4 The First Leading Lady 1

The sun still hung below the horizon but villagers filled the market streets as they prepared for the day to come. Squeezing through the crowd was a worried San'er struggling to catch up to the young miss.

Up ahead, Li Wei excitedly scanned all the stalls on both sides of the road. She moved through the shortcuts with expertise. When she stood in front of a big building with white peonies in front, she stopped. In her last life, she liked this store the most. Madam Yan was the owner of this fabric store and she had the newest and prettiest dresses. Of course, this was also the most expensive store in the city.

San'er was panting heavily when she finally caught up to the young miss. "Miss, here you are. I think I've improved since last time but make sure you don't do this again or Madam Rin will force this servant out the doors."

Actually, Li Wei waited for the girl to arrive. It was fun to tease San'er who always took things too seriously. Li Wei smiled secretly as she walked up the entrance of the store.

Madam Yan was no ordinary woman. On the outside, she was a talkative naïve woman in her forties who seemed obsessed with beauty. However, she was a cunning woman who did all things with calculations. When she saw Li Wei at the entrance, she immediately plastered on a smile, "My my, look who we have here on this early morning. What does the second young miss of the Li Manor have in mind today?"

Li Wei stared at the woman she used to confide in. In her past life, Madam Yan was one of the few she trusted. She used to think Madam Yan was full of warmth, similar to a mother's. Now she almost wanted to slap herself for not being able to see the intentions behind those fake smiles. Of course, Li Wei was not a good woman either. In fact, she was much worse. Seeing Madam Yan again reminded her of the things she did.

"Are you also looking for a dress to attend tonight's royal banquet?" Madam Yan pushed after Li Wei stood there blankly. It was unsual for a young lady to not respond to Madam Yan. She was not used to being ignored and it annoyed her.

Li Wei put on an innocent smile that covered her inner thoughts. She indeed, headed here to look for a new dress. Now that she's here, Li Wei changed her mind. She didn't want to go to the banquet anymore. What was the point? She quickly made an excuse, "No, actually I got lost and accidently came here. Aunt Rin wanted me to pick up something for her but I remembered incorrectly."

Before Madam Yan could say anything else, Li Wei turned around to leave. Poor San'er was so confused as she followed the young miss towards the door. Li Wei hurriedly walked to the entrance when a familiar voice suddenly made her stop in her tracks.

"Madam Yan, do you have more of this pattern in storage?"

"Miss? Is something the matter?" San'er asked at the young miss' sudden stop.

"No, let's go. Aunt Rin is waiting."

The voice came again, this time louder and closer as the owner came towards them.

"Li Wei, is that you?"

This voice was sweet and filled with excitement.

This voice belonged to none other than the first leading lady, Li Zhilan.

Li Wei paused momentarily and turned to face Li Zhilan, who was all smiles. Li Zhilan was naturally a cheerful person. She was already a beauty, but her personality was what made Hua Xifeng fall for her. Today, she was dressed in a white dress filled with intricate embroideries of pink roses. One could say the dress made her glow, almost like a fairy.

If Li Wei wasn't there, San'er would've thought Li Zhilan as the most beautiful person she's ever seen. Next to her young miss, Li Zhilan was at most pretty.

"Greetings, Li Zhilan. I will take my leave now."

"Wait! Are you here to buy a dress too? If you are, pick any dress you like and I'll pay for you."

Li Wei smiled, truly smiling and politely declined the offer. "Thanks, but I really came here on accident. Aunt Rin wanted some buns for breakfast from the Cherry Teahouse. I haven't been out lately and got lost."

Li Zhilan nodded, a bit disappointed. She wanted to talk to her cousin longer. "Okay, well, see you later at the banquet then."

Madam Yan saw the two young misses at the door as she couldn't miss the opportunity to interwine herself into the conversation. "Li Wei, I have something for your aunt. If you don't mind, can you wait while I retrieve it from the back?"

Li Zhilan saw this opportunity and grabbed Li Wei back's hand to lead her back into the store. Li Wei had no choice but to follow. While Madam Yan disappeared into the backroom, Li Wei looked through the fabrics for entertainment. Li Zhilan was also busied looking the already made dresses with her maids.

There were thousands of different patterns and types of fabrics that one could buy and choose with any designs. Shelves from the ground to the top of the walls were filled with fabrics. As her eyes travel around the store, they stopped at a light blue, almost white brocade located at the bottom of a shelf in the corner. On the light blue color, there were white birds embroidered in flight.

The pattern itself was not interesting, but it was the memories attached that made Li Wei's eyes glistened with a desire to pull the fabric into her embrace.

It was the fourth year of their marriage in early December. Li Wei woke up and found a dress folded nicely on the foot of her bed. It was a dress made with this pattern. On top of the dress, there was a short note:

"I have to leave again, and I don't know when I'll be back this time. If possible, I wish to see you in this dress upon my return."

The morning he left, Li Wei took one look at the dress and didn't hesitate to have the maids throw it out.

He frowned and coldly passed her when he returned six months later. She still remembered the disappointment hidden in his eyes and the sadness hidden in his heart.

Now she'd do anything to get the dress back.

She'd wear it everyday if that's what it'd take to bring a smile upon his lips.