Chapter 157 I am
Shen Yuanzhu said, "I'm sure to win the sample fabric competition at the Prince's Mansion."
She held the two pieces of brocade in her hands and pondered, "Last time, Xie San Niang said that she would weave a birthday celebration picture for the Dowager Princess of the Prince's Mansion."
"This birthday celebration design isn't going to be anything particularly novel, so as long as we can make the design catch the Dowager's eye, we're sure to win first place."
Shen Yuanzhu lowered her eyes: "The Dowager Consort is of a certain age, and she may not like things that are too modern, so the pattern should be dignified yet festive, auspicious yet clever."
Xie Qi's sale of faded red cloth also gave her some insights.
The essence of business that she told Xie Qi at the time was to understand people's hearts rather than to distinguish the superiority or inferiority of things, which also enlightened her a lot.
"In this way, the main pattern will still be based on 'long life and good fortune' and will use the traditional 'Eight Auspicious Symbols' pattern."
Although the Luo family did not come from a family of weavers and dyers, they were no strangers to the Eight Auspicious Symbols.
It's nothing more than the same old eight items: the parasol, the conch shell, the pot, the lotus, the vase, and the fish.
"The color scheme uses silver thread for outlining, and while gold thread is luxurious, it's just for the government's business..."
Shen Yuanzhu shook her head.
Business dealings with government officials can only earn them a reputation; whether they can actually make money is another matter entirely.
Both are government-run businesses, but some people can make a fortune while others are lucky if they don't lose their entire fortune.
However, since Yuan Xu is a newly appointed official, he won't make things too ugly for her, which is why she dares to steal business from the Prince's Mansion.
Even so, the cost cannot be too high.
“Most birthday greetings in the past were longevity patterns, so we didn’t want to be too unconventional. This year, the main design is also a longevity pattern, but we’ve added a Persian ‘beaded pattern’ around the character ‘寿’ (longevity) in the center of the brocade. We’ve also added a pomegranate pattern.”
"If the Prince's Mansion asks, just say it symbolizes many children and blessings, and the prosperity of the family."
"In this way, this brocade will look somewhat different from the previous birthday celebration patterns, but the difference will not be significant."
"A little bit of brilliance is enough; don't be too flashy."
She was free to handle the goods and services of merchants, but she didn't want to attract attention if they were related to the imperial court.
For this kind of business that brings fame, it's enough to avoid mistakes; she doesn't want to compete for anything that doesn't bring merit.
After giving Luo detailed instructions, Luo nodded secretly, making sure nothing was overlooked before leaving.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Xiecuifang has essentially secured the business for the Dowager Princess's birthday celebration at the Prince's Mansion.
Thinking this, Shen Yuanzhu was in a good mood and turned to walk into the house.
Thinking about other things, she had completely forgotten about Xie Qi. Now that she remembered, she saw that the pearl cream had already cracked on Xie Qi's face.
But this person was obedient and remained lying motionless on the small couch.
When Shen Yuanzhu returned, he asked her, with a hint of grievance, where she had gone.
Shen Yuanzhu didn't reply to him. She just went and brought over a brass basin and placed a soft cloth in the water.
Xie Qi asked, "Is it all better now? Can I wash now?"
"Um."
Shen Yuanzhu nodded.
Xie Qi: "I'll do it myself."
He tried to get up, but Shen Yuanzhu pushed him back down. She dampened the handkerchief little by little and then gently placed it on Xie Qi's face.
"you……"
Xie Qi's tone softened: "You want to clean my face?"
Shen Yuanzhu was in a great mood: "Yes, what's so strange about a wife washing her husband's face? Don't you like it?"
"like……"
The sticky, gooey tone made Shen Yuanzhu's movements become seven or eight parts gentler as she applied the pearl cream.
Although she was usually easygoing, she wasn't one to rush things, so she carefully and gently removed the frost from Xie Qi's face.
As she was wiping, she suddenly opened her eyes wide: "Why are you shaking?"
Her fingertips gently caressed Xie Qi's cheek, and she could feel the person beneath his skin trembling slightly.
Xie Qi didn't speak, but the corners of his eyes were tinged with a faint red.
He inexplicably recalled many scenes from his childhood, such as Xie San Niang holding Xie Jing Yuan and wiping his hands and mouth.
Like Hua Nanzhi bandaging Xie Xuchuan's injured hand, or Xie Lurong holding Xie Yingshou's hand and smilingly coaxing him to go back to the third house for dinner.
Even when Xie Chengzhi was forced to kneel as punishment at Xie Sanniang's ancestral hall, Xie Boyu would secretly bring him a quilt at night.
But in the Xie family, only he...
Always alone, all by himself.
A faint blush appeared at the corner of Xie Qi's eye, and Shen Yuanzhu gently placed her fingertips over his eyes as she watched.
"Xie Qi..."
"Um."
"what's on your mind?"
Xie Qi said, "Thinking back to the past..."
Imagine him huddled alone in a corner, like a wild dog hiding in the shadows, watching the Xie family enjoying their happy reunion.
Because he was young and ignorant, and could not get the love and care of his grandmother and parents, he could only beg the servants in the house to hold him in their arms like all mothers in the world.
Xie Qi didn't want to tell Shen Yuanzhu these things.
"Xie Qi..."
"Um."
Shen Yuanzhu said, "Can you smell something?"
"Yes, it's on you..."
It was her warm fragrance, but today it was different; it carried a hint of pearl cream.
Shen Yuanzhu smiled and said, "Then smell this scent and imagine... taking me to all the unhappy moments you've ever experienced."
"That way, when you think of those scenes again, you won't feel sad anymore."
"Because I'm always here."
Xie Qi was somewhat stunned upon hearing this, but then Shen Yuanzhu sensed that he was trying to get up.
"Xie Qi..."
She gently rubbed his eyes: "You only have one chance. If you miss it, you'll never have another."
After a long while, Xie Qi calmed down.
After hearing Shen Yuanzhu's words, he no longer felt that there was anything sad about those moments.
At this moment, he was simply more...
I can't live without her anymore.
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