouble you ladies to do some legwork for us
We?
Madam Jiang frowned delicately, but since they were in front of other people, she could only cough softly and say, “Mingtang, I am preparing your sister’s dowry today. There is no rush.”
“No rush?” Mu Mingtang rubbed her fingers reluctantly on the cloth, let go, and then said, “I am to be married to the Prince of Qiyang. Since the Prince of Qiyang and the Prince of Jin are both imperial princes and also cousins, I had assumed that my dowry would be the same as my elder sister’s.”
The same? What was she talking about?! Madam Jiang grew anxious as she hinted lightly, “Respect for seniority must be upheld. Your sister is the first daughter, after all, so I’m afraid it would not be possible for your dowries to be the same.”