In the new bridal chamber, where red candles flickered, Jiang Wan gripped a yellowed swatch of silk, her fingertips tracing the faded peony pattern over and over. Beside the embroidery frame lay a pile of defective goods that had been delivered; the mandarin ducks embroidered in gold thread were either missing their eyes or had necks twisted at odd angles.
"How many days has it been now?" She rose abruptly, her skirt sweeping the wedding invitations off the table. "The Suzhou embroidery and cloud brocade were supposed to arrive three days ago, yet now there isn't even a trace of them!"
Lu Jingyuan slammed the final urgent letter onto the table, the ink smudging over the words "Wedding Date Approaching." "The silk shop claims the river transport is blocked, and the jewelry store says their artisans have caught a chill—how could such things happen all at once?"
Chapter 238