Her hands clenched as she calmed herself. It was not a place she could afford to show her emotions. There were people watching. Such memories would have to only remain in her heart.
In a second, Li Wei was back to normal. Any signs of her pain were gone as she gracefully took the roll of fabric off the shelf. "San'er, have this delivered to the Li Manor."
San'er looked up from the pink roll of fabric embroidered with purple swirls she was looking at. The light blue roll in the young miss' hands was not something of Li Wei's usual taste. San'er knew this because Li Wei had always chosen only the most eye catching fabrics before.
Anything she didn't like, she'd never touch. The light blue with the birds just didn't stand out. It was something simple and plain. Something the young miss would never wear.
Despite noting this, San'er didn't say a word as she quickly accepted the roll of fabric and walked towards the counter set up next to the entrance. Personally, she liked the design. Its simple design would bring out the innocent side of the young miss that rarely showed.
"San'er, take that brocade you were looking at too," Li Wei quickly added.
San'er nodded and came back to retrieved the other roll of fabric. She didn't know why the young miss suddenly wanted this one too, though such a pretty color of pink with the seemingly endless smooth swirls was definitely more of the young miss' usual preference.
"I wonder what design caught the eye of the young miss Li Wei?" Madam Yan asked as she approached from the backroom. The counter was not far, so she could see the fabric that Li Wei picked out with the white birds in flight.
Li Wei remained quiet as she didn't feel like making conversations anymore. She merely shrugged and went back to studying some random hair accessories.
Madam Yan's eyes were quick to notice Li Wei's lack of interest. She's never been this ignored by a customer before! Thus, an annoyed Madam Yan blurted, "Li Wei, your eyes never fail to pick the newest designs I have here. Although it looks simple, the fabric is much more sophisticated than what meets the eye. Its the only one of its kind."
Noticing Li Wei's sudden interest in the topic, she proudly continued, "There's a rumor between traders that it's designed by a member of the royal family in Hai'an. Although no one knows why or how such a valuable piece made its way to Na'an, I guarantee that its the only one in existence."
"I'm afraid that Madam Yan is too generous with her words," Li Wei finally replied, having no choice. This remark showed her humbleness, that Madam Yan was just being kind. Yet, this remark also sneakily attacked, that Madam Yan was merely talking too much!
San'er almost busted out laughing as she returned to the young miss' side. This courage and bluntness of Li Wei made her look at the young miss with some sort of admiration.
Li Wei's statement immediately zipped Madam Yan's lips as she no longer dared to speak another word. Her face turned red and she huffed away to where Li Zhilan stood in front of a mirror. There had been no other customer that insulted her so bluntly. Forget that orphan, she should've gave her all towards the prime minister's daughter in the first place!
By now, the sun had disappeared completely behind the horizon. The only customers in the store were daughters of only the wealthiest families in Na'an. With such high prices, a person of ordinary background would not dare enter the shop casually.
"Li Wei, don't you think your words were rude? If not for Madam Yan, would we have all these beautiful dresses to wear? You ought to apologize to her," Li Zhilan stated, she had overheard the conversation and couldn't help but intervened when Li Wei was going to walk out unapologetically.
She was a gifted scholar in literature so she also easily understood Li Wei's true intentions. As the only daughter of the prime minister, she wanted to set appropriate behaviors for others. "Even though you're adopted, you're still part of the Li family. Such behaviors are unacceptable and will taint our family name."
Li Zhilan's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear on the first floor. Gasps were heard throughout the place at Li Zhilan's revelation. Although it wasn't hidden that Li Wei was adopted, the statement had never been spoken so bluntly before. Whispers emerged among the women presented. What an interesting gossip to discuss later!
Taint the Li family's name? Li Wei wanted to laugh. When she first saw Li Zhilan this morning, Li Wei really wanted to have nothing to do with her. Li Wei already push her self's limit of kindness when she allowed Li Zhilan to bring her back inside this place full of pretentious. Although she's changed since her reawakening, Li Wei was a villainess at heart.
Even if she promised not to do anything bad anymore, she still couldn't stand to be insulted.
Li Wei's soul was twenty five even though she was physically sixteen. She's gone through so much that she easily understood Li Zhilan's personality. Still, there was no reason to attack back. After all, the first leading lady hadn't done anything to hurt her yet.
Words like these were nothing. Words like Li Zhilan's could never penetrate her. She knew she was adopted, she was not ashamed and she had no care whatsoever of how anyone else thought of it.
Calmly, she replied in a low soft voice so outsiders couldn't hear. Li Wei's words were respectful, but held a thorn of reminder to Li Zhilan's reckless words in public. "Humbleness is one of the four virtues in the Li family with love, kindness, and filial piety. You should know it best as Uncle Li Qian and Aunt Rin have always emphasized the importance of remaining humble throughout one's life. I merely refused Madam Yan's generous compliment that was too high for me."
"At your age, Li Wei understands it must be hard to comprehend the conversations of those who are older and more knowledgeable so there will be no words of this at home. However, I can't guarantee that our family name, your name, and my name won't be tossed around in Na'an like a ball by tomorrow morning."
"But--"
Li Wei cut off Li Zhilan, "Younger sister, if you think everyone are your friends, you'll be betrayed sooner or later. Tomorrow you'll have a taste of the consequence for the words you chose to share aloud today."
After Li Wei walked out with San'er, Li Zhilan couldn't help but tried to win over one last time, " Li Wei, I'll pay for you!" To the clerk, she ordered, "No matter how much my cousin spent, I'll pay for it."
Li Zhilan made her statements with no care in the world, for she could use as much money as she wanted. Her father was mighty and wealthy prime minister of the current reign. Buying such miscellaneous items as fabrics was nothing to him. Even if she wanted the whole store, her father would buy it for her.
Li Wei turned around, with a sweet smile on her lips that teased Li Zhilan's act as nothing but silly. Her eyes met with Li Zhilan as she said nothing, only gently shook her head and disappeared around the corner.
"Reporting to young miss Li Zhilan, young miss Li Wei already paid in full for the fabrics that are to be delivered to the Li Manor, which means that she also paid for the ones you're buying," the clerk at the counter stated.
Li Zhilan didn't try to redeem herself now. Anything else and she'd do more damage than good. She walked out in silence with her maids following behind.
All the young ladies who were watching the scene were captivated by Li Wei's bright smile. It was so contradictive to the cold expression she had earlier when talking to Madam Yan and Li Zhilan. They all couldn't help but wonder how Li Wei would look like later at the banquet tonight.
Most of them never met Li Wei before, but everyone secretly admired Li Wei's maturity at handling Li Zhilan's childish outburst and praised her generosity to pay for Li Zhilan's purchase as well.
On the way home that evening in a blue carriage, Li Zhilan's head was down as she continued to sulk in disappointment. She initially wanted to show how righteous she was, but instead she was embarrassed by Li Wei. She wanted to improve her image again by offering to pay Li Wei's items, but was rejected. Li Wei even paid for her.
As the prime minister's daughter, she had let herself and her family down. She wanted to be kind, but her intentions were brushed away. That cousin of hers was really difficult to deal with. She wouldn't face serious consequences as Li Wei stated, right? There was no way. Her father loved her too much to ruin her chance of being with the second prince.
No matter what, she would go see Hua Xifeng again tonight.
In another carriage headed in the opposite direction, Li Wei excitedly pushed the beaded curtains aside and took in a deep breath. The air was warm and stuffy, but it felt great somehow.
Her tired eyes came to a close and a smile spread out on her face.
A genuine smile of joy.