The concealed panel slid shut behind them, blending seamlessly back into the wall of silks.
Shen QIngwan, Yuwen, and Shou An stepped out into the main hall of the Jade Brocade Pavillion, where bolts of fabric swayed gently from polished wooden racks. The murmur of customers and the soft calls of workers filled the air once more, as if the hidden room had never existed.
"Shi Mei..."
The voice was familiar.
Qingwan turned, already knowing who it would be. A faint, knowing smile curved her lips.
Shen Yu stood a short distance away, dressed elegantly as always, her posture refined, her chin slightly lifted. Her gaze moved past Qingwan and froze.
Behind her stood SHou An.
The same man.
The one she had seen before, standing silently in her courtyard.
Shen Yu's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly before shifting again this time to Yuwen , whose clothing was simple and modest, devoid of ornaments or silk layers. She did not look like a noblewoman, nor did she try to.
A small, sharp smile appeared on Shen Yu's lips.
"Fourth Sister," she said lightly, though her tone carried an edge, "one should always be mindful of one's place and the company one keeps. Friends should match one's level, after all."
Yuwen did not bristle.
She only smiled calmly and bowed to Shen Yu, her movements neither submissive nor arrogant merely courteous.
Before Shen Yu could say more, a worker hurried forward and spoke respectfully, "Lady Boss, shall I prepare the new samples now?"
The words landed like thunder.
Shen Yu stiffened.
"Lady… Boss?" she echoed, staring at Yuwen in disbelief.
Yuwen inclined her head slightly, then turned to Shen Qingwan and bowed. "Lady Shen, I'll take my leave. I'll see to the preparations personally."
With that, she stepped away, disappearing smoothly into the inner corridors of the shop.
Shen Yu remained rooted to the spot, her expression blank.
Qingwan glanced at her calmly. "Third Sister, you misunderstood," she said gently. "She is not my friend. She is the Lady Boss of this pavilion. I was merely discussing my banquet attire."
Shen Yu's lips parted, but no words came.
Qingwan did not wait. She turned and walked toward the exit, Shou An following at a measured distance, his presence silent and steady.
Behind them,
Shen Yu stamped her foot sharply, frustration burning in her eyes.
If I had known.... If I had known who she was.....
She clenched her fists. With the Lady Boss on her side, even the most exquisite gown could have been hers.
"Let's go!" she snapped at her maid, turning on her heel.
Shen Qingwan stepped through the gates of Shen Pavillion, the familiar scenery greeting her with quiet warmth. The stone path was clean, the bamboo rustling softly in the breeze.
"Fourth Lady," Bulter Shi, greeted her with a respectful bow. "Madam is waiting for you."
Qingwan smiled. "Thank you, Uncle Shi."
She did not linger, lifting her skirts slightly as she made her way toward the east pavillion, her steps light and unhurried.
Before she even reached the courtyard, she spotted her mother.
"Mom....!" Qingwan called out, her voice bright, almost childlike. "Mom!"
Madam Shen turned just in time to be enveloped in a sudden embrace. Qingwan hugged her tightly, cheek pressing against her shoulder.
"What are you doing standing out here?" Qingwan asked softly, her tone affectionate.
Madam Shen laughed gently, patting her daughter's back. "Waiting for you, of course."
As Qingwan lifted her head, her eyes shifted and immediately caught sight of the gleaming jewelry set laid out neatly on the stone table beside her mother. Gold caught the sunlight in dazzling flashes: hairpins delicately carved, heavy earrings, layered bracelets, and a radiant necklace.
Madam Shen's eyes shone with pride. "These are the latest trend in the capital. All gold," she said warmly. "Come, sit properly. Let me see how they look on you. I bought them myself for the banquet."
Qingwan paused.
She looked at the jewelry for a long moment then slowly shook her head.
"Mother," she said gently, "I cannot wear these."
Madam Shen blinked. "Why not?"
"This year's floods have left many families struggling," Qingwan replied calmly. "If I appear at the banquet wearing such luxury, people will talk. They'll say Father enjoys wealth while the people suffer. I don't want that."
The courtyard fell silent.
From behind them, Father Shen who had arrived unnoticed let out a quiet laugh of approval.
"Well said," he remarked. "To think my daughter would speak with such awareness at her age."
He stepped forward, nodding thoughtfully at the jewelry. "We'll donate this gold instead. Let it help those who need it."
Qingwan smiled, her eyes warm. "That would be best, Father. As long as we are alive, we should do more good things."
Madam Shen and Father Shen exchanged a glance.
Her words lingered strangely as if they carried the weight of someone who had already walked past life once.
"…As long as we are alive?" Madam Shen repeated softly.
Qingwan realized what she had said and smiled lightly, brushing it aside. "I just meant… we shouldn't waste time."
Her parents looked at her for a moment longer then both smiled.
"Yes," Madam Shen said, taking her daughter's hand. "You're right."
The family stood together unaware that the young woman before them carried memories of another life.