On the day of the Frost Descent, Jiang Wan stepped into the silk shop for the first time as the head of the household. The morning mist had yet to disperse, and white frost still clung to the bluestone pavement. Her embroidered shoes crunched softly against it as she walked, followed by Lüluo and Accountant Wang. The former carried a gilded abacus, while the latter clutched a foot-thick stack of ledgers; both of them looked visibly nervous.
"The Eldest Miss is here!" the errand boy stationed at the door shouted at the top of his lungs. The shop fell into instant chaos. Several clerks who had been organizing bolts of fabric scrambled to stand straight, their eyes fixed squarely on Jiang Wan.
Liu Fu, the manager of the silk shop, hurried out to greet her, the keys at his waist jingling with every step. "I was unaware the Eldest Miss would be visiting today. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome!" He plastered a smile on his face, though he dared not look her directly in the eye.
Chapter 87