Chapter 479 He fell in love with a woman
Cheng Wanwan and Kong Xiuniang chatted for a long time, even thinking about what style to make the cotton cloth after it was woven.
Besides making quilts for sale, a lot of her more than 100 acres of cotton will be made into clothing, and now it's time to start planning.
The two talked more and more, finding themselves increasingly compatible. Cheng Wanwan would discuss theoretical knowledge, while Kong Xiuniang would directly point out the feasibility and complexity of practical operations…
Just as they were having a lively conversation, Xia Hua's voice came from outside the door.
"Sister-in-law Shagen, why are you standing here instead of going inside?"
"Oh... I was just about to go in."
Cheng Wanwan turned around and saw Xia Hua and Sun Shuiqin walking in together.
Sun Shuiqin remained calm, holding a stack of papers in her hand. She greeted Cheng Wanwan first before speaking, "I heard from Kong Xiuniang that we didn't have enough design drafts, so I was bored at home and just drew some. Xiuniang, do you think they're okay?"
Five design drafts were placed on the table. They were drawn with charcoal pencils, and although the strokes were a bit immature, they looked quite good overall.
Cao Yingying's designs are more conservative, while Sun Shuiqin's designs are much bolder, incorporating many different elements.
“Excellent, very good.” Kong Xiuniang nodded. “I’ll buy these five drafts. How about three taels of silver?”
Although only four garments of each style are made, similar versions of each style are made by slightly modifying the original. This results in one or more additional patterns. You can buy five designs for a few dollars, which is a good deal.
"What are you saying, Kong Xiu Niang?" Sun Shuiqin quickly declined. "You teach me embroidery for free, how can I ask for money when I help with the design? What kind of person would I be?"
Kong Xiuniang's eyes showed approval: "There are a few minor issues with these five designs. Come over tomorrow morning and I'll explain them to you in detail."
Sun Shuiqin was overjoyed: "Thank you, Kong Xiuniang!"
After she left, Cheng Wanwan couldn't help but ask, "What does Kong Xiuniang think of Shagen's wife?"
"At first, I thought her embroidery skills were good, but later I found that she was a bit impatient for quick success," Kong Xiuniang said frankly. "However, for someone learning a craft, being impatient for quick success is actually a good thing. As long as I teach her something, she has to understand it on the same day. Once, it was already dark, and she still came to me with a handkerchief to ask me questions... She is willing to learn, willing to ask questions, and very willing to try new things. She is probably the most talented among the girls in Dahe Village."
Cheng Wanwan nodded. It was a good thing that Sun Shuiqin was ambitious, as long as she didn't cause any trouble.
The peak season for cotton picking is in August. During that month, Zhao Dashan didn't get a proper rest. He worked in the fields every day with the farmhands. Cheng Jia and his three brothers also spent time in the cotton fields, getting tanned dark by the sun.
The maids and servants in the house were also busy, sitting with the old ladies in the village peeling cotton.
Because they chatted together every day, these old women and maids from the capital quickly became fluent in the local dialect of Dahe Village. They even knew which family in the village had just gotten married or which dog had given birth, and they had completely integrated into the community.
By the end of August, the cotton in the cotton fields had finally thinned out, and everyone felt relieved.
At this time, Cheng Zhao and Shen Zheng returned from Huzhou by carriage.
Seeing the two of them, Cheng Wanwan remembered that the provincial examination was approaching. The provincial examination in this dynasty was held at the end of September every year. Because it was autumn, it was also called the autumn examination. Candidates had to go to the provincial capital to take the exam. Huzhou was the prefectural capital, and above that was the provincial capital, and above that was the capital city.
It's closer to Huzhou, taking half a day by horse-drawn carriage. The provincial capital is a bit further away, requiring an early morning departure and arrival at night.
"Xiao Zheng, didn't you say you weren't going to participate in the provincial examination?" Cheng Wanwan asked curiously. "What made you change your mind?"
Shen Zheng touched his nose. He had originally not planned to participate in the provincial examination, but the look in Madam Lin's eyes at his godmother's promotion banquet that day made him change his mind.
Originally, he didn't know why he kept remembering Madam Lin's eyes.
But when he dreamed of the woman in the blue dress every night, he suddenly understood.
He's seventeen years old this year. It's perfectly normal for him to fall in love with a woman and want to marry her.
Shen Zheng remained silent, which only fueled Cheng Wanwan's curiosity.
Cheng Zhao said, "Brother Shen has been working very hard this past month, and he even forced me to give him practice questions."
"Hey, what do you mean by forcing me?" Shen Zheng said with dissatisfaction. "We're brothers, what's wrong with you helping me? We'll pass the imperial examination together and then go to the capital for the final exam together. We can look out for each other."
"Not bad, Xiao Zheng. If your father knew how ambitious you are, he would be very happy." Cheng Wanwan patted his shoulder. "Keep up the good work. Your godmother believes you can definitely pass the imperial examination and become a scholar."
Shen Zheng said with a grin, "Once I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, could you ask my godmother to be my matchmaker?"
Cheng Wanwan's eyes lit up: "It seems our Xiao Zheng has a girl he likes. As long as you can pass the exam, I'll agree to anything you say."
Cheng Zhao turned his head suspiciously: "We've been together day and night, how come Brother Shen has someone he likes and I didn't know?"
"Hmph, you'll see when I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. If I don't, there's no need to say anything."
Shen Zheng swaggered in, lay down on Cheng Wanwan's recliner, ate some late-season grapes, and comfortably swung his legs.
Last time, Cheng Wanwan went to Huzhou to broaden her horizons and to ensure that the products in the mall had a traceable origin... But this time, there seem to be many trivial matters after the provincial examination, and if all goes well, she probably won't be able to come back this year... In addition, she can't leave her family, so she won't go with them.
Shen Zheng was accompanied by Afu to the exam, but Cheng Zhao was alone the whole time. So, she called Cheng Ding over and asked him to accompany her to the provincial capital. If the incident in Huzhou happened again, with Cheng Ding by her side to protect her, she shouldn't be kidnapped by someone trying to find a husband for her.
"Oh, Ah Fu, you'd better not come with me. Your godmother can arrange someone else to accompany me." Shen Zheng winked deliberately. "I heard about you and Chunhua, hehehe..."
Afu blushed: "The old lady gave me a shop, and I plan to open one with Grandpa Zhao. I have no experience, so I might as well go to the provincial capital to broaden my horizons and learn something."
"You good-for-nothing, Ah Fu, you've forgotten your principles for the sake of a pretty face." Shen Zheng smacked him on the head with his fan. "I haven't even gotten married yet, and you're already this impatient. Tsk tsk!"
Ah Fu coughed and said, "Chunhua hasn't given her consent yet, young master, don't joke around, or Chunhua will get angry."
As soon as he said that, everyone in the courtyard burst into laughter.
Shen Zheng and Cheng Zhao planned to stay here for one night, go home tomorrow, and then set off for the provincial capital early the day after tomorrow.
Cheng Wanwan asked Granny Ma to make more pastries and cakes, and also bought some dried meat and fish from the mall for the two of them to take with them on the road. She also reserved some for them to take into the examination room. She heard that the provincial examination lasted for nine days and nine nights. One can imagine how much mental pressure a person would be under when they were in such a small cubicle for so long.
She can't help with other things, but she must make sure you have enough to eat.
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