The sun hung below the horizon but villagers filled the market streets as they prepared for the next day. Squeezing through the crowd was a worried San'er struggling to catch up to the young miss.
Up ahead, Li Wei excitedly scanned all the stalls on both sides of the road. She moved through the shortcuts with expertise. When she stood in front of a big building with white peonies in front, she stopped.
In her last life, she liked this store the most. Madam Yan was the owner of this fabric store and she had the newest and prettiest designs. Of course, this was also the most expensive store in the city.
San'er was panting heavily when she finally caught up to the young miss. "Miss, here you are. I think I've improved since last time but make sure you don't do this again or Madam Rin will force this servant out the doors."
Actually, Li Wei waited for the girl to arrive. It was fun to tease San'er who always took things too seriously. Li Wei smiled secretly as she walked up the entrance of the store.
Madam Yan was no ordinary woman. On the outside, she was a talkative naïve woman in her forties who seemed passionate about clothing, however, she was a cunning woman who did all things with calculations.
When she saw Li Wei at the entrance, she immediately plastered on a smile, "My my, look who we have here on this fateful evening. What does the second young miss of the Li Manor have in mind today?"
Li Wei stared at the woman she used to confide in as if they didn't know each other. In her past life, Madam Yan was one of the few she trusted. She used to think Madam Yan was full of warmth, similar to that of a mother's. Now she almost wanted to slap herself for not being able to see the intentions behind those fake smiles.
Of course, Li Wei was not a good woman either that's why it was easy for a malicious woman like her to see the ill intentions of another woman.
"Are you also looking for a dress to attend tonight's royal banquet?" Madam Yan pushed after Li Wei stood there blankly. It was unusual for a young lady to not respond to Madam Yan. She was not used to being ignored and it bothered her. "It's the third and last night, but it's not late to find someone worthy of marriage."
Li Wei put on an innocent smile that hid her inner thoughts. She indeed, headed here to look for a new dress. Initially, she wanted to attend the last night of the banquet properly by Aunt Rin's side. Even if Hua Xifeng had already fallen for Li Zhilan, she would face them fearlessly.
Now that she was here, Li Wei didn't want to go to the banquet anymore. What was the point? Their lives were not connected with hers. She quickly made an excuse, "No, actually I got lost and accidentally came here. Aunt Rin wanted me to pick up something for her but I remembered incorrectly."
Before Madam Yan could say anything else, Li Wei turned around to leave. Poor San'er was confused as she followed the young miss towards the door. Li Wei hurriedly walked to the entrance when a familiar voice suddenly made her stop in her tracks.
"Madam Yan, do you have more of this pattern in storage?"
"Miss? Is something the matter?" San'er asked at the young miss' sudden stop.
A sudden pain rang from the depths of her heart. Li Wei dismissed her feelings as quickly as they came, "No, let's go. Aunt Rin is waiting."
The voice came again, this time louder and closer as the owner came towards them. "Li Wei, is that you?"
This voice was bright and sweet. But this voice to her was nauseating.
This voice belonged to none other than the first leading lady, Li Zhilan.
Li Wei paused momentarily and turned to face Li Zhilan, who was all smiles. Li Zhilan was naturally a cheerful person. She was already a beauty, but her personality was what made Hua Xifeng fall for her. Today, she was dressed in a white dress filled with intricate embroideries of pink roses. One could say the dress made her glow, almost like a fairy.
"Greetings, Li Zhilan. I will take my leave now, Aunt Rin is waiting for me." Li Wei didn't bother putting on a fake smile.
"Wait! Are you here to buy a dress too? If you are, pick any dress you like and it'll be on me."
Li Wei sighed lightly and politely declined the offer. "Thank you, but I really came here by mistake. Aunt Rin wanted some buns for breakfast from the Cherry Teahouse. I haven't been out lately and got lost."
Li Zhilan nodded, a bit disappointed. She wanted to talk to continue the conversation longer. "Okay, well, see you later at the banquet then."
Madam Yan watched the two young misses at the door and couldn't bear to miss the opportunity. "Li Wei, I have something for your aunt. If you don't mind, can you wait while I retrieve it from the back?"
Li Zhilan saw this chance and grabbed Li Wei back's hand to lead her back into the store. Li Wei followed with heavy footsteps. While Madam Yan disappeared into the backroom, Li Wei looked through the fabrics for entertainment. Li Zhilan was also busied looking the dresses displayed on the walls with her maids.
There were thousands of different patterns and types of fabrics, shelves from the ground to the top of the walls were filled with fabrics. As Li Wei scanned around the store, they stopped at a light blue, almost white brocade located at the bottom of a shelf in the corner. On the light blue color, there were familiar white birds embroidered in flight.
The pattern itself was not interesting, but it was the memories attached that made Li Wei's eyes glistened with a desire to pull the fabric into her embrace.
It was the fourth year of their marriage in early December. Li Wei woke up and found a dress folded nicely on the foot of her bed. It was a dress made with this pattern. On top of the dress, there was a short note:
"Father had asked for my assistance. I'm afraid I can't decline this time. I have to leave again, and I don't know when I'll be back. If possible, I wish to see you in this dress upon my return."
The morning he left, Li Wei took only one look at the dress and didn't hesitate to have the maids throw it out.
Khan Bojing frowned and coldly passed her when he returned six months later. She couldn't erase the disappointment in his eyes and the sadness hidden away in his heart. His eyes fell onto the ground and for the first time, walked past her as if she wasn't there.