Wang Xiuxiu stood at the entrance of the embroidery room, her gaze sweeping across the bustling street. She looked around for a long time but couldn't see Wang Chengwu and his wife.
With a soft sigh, Wang Xiuxiu turned and went back into the embroidery room. After consulting with the head maid, she sat in a corner and picked up the embroidery thread to begin embroidering a handkerchief.
She skillfully split a thick thread into several strands.
This skill was already commonplace for her, who had practiced embroidery since childhood.
Fingers moved nimbly among the embroidery threads, and in no time, the threads were neatly separated.
Wang Xiuxiu had no intention of showing off her skills, but this scene was just happened to be witnessed by the head steward of the embroidery workshop who happened to be passing by.
A hint of admiration flashed in his eyes; he was amazed by the young woman's skillful technique.
I never expected such a young girl to have mastered such a beautiful skill!
Manager Zheng beckoned to his wife and asked, "Did that young lady come to our embroidery workshop looking for work?"
The stewardess respectfully replied, "Reporting to the head steward, she is not looking for work, but has come to sell embroidered handkerchiefs."
After hearing this, Steward Zheng was slightly disappointed, but still ordered, "Bring me the embroidered handkerchief she sent."
After flipping through the pages, Manager Zheng's initial surprise turned into disappointment.
The embroidery is mediocre at best, not of high quality.
It really doesn't match that skillful splitting technique.
The head steward became increasingly puzzled, so he simply sat down at the counter and gazed at Wang Xiuxiu from afar.
She was intently following the embroidery pattern, threading the needle, and soon a cluster of orchids was embroidered on the corner of the white handkerchief.
When the head steward saw that she had finally stopped, he quickly walked a few steps forward.
"Young lady, my surname is Zheng, and I am the head manager of this embroidery workshop. I saw you embroidering a handkerchief earlier. May I see the pattern you are embroidering?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu immediately stood up and replied, "Since Steward Zheng wants to see it, it is naturally convenient. However, this handkerchief is no different from others; it is embroidered according to the patterns provided by the embroidery workshop."
After saying that, he handed over the handkerchief.
Manager Zheng touched the delicate stitches and loved them dearly.
The thread was split extremely fine, and the orchids, placed on the embroidery cloth, seemed to come alive under the sunlight, shimmering and colorful.
Turning it over, Steward Zheng's gaze fell upon the back of the embroidered handkerchief.
Perhaps it shouldn't be called the back, because this side is exactly the same as the other side, also embroidered with a cluster of butterflies playing with orchids.
Manager Zheng was overjoyed and became so excited that he was incoherent.
You, you, this, this, this, it took you so long.
Seeing his loss of composure, Wang Xiuxiu already had some guesses in her mind.
She lowered her head slightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips, but said nothing, quietly waiting for Steward Zheng to calm down.
After a moment, Steward Zheng finally calmed himself down, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, "Young lady, you are truly talented! You even know this double-sided embroidery technique! It's absolutely amazing!"
It's no wonder Manager Zheng was excited; the technique of double-sided embroidery is mostly mastered by artisans.
It has been passed down through generations in a family of noble families and is rarely seen in the general public.
Even a prestigious embroidery workshop like Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop had never had an embroiderer who was proficient in this skill.
If such an embroiderer could be kept in the embroidery workshop, Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop would be able to dominate the weaving and embroidery industry, and might even become the premier embroidery workshop in the entire Yazhou.
Thinking of this, Steward Zheng's heart burned even brighter.
He couldn't wait to speak: "Would you like to stay and work at Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop? If you're willing, feel free to make any requests, and I will do my best to negotiate with the employer for you! Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop will definitely treat you as an honored guest in the future and will never mistreat you!"
His tone was urgent, as if he was afraid that if he was a step too late, Wang Xiuxiu would be snatched away by other embroidery workshops.
Wang Xiuxiu had expected Manager Zheng to try to keep her, but she hadn't expected his attitude to be so enthusiastic.
She thought to herself: Fuyuan Embroidery Shop is indeed a good choice. It has a large customer base and a good reputation. If Wang Xiuxiu wants to make money, their shop is actually her first choice.
