Zhu Jiayu paused slightly, then smiled and said, "If it were for any other reason, there would be no need to be so critical of my appearance right away. If someone is judging me solely on my looks, it's probably for matters of the heart, isn't it? Is it because of Wei Qinglou?"
Gu Jinshu nodded approvingly and told her about the news she had heard not long ago: "Although the Zhuang family was quite prosperous in Linzhao, it was only because of the legacy of their predecessors. By the time of Zhuang Shengxian's father's generation, they began to decline. Her brothers were also useless, so the Zhuang family set their sights on the Wei family."
"The old Duke Wei once had some connections with the patriarch of the Zhuang family, but their friendship ended after the patriarch retired. If Zhuang Shengxian wants a prestigious marriage and can also help her brothers get promoted, the Wei family is undoubtedly the best choice. But the second young master of the Wei family is away fighting all year round, so isn't the third young master now the most sought-after son in the eyes of the Zhuang family?"
"Then Zhuang Shengxian naturally doesn't like you." After saying that, she looked up at Zhuang Shengxian, who was learning etiquette upstairs, with a mocking glance, and then said with a light laugh, "But it doesn't matter. After what happened today, if she wants to disrespect you again, she should think twice about my status as a princess."
She feared Wei Qinglou's methods and respected Zhu Jiayu's character, but she was, after all, a princess, and wouldn't take a mere young lady from the Zhuang family seriously.
She winked at Zhu Jiayu: "You don't need to rely on my influence, because I'm on your side."
She knew, of course, that Zhu Jiayu could easily handle Zhuang Shengxian on her own. But she liked Zhu Jiayu, so she wanted to do something for her.
At least, with her status as a princess here, it can save Zhu Jiayu some trouble, right?
She used to look down on the arrogant and domineering behavior of her cousins in the imperial clan, but after experiencing it herself, she realized that it was actually quite a strange experience.
Zhu Jiayu smiled and thanked her.
Gu Jinshu waved her hand: "There's nothing to thank me for. I'll be going now."
She was anxious to go back and figure out how to deal with Yu Wenchao.
She had never suffered such injustice in her entire life. If she didn't retaliate, she truly wouldn't be able to eat or sleep properly.
...
In the evening, Wei Qinglou finished his shift at the yamen and was about to return home when he caught sight of the long robe on his desk.
He remembered what Zhu Jiayu had said during the day, and with a hint of suspicion, he unfolded his long robe. Sure enough, he found that Zhu Jiayu was not honest at all: she had mended the missing corner of the robe, but she had embroidered two peach blossoms at the seam of the fabric.
It's not that her embroidery was bad; on the contrary, it was extremely beautiful. The peach blossoms were delicate and the peach leaves were lush and green, so lifelike that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they were incredibly realistic.
However, Wei Qinglou believed that no man with any sense of masculinity could wear this long gown out in public.
But he had already promised Zhu Jiayu...
Shu Jian entered the room at that moment. When he saw the long robe embroidered with peach blossoms in his young master's hand, his eyes widened, and he forgot for a moment why he had come in.
Wei Qinglou beckoned to him, signaling him to come forward. After letting him examine the long robe in his hand carefully, he asked, "What do you think of it?"
Shu Jian examined it carefully and realized that this was the same piece he had delivered to the Zhu residence that morning. So, this peach blossom was Miss Zhu's masterpiece?
As a competent, considerate, and socially experienced subordinate, Shu Jian said sincerely, "I think this robe is excellent." He offered his opinion, "This dark robe with mixed auspicious patterns was originally a bit dull, but after adding these two peach blossoms, it instantly appears much softer. Not to mention, the peach blossoms are embroidered with a balance of softness and strength, and the branches and leaves are vigorous, which is something that no ordinary person can embroider."
Wei Qinglou nodded: "Well said."
He changed into a long robe and asked again, "How long have you been following me?"
Shujian replied, "Nine years, eight months, and twelve days."
“It’s been almost ten years,” Wei Qinglou said calmly. “You’ve worked hard all these years. At the end of the month, go to the accounting office to collect your monthly salary. Take my seal with you and ask him to give you an extra twenty taels every month from now on.”
Shu Jian paused for a moment, then immediately beamed and said, "I didn't see it clearly just now, but looking at these peach blossoms now, their colors are elegant and refined, truly befitting your status and temperament, young master! And these brown branches, doesn't that symbolize your shrewdness in handling affairs? Miss Zhu has really put a lot of thought into this!"
Wei Qinglou's lips curled up slightly: "Book and Sword".
"Hey!"
Have you ever heard the saying, "Too much of a good thing is bad"?
"Understood, I will take my leave." Shu Jian withdrew, but returned after only a few steps, saying in a booming voice, "Young Master! I remember now, I came to see you about the Second Young Master! The border army has won a great victory, the Qi army has retreated, and the Second Young Master is already on his way back to the capital by imperial decree! He should be back in about ten days at a fast pace! Madam said she wants you to go back and choose a portrait!"
Wei Qinglou was taken aback: "Which portrait should we choose?"
Why does he still need to choose a portrait?
“Naturally, it’s for selecting portraits of the daughters of officials,” Shujian explained. “Madam said that now that the Second Young Master has returned, he can’t leave again. If he wants to leave, he has to be engaged first. Madam also said…”
He paused, secretly glancing at his young master's expression, before continuing, "Madam also said that this not only concerns the second young master, but also you. If the second young master's marriage is still not settled in three years, you can't skip him and bring Miss Zhu into the family first, can you?"
Wei Qinglou's expression hardened. Oh yes, how could he have forgotten that!
"That's very true." He strode out, but when he reached the door, he found Shujian still behind him. He urged, "What are you still standing there for? Don't you want a raise?"
Book and Sword: ...
No, he was just a little confused. He thought that since the young master had suffered greatly because of the portrait selection, he would try to persuade his wife not to use such radical methods to force the second young master to choose a portrait.
Why does the young master seem even more anxious than the madam?
Wei Qinglou, wearing a dark blue long robe embroidered with peach blossoms and other precious patterns, went out and soon met several adults who were also going home after their shift.
"Lord Wei."
"Lord Zhang, Lord Zhu, Lord Li."
After everyone had exchanged greetings, the official surnamed Li couldn't contain himself any longer. He asked his superior, who was quite young but whose temperament and methods were not to be underestimated, "Lord Wei, your clothes today are quite unique. I wonder if there is any significance to the peach blossoms on the hem of your clothes?"
Wei Qinglou smiled slightly and said, "There's nothing special about it. It was just made by my beloved. I've been busy with official duties lately, but whenever I see the peach blossoms on this garment, I can't help but recall my beloved sitting by the window, her expression full of affection. Naturally, I feel delighted and happy, and thus I don't feel tired from the paperwork."
Lord Li hadn't expected him to say such a thing. He had initially found it amusing, but now he only regretted that his wife hadn't embroidered some flowers and plants on his clothes.
Damn it, he got me!
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