Chapter 57 Mutual Understanding
They arrived at a silk shop called "Jinxiu Pavilion." Although the shop was small, it was simple and elegant. Su Jingyu remembered that she needed to choose fabrics for her husband and children, so she pulled Xiao Jingzhan inside.
There weren't many customers in the shop, but the shopkeeper, noticing the two women's distinguished bearing, eagerly approached to serve them. Su Jingyu carefully selected several pieces of fine Suzhou embroidery, their patterns elegant and their texture soft. Just as she was about to ask the shopkeeper about the price, her gaze was drawn to a slightly worn, dark blue roll of fabric in the corner of the counter.
The fabric was a subdued color, seemingly ordinary, but under the refraction of light, it had a subtle, flowing pattern. To the touch, it was not as smooth as ordinary silk, but rather had a strange suppleness and crispness.
"Shopkeeper, this piece of fabric..." Su Jingyu asked curiously.
The shopkeeper was slightly embarrassed: "Madam has a good eye. This is an old item that my shop has acquired. It is said to be woven from a rare type of 'water cloud silk' from the south. The craftsmanship is special, and it is tough, durable, and not easy to wrinkle. However, the color is too subdued and the pattern is also unusual. No one has been interested in it for many years. If you like it, I will sell it to you at a discount."
Xiao Jingzhan also leaned closer for a closer look. He was quite familiar with military affairs and immediately realized this item was extraordinary. Ordinary silk is smooth but easily damaged, while this material combines both suppleness and resilience. If it could be mass-produced and used in the military to make linings or soft armor…
Su Jingyu was quick-witted. Seeing Xiao Jingzhan's focused gaze, she knew that this item might have more to it than met the eye. She smiled and said, "The color of this fabric is special. It's perfect for making a casual outer robe for our master, understated and elegant. Shopkeeper, I'll take this one. Wrap it up along with the few Suzhou embroideries you had your eye on earlier."
"Alright!" The shopkeeper was overjoyed and hurriedly went to pack it up.
After leaving the silk shop, Xiao Jingzhan asked in a low voice, "Did Guai Guai also notice that the fabric was different?"
Su Jingyu nodded and whispered, "Your Highness seems quite interested in this. But... is it useful in the army?"
Xiao Jingzhan squeezed her hand, his eyes full of admiration: "My darling is truly a clever and quick-witted girl. This thing may really be of great use. I'll have the people in the Imperial Workshop take a look when we get back."
The two smiled at each other, their hearts in perfect harmony.
As I walked to the street corner, I saw a small calligraphy and painting stall. The stall owner was a scholar in his thirties, his clothes faded from washing. He was engrossed in painting, and next to him stood a sign that read "Letter writing service, calligraphy and painting for sale".
Su Jingyu's gaze was drawn to an unfinished painting titled "Snowy Frontier Scene." The painting depicted heavy snowfall, majestic passes, and soldiers guarding the frontier braving the wind and snow, their figures vivid and their brushstrokes powerful. What was even more remarkable was the indomitable spirit of patriotism that permeated the painting, setting it apart from ordinary romantic scenes.
"Sir, this painting is magnificent. I wonder how much you would like to sell it for?" Su Jingyu stopped and asked.
The scholar looked up and saw that the person who asked the question was a young lady with an extraordinary demeanor. He quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My work is crude and unrefined, and I dare not mention a price. If you find it pleasing, madam, you may give me a small fee."
Xiao Jingzhan also looked at the painting and nodded slightly. The solid painting skills were secondary; what was truly remarkable was this breadth of mind and magnanimity. He spoke, his voice steady: "Judging from your paintings, sir, you are not someone who works in isolation. Have you ever traveled to the frontier?"
Seeing Xiao Jingzhan's extraordinary demeanor and his words hitting the nail on the head, the scholar straightened his expression and cupped his hands again: "To be honest, young master, my name is Liu Wenyuan. In my early years, I traveled to the Northwest with a merchant caravan several times and saw some soldiers guarding the desert. I was moved by what I saw, so I just scribbled something. I hope you will forgive my rudeness."