However, you can't judge a book by its cover, so you can't just trust them completely.
So she pretended to hesitate and said softly, "I appreciate Manager Zheng's kindness, but this matter is of great importance and I need to consider it further. I hope you will understand."
Upon hearing this, Steward Zheng was somewhat disappointed, but he didn't dare to press the matter. He quickly nodded and said, "Alright, alright, Miss, please consider it! But when will you be able to give me an answer?"
Wang Xiuxiu smiled slightly, her tone gentle yet firm: "Next time I come to the embroidery shop to sell my embroidery, I will definitely give Manager Zheng a clear answer."
Seeing her resolute attitude, Steward Zheng had no choice but to suppress his eagerness and forced a smile, saying, "Then Fuyuan Embroidery Studio will await your arrival, Miss."
Wang Xiuxiu nodded and was about to take her leave when she suddenly remembered something and said, "Manager Zheng, there is another matter I would like to ask for your help with."
Manager Zheng quickly waved his hand: "Miss, please don't be so polite, just give your orders!"
Wang Xiuxiu looked serious and said in a low voice, "Please don't spread the word that I know how to do double-sided embroidery, Steward Zheng. If I don't come, please don't look for me anywhere."
Upon hearing this, Manager Zheng was taken aback at first, but then he understood her concerns.
He solemnly cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, young lady, I will keep this a secret and will never tell anyone."
Seeing that he agreed so readily, Wang Xiuxiu felt a little relieved and gave a slight curtsy, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Steward Zheng. Farewell."
Manager Zheng watched her leave, feeling both regret and anticipation.
He looked down at the embroidered handkerchief in his hand; the lifelike orchids seemed to be telling him about Wang Xiuxiu's talent.
Manager Zheng secretly resolved that no matter what, he must find a way to keep this exceptionally skilled girl in Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop.
Meanwhile, Wang Xiuxiu stepped out of her embroidery room, looked up at the sunset on the horizon, and her mind was filled with countless thoughts.
She knew that her double-sided embroidery skills were a double-edged sword; they could bring her wealth and fame, but they could also attract unnecessary trouble.
We must be extremely careful!
---
After leaving Fuyuan Embroidery Shop, Wang Xiuxiu stood under an old locust tree some distance from the shop entrance and waited.
While observing the embroidery room, she waited for the couple.
After a long while, her so-called brother and sister-in-law—Wang Chengwu and Hong Xiaodong—came around the corner.
The two had satisfied smiles on their faces, their lips glistening with oil, clearly indicating they had just sneaked a treat.
Hong Xiaodong, with his sharp eyes, spotted Wang Xiuxiu from afar, quickly wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and also wiped Wang Chengwu's mouth as well.
Wang Xiuxiu saw this and sneered inwardly, but still pretended to be nonchalant and waved at them.
"Big brother, sister-in-law, I'm here!" she called out.
Wang Chengwu and Hong Xiaodong approached. Hong Xiaodong had a smile on her face, but her tone was somewhat reproachful: "Xiuxiu, what are you doing here? Didn't we tell you to wait for us in the embroidery room?"
Wang Xiuxiu rolled her eyes inwardly: You guys are too busy sneaking food to bother me!
He said, "I was waiting inside, but I waited for a long time and you didn't come back. I didn't want to keep them from doing business, so I came out to look for you."
Upon hearing this, Wang Chengwu's face flashed with embarrassment. He scratched his head and remained silent.
Hong Xiaodong, however, showed no remorse whatsoever. Instead, she said matter-of-factly, "Oh dear, Dalang and I have been busy preparing things. You have no idea how much time we've spent trying to save money. We've been running around everywhere, which is why we've been delayed. Unlike you, you didn't have to do anything and just wasted your travel expenses..."
Before she could finish speaking, Wang Chengwu tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stop talking.
Hong Xiaodong pursed his lips and finally shut up.
It was originally the couple who were sneaking food behind their younger sister's back, which caused the delay, but they still tried to shift the blame. Wang Chengwu's skin was clearly not as thick as Hong Xiaodong's.
