Zhu Jiayu looked at Song Niangzi, who was sitting in the crowd, her expression gentle and her smile undiminished.
But they weren't deaf; they heard clearly what Zhu Jiayu had just said.
“Miss Zhu, what do you mean by that? You can’t make baseless accusations without any evidence,” said the embroiderer who was on good terms with Madam Song, frowning.
But some sensible people quickly realized: "No wonder the old draft Miss Zhu described sounded so familiar. Isn't it the same as the new piece that Madam Song presented in Yaofang Pavilion today?"
"What exactly happened? Madam Song, don't you have anything to say?"
Looking at the gazes cast upon her by her old friends, Madam Song felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
She really didn't expect that Zhu Jiayu would start a contest with her so soon. She thought... she thought that Zhu Jiayu's foundation was still shallow, and even if he discovered that she had stolen the manuscript, he wouldn't dare to make a big fuss without being completely sure of success.
Besides, she's a senior colleague. Isn't Zhu Jiayu afraid of being falsely accused? Or does she already have evidence, which is why she's so fearless?
Madam Song was in a state of utter confusion, unsure of how to deal with the situation before her.
In her past life, Zhu Jiayu had witnessed many different faces. Some people smiled and fawned at her to her face, but could turn around and stab her with a cold sword; others looked innocent and pitiful, but were actually ruthless and vicious behind her back. Those people held high positions, and their methods of scheming against people were just as superb as their skills in concealing their true intentions.
At this moment, although Madam Song appeared dignified and composed in front of her, the panic and fear in her eyes could not be hidden from her.
She smiled gently and said, "Why isn't Madam Song saying anything? I didn't give you a chance to speak just now, which is why I had to say so much. If you don't speak now, I'm afraid you won't have a chance to speak at all, hmm?"
Suiping City is located in the water town of the south, and the girls who grow up in the city all speak with a soft Wu dialect, as smooth and sweet as the finest pear blossom syrup.
Zhu Jiayu was no exception, but to Madam Song, he was almost like the King of Hell, who was bringing death upon her.
She wasn't sure how much Zhu Jiayu knew; she had too many shameful secrets about her past to even dare to gamble.
She feared that if she denied it now, she would anger Zhu Jiayu and cause her to reveal her past secrets, at which point she would truly be doomed.
"Madam Song?" Zhu Jiayu was impatient and waited for a long time without her speaking, so she urged her softly.
Madam Song's eyelashes trembled slightly: "Yes, I was momentarily bewitched and had someone steal your manuscript, and put the embroidery up for sale at Yaofang Pavilion before you. I will transfer the order for this embroidery along with the deposit to you. Are you satisfied now?"
She pursed her lips, looked at Zhu Jiayu, her face pale, as if she had suffered a great humiliation.
That's true, exposing her theft of other people's manuscripts in front of so many people is indeed too humiliating.
But Zhu Jiayu still shook her head: "Although it's a rejected draft, I still put a lot of effort into it. Doesn't Madam Song even offer an apology?"
As she spoke, she pursed her lips, her eyes reddening, and said:
"I know I am but a nobody, unworthy of an apology from Madam Song. What I want is not an apology, but simply justice. Otherwise, as a senior, if you can openly plagiarize my manuscript today and get away scot-free, then who will plagiarize whom tomorrow? If plagiarists go unpunished, who in this world will bother to create new designs?"
"Well said. How can the canal be so clear? Because it has a source of fresh water. An industry without fresh water will naturally lose its vitality. If this continues, how can Suiping City produce any more outstanding figures?"
In the crowd, an old man, leaning on his cane, stood up shakily, glanced at Zhu Jiayu, and then looked at Song Niangzi:
"How about I take charge of this matter today? Madam Song will apologize and pay the young lady of the Zhu family five hundred taels of silver as payment for the design. What do you say?"
Zhu Jiayu recognized him.
He was a very respected old gentleman in Suiping City. It is said that he had once been the top scholar in the imperial examination and had served as a high-ranking official in the capital. For some unknown reason, he returned to Suiping alone. He was upright, peaceful, and charitable, and many people had benefited from his kindness.
As soon as he spoke, many people around him consciously stepped aside.
Zhu Jiayu naturally nodded and said yes.
After her outburst, Yaofang Pavilion's reputation is ruined. Even if they wanted to use the Spring River Painting to get orders again, they probably wouldn't be able to get many. Besides, the Spring River Painting is a discarded work for her, and she doesn't want to use it anymore.
Madam Song felt bitter inside, but she had no choice but to agree.
She was in the wrong. If Zhu Jiayu wanted to pursue the matter, it wouldn't be impossible for him to take her to the authorities. Since Mr. Zhou spoke up for her, how could she not be grateful?
She stepped forward, bowed to Zhu Jiayu, clenched her teeth, and uttered words of apology through her clenched teeth.
As soon as she looked up, a servant from Yaofang Pavilion brought five hundred taels of silver and delivered it to Lüzheng, who was standing next to Zhu Jiayu.
The farce has come to an end. Even if Madam Song is thick-skinned enough to pretend nothing happened, there were many onlookers who remembered it. All of this will be deeply imprinted in their minds.
"I wonder how much Miss Zhu will charge for the embroidery of the 'Fragrance of Winter' painting?"
In the embroidery workshops of Suiping City, ordinary embroidered items are priced between five and ten taels of silver. If someone wants to have clothes made, they simply send the finished garment to the workshop and have the embroiderer add the design. The customer then pays for the design.
Even the more exquisite designs only cost twenty or thirty taels.
From everyone's perspective, the embroidery fee of thirty taels for the "Fragrance of Winter" design was probably too low, but if it were too high, business would obviously suffer. Therefore, many people were very curious about Zhu Jiayu's pricing.
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