Pressure
Mrs. Su's actions were faster and more direct than Xu Xianyue had expected.
The day after Xu Xianyue refused to cooperate, Xianyue Pavilion welcomed an uninvited guest - the vice president of the Lin'an Silk Weaving Guild, whose surname was Qian. He was a chubby, smiling middle-aged man with a shrewd look in his eyes.
"Mr. Xu, I've heard so much about you!" Vice President Qian bowed warmly upon entering the shop, his gaze scanning the interior and exterior of the shop calmly. "I've long heard of Xianyue Pavilion's exquisite craftsmanship. Seeing it today, I can see that the reputation is truly well-deserved!"
Xu Xianyue put down the work in his hands, his expression calm: "Vice President Qian has come to visit, what can I do for you?"
"I don't deserve your guidance." Vice President Qian smiled and sat down. Wan Cui offered him tea, but he didn't even glance at her, still staring at Xu Xianyue. "I'm just here to discuss something with Master Xu, as requested by several of the guild's senior directors."
He paused, then spoke slowly, "Mr. Xu has opened his business in Lin'an Prefecture. With his excellent craftsmanship, we naturally welcome him. However... this industry has its own rules. Silk weaving, embroidery, and all other handicrafts in Lin'an Prefecture have always been coordinated by the guild to purchase and set prices to prevent vicious competition that would damage the market. Mr. Xu doesn't seem to have registered with the guild before. I'm afraid his material purchases and pricing are a bit against the rules."
His words were polite, but his meaning was clear - either join the guild and accept its jurisdiction; otherwise, forget about buying materials smoothly and don't even think about setting the price you want.
Xu Xianyue's eyes turned slightly cold. She knew that Madam Su was using the guild's name to exert pressure. While the silk, dyes, and even some of the specialized accessories her shop used weren't extremely scarce, if the guild deliberately blocked her supply or raised prices, it would indeed make her life difficult.
"Xianyue Pavilion is a small business with limited material usage. Our prices are market-driven, and we believe we haven't disrupted the market." Xu Xianyue's tone remained calm. "As for the guild... Xianyue is quite undisciplined, and I'm afraid it would be difficult for me to adapt to the many rules. I'd better not bother you."
Vice President Qian's smile faded a bit. "Master Xu, that's not what I meant. Without rules, there's no order. It's easy for you alone, but if everyone is like you, how can the guild survive? Wouldn't the craft market in Lin'an Prefecture be in chaos?"
He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of threat, "Madam Su is very optimistic about the Xu family. Why make a scene over such a small matter? Joining the guild and having Madam Su look after you will only benefit you, not harm you."
"I appreciate Vice President Qian's kindness." Xu Xianyue stood up, already looking as if to see him off. "But everyone has their own aspirations, and forcing them is pointless. I'll abide by the guild's rules, but I'm sorry I can't agree to your request to join."
Seeing that she was unmoved, Vice President Qian's expression finally darkened. He snorted coldly, "Since Master Xu is so determined, then... take care of yourself!"
He walked away in a huff.
In the next few days, Xianyue Pavilion really began to feel the pressure.
First, several familiar shops that normally supplied high-quality silk sent apologies, claiming they were temporarily unable to deliver due to a shortage of supplies. Then, even procuring common dyes and tool accessories became difficult, with items either out of stock or inexplicably inflated by 20% or 30%. Worse still, gossip began circulating, suggesting that Xianyuege's work was unique because it used unconventional materials or contained something "unholy."
Business inevitably suffered. Some customers who had originally booked works began to hesitate and wait and see, and the number of new customers who came to visit because of its reputation also decreased significantly.
Wan Cui was so anxious that her mouth blistered. She went out every day to inquire about the news, and when she came back, she was full of anger: "Miss! They are too much! They are clearly colluding to make things difficult for us! And those who spread rumors are simply slandering us!"
Compared to Wan Cui's anxiety, Xu Xianyue seemed remarkably calm. She continued to toil away in her workshop daily, seemingly unconcerned with the turmoil of the outside world. However, the style of her velvet flowers had quietly shifted. No longer pursuing the ultimate in elegance and grace, she began experimenting with more rustic, even naive forms. Her materials also shifted more towards common, locally available silk threads and natural plant dyes, which were less prone to bottlenecks.
"Miss, why aren't you in a hurry at all?" Wan Cui couldn't help asking as she looked at the velvet flower in Xu Xianyue's hand, which was dyed with the most common madder and shaped like a wild chrysanthemum.
Xu Xianyue fixed the last copper wire, held up the velvet flower to the light, and said calmly, "What's the point of rushing? They want to trap me with materials and rumors, but I want to show them that even the most ordinary materials can produce flowers in my hands."
Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable certainty and pride.
Just then, the wind chimes on the shop door rang softly and someone walked in.
It’s Lin Qingyan.
He had obviously heard about Xianyue Pavilion's recent predicament, and a hint of worry crossed his brow. Seeing the vibrant wild chrysanthemum in Xu Xianyue's hand, and then looking at her calm face, he was slightly startled, and then a complex expression flashed in his eyes: admiration, heartache, and a hint of helplessness.
"Miss Xu." He stepped forward, his tone apologetic, "I heard... it was Madam Su and the guild... it's all my fault. If it weren't for that gathering that day..."
"It has nothing to do with Imperial Physician Lin." Xu Xianyue interrupted him, placing the wild chrysanthemum in her hand into a rough earthenware vase on the desk. "They just can't tolerate those who are different."
Lin Qingyan looked at her cold profile, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew she was inherently proud and would never bow to someone like Madam Su. But if she continued to endure this...
"Miss Xu," he hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I have a few old friends in Lin'an. They have some reputation among the government and the literati. Perhaps they can mediate on your behalf..."
"No need." Xu Xianyue refused again, her tone blunt, "I appreciate Doctor Lin's kindness. But I have my own plans for this matter."
She turned around and looked at Lin Qingyan, her eyes clear and firm: "Power oppresses people, rumors hurt people, but these are just some dishonest means. If I ask for help from others at this time, it will be a sign of weakness, which is exactly what they want. I want to let them know that there are some things that cannot be crushed or taken away."
She was referring to her craftsmanship, her character, and the freedom and pride that came from the depths of her soul.
Lin Qingyan looked at the quiet fire burning in her eyes, and all the words of comfort were stuck in his throat. He knew that he couldn't help her, at least not in a way she didn't want.
He was silent for a moment, then pulled out a small jade box from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "Here are some calming and soothing aromatic herbs. I've just made some. Perhaps... they will be of some help to you in your pursuit of skills. Take care, young lady. Clear your inkstone... Goodbye."
He looked at her deeply, then turned and left. His back looked somewhat lonely.
Xu Xianyue looked at the box of perfume, then looked at the wild chrysanthemum flower in the bottle swaying in the wind, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
Pressure? Difficulties?
Hasn't she experienced enough?
From the backyard of Xu's house to Prince Jing's house, from the whirlpool of the capital to the undercurrent of Jiangnan, has she ever made it through without relying on her own hands and heart?
Mrs. Su thought she could force her to submit with this trick?
It's too much to underestimate Xu Xianyue.
She walked to the workbench and picked up the most common leftover silk threads, which were even considered "inferior" by the guild. Her fingertips flew, and a rhythm that was different from the past, more tenacious and more vigorous, flowed quietly through her fingertips.
She wanted to show the people of Jiangnan that true character does not lie in the gorgeous materials used, but in the hands holding the tools and the heart that never surrenders.
The lights of Xianyue Pavilion were stubbornly and dazzlingly bright in the deepening dusk.
The storm is coming, and she is ready to fight.
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