Wang Xiuxiu held the embroidery needle, her fingertips already slightly red.
I looked up at the window and saw that it was already dark, and the candles on the candlestick were almost burned out.
She rubbed her sore neck and couldn't help but mutter to herself: If Madam Cheng were in modern times, she would definitely be a capitalist who exploits his employees the most!
Having just finished that elaborate brocade robe, before she could even catch her breath, Madam Cheng sent someone to urge her to make two sets of men's nightgowns overnight.
Wang Xiuxiu gritted her teeth in anger. Did the Cheng family keep so many embroiderers just to fawn over them? Why did they have to take advantage of her alone?
With a sigh, Wang Xiuxiu resignedly put down her needlework and went to find Granny Lu to ask for the man's measurements.
"The Madam has instructed that you must go and take the measurements yourself."
Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback, and couldn't help but retort, "Granny, the measurement I received was no different from anyone else's."
Granny Lu replied coldly, "Madam said that only if you personally took the measurements will the nightgown fit perfectly."
Wang Xiuxiu almost dropped the ruler in her hand.
These influential people are all incredibly troublesome!
She suppressed her dissatisfaction and followed Granny Lu towards the east courtyard.
Upon arriving at the east courtyard, Granny Lu pointed inside: "The person hasn't returned to the manor yet. You should go in and wait."
Wang Xiuxiu waited outside the door for a long time before the person finally returned.
In the nobleman's courtyard, she dared not be presumptuous and kept her head down while waiting.
My head was bent low and I froze before I heard footsteps approaching.
Wang Xiuxiu raised her head slightly, then quickly lowered it again.
In a short while, the owner of the footsteps stepped forward.
She dared not look directly at the man in front of her; all she could see were his boots.
The boots were exquisitely crafted, with embroidered patterns on the upper that were subtly visible, yet they did not appear delicate at all.
Oh, I heard that this young master of the Cheng family is a military general.
Time passed second by second, but the gaze above her head felt as if it were tangible, making it hard for her to breathe.
Sweat dripped from her forehead, but she dared not raise her hand to wipe it away, remaining stiff in her posture, afraid that her actions would attract the other person's attention.
"Raise your head," the man's voice was deep and magnetic, sending a shiver down her spine.
Although Wang Xiuxiu raised her head, she didn't dare to look around and kept her eyes fixed on the ground.
"What's your name?"
“Reporting to Your Excellency, it is Wang Xiuxiu,” she replied, slightly stammering.
“Wang Xiuxiu, she doesn’t seem very brave,” the man repeated her name softly.
Whether it was her imagination or not, Wang Xiuxiu felt that there was a hint of a smile in his voice when he spoke.
"Since your cousin-in-law sent you, then come in."
Wang Xiuxiu straightened her back slightly and quickly followed.
Upon entering the room, the distinguished person opened his arms.
Wang Xiuxiu was still slightly stunned and wondering what he meant when she saw a servant walk past her and skillfully take the outer robe she had taken off.
When he looked up and could clearly see the distinguished person in front of him, he was surprised to find that the person looked so familiar!
"What are you standing there for?" Lu Jingze asked, noticing Wang Xiuxiu standing there motionless.
Wang Xiuxiu then came to her senses, took out a soft measuring tape, and hurriedly stepped forward.
But in the rush, he made a mistake, lost his footing, tripped over the carpet on the ground, and fell forward.
Lu Jingze reacted quickly, using his arm to steady himself.
Be careful.
His tone was indifferent, as if he were simply giving a casual reminder.
Wang Xiuxiu stood up straight, her heart pounding like a drum. "Thank you so much, sir!"
"Okay, come on."
Not daring to think about anything else, Wang Xiuxiu held her breath and focused intently.
Wang Xiuxiu wasn't short for a woman, but Lu Jingze was much taller.
Wang Xiuxiu had no choice but to stand on tiptoe and try her best to wrap the measuring tape around his shoulder.
The soft measuring tape in her hand gently circled the man's shoulders, chest, and waist, every movement was careful and respectful, as if afraid of touching him in the slightest.
As a result, my hand, which had been raised for so long, inevitably began to tremble slightly.
Wang Xiuxiu was so nervous, while Lu Jingze stood quietly, motionless, letting Wang Xiuxiu do as she pleased.
His gaze fell on Wang Xiuxiu, shifting with her movements.
Now she is so gentle and focused, even though she looked timid just now, which is completely different from her decisiveness that day.
The feeling is subtle, like a pebble being thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
After taking the measurements, Wang Xiuxiu quietly breathed a sigh of relief, secretly rejoicing that she had finally completed the task.
He had planned to bow to the person in front of him and then quietly leave the room.
Unexpectedly, the nobleman suddenly blurted out, "Are you afraid of me?"
Wang Xiuxiu froze on the spot. When she came to her senses, her body had already made a subconscious movement.
He knelt down on the ground with a thud.
"Please forgive me, sir! I have never had the honor of meeting someone as distinguished as you before, and I am understandably a little nervous."
After saying that, he lowered his head deeply.
"Never seen it before?"
Wang Xiuxiu cursed herself for speaking without thinking.
Mingming recognized him just now as the black-armored general who had saved the lives of everyone in their village.
But nowadays, the more you explain, the more confusing it becomes.
It would be better to simply pretend to be clueless and ignorant; perhaps that would allow you to get away with it.
With that in mind, Wang Xiuxiu decided to continue pretending to be stupid.
---
Back at her lodgings, Wang Xiuxiu felt increasingly that her silence was inappropriate.
That general not only saved the lives of the entire village, but according to Grandpa Lin, it was also because of his letter of introduction that they were able to settle in Taoyuan Village and avoid the suffering of being displaced.
However, at this point, going to recognize each other would seem abrupt and might even cause unnecessary trouble.
Wang Xiuxiu sighed, her gaze falling on the scattered fabric on the table.
"I was originally thinking of just doing it perfunctorily, but since it's for my benefactor, I should put more effort into it," Wang Xiuxiu muttered to herself, gradually forming an idea in her mind.
Every stitch was made with great care.
After finishing her nightgown, Wang Xiuxiu went to see Granny Lu and specifically asked if she needed a few pairs of socks made.
Granny Lu was surprised by her thoughtfulness.
"If you have time, please make a few pairs for me. I'll discuss the material with the Madam."
Now, Wang Xiuxiu was able to do things more freely.
Remembering that her benefactor was a military general, Wang Xiuxiu chose thick cotton cloth for the fabric, which was both absorbent and breathable as well as sturdy.
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