Wang Xiuxiu sneered inwardly, but remained obedient on the surface: "Brother and sister-in-law, you've worked hard. It's getting late, let's hurry back."
The Wang Chengwu couple were unreliable; it was getting late, and they still hadn't bought all the necessary items.
With time running out and the task heavy, the three of them had no choice but to divide the money and the task among themselves and go their separate ways.
That's how they managed to catch up with the oxcart just as it was about to set off back to the village.
As soon as she got home, Wang Xiuxiu handed over the fifty-three copper coins she had earned in the embroidery room.
Chen Chunhua accepted the coin with a beaming smile, casually weighing it in her hand before her smile vanished, replaced by a worried and aggrieved expression.
“Xiuya, it’s not that I, as your mother, don’t care about you. You’re still young and easily fooled, so I’m keeping all the money for you. How can you not understand your mother’s good intentions!” Chen Chunhua said, glancing at Wang Degui’s reaction out of the corner of her eye.
"Mother...Mother, what's wrong? I...Xiuxiu...don't know what I did wrong..."
Before Chen Chunhua could speak, Wang Degui slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups on the table jump.
"You wretched child! How dare you talk back!" Wang Degui's eyes widened in anger, and he grabbed a feather duster from the side, ready to hit him.
Wang Xiuxiu remained completely unmoved, and even stole a glance at her elder brother and sister-in-law.
Not only did Hong Xiaodong sit back and wait to see what would happen, but even her elder brother was equally indifferent.
No wonder a simple cold could take Xiuxiu's life.
Family members who are not like family members are more terrifying than strangers. This poor girl is burdened with worries, and her body must have been crushed by the accumulated grievances over the years.
"Mother, please tell your daughter that Xiuxiu really doesn't know what she did wrong. Mother, I beg you!"
At this moment, Chen Chunhua began to establish her image as a loving mother, pressing down on Wang Degui's hand and earnestly persuading him: "Xiuya, don't be stubborn. Since you stole the money, you should quickly apologize to your father."
"I didn't, I didn't steal any money..."
"I see you won't learn your lesson until you're faced with the consequences! Fine! I've neglected to discipline you properly, and you dared to steal money from the house! Today, as your father, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
Upon seeing this, Wang Xiuxiu immediately knelt down on the ground with a thud.
Her movement caused Wang Degui's feather duster to miss its target.
Wang Xiuxiu's tears welled up instantly: "Father, I really didn't steal any money! I earned sixty coins from selling the handkerchiefs, plus the deposit for the embroidery pattern, which made a total of sixty-five coins. Later, I gave the embroidery workshop a deposit of twelve coins, leaving me with only fifty-three coins in my purse..."
While crying, she took out a deposit slip for an embroidered pattern from her bosom and handed it to Chen Chunhua.
Chen Chunhua had forgotten about this. She took the receipt and carefully checked it. It was indeed exactly as described.
The atmosphere inevitably became awkward.
Wang Xiuxiu knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Wang Degui held the feather duster, unsure whether to hit it or not, so he simply threw the feather duster on the ground, put his hands behind his back, and went back into the inner room.
Seeing that things were not going well, Hong Xiaodong grabbed Wang Chengwu and ran away.
For a moment, only Chen Chunhua and Wang Xiuxiu remained in the room.
Chen Chunhua first helped Wang Xiuxiu up from the ground, then took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
Wang Xiuxiu suppressed her disgust and let her wipe and pamper herself.
Chen Chunhua chuckled twice, helped Wang Xiuxiu up from the ground, and took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears: "Oh dear, Xiuxiu, why didn't you say so earlier? We almost misunderstood! Your father was just afraid you would be deceived, that's why he got so angry. Heaven have mercy, don't cry anymore. I'll cook you an egg later to help you recover."
While sobbing as she admitted to mistakes that weren't her fault, Wang Xiuxiu sneered inwardly.
At dinner that evening, Wang Xiuxiu received an egg as "compensation," but she didn't get a single one of the fifty-three copper coins.
Wang Xiuxiu lowered her head and shoveled rice into her bowl, inwardly cursing Chen Chunhua as a miserly old miser!
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