A few days later, it was the day to go to the Headdress and Shoes Workshop to pick up their clothes. Lu Qing and Zhu Yu applied fake skins to themselves again, and the two went to the workshop.

This time, however, they didn’t see Gu Lingyun.

Coincidentally, it rained that day, and it was wet and cold outside. There were hardly any people on the streets, and those who were around were in a hurry, holding oil-paper umbrellas and wearing oiled rain capes. The fabric displayed outside the workshop had also been taken down, leaving behind a lack of the usual hustle and bustle.

They were received by a steward from the workshop, who politely led them inside and handed the previously tailored set of clothes to Zhu Yu: "Madam, please see if you are satisfied."

"Isn’t Manager Gu here? I didn’t see her on the way in," Zhu Yu received the clothes but barely glanced at them, instead looking around.

The steward smiled, not taking Zhu Yu’s inquiry seriously: "The Duchess Yan’s birthday is coming up, and the manager has been supervising at the workshop, too busy to attend to the store’s trifles."

"That’s fine. If she’s not here, I can ask you," Zhu Yu nodded, turning to the steward, "Didn’t you display a fabric outside earlier, called Flowing Clouds?

At the time, it was said to be one of a kind, taken to make a dress for the Duchess, so it couldn’t be sold.

But these days, I’ve asked around in the Capital, generally speaking, if something good is used by the nobles, you will soon be able to make it again and sell it to others.

So I want to place a deposit with you in advance, and when you make more, prioritize a dress for me, how about that?

The price is negotiable, I just really like that fabric."

The steward didn’t even blink, maintaining a perfunctory smile: "Madam, you must be joking. Such fabric can’t be replicated by a place like ours.

That Flowing Clouds was indeed brought here by Duke Yan himself, merely left with us for tailoring.

After all, our Headdress and Shoes Workshop employs the best tailors in the entire Capital, which is a way to do justice to such fine fabric."

"That’s not what you said when you displayed it outside," Zhu Yu frowned, quite dissatisfied with the steward’s explanation, "Outside, you said there was just one piece, chosen by Duke Yan, so it couldn’t be sold to others."

"That was just a way of speaking," the steward smiled slyly, "You must not be from the Capital, Madam, so you’re probably not familiar with these noble customs.

The fabric was indeed brought by Duke Yan himself, but such fine material, even the ladies in the palace haven’t seen it. If he kept it for himself and made a dress for his wife to wear out, it would be unseemly to hear.

So when he handed it to us, he instructed us to say as much. We are merchants, after all, saying so makes our store appear respectable... don’t you agree?"

Zhu Yu was helpless but could say nothing more, nodding in acceptance of the shopkeeper’s statement.

As they left the Headdress and Shoes Workshop, the rain began to pour, and they hurried back to Yunyin Pavilion.

The expensive dress was stowed in a jar by Zhu Yu upon returning, sent to the kitchen, and hung over the stove for quite some time.

There’s no helping it. The workshop had some hidden dealings with places like the Immortal Castle and Little Mountain Building. Those people are too fond of shady practices, making her uneasy.

"Why not burn it with a fire? It would be safer," Lu Qing suggested, noticing her anxiety.

Zhu Yu playfully punched his chest, "Don’t talk nonsense. It cost a fortune, and if there’s nothing wrong with it, why waste it by burning it?

Do you think you’re still Prince Xiaoyao? With the overall situation still undecided, there are many hurdles ahead, and we can’t be so extravagant."

Lu Qing embraced Zhu Yu and sighed gently, "Don’t worry, even if not Prince Xiaoyao, your husband will not let you live a life of penny-pinching.

Living lavishly and extravagantly is still possible."

"Alright, then tonight let’s ’live a life of luxury’!" Zhu Yu glanced at the intensifying rain outside, "This kind of weather, damp and cold, is perfect for hotpot!"

"Okay, I’ll have Liu Yueyao arrange it," Lu Qing replied straightforwardly.

They both knew that while cooped up in the backyard of Yunyin Pavilion, though life was dull, it was likely the best way to find joy amid the struggles to come.

Watching Zhu Yu’s high spirits, Lu Qing felt both a little heartache and involuntary joy swelling in his heart.

Liu Yueyao always handles things efficiently, and by dinnertime, she had a silver hot pot sent over, with a rich variety of ingredients, from lamb and rabbit to duck blood and pork tripe, and a wide assortment of vegetables prepared.

Knowing that Lu Qing and the others hadn’t been drinking recently, Liu Yueyao also prepared some grape wine and sheep milk yogurt.

Zhu Yu mixed a dip to her taste, inviting Fu Wen and Fu Lu to join and eat together.

"Madam, how could this be!" Fu Lu immediately waved his hands at the suggestion, "It’s against the rules!"

"If Madam asks you to join, just join, don’t decline," Lu Qing nodded at both, "I am no longer Prince Xiaoyao, you needn’t adhere strictly to those formalities.

Since having you two by my side, I have felt we are family, able to share our lives and support each other, so don’t stand on ceremony."

Hearing Lu Qing say he was no longer Prince Xiaoyao, their faces were full of distress, and with a furrowed brow, Fu Wen clasped his hands before Lu Qing, "Master, whether you are Prince Xiaoyao or not, you and Madam will always be our masters. That will never change.

The lives of me and my brother are thanks to you, and whether wealthy or in poverty, we will always follow and serve you and Madam!"

"In that case, I don’t see you following your master’s orders," Lu Qing joked with an eyebrow raised.

Fu Wen was momentarily speechless and unable to respond.

Zhu Yu took the opportunity to wave them over, "Come on, sit down! Hot pot is best enjoyed with more people; eating it alone feels lonely, and even the best food loses its flavor!"

Fu Wen and Fu Lu no longer declined, sitting down as directed.

With the two of them, the meal indeed became much livelier. Initially, they felt it was against protocol and were a bit restrained. But as time went on, they gradually relaxed.

Zhu Yu had a small appetite and quickly felt full, so she sat by the side, resting her chin in her hand, watching Fu Lu eat. She found his serious and hearty eating inexplicably appetizing, prompting her to pick up her chopsticks for a few more bites.