Chapter 129 Applying the Medicine
Such brocade requires a large loom to weave, and for this peony pattern, the curves on the petals alone require more than fifty nodes. If even one node is not in place, the peony pattern will be distorted and ruined.
Furthermore, when weaving peony patterns, because the colors are different, one color of thread must be joined with another color. This technique of joining threads requires a highly experienced weaver to complete.
A weaver must have steady hands, a meticulous mind, and a patient temperament; otherwise, if a thread breaks and a gap appears, all previous efforts will be wasted.
Such brocade should not be too thick, otherwise it will not be light and airy; nor should it be too thin, otherwise the colors will show through and the peony will lose its brilliance.
After examining it for a moment, Yun Zheng said, "This means that the craftsmanship and technique are already the most advanced in Suzhou Prefecture."
Xie Qi nodded: "Yes, this is already the most advanced craftsmanship in Suzhou Prefecture."
He hooked his fingertip and touched the brocade fabric, his smile chilling.
"So I plan to send this piece of cloth to the Textile and Dyeing Bureau in a grand manner to make a sample cloth."
Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng's eyes widened.
"You mean, send this...to be used as a sample fabric?"
Yun Zheng said, "If this is sent as a sample fabric, it will probably win the competition. But if it really catches the eye of the steward and eunuch of the Prince's Mansion, what will you use to deliver the goods?"
"delivery?"
Xie Qi asked, "Why should I deliver the goods?"
"If we don't get the goods woven by the Xie family, who else can we get them to deliver?"
Xie Qi flicked his robe and sat down with an air of nonchalance: "If this is submitted as a sample fabric, there are only two possible outcomes."
"Firstly, the Xie family did their best to weave an even better product, suppressing Jixia Manor and winning the championship in one fell swoop."
"In this way, I can give Yuan Xu an explanation. After all, if even a brocade of this quality cannot win, the others have nothing to say."
"Secondly, if our Jixia Manor really uses this cloth to win the business of the Prince's Mansion, then you should go to the Xie family to seek cooperation."
"Let them deliver the goods, give them half the fame, and our Jixia Village will gain a great reputation for free."
Once the sample cloth was handed over, the entire Suzhou Prefecture knew that Jixia Manor had won first place. Even though the Xie family had won half the prize, in the hearts of the people, it was as if they had gained the emperor's favor.
So no matter what, Jixia Village suffered no loss.
Yun Zheng frowned: "You used the Xie family's brocade as a sample fabric, gained fame for yourself, but now you want the Xie family to deliver the goods, this..."
Yun Zheng frowned: "Will the Xie family agree to this?"
"You have to agree, whether you like it or not."
Xie Qi said, "A connoisseur would immediately recognize this as a product of the Xie family. If the sample cloth wins the top prize but the goods are not delivered, the reputation of playing tricks on the government will be hard to escape."
"At that time, after some coercion and enticement, the Xie family will eventually compromise."
"Can……"
Completely bewildered by Xie Qi's words, Yun Zheng frowned deeply: "But this kind of cloth wasn't handed over by the Xie family. Do you think the Xie family will accept such a huge loss?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Qi snorted coldly: "Who told you that this cloth wasn't handed over by the Xie family?"
Yun Zheng was stunned for a moment, then looked at Xie Qi and suddenly realized what was happening.
Yes, even if this matter eventually reaches the emperor, the cloth will still be handed over by the "Xie family".
At worst, it would just reveal that the owner of Jixia Manor is Xie Qi, the second young master of the Xie family.
Therefore, no matter what the outcome, Xie Qi will not suffer any loss.
And things usually don't escalate to an unmanageable level.
Yun Zheng looked at Xie Qi with a face full of respect.
He gave a thumbs-up, and after a long pause, said, "You really are one of us!"
It's just that the Xie family has such children and grandchildren, which is...
The ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke.
However, thinking back to when he first met Xie Qi, and how Xie Qi would often injure himself until he was covered in blood, with a gloomy and ghostly appearance, Yun Zheng couldn't help but sigh.
What a terrible thing to do! What a terrible thing to do!
Seeing him muttering to himself, Xie Qi couldn't help but click his tongue and say, "What are you muttering about? Why don't you take that brocade robe out for a parade?"
