Chapter 12: Making Wedding Clothes for Others (Part 2)

  My mind was originally in a mess, but suddenly I thought, what's the difference how it's extinguished, isn't this a great opportunity to hide in the closet! I quickly took advantage of my familiarity with the room's layout and slipped into the large wardrobe.

  Carefully slipping into the heavy, smooth and gorgeous clothes, quietly closing the door, only to hear the little slave hastily apologizing, saying: "Really didn't know why, actually extinguished the lamp..."

  Then, Ruoxi heard the unhappy and coquettish voice of Yuxiang saying: "Little slave, you are a mouse in the cave - harming people at night! Are you intentionally causing trouble for me?! The past few days I've been hitting you was still too light!"

  "Miss, even if I had a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare to mess with you!" Xiaonu's voice sounded like he was about to cry: "Really don't know where the evil wind came from..."

  "Alright, alright!" said Shen Shangshu slowly and deliberately: "It's just a few lanterns being extinguished, what's the big deal? They can be relit again. What's the point of all this commotion?"

  "Ah..." The little slave seemed to have pinched Ruoxi, letting out a soft cry of pain. Then, the sound of rustling clothes came from behind the wardrobe, and through the gap, the orange light flickered back on.

  Alas, I don't know how long I'll be hiding here. The luxurious fabric behind me is icy cool and very thick. Needless to say, it must be the best material. As Rufang is the most favored sister, her trunk is naturally full of treasures. A sweet, fragrant scent wafts straight into my nostrils, mixed with a hint of wood smell, which makes me want to sneeze terribly.

  Taking advantage of the faint light that seeped in, I realized that what was leaning against my back was actually that large red gold-embroidered brocade garment. I couldn't help but be shocked - if it got crushed, I wouldn't be able to afford this kind of lawsuit! Hurriedly, I shifted away and pushed it gently towards the back, so as not to crease it.

  Shen Shangshu asked again, "These past few days, I've heard that there's some absurd rumor going around about a night peddler on Purple Jade Hairpin Street. Have you all heard it too?"

  "Some foolish commoners, upon hearing the wind, think it's rain. They don't know what they've seen, yet they want to push it onto the gods and ghosts. What kind of logic is that?" Yu Xi young lady smiled and said: "I don't believe it, but I wonder how sir thought of asking this question?"

  Shen Shangshu nodded: "The child doesn't speak of strange powers and gods, naturally I don't believe it either. However, the rumors are flying about, causing a stir among the people, even the Empress Dowager has heard about it. She ordered me to come and investigate the rumors, so that I can write them down for her amusement. I had no choice but to come and ask around."

  "Wow, the empress is indeed wise and kind, she actually likes to listen to folk tales from the countryside to understand the people's sufferings. She's truly a living Bodhisattva, born in this era, it's also our good fortune as commoners. My little maid knows some strange stories too, why don't I tell them to you, sir? If they can be of use to your writing, that would be great. " Yu Xi young lady is indeed worthy of her daily interactions with scholars and writers, she chews on words and phrases with ease, no wonder she has received so many honors, truly admirable."

  Shen Shangshu said: "Oh? Tell me about it."

  Xiao Nu'er trembled with fear and told Shen Shangshu everything about the faceless female ghost she had seen that day.

  Shen Shangshu remained silent for a long time before asking, "You saw that female ghost the other day, what time was it at night?"

  The little slave hesitated for a moment and said: "It's exactly now."

  "If such a ghost really exists, I would also like to see it with my own eyes!" Shen Shangshu laughed and said, clearly disbelieving.

  Ruoxi heard this and hastily said: "Isn't that right! If there really is a faceless female ghost, even I want to open my eyes wide and take a look, it's just that I don't have that kind of fate!"

  As I listened, I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. Without thinking much, I turned around and saw that in the cramped wardrobe, a pale and slender arm was stretching out from the sleeve of the magnificent golden silk silver thread crimson brocade robe that had been snatched away by Jinzhu's daughter, steadily placed before my eyes.