"Sir, please don't misunderstand. It's just... I've seen that Jade Flute Hairpin and the gilded hairpin before. The second madam of Zhao Kaitai, the Zhao Family's Patriarch in the County Town, wears those exact two. I saw her on the road once."
It dawned on Cheng Zongyang. He pressed, "You remembered them from a single glance? Your memory's not bad. But are there no identical ones in town?"
Ma San gave an embarrassed smile. "Well, mostly it's because the second madam is gorgeous, and... well, very alluring and charming. Rumor has it she's from the Commandery City and carries herself with such an air of nobility that many people remember her."
Cheng Zongyang was speechless, waiting for him to continue.
"As for identical ones, there wouldn't be any. You might not know this, Sir, but this second madam has a peculiar temperament. She never uses the same things as anyone else; everything is custom-made for her. Her clothes, her accessories, her jewelry, everything."
