Chapter 62 Framing

With money in hand and remembering that Madam Han's birthday was approaching, Shen Qingyun waved generously and took Zhenzhu out for a full day of shopping and eating.

The streets bustled with people and merchants; hawkers lined the roads, calling out their wares, and carriages moved slowly by. Shen Qingyun and Zhenzhu picked a spot to disembark. That day, both were simply dressed, keeping a low profile, and wore veils as they wandered through the marketplace. The roadside stalls selling rouge, silk flowers, wood carvings, snacks, and tea—all sorts of little trinkets—brimmed with the warmth of everyday life, filling Shen Qingyun with unexpected joy and a renewed spirit.

Perhaps it was only after living two lives that she truly savored such leisurely moments, walking the bustling streets as an ordinary young woman. Zhenzhu was even more excited than Shen Qingyun, stopping at every stall, eager to look at everything.

Shen Qingyun smiled helplessly. "Buy whatever you like today; your mistress can afford it."

Zhenzhu was picking out some silk flowers—pear blossom designs, which were rare. Hearing this, her eyes sparkled. "Miss, you’re too kind! I want to buy this for Yicui. She’ll look so pretty wearing it."

Shen Qingyun nodded and also chose a pair of delicate hairpins to match the silk flowers; together, they looked lovely. Zhenzhu paid, then pulled Shen Qingyun along to buy two sticks of candied hawthorn. The round, red fruit was coated in a shiny layer of sugar, making it even more tempting in the sunlight.

But as both women wore veils, they found a quieter stall to the side and sat down, ordering two bowls of soup and a few plates of small pastries. The little stall was run by a middle-aged husband and wife. Though small, it was spotless, shaded by a blue cloth umbrella. For some reason, Shen Qingyun and Zhenzhu were their only customers—the business seemed rather quiet.

The woman deftly rolled noodles while her husband served the sweets and pastries to Shen Qingyun and Zhenzhu, before going back to help his wife, occasionally wiping her brow. The two exchanged loving smiles.

Zhenzhu watched the busy couple, a little envious.

Shen Qingyun was about to tease her when she turned and saw a small girl standing by their table, staring unblinking at the candied hawthorn in her hand. The little girl's cheeks were a bit dirty, but she was adorable, her eyes like big purple grapes, cheeks puffed out. Perhaps encouraged by Shen Qingyun’s kind smile, she grew bolder and tentatively reached out to grab the treat.

Shen Qingyun’s candied hawthorn already had a bite taken out of it. Worried the girl would get her hands sticky, she quickly shifted aside, but her wide sleeve caught a smudgy handprint from the girl.

“Oh, miss!” Zhenzhu cried, taking out a handkerchief to wipe it off, but the stain was stubborn and wouldn’t come out.

While the two weren’t paying attention, the little girl snatched the candied hawthorn from Shen Qingyun’s hand. Yet, she seemed to realize she’d done wrong, shrinking back, afraid to eat or speak.

The stall owners hurried over, apologizing, “Miss, we’re so sorry. That child belongs to the shop next door and often comes over to play. She dirtied your dress—what should we do?”

Shen Qingyun smiled unconcernedly. “It’s nothing.”

She turned to Zhenzhu, “Go buy another stick of candied hawthorn for the little girl.”

Seeing how beautiful and amiable Shen Qingyun was, the stall owners thanked her profusely and even sent over two plates of pastries.

Though Zhenzhu was displeased that her mistress’s clothing had been sullied, she saw the longing in the little girl’s eyes and obediently went to buy another candied treat.

Next door was another couple’s shop. The man was out, and the woman, half-dozing behind the counter, only now noticed the commotion. She rushed over, grabbed the child, and, seeing the fine material of Shen Qingyun’s dress, grew anxious.

She pulled the girl close, urging, “Hurry, apologize to the lady.”

The little girl, frightened, pouted, her eyes filling with tears.

“It’s fine, really, don’t blame the child,” Shen Qingyun waved her hand. “But that stick was already bitten, so—”

Before she could finish, a maidservant strode up and kicked the little girl, sending the candied hawthorn flying to the ground, where it shattered.

“Ah!”

The girl burst into loud sobs. Her mother screamed, gathering her into her arms.

“Qingyun, I see this girl’s got no manners, dirtying your dress—I just took it upon myself to teach her a lesson.” A familiar voice rang out. Shen Qingyun looked up and saw Princess Jing’an approaching with a group of maids, instantly surrounding the little stall.

Shen Qingyun’s face turned cold as she shielded the girl. “Your Highness, she’s just a child. Why did you strike her? If you’re displeased, take it out on me instead.”

The girl’s cries filled the shop, drawing a crowd from the street. Her mother, upon hearing the princess’s title, grew visibly nervous, hiding behind Shen Qingyun without a word.

Princess Jing’an glanced disdainfully at the dirty little girl. “So noisy! Qingyun, I only meant well. Instead of thanking me, you blame me?”

At the princess’s impatient look, her maid was about to step forward and warn the girl to be quiet.

At that moment, Zhenzhu hurried back, noticing the tense scene. She watched the maid warily, fearing she’d harm Shen Qingyun. “Miss, are you alright? Don’t you dare hurt anyone!”

By now, a sizable crowd had gathered to watch.

Princess Jing’an feigned innocence and suddenly declared in a loud voice, “Yes, Qingyun, it’s just a candied hawthorn. You’re not short of money. Don’t hit a child over something so small.”

Zhenzhu was stunned. “How can you slander someone like that? It was you—”

“Me?” Princess Jing’an smiled, pointing at the girl’s mother. “Tell me, who hit you?”

The woman, clutching her child, trembled and glanced guiltily at Shen Qingyun, whispering, “It was—this lady did, but it’s fine, it was our fault. We’re sorry, so sorry.”

Between the two parties, Shen Qingyun had only one maid at her side, dressed plainly, while the princess’s entourage was large and imposing—it was obvious who held more power. The woman dared not offend her.

Zhenzhu’s face flushed red with anger, and she shouted at the woman, “How can you lie like this?”

Princess Jing’an sighed. “Qingyun, don’t make things harder for her. You’re from the countryside yourself; surely you understand how hard ordinary people have it.”

The crowd began to murmur, criticizing Shen Qingyun for bullying others, even hitting a child.

Princess Jing’an’s maid stepped forward, handing a gold ingot to the woman. “Take this, on behalf of Miss Shen—use it to get the child treated.”

The woman’s eyes lit up with delight as she prepared to leave, but Shen Qingyun stopped her. “You can’t go!”