Chapter 195: Bo Lai Wu
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Mingzhu felt somewhat proud. Well, why not? Wasn’t she meticulously dressed up just to receive such praise? Yuwen Chu was always ten times better at this than Yuwen You, never sparing his praises for her. Unlike in the past, no matter how she looked, Yuwen You would just glance over her indifferently. So, all her expectations turned into embarrassment and coldness, as well as grievance and unwillingness.
She no longer wanted to be a woman who only felt wronged and unwilling. Mingzhu blinked coquettishly at Yuwen Chu, indicating for him to take another look at her attire, “Is this suitable?”
Because she thought they might walk on the street, the violet dress only reached the top of her shoes, not dragging on the ground. She hoped he would notice this, fulfilling his promise to take her to the Chenghuang Temple to eat duck blood vermicelli soup and tangyuan. Those things were only delicious when eaten fresh from the pot; whenever her family bought them and brought them home before, they always lost their flavor.
Yuwen Chu didn’t notice the length of her dress but instead admired her outfit, “Golden yellow with purple, very bright and beautiful. Most people can’t pull off this color, but it suits you just right, matching myself perfectly.”
Brazen, he always puts everything on himself. Mingzhu thought about how he had just given her a yard full of beauties and was now taking her out for food and fun, so she didn’t bother to argue about it. Her attitude was very friendly, almost flattering, “Let’s go quickly, it’s getting dark, we might miss it if we don’t hurry.”
Yuwen Chu smiled teasingly, “You’re dressed so nicely now, what about me? Walking beside you, I’m afraid people will think I’m your follower.”
It was just a joke, how could someone like him be mistaken for her follower? But his set of purple prince’s attire was indeed not suitable for strolling around and sitting in the streets eating duck blood vermicelli soup. Mingzhu pushed him back inside, “Hurry up and change clothes.”
“You want to help me?” Yuwen Chu casually pulled her in, “Don’t worry, it’s just changing into a robe, you won’t suffer much.”
Mingzhu happily picked out a robe for him and helped him put it on, eager to go out, “I can’t wait! I’m itching all over.” Since she was poisoned, she hadn’t eaten anything delicious, just plain broth, and she longed for something spicy and sweet.
Yuwen Chu smiled and let her pull him out, heading to the carriage.
After the carriage had traveled a long way, Mingzhu realized she had been overthinking.
The carriage passed through the wide streets and finally stopped at the busiest Tai Ping Lane. Yuwen Chu got out first, then turned back to help Mingzhu, “Several new shops have opened here, quite interesting. Do you want to take a look?”
Mingzhu was only focused on going to Chenghuang Temple to eat delicious food and didn’t really care about these things. After all, the purchases made by the mansion would bring the latest and most interesting items to her, so why bother joining the crowd? She wasn’t idle.
Yuwen Chu was patient, “In a few days, it will be the engagement ceremony of Princess Wusun and Linan Wang. You have to attend, right? When meeting the younger generation of the imperial family, you should bring gifts, right? Go pick something interesting, so people will think highly of you, the sixth aunt.”
In the end, it’s all about reputation and popularity. If her reputation is bad and people don’t like her, she has to start over. Considering it, the first large gathering after her marriage is indeed a good opportunity for a fresh start. It’s rare that he thought it through. Mingzhu felt she should show her gratitude. So, she happily got off the carriage with her bamboo hat and automatically held Yuwen Chu’s hand as they walked.
In sight was a very eye-catching large shop, with a luxurious facade and a black and gold signboard that read “Bo Lai Wu”. Mingzhu couldn’t help but wonder, “This name is quite strange, what does it mean?”
Yuwen Chu smiled, “Who knows? Literally, it probably refers to things imported by ship from overseas?”
The shop looked like it had just opened recently, but it was already bustling with activity, with people coming and going, mostly rich and noble. Mingzhu scratched her head. This momentum seemed very explosive and like it was going to become a famous shop, but why hadn’t she heard of it in her previous life?
Upon entering, it was quite remarkable. Not to mention the unified attire and demeanor of the clerks, which showed a bit of style, their smiles were warm and friendly, and their actions were thoughtful and polite. The arrangement of the items was also different from other shops.
Most other shops hid their tall shelves behind the counters or arranged them in a circle around the walls, requiring a ladder to reach the top items. But their shelves were different, just slightly taller than adults, divided into five layers, and placed in a neat row along the wall and the center of the hall, with a total of eight rows. The items on top were diverse, and you could reach out and grab whatever you wanted without the help of the clerks.
Most of them were things Mingzhu had never seen before, various transparent bottles, bowls, plates, and boxes with unique and novel designs. There were also some with patterns carved on them, or simply made into shapes of flowers, leaves, or animals, all packed in exquisite glass boxes, which looked extremely pleasing.
Most of them are really things Mingzhu has never seen before, various transparent bottles, bowls, plates, and boxes, with unique and novel designs. There are also explanations beside them, written in small cursive characters: Glass. Mingzhu knows about glass, but she has never seen anything so clear, transparent, and delicate. Just as she was about to pick up a box to look at it, the respectful attendant smiled and said, “Please, let me show it to you.”
Mingzhu was about to say it wasn’t necessary when Yuwen Chu pointed to a line of small characters below the box with a smile: Exquisitely crafted glass cosmetic box, fifty taels of silver.
So expensive! It turns out they were afraid she might drop it and break it and refuse to pay! Mingzhu smiled and said, “Husband, it’s okay if I break it, right?”
Yuwen Chu smiled and said confidently, “Whatever my wife wants, just take it.”
Mingzhu made a face at the attendant, looked around happily, and then saw many strange things, such as various colors, different fragrances, square or carved with patterns on top, or simply made into blocks resembling flowers, leaves, or animals, all packed in exquisite glass boxes, which looked extremely pleasing.
The attendant was good at observing words and colors, and soon realized that this couple were big customers. He enthusiastically introduced to Mingzhu, “This is called fragrant soap, also from overseas. It’s great for washing your face and hands. It’s made with precious spices and is both moisturizing and cleansing, leaving your skin white and tender…”
Mingzhu knows about soap, but aren’t they all black and ugly? Usually, they don’t use this for bathing and washing hands, but use bath beans instead, which are also mixed with many Chinese herbs and spices, and the whitening and moisturizing effect is quite good. Is this fragrant soap really that good?
Mingzhu asked skeptically, “How much is it?”
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