The bookstore owner nodded secretly, this girl indeed had real skill, not just superficial knowledge. Such Duan Shi dragon-patterned inkstones were rare, and one would not recognize it at first glance without having seen it before. Although the girl was dressed ordinarily, her demeanor was truly extraordinary. Perhaps she was a lady from a fallen noble family. Noble families possessed deep foundations; even in decline, they should not be underestimated.
"Miss certainly has good taste; this is indeed a Duan Shi dragon-patterned inkstone." The bookstore owner no longer held any trace of disdain, sincerely admiring Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. It wasn't her good taste, but rather that the original owner had seen this item at the residence of the Marquis of Changping and, in an effort to please him, had diligently studied knowledge in this area.
"Shopkeeper, is this inkstone very expensive?" Song Mingyue gazed eagerly at the bookstore owner.
The bookstore owner did not immediately state the price but shifted his gaze to Qi Zhenzhen.
"Mingyue, this Duan Shi dragon-patterned inkstone is rare and can be sought after. It can serve as a family heirloom," Qi Zhenzhen explained.
Without needing to mention the price, the concept of a family heirloom made Song Mingyue understand that it must be exceptionally expensive.
"Then I'll buy the inkstone from downstairs," Song Mingyue stuck out her tongue.
The bookstore owner, perhaps to apologize for the young clerk, sold the inkstone, which was priced at two taels of silver, for only one tael and five qian. It was almost at cost price, so Qi Zhenzhen also chose one for Qi Yi.
The owner personally packed them for the two girls and respectfully saw them out.
The young clerk, with his head bowed uneasily, waited to be reprimanded.
"Do you know where you went wrong?"
"I shouldn't have judged people by their appearance."
"This young lady, though ordinarily dressed, possesses uncommon knowledge. Girls from ordinary families would certainly not have such insight, and her demeanor is extraordinary," the owner said slowly. "Setting aside her identity, all who enter are customers. Whether they buy or just look, you must still serve them attentively. Those who come to a bookstore are either scholars themselves or have family members who are scholars..."
Although it was difficult to stand out, no one could guarantee that offending someone unintentionally wouldn't lead to trouble later. Therefore, one should be kind to others in daily life, rather than offending people at every turn.
The young clerk nodded, "Shopkeeper, I've remembered."
On the other side, Song Mingyue, holding the inkstone, smiled brightly. "Zhenzhen, you're amazing. If it weren't for you, that shopkeeper wouldn't have given us a discount. It was a full five qian cheaper."
"Perhaps he was afraid we would spread rumors and gave us a hush fee," Qi Zhenzhen smiled.
"Whatever the reason, we benefited," Song Mingyue said with a giggle. "Five qian can buy a lot of things."
The two walked together towards the fabric shop. With the New Year approaching, they needed new clothes, so it was time to buy fabric.
Upon entering, a clerk greeted them. Coincidentally, it was the same clerk who had served Qi Zhenzhen during her previous visit to the fabric shop.
"Miss is here to buy fabric again? Cotton cloth or brocade?" the clerk asked with a smile.
"I need both cotton cloth and brocade. I want to make two brocade outfits for my mother. Can you recommend something beautiful?" Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "Also, do you have any good quality furs? I'd like to buy some."
The clerk's eyes lit up. He clearly remembered that this young lady had bought cotton cloth and embroidery cloth last time, and she had been very straightforward. Cotton cloth was cheap and had little profit, while embroidery cloth had a high purchase price, yielding not much profit. However, brocade and fur were different. Selling these would earn him an extra monthly bonus.
"Miss is so beautiful, your mother must also be a great beauty. We just received a batch of blue floral woven brocade, which is perfect for making jackets. Adorning the collar and cuffs with a circle of pure white rabbit fur would be both elegant and warm. Paired with a white satin skirt embroidered with folded paper begonia, she'll be more radiant than flowers."
People love to hear compliments. The clerk's praise for Qi Zhenzhen's beauty and his assertion that Madam Yun was a great beauty made Qi Zhenzhen very happy. Moreover, the clerk's recommendations were genuine, with good fabric colors and patterns. Qi Zhenzhen nodded and stated Madam Yun's measurements. "The jacket with rabbit fur collar and cuffs, and the skirt in the currently fashionable style."
The clerk's eyes narrowed into crescent moons with his smile. Their fabric shop employed skilled embroiderers, and the clothes they made were beautiful, but the labor cost was not cheap. The money he would receive would not be small either.
"Alright, I've noted it down. Miss, shall you continue choosing?"
Qi Zhenzhen responded affirmatively and picked out a ready-made outfit for Madam Yun as well: a jacket of bright red brocade embroidered with peonies, and a skirt of moon-white with golden speckles, which would be most festive for New Year's Day.
Qi Yi would have a straight robe in lake blue and another in moon white.
When it came to Qi Zhenzhen herself, at the clerk's recommendation, she chose a pink brocade with blooming flowers for her jacket, and a plain white brocade for her skirt with plain white edging. She also added a moon-white long vest embroidered with the Ruyi pattern. For her second outfit, she directly chose a ready-made set: a short jacket and trousers, described as the riding attire of noble ladies from the capital. The sleeves and trouser legs were cuffed, paired with deerskin boots, making for a very attractive ensemble. For Qi Zhenzhen, appearance was secondary; the primary reason was that this style of clothing was convenient to wear. It was rare to find such vibrant colors, and her mother wouldn't be able to fault her for not wearing skirts anymore. This was the current fashion in the capital!
In addition, each of them bought a rabbit fur waistcoat to wear in the bitter cold.
The fabric and labor costs amounted to a hefty one hundred and twenty taels.
Except for the female family members of a few prominent families in town, this was the first time the clerk had served such a generous customer.
Beside them, Song Mingyue involuntarily swallowed. It was the first time she had realized that buying clothes could cost so much money.
After serving Qi Zhenzhen, the clerk enthusiastically attended to Song Mingyue.
Song Mingyue selected high-quality fine cotton cloth. She chose two sets for herself, two for Madam Yu, two for her father, and two for Magistrate Song and his wife. As for the other members of the Song family, that was not her concern. Although the Song family had not divided their property, each branch managed its own earnings, and she was not responsible for their clothes.
Although Song Mingyue did not have the clothes made at the fabric shop, she still bought a considerable amount, making the clerk very happy.
After serving the two young ladies, he also gifted each of them two handkerchiefs: one of fine cotton cloth embroidered with orchids, and one of brocade embroidered with flowers.
Song Mingyue's cotton cloth was packed directly, but the items Qi Zhenzhen bought required time. They agreed on a pickup time, and the two left the fabric shop.
"My grandmother and my mother will definitely scold me for spending money recklessly," Song Mingyue grumbled.
"After grumbling, they will be very happy. This is your filial piety to them."
Elders were often like this; they would be inwardly pleased but would still utter a few scolding words.
As they talked, the two strolled along, stopping and starting. With the New Year approaching, the shops on the street had increased, displaying various small trinkets. Song Mingyue's eyes could barely keep up.
"Oh dear—"
A sharp cry rang out. Song Mingyue looked helplessly at the woman who had fallen to the ground. She had clearly dodged, not bumping into anyone, so why had this person collapsed on the ground?