Chapter 5: It Is Not That I Cannot Be Seen

“This year’s fine cloth was indeed not woven by the maidens of our Chaowu Brocade Workshop, but by weavers who have long collaborated with us. These weavers must take care of the elderly and raise children, so they cannot come to the embroidery workshop. Instead, the workshop provides them with looms and threads, allowing them to weave at home in their spare time.”

“Gentlemen, please examine these carefully.”

Li Xia, the second manager, presented several bolts of fine cloth in various patterns for all the merchants to inspect. Yan Chaonian did not worry about their approval; these weavers had cooperated with his maternal family for years and possessed exquisite skill. Were it not for their family obligations, they could have even woven brocade.

As usual, Boss Zhang was the first to speak. “I have full trust in the workshop owner and the reputation of Chaowu Brocade. Just prepare the goods as you see fit.”

The other merchants quickly echoed his sentiment. Yan Chaonian then picked up the ledger. “Boss Zhang is an old client, so I will prepare your order first: one hundred bolts each of the three-colored coarse cloth, eighty bolts each of the various fine cloths, thirty bolts of plain brocade, twenty bolts each of the patterned brocade from previous years, and one bolt each of this year’s newly improved precious design and the flowering plum branch pattern. How does that sound?”

Boss Zhang wished to negotiate for more. “Workshop owner, one bolt is too little. Could you add one more to each?”

“Two exceptionally skilled weavers share one loom, and it takes a month and a half to produce a bolt of precious patterned brocade. Even though we have increased both looms and weavers, the output remains limited.”

Hearing that all those materials only amounted to two bolts of new brocade, the merchants present felt reluctant. Last year, one bolt of the brocade style cost two thousand taels of silver; the supply was scarce. This year, the quantity increased, so even if they could not get the latest brocade, having two more bolts of last year’s style would suffice.

Yan Chaonian continued, “In three days, at the brocade competition, Chaowu Brocade will enter two pieces. If we are fortunate to win, the highest bidder shall claim them.”

The guests perked up. For the past five years, at this time, the government and the brocade guild held this grand brocade contest annually. Whether brocade workshops or common households, anyone confident in their brocade could enter.

Last year’s champion was Chaowu Brocade. Those who witnessed the event still recalled Chaowu’s brocade—a plum blossom pattern with more than four colors, radiantly beautiful beyond words. Rumor had it that it was sold at a high price to a noble in the capital, who gained immense benefits from it.

This victory firmly established Chaowu Brocade’s reputation.

Boss Zhang nodded, followed by Boss Wang, whose order was nearly equal in size. Others only received one bolt of new brocade. When it came to Boss Xiong’s turn, he assumed he would receive just one and was quietly consoling himself. Then, from behind the silk curtain came the voice, “...two new brocades—the double happiness and longevity pattern, and the double diamond floral bird pattern. How does that sound?”

The sudden fortune overwhelmed Boss Xiong. Though all were merchants, he knew well the gap between himself and Boss Zhang or Boss Wang. If such prominent merchants only received two bolts, how could he expect the same? Feeling the envious gazes around him, Boss Xiong straightened his back proudly and cupped his hands. “Prepared by the workshop owner, I have no objections. Many thanks.”

Yan Chaonian nodded. Anyone who displeased Jiang Wencheng was to her liking.

After the merchants descended to inspect and pay for their goods, one leaned close to Boss Xiong. “Boss Xiong, have you found some connections?”

“If you have good leads, could you recommend them?”

Several nearby pricked up their ears. Boss Zhang and Boss Wang were curious—Boss Xiong must have pulled some strings; otherwise, how could he get two bolts of new brocade?

Unaware of their suspicions, Boss Xiong’s face flushed with pride. He feigned having powerful backing, while inwardly pondering how to bestow a gift upon the workshop owner. Today, he truly felt honored.

One group of merchants went downstairs as another arrived upstairs; the ordering session showed no signs of ending soon. Outside, Jiang Wencheng strolled through several other brocade workshops on the street, increasingly convinced of Chaowu Brocade’s final value. He resolved to seek a private meeting with the workshop owner—both to apologize and to foster goodwill.

From morning until afternoon, the street saw waves of passersby, yet no one emerged from the brocade workshop until the last group of merchants departed, laughing and chatting. Even the doormat had been rolled up. At that moment, a bad premonition dawned on Jiang Wencheng. “Find out if the workshop owner is still here.”

His attendant hurried off but returned empty-handed. “The Chaowu Brocade staff said the workshop owner has already left.”

No details on when or where she left.

Anger surged in Jiang Wencheng’s chest. His face darkened as he rose silently and departed.

Upon returning to his inn, he found Jiang Chongyuan had also just come back. Immediately, he exploded in fury. “Useless wretch! All you do is eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. You’re good for nothing, neither capable nor competent!”

Ignoring the fact that Jiang Chongyuan had memorized poems since he was five, and that the Yan family was skilled in business and household management, how had they produced such a good-for-nothing?

Jiang Chongyuan shrank back in fear, only fueling Jiang Wencheng’s rage. Luckily, the steward present sensed the tension and quickly spoke a few kind words, escorting Jiang Chongyuan inside. Jiang Wencheng then ordered someone to find out where the Chaowu Brocade workshop owner lived. He intended to pay a personal visit.

“She waited until the last few merchants left before departing,” said Luo Jin, Yan Chaonian’s personal attendant, who had married into the Bo family with her.

Yan Chaonian, now dressed in fresh clothes, was amusing her son with a rattle. Looking up, she said, “Keep someone watching him. Don’t let him slip up.”

“But if he’s determined to investigate, he might uncover something.”

Yan Chaonian straightened. “So what if he does?”

If this were the capital, she would avoid him, but here in the Southwest, this was not Jiang Wencheng’s territory.

As Luo Jin left, Li Chun and Li Xia appeared, both smiling broadly. They were Yan Chaonian’s maternal uncles and the ones who had arranged for her to become the owner of Chaowu Brocade.

Holding Yan Chaonian’s little boy, who babbled incoherently, calling “Uncle,” they approached with smiles.

“It’s uncle on mother’s side,” Yan Chaonian corrected.

Li Chun bent down to lift the child. “Hmm, our Xun’er has gotten heavier.”

The boy giggled, making Yan’s mother come over, exchanging a few words before taking the child away, leaving Yan Chaonian and the others to discuss business.

Li Xia, the youngest uncle at thirty, was the most eloquent of the Li family. Generally, when he spoke, no one else had to say anything. Yet, he often acted unconventionally, favoring underhanded tactics.

Fortunately, none of the Li family recognized Jiang Wencheng today; otherwise, he would not have left the brocade workshop so easily.

“Looking at today’s scene, who would have dared dream this three years ago? Luckily, you returned. Year after year, you are our family’s lucky star. See those people today? They’d kneel before you clutching silver, begging you to accept it. To have business reach this level—it’s truly glorious.”

“But these days, there are so many frauds claiming all sorts of titles. The people downstairs saw that scammer sitting for half a day in the teahouse opposite our brocade shop. I’m afraid he’s not giving up. Mark my words, next time you meet him…”

“He’s not a fraud,” Yan Chaonian interrupted, not intending to hide the truth.

“He truly comes from the Bo family.”

Li Xia slapped his thigh hard. “Oh no, haven’t we just offended Lord Bo?”

The more steady Li Chun looked at him helplessly, still not grasping who the ‘scammer’ really was.