A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Clipped Wings of the Rainbow Phoenix

In Wen Yu’s room, there were now five “senior maids”.

At this moment, they were all trying to impress her, probably hoping to be chosen to go to the legendary “Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion”.

However, Wen Yu ignored them all and directly chose Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji, the chubby girl with big aspirations, finally got to go out as a first-class senior maid!

Afraid of attracting hatred, Xiao Ji forced a smile, which looked a bit strange…

Hong Xing’er was very angry. During this period, whenever Miss went out, she would take her along, and she had gotten used to it. But she didn’t expect that several new maids would suddenly appear and squeeze her out.

Xiang Shu, on the other hand, believed that she had come from the Madam’s side and had a better background than the other maids! She should be the one to go!

Although the two were angry, they only showed it on their faces and complained in their hearts, not daring to do anything.

As for Yan Zhu, she almost fainted from anger…

Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion!?

Miss wasn’t taking her!?

Where was her conscience?!

After trying everything from soft pleading to tearful begging, all to no avail! She could only turn her grief into appetite, refusing to acknowledge Wen Yu, venting her anger on a table full of snacks, and then rolling her eyes at Xiao Ji.

When they got into the carriage, Xiao Ji was immediately shocked and looked down upon by Chun Hui, Wen Jiao’s senior maid. Chun Hui covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her face full of mockery. She leaned close to Wen Jiao and whispered in her ear.

Wen Jiao turned her head and saw the short, chubby girl. She immediately showed disgust on her face and directly told Wen Yu that taking a maid like Xiao Ji out would disgrace the Wen family.

Wen Yu smiled and didn’t take it seriously. She turned to observe Xiao Ji… and found that the chubby girl was quite strong inside. She wasn’t ashamed at all and calmly maintained what she thought was a “proper” smile “befitting a senior maid”…

Well!!

In the past, when they went out to make clothes, Fourth Mistress Liu Shi was always the most enthusiastic, supporting Old Madam and chattering non-stop. Now, she was nowhere to be seen… and no one even mentioned her.

Now, I’m going to Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion to make new clothes, while she’s suffering somewhere!

That’s really nice!

…

Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion was originally a small shop. Later, as the business gradually grew, it was rebuilt.

A woman in her thirties was already waiting outside. Seeing the Wen family get out of the carriage, she stepped forward with a proper smile and bowed, “May I ask if this is Old Madam Wen and the young ladies?”

Nurse Song hurriedly replied: “Yes, it’s our Old Madam and the young ladies.”

“Greetings, Old Madam, greetings, young ladies!” This manager was dressed in well-fitting clothes with slim sleeves. She had a simple bun, light makeup, and a fitting smile and demeanor, appearing capable and efficient.

Old Madam Wen looked at her, could this be “Master Qing”?

The woman hurriedly said: “I am Manager Liu of Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion! Old Madam and young ladies, please come in.”

Old Madam Wen nodded and led the way.

Inside was a spacious hall with the central counter and side cabinets filled with fabrics. On both sides were several delicate bamboo figures dressed in clothes, looking like real people at first glance!

At the innermost part was an open space with a painting of ladies in colorful dresses hanging on the wall. Below it were small tables and stools, with exquisite teapots and cups. In the corner was a flower stand with blooming flowers… and a five-tiered shelf displaying handkerchiefs, pouches, silk cords with knots, and other small items.

The shop smelled lovely, with a very elegant incense…

All the shop assistants were women, dressed identically, even their smiles were almost the same.

It was Old Madam Wen’s first time here, and she couldn’t help but nod in approval. No wonder they charged high prices! This place was indeed different from others.

Manager Liu said, “Old Madam, Master Qing is attending to something and will be here soon. Let me introduce the fabrics to you first!?”

Old Madam Wen nodded: “Good! I saw a relative wearing Song brocade the other day, it was so beautiful, I wonder if your shop has any?”

“We do, Old Madam! The latest patterns, we just received a new batch!” Manager Liu was delighted to hear that they were interested in good fabrics. It seemed like today’s business would be good…

Wen Yu looked around,

In her past life, around this time, she had been here once.

Heh, that fellow, Song Wu, was sitting there arrogantly, crossing his legs, pointing and commenting…

The entire Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion, except for Master Qing, was in a flurry of activity. Almost all the fabrics were turned over, and in the end, she was exhausted!

But the smug look on his face…

She couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart, her nose stinging, and her eyes welling up. She asked a young girl of about ten years old beside her, “Where is the restroom?”

The young girl also whispered: “Miss, please follow me!”

Passing through the main hall, they reached the backyard.

Wen Yu winked at Xiao Ji. The chubby girl was quick-witted and pulled the little girl aside: “Little sister…” The two started talking.

Looking around, she guessed this was also Master Qing’s work. It was even more stylish than the Wen family garden! It would be a beautiful scene with her friends sitting here drinking tea and embroidering…

The side room on one side was a storeroom for fabrics, and the other side was the sewing room for the embroideresses.

The wind blew gently, and everything was quiet.

