Chapter 35 Red Phoenix
Jinxiuge, as the most upscale clothing store in the capital, exclusively serves high-ranking officials and dignitaries.
The reason it became the favorite clothing workshop for high-ranking officials and nobles was not only because of the superb skills of the embroiderers, but also because the owner of the shop always came up with ways to improve business performance.
For example, the store will introduce new styles every month and hold a special viewing party for these new styles.
Invitations to the banquet were sent to high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital in advance, and most of the important figures who received the invitations would give Jinxiu Pavilion face.
The banquet wouldn't just be a dry discussion of the shop's staff explaining the unique features of the new clothes. They would invite the most famous actors and storytellers of the time to perform on stage, and also have the shop's embroiderers wear the new clothes to demonstrate their effect on the wearer.
As the most prestigious clothing store in the entire capital, the skill of its embroiderers is beyond doubt.
To become a skilled embroiderer, one must not only possess exceptional skills but also the ability to generate sales.
Every embroiderer in Jinxiu Pavilion can earn countless amounts of money for the pavilion every month.
To acquire such abilities, several years of experience are required.
However, Hongluan had only been with Jinxiu Pavilion for a year when she already possessed the ability to sew and name clothes on her own.
Ever since Yu Zhiyi went out for a stroll in that red dress on her homecoming day, the name Hongluan (Red Phoenix) has become famous.
It is said that many customers requested her name that month, and she alone earned tens of thousands of taels of silver for the establishment.
She did not disappoint her customers; all the clothes she made were novel in style and beautiful in design, which were well received by them.
And because it's a one-on-one private customization, there's no possibility of wearing the same outfit as someone else.
In no time, she rose to fame.
Yu Zhiyi was genuinely happy for her.
At today's viewing party, Hongluan will present three dresses.
Yu Zhiyi is indifferent and doesn't like to join in the fun, but she can't possibly miss out on Hongluan's excitement.
The carriage rumbled along and soon arrived outside the Brocade Pavilion.
As soon as Yu Zhiyi stepped off the carriage, Hongluan came to greet her.
Hongluan is seventeen years old this year, but because she is not married and has no children, she has a lot of vigor and vitality that her peers in this era do not have.
She naturally took Yu Zhiyi's arm: "I knew you would come to support your sister."
Yu Zhiyi smiled slightly: "I never refuse anything that can make money."
Hongluan glared at him: "Do you have to shatter my illusions? Can't you let me experience the deep bond between sisters?"
Although Hongluan's father was devoted enough to have only one wife and one daughter, she had a whole bunch of cousins.
Among them are ambitious men who want her to pave the way for their fathers, to become their rightful heirs or adopted daughters.
As a result, she suffered countless ambushes when she was a child.
Hongluan always felt unlucky whenever she talked about those people.
In truth, their meeting was also by chance.
Several years ago, Yu Zhiyi secretly went out to tell fortunes for the wife of the Marquis of Wu'an. On her way back, she encountered a rogue who didn't know his place.
There were many onlookers at the time, but no one dared to step forward to help her.
Hongluan, who was also not yet of marriageable age, rushed out with her servants. The little girl, dressed in a red dress, was as unrestrained and flamboyant as her fiery red dress. She didn't use the servants; she personally kicked the hooligan several times, beating him until he was running for his life and begging for mercy on his knees.
In Hongluan's words, their friendship was a revolutionary bond forged in the process of driving away local thugs.
Yu Zhiyi didn't know what revolution was, but after that, every time she secretly left the Yu residence, besides going to the Lady of Wu'an, she had another place to go.
However, she had little kinship with the Yu family. Having witnessed the true colors of the Yu family members, she did not expect to gain any deep friendships. Therefore, she always remained indifferent in front of Hongluan.
This girl, however, was very outgoing and would always come over and rub against her despite her resistance. Yu Zhiyi refused several times without success, so she could only let her have her way.
"I prepared three outfits this time."
Hongluan's eyes sparkled as she described the inspiration behind her three outfits: "One of them is called 'Golden Autumn,' which uses the golden color of corn as the main color. The skirt has a lining so you won't feel cold when the temperature drops in the morning and evening. I put a little effort into the shawl; it can be folded up in the morning and evening to be used as a short shawl, and the double-layered shawl can effectively keep you warm. At noon, it can be taken down to be used as a skirt, which is light and not hot."
The little girl kept talking, telling Yu Zhiyi the design concepts of her three dresses. Then she looked at her mysteriously and said, "Let me tell you, Aunt Hong told me today that as long as I perform well today, I will be promoted to the Gold Medal Embroiderer position after the event."
The embroiderers in Jinxiu Pavilion are ranked, with bronze being the lowest and gold the highest. Above the gold level are the managers.
Hong Gu is in charge.
There are only five top-notch embroiderers in Jinxiu Pavilion, almost all of whom are veterans who have been with the pavilion since its inception.
Hongluan, however, only needs a year and one viewing banquet to win the gold medal, which is enough to show her excellence.
Outstanding people are often the target of envy and resentment.
Looking at the bright smile on the little girl's face, Yu Zhiyi couldn't bear to discourage her, but still reminded her, "It's probably not going to go smoothly today."
"Huh?" Hongluan was taken aback.
Although the two had known each other for quite some time, Yu Zhiyi had been deeply hurt by Minister Yu in the past and would not easily reveal that she could tell fortunes. The few times she helped Hongluan avoid disasters were because they were all minor matters, and she did not even need to tell Hongluan herself before the disasters were averted.
Because the matter was minor, she was able to withstand the backlash from Heaven.
But this time it's different.
If we don't speak up, things might be difficult to resolve.
I just don't know if Hongluan believes her...
She pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I didn't bring any tip money with me today. Could I ask you for some?"
Hongluan was somewhat surprised.
The two had known each other for many years, and their friend had always been polite and respectful, never making such an abrupt request before.
Not only were the requests abrupt, but Yu Zhiyi had never mentioned anything that wasn't abrupt either.
She could sense that Yu Zhiyi had been silently taking care of her all along.
Yu Zhiyi quietly looked at the girl in front of her.
If Hongluan refuses to give her money, or even distrusts her, she... will still resolve today's matter for the other party, but there will be no need for further contact in the future.
She couldn't always withstand the wrath of Heaven.
The thought had barely formed in her mind when she saw Hongluan take out a money pouch from her sleeve.
The purse was bulging, probably holding twenty or thirty taels: "I didn't bring much with me, but I have some in my room. You go in first, and I'll get it and bring it to you later."
Twenty or thirty taels of silver is an enormous fortune that ordinary people might not be able to earn even in their entire lives.
Although Hongluan came from a wealthy family, she no longer relied on her family after leaving home, but instead lived off the salary from Jinxiuge.
She only received a fixed base salary of three taels of silver; as for bonuses, it depended on her monthly performance.
Before this, she had been living on a basic salary for several months.
Yu Zhiyi's lips unconsciously curled up, and she smiled faintly, "No need, that's enough."
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