Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 195 - 19: Custom Jewelry (First Update)

Jinyinman Tang does not allow male guests to enter, so the shopkeeper is naturally a woman, known as "Miss Zhen." Originally, she was a maid accompanying Qin’s dowry, earning Qin’s trust deeply, so even after getting married, she still helps Qin manage her dowry shop!

She might not remember the Thirteenth Lady, but she definitely remembers Aunt Su. If Susu were to take off her veil, she should be recognizable as the "Thirteenth Lady."

However, Susu put her veil back on after Ruan Qiniang left, so Miss Zhen only knows that the person in this private room is a distinguished guest specifically instructed by her master.

As Miss Zhen entered, she quickly glanced around, getting a general sense of the situation. The four young girls standing were clearly maids, wearing exquisite brocade and silk. Although their jewelry was scarce, it was intricate, and their posture was proper, indicating they were maids of a wealthy household!

The woman seated was wearing a veil, but judging by the style and pattern of her clothing, she must be a young lady.

Even with a brief glance, Miss Zhen couldn’t help but be surprised. The fabric of her clothes was top-grade light silk, and the handkerchief she held was made of sumptuous brocade, known to be worth gold per inch.

Since she’s wearing a veil, the inserted jewelry cannot be seen, but even the shoe’s surface is embedded with two pearls the size of lotus seeds, smooth and milky white. Such large beads are rare for ordinary families, even for embedding in jewelry, let alone on shoes, indicating substantial wealth.

Speaking of this truly is a misconception, as Susu, no matter how wealthy, couldn’t display such ostentation as embedding large pearls on shoe surfaces.

Her clothing and shoes were newly made by a person sent by the Old Madam this time, so the wealth belongs to the Song Family.

"Greetings, Miss! Our master has instructed that whatever jewelry Miss wishes to buy, we should only ask for the base cost. If nothing catches the eye, our shop has recently produced a new jewelry design album. Miss can freely choose from it first."

"Paying respect first to the attire, then to the person." Besides, this is a distinguished guest specifically instructed by the master not to be treated lightly, so Miss Zhen was naturally very polite.

Susu asked Miss Zhen to sit opposite her, and said, "I must trouble you, Miss, but this time I’m not looking for ready-made jewelry. Instead, I want to custom order several sets of headpieces, and the craftsmanship must be the best."

Upon hearing this, Miss Zhen promptly replied, "Naturally, whether or not you are a distinguished guest specifically instructed by the master, we at Jinyinman Tang are renowned for our honesty!"

"First make two sets of filigree gold phoenix headpieces. The golden phoenix should be five-tailed, with hairpins, step shake, bracelets, pendants, etc., set at sixteen pieces per set."

In Great Chu, wearing phoenix pins has strict hierarchical requirements, primarily based on the number of phoenix tails. Nine-tailed phoenix hairpins can only be worn by the Empress Dowager and Empress.

Considering Hong Sheng’s current rank, Susu should prepare a three-tailed phoenix hairpin, but Hong Sheng recently wrote that when he returns to the Capital for the wedding, his position might rise one rank, then he’ll be Fourth Rank. As a wife of a Fourth Rank official, Susu can wear a five-tailed phoenix hairpin.

Miss Zhen noted down Susu’s requirements one by one, then heard Susu continue, "Make several exquisite small gold phoenix hairpins and several necklaces, and prepare two boxes of filigree bracelets and rings, including both gold and silver ones. The designs for these jewelry pieces can follow the current trends in Golden City."

"I also have a few drawings here; requirements in terms of material, size, and quantity are all specified. I only ask Miss Zhen to handle it with care. There’s no rush for time, as long as they’re ready by year’s end!" Susu said while mentioning several drawings but took out over a dozen.

Miss Zhen only glanced at the first sheet and instantly liked it. It’s a hairpin, with a head no larger than two Copper Coins.

The main body is a crane, depicted with wings spread as if flying, holding a Lingzhi in its beak, and flying above a cloud. It’s very simple, yet evokes a sense of tranquility. On checking the materials needed, they’re all precious gems like mutton fat jade, ruby, emerald, and transparent jade.

After a glance, Miss Zhen quickly understood that the mutton fat jade is surely for the crane’s body, ruby for the crane’s red crest, eyes, and beak, emerald for the Lingzhi, and transparent jade for the cloud, specially indicating the jade should contain cloud formations.

Basically, it requires a master jade carver to carefully assemble using special silver building techniques.

Miss Zhen wanted to say something, but knowing her thoughts were not feasible, she remained silent, flipping through the sheets one by one. Each subsequent design was more exquisite, and the required materials were naturally quite precious.

After Miss Zhen finished the last sheet, it depicted a set of jade headpieces with a motif of cordyceps, uniquely requiring twelve pieces of jewelry, all involving skillful carving.

Unable to resist speaking, she said, "Miss, although the jade carving masters at Jinyinman Tang are exceptional, ’a clever housewife cannot cook without rice’; such skillfully carved jade will be hard to gather promptly."

For such a large silver building, it’s normal not to lack jade materials, but Susu’s requirements are somewhat stringent.

Skillful carving typically designs around the jade’s characteristics, based on its unique colors, never heard of designing first.

Susu smiled, saying, "I’m not here to cause trouble, nor will I make things difficult for you. I’ve brought the materials; the gold and gemstones needed are also provided by myself. If the finished product satisfies me, aside from the payment, there will be considerable bonuses."

Only then did Miss Zhen feel relieved and smiled, saying, "Then I thank Miss in advance for the rewards!" Her words brimming with confidence. Surely, if even clear in guiding the craftsman how to carve, failing to satisfy the customer would indeed disgrace Jinyinman Tang’s reputation in the Capital!

What Susu requested requires numerous items, and the various jade materials are naturally heavy, all stored in the carriage.

Susu only carried a box of gemstones and several pieces of fine jade, along with a fifty-tael gold ingot and a fifty-tael silver ingot, all in pure red gold, fine silver, incomparable to fragmented gold or silver!

Susu instructed Shuimo to have the servants bring a redwood box from the carriage inside. After Miss Zhen verified everything was correct, a contract was finalized with Susu, and then she cautiously received the key from Shuimo’s hand, unable to express her previous thoughts.

The items Susu brought have naked values worth thousands of Silver, especially the piece of mutton fat jade, not inferior to the prized jade kept by Jinyinman Tang.

There’s even a palm-sized piece of Agarwood, authentic Yingge Green, with a minimum valuation of eight thousand Silver, rarer than rare!

Susu holds this piece of Agarwood, which was entrusted to her by Princess Qingning and the Sixth Miss of Prince Gong Mansion. The young girl with guilty feelings presented such a valuable gift, with it reflecting intentions of Princess Consort Gong as well, considered as forging a good relationship. The Old Madam pondered over it and had Susu accept it.

Such precious items are wasted when converted into single-use incense products. Susu plans to carve it into an ornament for the Old Madam and hopes to create two bracelets. Only afraid her amateurish skills might ruin it, leaving it for now.

Naturally, Susu noticed Miss Zhen’s intent, wanting to buy those drawings, but as these things are meant for personal use or gifting, she wouldn’t sell them. Moreover, given the master of Jinyinman Tang is Ruan Qiniang, she couldn’t disregard too much face.

The finished products are scheduled to be picked up on the first of the twelfth month, leaving over three months.

Before leaving, Susu told Miss Zhen, "Make sure the craftsmen bring out their best skills. If done well, I’ll send a gift to your master!"

No need to discuss these designs further, but Susu has abundant creative designs in mind, painting a hundred different ones would be no issue, and gifting to her dear sister, has truly no pressure.