Help! The General’s Gone Mad With Pampering Me - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Where Did You Find the Audacity To Leave Your House

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Zhong Ning’s eyes widened. Of course, she was aware of the invitations from the palace, but…

“That won’t do. Do you know how many wives and young ladies from large families will be there? You wedding had been anything but auspicious. If you appear now, you’re practically climbing up a stage for everyone to gossip about.”

Shen Li was disgruntled.

“Even if I don’t show up, would it stop them from gossiping? Hiding at home is tantamount to stuffing my ears and wearing a blindfold.”

She had not meant to say that aloud.

“Besides, most rumors are false. Mrs. Jin even said that I was raped and lost my mind. If I don’t step out to clarify things, wouldn’t it add more basis to her words?”

Zhong Ning was at a loss for words. Her delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed. She had not thought of that.

“But I don’t feel at ease if you go alone.”

“Why don’t you come with me?” Shen Li asked.

Zhong Ning immediately shook her head. She was a widow, and she had been cursed for bringing misfortune upon her husband. No place would ever welcome her presence. She had originally planned to marry Shen Li off and fulfill her duties, but that plan had been thrown out the window.

Zhong Ning’s mind was in a mess. As she was sighing, Shen Li retreated from her with a foxy expression.

“Think about it, Mother. I’m going out for a walk.”

By the time Zhong Ning reacted, Shen Li had already sneaked into the middle of the courtyard.

Zhong Ning was at a loss, so she chased after her.

“Take two servants and come back quickly.”

“I know,” Shen Li replied.

After Shen Li’s figure departed from view, Zhong Ning finally realized what had happened.

When did Shen Li get such bright ideas?

Shen Li did not plan to go far. After all, she and the original Shen Li were unfamiliar with both the place and the people.

Fortunately, the palace was not far from the busy streets. Shen Li walked around and saw many women. Most of them did not cover their faces. She heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed that women still had some place in society.

The long street stretched as far as the eye could see. All sorts of shops sold all sorts of products. Many merchants came and went from other places, and the economy was booming.

Shen Li caught a glimpse of a large signboard. “Xiao Shuang, how is this place?”

Xiao Shuang took a look and saw the name “Yihe Cloth Shop.” She nodded.

“This can be considered the best cloth shop in the vicinity. I heard that they also sell Shu brocades. In the past, only nobility from the palace could wear them.”

“Alright,” Shen Li said. “Let’s have a look.”

As Shen Li had arrived early, not many people were in the shop. She was welcomed by the shop assistant as soon as she entered.

“What kind of fabric do you want, Madam?”

At first glance, Shen Li was almost blinded by the various colors. She did not know where to start, so she threw out the first question in mind.

“I heard that you have Shu brocades here?”

The shop assistant shook his head when he heard Shen Li’s question.

“Not at the moment. Shu brocades come far and few between. It’s almost sold out as soon as it arrives.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a commotion at the entrance of the shop. The waiter’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he muttered to himself.

“Eh? Our boss is back!”

Shen Li followed the shop assistant’s line of sight and saw a few burly men sending each other off in a carriage, blocking the door.

The leader of the group was a fat man who was wiping his forehead with a sweat towel as he walked into the shop.

“Oh, I’m so tired. Xiao Liu’er, get me a glass of water.”

After the man gulped down a few mouthfuls of water, his expression finally returned to normal.

“That journey was absolutely tiring. We were almost intercepted by mountain bandits. Fortunately, we met the people from the Yuansheng Bodyguard Agency.”

After he finished speaking, Ma Ziming stood up and took out some silver to give to the people from the bodyguard agency, his face full of gratitude.

“I could not have made it here without you. It’s just a token of my appreciation. Buy some wine for our brothers.”

Zhao Feng didn’t take the silver and just waved his hand.

“There’s no need for that. Just think of us the next time you need to transport goods.”

“Oh, for sure!”

