Chapter 11 (2/2)

Feng Ning went back to her own residence, and called Xiao Qing over: “I want two new set of clothes made, who is responsible for handling these matters?”

“In the past, Furen’s new clothes were all handled by Ping Er who would find a tailor from outside to make them, the money was allotted by Yu Mama.”

Feng Ning had heard before from Xiao Qing that Ping Er was that dowry maid who died of illness. She sighed inwardly, it seems that this household in terms of clothing and living accommodations indeed did not mistreat her. Seeing that she did not say anything, Xiao Qing asked: “Does Furen want new clothes made?”

“Mm, I would like to look at the new style, do you know where I used to have them made in the past?”

“I do, it was made at the eastside of town, Jade Clothes Pavilion, that place is one of the most well-known.”

“Oh.” Feng Ning replied: “Then where do you guys get your clothes made?”

“All servants have their clothes made by the family’s clothes bureau.”

“Including Ping Er’s, right?”

Xiao Qing did not understand why she brought this up, but she still replied: “Yes, at that time, Ping Er’s clothes were all made by the clothes bureau, there was also the matter of embroidery, cleaning clothes, cleaning blankets; these were all done by the clothes bureau.”

Feng Ning thought about it, then that being said, the clothes bureau’s maids must have pretty good relations with the other residents’ maids, who wouldn’t want nice clothes, at the very least, they had the opportunity to come into contact with each other.

The next day, Feng Ning took out a set of clothes, tore a b.u.t.ton off, cut the threads of the lapel, and personally went to the clothes bureau. The clothes bureau’s yard wasn’t very big, hanging bamboo poles to dry clothes with, in one room, several maids were busy working, seeing Feng Ning come, they were all taken aback. Feng Ning looked closely, that one named Xia Er was also there, when she saw her, a look of frenzy flashed through her eyes.

Feng Ning laughed, and walked directly towards her: “You’re called Xia Er, right? We met yesterday, I remembered I had a set of clothes that needed mending, and Xiao Qing isn’t around, so I personally came to send it over, and could you mend it for me?”

That Xia Er composed herself, took the clothes, and agreed. Feng Ning, as if nothing had happened, looked around touching things here and there, exchanged some idle gossip with some maids, the lady who managed the bureau came in to receive her, Feng Ning politely greeted her, asked about the temperature, if the work was exhausting, the entire room awkwardly and timidly responded to her questions.

Xia Er had very quickly mended both the lapel and the b.u.t.tons, Feng Ning laughed and praised her skills, after giving thanks, she took her clothes and left. When she got to the door, she suddenly turned around and said: “Oh right, Xia Er, there’s still another matter.” She very clearly saw Xia Er’s expression quickly change from relief to being defensive, she lightly laughed: “I want two new sets of clothes made, before it should have been Ping Er who picked for me, but you and her were close, I a.s.sume you must know my tastes, moreover you’re very skilled, you would know good workmans.h.i.+p, why don’t you accompany me?”

Xia Er’s face drained of color, Feng Ning said: “Tomorrow then?”, she looked towards the managing lady who nodded her head in a flurry and replied yes, Feng Ning only now was satisfied, and with a laugh, she left.

After walking out the clothes bureau, Feng Ning’s face dropped. Excellent, when she said that Ping Er and she were close, no one expressed any surprise at that, seems like that it was true. Judging from this, she might really be able to dig some secrets out from this Xia Er.

But the next day, Feng Ning wasn’t able to drag Xia Er out, the reason for this was that she fell ill. This illness of hers was menacing, only yesterday she had been healthy not doing over half a day’s work, but she actually came down with such a high fever.

Sick servants have a separate room to recuperate in, in order to avoid infecting the others. So Xia Er was put in a small room, and with Feng Ning’s position, it was not convenient for her to enter, she entrusted Xiao Qing to visit and look around. Xiao Qing reported back, the fever was quite high, even after drinking herbal medicine the fever didn’t go down, Yu Mama already sent Doctor Chen over to examine her.

Feng Ning felt that this incident was very odd, did Xia Er get herself sick on purpose, so that she could avoid her? The meaning behind this supposition made Feng Ning depressed, could she have really resorted to murder?

She was in low spirit, thinking about this matter while going with Xiao Qing to the Jade Clothes Pavilion that she had often gone to get her clothes done. Jade Clothes Pavilion was indeed a top quality shop, a variety of cloth colors, and many different styles of clothing, it was a feast for the eyes, and there were even cabinets full of handkerchiefs and small ornaments. Those madams and young ladies in the shop were extremely excited.

Feng Ning stood at the doorway, not having much of an impression of the place, seeing how crowded the shop was, she also lost any interest in entering, just as she was about to return to the house, she heard a woman’s voice: “Oh, what a coincidence, lady a.s.sa.s.sin is also here.”

Feng Ning had just turned her head, saw Qin Ya Yin, and nodded her head in greetings: “h.e.l.lo Ms. Qin.”

Qin Ya Yin smiled brilliantly, and lifted up her wrist: “Look, Long San GongZi’s gift to me.” It was a jasper bracelet, Feng Ning could not tell if it was well made, but Qin Ya Yin’s att.i.tude put Feng Ning in a rotten mood. She roughly pulled her wrist over to take a closer look, Qin Ya Yin laughed, was about to say something, but was interrupted by Feng Ning’s lift of the eyes, and she spoke emphasizing every word: “Miss, wear this plaything well, I’ve received San Ye’s order to murder according to this item. Miss, look forward to it, don’t worry, I’ll give you an enjoyable one.”

After she finished talking, she gave a cold laugh, and without a single glance at Qin Ya Yin’s rigid and contorted expression, she turned around and arrogantly walked out.

The moment Feng Ning returned to the Long Residence, the first thing she did was rush straight to Long San’s courtyard. Long San was in the middle of giving orders to two servants, when they saw her coming, everyone stopped speaking, Feng Ning didn’t care at all whether they were guarding against her or not, she just rushed straight to Long San, stretched her leg out and gave him a kick, while also berating him: “wasteful squanderer……….”

She moved quickly, her actions completely went beyond Long San’s expectations, this time being kicked head on, before he could even understand what was going on, Feng Ning had already finished the deed and ran for it. She ran out the room, pa.s.sing by the small round table, as she was pa.s.sing, she also flipped the table, by the time the sound of the table falling to floor rang out, she had already disappeared out the courtyard.

Long San with a dark expression, loudly roared: “Feng Ning!” Unfortunately, she didn’t even leave him a shadow to scold.

Xiao Qing’s pace was slow, by the time she ran back she already saw Feng Ning walking towards her own small courtyard, she worriedly stepped forward to console her: “Furen……” But when Feng Ning turned around to face her, she actually excitedly made a fist: “That was a good vent.”

After making such an unreasonable scene, she was in a great mood!

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