Yun Zheng nodded blankly, then walked out with drums and gongs.
In just one afternoon, the news that Jixia Manor had paraded peony-adorned brocade through the streets spread throughout the streets and alleys of Suzhou Prefecture.
When Shen Yuanzhu received the message, she blinked three times in a row.
"This skill... it sounds like it belongs to the Xie family."
Luo said, "This old servant feels that it is not just what it sounds like, it must be."
"Miss, do you think this Jixia Manor has any connection with the Xie family?"
Shen Yuanzhu shook her head: "It doesn't seem like it. If there really was some connection, they wouldn't have paraded through the streets in such a grand manner, as if they were afraid that the Xie family wouldn't know that their own things were being used as sample fabrics."
"Miss, our plan, still..."
"Everything is as usual."
She didn't care what the relationship was between the Xie family and Jixia Manor; she just wanted to profit from the conflict between the two sides, which resulted in mutual destruction.
Luo agreed and turned to leave, but then suddenly came back.
"Oh, by the way, the wound medicine and hemostatic powder you requested have been placed in front of your dressing table."
Shen Yuanzhu nodded and muttered "I understand."
Whether Xie Qi was deliberately avoiding Shen Yuanzhu or not, it was already dark when they returned to Qianxiang Courtyard.
He felt uneasy, but could only put on a cold front.
Unfortunately, the moment he entered the room and saw Shen Yuanzhu, memories of last night flashed through his mind…
A bright red quilt adorned with mandarin ducks, a round and adorable sleeping face, fair shoulders, and the softness of her being held tightly in his arms.
Xie Qi felt a heat at the tips of his ears and couldn't help but rub them gently.
He placed the candy and pastries on the table, but seeing that Shen Yuanzhu seemed not to see him, he couldn't help but purse his lips in grievance.
Standing behind her for a while, Xie Qi didn't hear Shen Yuanzhu speak, so he couldn't help but say in a muffled voice, "I'm back."
After saying that, he went to look at the small couch.
Just like yesterday, although there was a mattress and pillows laid out, but...
Unless it was explicitly stated that he wouldn't share a bed with her, Shen Yuanzhu likely preferred to sleep in the same bed with him.
Xie Qi was overjoyed, suppressed his lip, and quickly went to wash up.
How could Shen Yuanzhu have the mind to ponder others?
At this moment, all she could think about was the Xie family's brocade weaving and the grand gestures of Jixia Manor.
When Xie Qi came out after washing up, he saw Shen Yuanzhu still sitting at her desk, writing and drawing something.
He quietly climbed onto the wedding bed, knowing in his heart that he had gone a bit too far yesterday.
Xie Qi didn't know why, but whenever he was near Shen Yuanzhu, he couldn't help but feel happy.
And now that they've climbed onto this bed, there's no reason for them to get off.
"Xie Qi..."
After sorting out her thoughts, Shen Yuanzhu looked up at Xie Qi, who was sleeping lightly with his eyes closed.
Xie Qi's heart was pounding, but he kept his eyes tightly closed, afraid that she would call for help.
He didn't believe that Shen Yuanzhu could overturn him since everyone was already asleep.
Xie Qi gripped the quilt with one hand, feeling inexplicably nervous.
He had never felt this uneasy before, not even when Xie Sanniang whipped him, Hua Nanzhi scorned him, or even when Yuan Xu's guards broke his arm. But...
A familiar scent wafted to his nose, and wisps of hair fell across his cheeks. Xie Qi's face flushed slightly, and even with his eyes closed, he could feel Shen Yuanzhu bending down and slowly getting closer to him.
He felt his lips were a little dry, and his heart skipped a beat.
It took Xie Qi a great deal of effort to suppress the urge to purse his lips.
What is she doing...?
What are you going to do?
Her heart was pounding, pounding wildly, as she drew closer and closer to him...
He felt a warmth on his wrist; it was Shen Yuanzhu who had grabbed his hand.
A cool sensation slowly spread, filling the room with the aroma of medicine.
The bite wound from yesterday became somewhat festering due to the hot weather, but the stinging pain gradually disappeared after the coolness subsided.
What is she doing...?
Xie Qi remained frozen on the bed, his eyes slightly hot, unable to recover for a long time.
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