He had truly learned his lesson. He would have to hire reliable escorts in the future. If something really happened, his carriage-full of Shu brocades would be emptied out!

The two of them went back and forth the money. Zhao Feng insisted that the security agency had its own codes to adhere to. In the end, the money never left Ma Ziming’s hands.

Shen Li looked at the dramatic scene in front of her and suddenly felt that her timing could not have been any better. She smiled at Xiao Liu’er and asked, “Are those the Shu brocades?”

Ma Ziming was taking stock of his goods. When he heard Shen Li’s question, he immediately turned around.

In his line of work, he had seen all kinds of beauties. Even so, Shen Li’s appearance almost blew him off his feet.

When Shen Li smiled, two dimples appeared on her cheeks. Her eyes were like mountain springs that could entice just about anyone.

Ma Ziming looked away in embarrassment and cleared his throat.

“Miss, to be honest, if you ever want Shu brocades, you have to book for it in advance. Everything here was pre-ordered.

“But you’ve come at the right time. There are two extra units in this batch.”

Shen Li once again praised her good fortune.

‘No wonder it’s so popular. The quality of this fabric was exquisite beyond measure.’

She now firmly believed that claiming only nobles from the palace wore it was no exaggeration.

“I’ll take them all,” Shen Li decisively said.

However, just as she finished speaking, someone suddenly rushed from the side and snatched the cloth from Shen Li’s hand.

The lady did not even seem to realize that she had snatched something from Shen Li. She spoke as if Shen Li was invisible.

“That’s great! I’ve made it just in time. Manager, quickly wrap it up for me.”

Ma Ziming looked at the newcomer and spluttered in surprise, “This Shu brocade has already been reserved by this young lady. Why don’t you two take one each?”

Shen Jiao finally turned to look. When she recognized who it was, her eyes grew wide with glee.

“Oh, my. Aren’t you Shen Li? I’m amazed that you even stepped outside. Where did you find such a thick hide?”

Shen Li subconsciously took a step back. Shen Jiao saw this and sneered.

“It’s good to see that you still have some sense of fear. You even bought Shu brocades? Could you afford it?”

Shen Li frowned as she looked at the person who was baring her fangs and brandishing her claws in her face. She coldly fired back, “I’m just afraid to have your saliva spraying on me.”

Shen Jiao was her cousin. She had been pampered since she was young and had always looked down on her in disdain. Shen Li did not intend to be polite.

After hearing Shen Li’s words, Shen Jiao’s face turned from red to white. She was angry and embarrassed in equal measure. For a long time, she stood in stunned silence.

When she regained her senses, she pointed at Shen Li and was about to scold her when it dawned upon her.

Shen Jiao’s face was filled with shock.

“Mute! You actually spoke!”

Shen Li did not like her choice of words, and she was not in the mood to get into an argument with her in front of everyone. She would only bring herself down to the fool’s level.

She made a gesture to take the two rolls of Shu brocades.

“First come, first served.”

How could Shen Jiao let that slide? She had never lost in front of Shen Li, let alone lost to Shen Li.

Shen Jiao looked determined.

“So what? Shopkeeper, how much for those? I’ll pay double! I’ll take both!”

Ma Ziming had no idea where the young lady’s generosity had come from. The last time he had asked her to pay a deposit, she gave up on the purchase altogether.

He gave her a number.

“Five taels per unit.”

Shen Jiao said, “I’ll pay ten, wrap it up for me.”

Shen Li looked at her calmly. “Twenty.”

Shen Jiao was not to be outdone. “Thirty.”

“Forty,” Shen Li replied.

Shen Jiao’s eyes widened. “Fifty!”

Shen Li stared at her for two seconds and suddenly laughed. Then, he turned to look at Ma Ziming.

“Fifty taels it is. Shopkeeper, hurry up and wrap it up for this young lady.”

Shen Li did not forget to remind Shen Jiao.

“That would be a hundred taels for two, please.”