Just as Wen Yu calmed her emotions, she suddenly heard a woman’s scream from a small room behind her: “Why is there only one piece made? It’s been so long! I specifically told you to make these first!”

“Making this one piece is already a favor to you, otherwise, it would take at least two months.” This was also a woman’s voice, but calm, unhurried and unperturbed.

“Huh! I’m just wondering! You can’t even finish a few pieces of clothing… what are you good for? Are you doing this on purpose?!” The voice was filled with provocation.

“The shop is short-staffed!”

“Don’t give me that! There are plenty of embroideresses! How many have I introduced alone? Why don’t you use them?”

“Their skills are not up to par. There are indeed many good embroideresses, but don’t they complain about the high wages they demand?” The cold female voice was laced with mockery.

✿✿✿

“…How bad can their skills be? But the price difference is huge! Why?! Hmph! Something fishy is going on!” The shrill woman said pointedly.

The cold voice also became a bit impatient: “Eldest Madam Liu, other embroidery workshops can make a very good piece of clothing for seven or eight taels of silver. At Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion, seventy or eighty taels is the norm. There are even pieces that cost hundreds or thousands of taels, so why is that? If they were all the same, why would people…”

“Don’t talk to me about this! I can’t tell the difference!” The shrill woman interrupted.

“Since you can’t tell the difference, then let your cousin go elsewhere to have her clothes made!”

“Heh, whose business is Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion?! It’s not your place to decide! Don’t you…” She wanted to say “usurping authority”, but she didn’t quite know how to say those four words, so she changed it to: “Don’t overstep your bounds!”

The cold voice remained calm and indifferent: “Since you’re having it made here, don’t be anxious, and don’t get angry. It’s useless! This has always been the rule at Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion!”

“You’re lecturing me about rules?! What a joke! What does Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion have to do with you? Who are you to lecture me about rules!?”

“Eldest Young Madam Liu, currently, Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion has nothing to do with you…” The cold female voice said slowly.

“I! You… Bah!”

It seemed that the irritable, shrill woman still had some reservations. Although she was very angry, she didn’t dare to curse out loud.

The cold female voice said again: “I’m not insisting on managing this place. If you’re unhappy, just go back and tell the master!”

“Are you threatening me?!”

“Excuse me, Eldest Young Madam Liu, I don’t have time for this. The guests have arrived, I’ll take my leave now!”

The door creaked open, and a woman came out.

Wen Yu was startled and wanted to hide. But she saw the woman in green who had just come out directly climb up to the second floor using a small ladder beside her.

That scared me! She patted her chest…

Then, she heard the shrill woman cursing in a low voice: “What’s so great about her? Putting on airs in front of me, a cheap slut ridden by thousands…” Vicious words kept spewing out…

“Madam, isn’t she just relying on the old master? Should we…” A servant woman said.

“No need! We have to be careful these days. That old geezer is not in good health and probably won’t last long! Then, I, the eldest branch, will definitely get the biggest share. If we mess around… and that bitch Zhao Shi gets hold of something, we’ll be in trouble!”

“Yes.”

“Hehe, I have to think about it again… When that old geezer is gone, I’ll send this bitch back to where she came from!”

“Madam, how old is she? Even if she’s willing to go, no one would want her!”

The two laughed sarcastically…

“You don’t understand this. Although she’s not young, she still has some charm! I don’t want any silver, I’ll give her away for free, would there really be no one who wants her?”

“You’re right, but we still have to think about the young masters! Our young master is going to be an official… we have to pay attention to his reputation!” The two laughed again.

Hearing this, Wen Yu turned and went back to the main hall.

It seems that it was a conversation between Master Qing and this “Eldest Young Madam Liu”. Eldest Young Madam Liu should be a member of the owner’s family.

But why did she treat Master Qing like this? “Give her away for free?”

Old Madam had been looking at the fabrics for a while and was dazzled. She was a little tired and sat down to drink tea.

But the younger sisters were still very interested, especially Wen Jiao, who simply couldn’t decide which one she wanted…

Cousin Hui saw Wen Yu come back, “Ah Yu, come here… Look! How nice would this fabric look on you?”

Before Wen Yu could see clearly, Wen Jiao rushed over: “I want this!”

Cousin Hui smiled, “Then… Ah Yu can have this…” She picked up another piece and held it against Wen Yu’s neck.

Wen Jiao saw it and said, “Ah! This one is pretty… I want this one too!”

Footsteps sounded lightly on the stairs, and a woman came down.

Slender figure, long black hair shining like satin. Her looks weren’t particularly outstanding, but her eyes, with a hint of a smile, were watery and seemed to hold a certain charm.

Every step she took, every move she made, exuded an indescribable grace.

Master Qing!

Looking at her, Wen Yu couldn’t help but marvel: Even as a girl, seeing such a person would make her heart skip a beat…

Although she knew she wasn’t young, it was hard to guess her exact age. She didn’t look young, but she definitely didn’t look old either…

Perhaps it was her innate elegance that made people overlook her age!

“Old Madam Wen, young ladies!” Master Qing greeted them with neither arrogance nor humility, her voice slightly low but warm and pleasant…