After breakfast, Song Wei went outside to contact the carriage from the Horse and Carriage Agency, and Wen Wan and Song Fang went back inside to change clothes.
Today is the first day of the new year. Since she planned to go out and have fun, Wen Wan thought it appropriate to dress up nicely. So she generously laid out the jewelry she brought and let her sister-in-law choose from them, intending for the two of them to dress up together.
Song Fang knew at home that her little sister-in-law’s biological mother left her many expensive pieces of jewelry, but seeing them in person was still quite a shock.
Gazing at the dressing table adorned with hairpins, golden hairpins, earrings, and jade bracelets, Song Fang swallowed, "Oh my goodness, what on earth did Aunt Lu’s family do? These jewelry pieces are too precious!"
Wen Wan tilted her head. She couldn’t tell the value of precious materials, but her husband could. He said each piece was quite valuable.
So she usually couldn’t bring herself to wear them, but as it’s the New Year, she brought them all out for a change.
Song Fang glanced over the jewelry, then shook her head at Wen Wan, "I think I’d better not choose any."
Seeing the confusion in her sister-in-law’s eyes, Song Fang explained, "These are top-class items, very rare. With so many people at the temple fair, if I just wear them out and attract thieves, who might take advantage of the crowd and swipe them, or if there’s a bump or a scratch, and something gets damaged, that would be a huge fault of mine."
Wen Wan wrote in the palm of her hand: "Choose one, I’ll give it to you."
"Give it to me?" Song Fang’s eyes widened, and she shook her head like a rattle. "Then I definitely can’t accept it. These are your dowry; how can you casually give them away?"
Seeing her unwillingness, Wen Wan selected a matching set for her: a jade bracelet, a hairpin, and earrings, completing the set.
Song Fang looked down at the jewelry in her palm, suddenly feeling a bit heavy, and returned them, "Well, sister-in-law, I really can’t accept this."
But Wen Wan didn’t give her a chance to refuse, directly pushing her out to go back to her room and get ready.
Song Fang gritted her teeth; fine then, she’ll wear them. She’ll be careful and return them to her sister-in-law once they’re back home.
With this thought, Song Fang looked at the gifts from her sister-in-law again, feeling much lighter, and found each piece exquisitely charming.
Wen Wan changed into a light purple skirt specifically made for the New Year, topped with a simple outer coat. A herringbone tassel golden buyao adorned her head, keeping her style simple. Her delicate appearance balanced the opulence of her headpiece, resulting in a look both pleasing and graceful.
Song Wei had just contacted the carriage agency and entered the courtyard when he saw his little wife standing under the eaves in her glamorous attire, momentarily stunned.
Wen Wan lifted the hem of her skirt, her embroidered shoes avoiding the puddles, and walked over to Song Wei.
Upon reaching him, she looked up with a shy blush on her cheeks, seemingly awaiting a compliment.
Song Wei pinched her face, "Why not change the jewelry? Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare take you out."
Firstly, the naturally radiant little wife dressed was bound to draw attention wherever she went, which made him uneasy.
Secondly, the buyao on her head came from Aunt Lu, and wearing it out could lead to awkward recognition.
Song Wei dared not take the risk.
Wen Wan looked at him puzzled: It’s just a headpiece, what’s the trouble?
Song Wei thought about it and asked her, "We’re going to places with a lot of people today, do you have any bad feelings, Wanwan?"
Wen Wan shook her head, no, everything had been smooth since early morning.
To avoid her becoming suspicious, Song Wei refrained from suggesting removing the jewelry, especially when he saw Song Fang also wearing a set as she came out the door. He couldn’t bring it up at all, only quietly advised Wen Wan, "You’ll stick close to me later, and if you sense anything amiss, tell me in advance so we can avoid it."
Wen Wan nodded, feeling her husband seemed unusually concerned about her today.
But perhaps he should be worried about himself? With his unlucky fate, who knows when disaster might suddenly strike, especially in crowded places where trouble easily brews.
But staying home all the time to hide from it would be too cowardly.
Moreover, today is the first day of the year, so naturally, they ought to go out.
Song Fang lifted her newly donned skirt, joyfully approached Song Wei, and asked, "Third Brother, do I look nice?"
Song Wei was about to praise her when someone interrupted.
"Tsk tsk, no wonder they say people rely on attire like horses on saddles, Song here looks quite nifty with this getup."
No need to see who it is; the voice is enough to tell. Song Fang immediately frowned, "Who’s the gap-toothed one here? If you can’t say anything nice, don’t speak up, lest you come off crude and vile. ’Nifty’ is your trademark, Young Master Xu, don’t toss it around to everyone, thank you very much, this little lady feels too undeserving!" Read full story at novel•fire.net