“Mr. Liu is too modest,” Xiao Jingzhan said. “Since you know how harsh the frontier is, have you ever thought of serving the court and turning what you have seen and heard into good strategies for securing the border?”
Liu Wenyuan smiled bitterly: "I am but a commoner. Although I have the ambition to serve my country, I have no way to advance my career. Moreover... I have no talent in classical studies and policy discussions. I only have a slight interest in the customs and people's suffering in the border regions. I am afraid I am not suited for the imperial examination system."
Su Jingyu said softly, “Every inch has its advantages and every foot its disadvantages. Governing a country and bringing peace to the people is not necessarily all about Confucian classics.” She glanced at Xiao Jingzhan gently, “My husband once said that those who govern should know the hardships of the people. Since you have experience on the frontier, why don’t you write down what you have seen, heard, thought and thought? Perhaps it will be of some benefit to those with insight.”
Xiao Jingzhan gave Su Jingyu a deep look, his heart filled with admiration. He continued, "Mr. Liu, my wife is right. If you are so inclined, you could record your observations of the border regions, the advantages and disadvantages of the people's livelihood, and the gains and losses in defense in detail, and submit them to... the Green Pine Study in the East City. Perhaps you will find a kindred spirit there."
He did not reveal his identity, but "Dongcheng Qingsong Study" was one of the Crown Prince's secret recruitment bases. Although Liu Wenyuan did not know the identity of the man before him, judging from his demeanor and speech, he was no ordinary wealthy young master. His heart stirred, and he bowed solemnly: "Thank you for your guidance, young master and madam! Wenyuan will certainly do his best!"
Xiao Jingzhan gestured for Lu Chen to pay for the painting, and gave him some extra silver before leaving with Su Jingyu.
"Does Your Highness intend to recruit this person?" Su Jingyu asked softly as they walked a little further away.
“Hmm.” Xiao Jingzhan squeezed her hand. “Those who pass the imperial examinations are mostly those with beautiful writing skills. Talented people like Liu Wenyuan, who have practical experience, know about border affairs, and have insight, are rare. If he can really offer some advice, it will be a blessing for the country and the people.”
Su Jingyu smiled and said, "Your Highness has the best judgment."
When they returned to the small courtyard where they were temporarily staying at the Su residence, dusk had already fallen.
After dinner, Xiao Jingzhan was in his study looking through the "water cloud silk" material he had bought during the day. The more he looked at it, the more useful it seemed. He was thinking about sending someone to investigate its origin and craftsmanship the next day.
Su Jingyu quietly walked in, holding a brocade box in her hands, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Your Highness," she called softly.
Xiao Jingzhan looked up and saw her expression, and couldn't help but smile: "What's wrong? Why are you being so mysterious?"
Su Jingyu placed the brocade box on the desk, opened it, and inside was a pair of jade cufflinks. The jade was warm and smooth, carved into a simple bamboo joint shape, with only a few strokes depicting the bamboo leaves, yet vivid and elegant. Even more wonderful was that a tiny, radiant pearl was inlaid in the middle of the bamboo joint.
“This is…” Xiao Jingzhan picked up one, feeling its warmth against his skin.
“I saw some scraps of jade at the jade shop during the day. The quality was acceptable. I noticed its shape resembled a bamboo joint, and I thought… bamboo symbolizes humility, continuous growth, and unwavering resilience. Your Highness is busy with state affairs every day, and your sleeves wear out easily. This would be convenient, and it's also a small token of my appreciation.” Her voice lowered, somewhat embarrassed. “The carving is crude; please don't find it offensive, Your Highness…”
Xiao Jingzhan was deeply moved. What precious gems and jade hadn't he seen? The Eastern Palace's storerooms were overflowing with them. But this cufflink in his hand, though perhaps not made of the finest materials and not a masterpiece of craftsmanship, was a gift personally chosen by his Yu'er, a gift imbued with his daily life and filled with blessings. This sentiment weighed more than a thousand pounds.
He loosened his cufflinks, reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com