Qin Yuan looked closely and saw that there seemed to be a flower embroidered on the handkerchief.
Rong Momo, who was standing nearby, exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, this old servant is not seeing things, is she? Seventh Miss has actually embroidered a flower! Old Madam, take a look, how well this peony is embroidered, it's even double-petaled, big and beautiful."
Gu Baozhu glanced smugly at Qin Yuan, who was also somewhat surprised.
Hongye couldn't help but pout.
It's just a peony, and the embroidery is just ordinary. Is it really worth making such a fuss about?
Qin Yuan said some nice things.
"Seventh Sister has made rapid progress and has put in a lot of effort. This is truly commendable."
"Haha," Madam Gu laughed heartily, "Yuan'er, our Baozhu is still obedient and well-behaved, isn't she? It's just that we spoiled her too much when she was little. Look, as long as she puts her heart into it, there's nothing she can't do well."
Madam Gu couldn't help but hand the handkerchief to Qin Yuan.
Gu Baozhu became even more smug.
Hongye also took a closer look and became even more disdainful. Such embroidery skills were taught by Fengniang, the top embroidery artist in the workshop. Even Cuiming's haphazard embroidery was better than this.
But Old Madam Gu, Granny Rong, and others said it was all very good.
Qin Yuan couldn't help but chime in with a few words.
Gu Baozhu was easily flattered, and she took the handkerchief back to admire it again and again, reluctant to give it to Old Madam Gu.
Qin Yuan watched this and couldn't help but chuckle. She quickly covered her mouth with her fan and flattered, "Mother, if Seventh Sister keeps embroidering like this, she might be able to embroider a headband and a small screen for you by the end of the year."
Although these are things that ordinary girls under the age of ten can do, they are extremely difficult for Gu Baozhu.
Madam Gu couldn't help but glance at Gu Baozhu, and hesitated before asking, "Isn't this a bit difficult?"
In high spirits, Gu Baozhu puffed out her chest proudly and boasted, "What's so difficult about that? Mother, just wait and see. I've already thought it all out. Once I've mastered my embroidery skills, Third Brother and Sixth Brother will each get a fan cover, Mother will get a headband... and Third Sister-in-law and Sixth Sister-in-law will each get a small sachet."
After saying that, he looked annoyed and said, "Master said that if I hadn't started learning so late, I might have been able to bring glory back to the Marquis's mansion at the Qixi Festival. My third brother, sigh, his expectations of me are a bit too high. Well, high is high, it's just a bit late."
Qin Yuan and Hongye looked at Gu Baozhu in shock.
One dares to speak, and the other dares to believe.
The Qiqiao Festival was a place where young ladies and girls from all over the capital competed in embroidery skills. Those who could win the championship in embroidery skills were probably comparable to the embroiderers of Jinxiu Pavilion.
But Gu Baozhu's expression was calm, clearly indicating that she truly believed it.
With a complicated expression, Madam Gu looked at the confident Gu Baozhu, her lips twitching slightly. In the end, she still encouraged her, "Then study hard. Mother is waiting to see the headband you embroider. If your third brother gets your fan cover, he will be so happy and will definitely dote on you."
Gu Baozhu responded.
Qin Yuan hadn't recovered from her shock before she could respond.
Madam Gu quickly changed the subject, saying, "Baozhu, you learn everything so well, so I feel even more at ease letting you learn to manage the household from Yuan'er. You can start by helping her entertain the ladies and take care of the girls who are about your age. This time it's our family's banquet, and you are the host, so you must take good care of the guests and not say anything that might upset your third brother, okay?"
Later, he added, "Your third sister-in-law has only been in the business for a short time, and she doesn't know many people. Please do your best to help her."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Seventh Sister to guide me."
Meeting the eager gazes of the two women, even though Gu Baozhu was unhappy, she reluctantly agreed after being pulled by the nanny beside her: "Alright then, I'll follow behind Third Sister-in-law. If there's anything you need me to do, just let me know."
Qin Yuan couldn't help but smile.
Only in the Gu family could Gu Baozhu develop a personality like that.
Madam Gu smiled and said, "Good Zhu'er, you should help your third sister-in-law well, and your third brother will appreciate it."
Gu Baozhu seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to understand.
After leaving the main room, Qin Yuan said to Gu Baozhu, "Seventh Sister, I will have someone send you a copy of the guest list later. Please see if you know their preferences and taboos so that I can make preparations in advance."
Gu Baozhu asked in surprise, "How could it be so troublesome?"
The old woman beside her tugged at her clothes again, and Gu Baozhu hurriedly said, "Third sister-in-law, I'm not questioning you, I just don't know why it has to be so complicated. Sixth sister-in-law never told me about these things before."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "That's because you were young before, and the Marquis was often in the northern frontier. His family rarely hosted banquets. You were always the one going out to visit guests. Others would find ways to settle you in. You never had the chance to settle others in. This time, you are the host, so naturally you have to consider things more."
Gu Baozhu hurriedly said, "Third Sister-in-law, I'll just have someone go to Wutong Garden to get it right away. Why bother your people to make the trip? You're probably too busy to handle things these days, and you don't have many people around you who can help you."
Hongye looked at Gu Baozhu in surprise, wondering why she was being so sensible and attentive.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Seventh Sister. There were some things I wanted to tell you in detail, but I'm too busy right now. We'll talk about them when I have time."
Gu Baozhu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Not at all, not at all. Third Sister-in-law, just have someone invite me when you have time."
The two left the main house, crossed the covered bridge, and parted ways at the fork in the road.
Hongye asked curiously, "Miss, why did Seventh Miss suddenly change her personality? She was just like that at first..."
Qin Yuan laughed and said, "You were clearly very resistant at first, weren't you?"
Hongye nodded.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Seventh Miss is spoiled and simple-minded. She has to be coaxed and guided, otherwise she wouldn't be used as a pawn by others."
The Gu family treated her well, and Old Madam Gu doted on Gu Baozhu so much, so she figured she should be nice to Gu Baozhu too.
The red leaves blinked their eyes.
Cui Ming smiled and said, "Seventh Miss and Miss have no deep-seated hatred for each other. It was just because of other people causing trouble. Now that everyone has calmed down and Miss has been going along with her, there will naturally be no more trouble. Besides, Seventh Miss hopes that Miss can whisper sweet nothings in the Marquis's ear so that he won't have to worry about the Qixi Festival."
Hongye: "...Oh...Oh..."
Qin Yuan spat, "You're going to die! What kind of pillow talk is this? You've been corrupted by Hongye too."
Cui Ming: "Hehehehehe."
Hongye: "..."
When Gu Baozhu came to talk to Qin Yuan again, she happened to run into Lord Gu returning to Wutong Garden and was caught red-handed.
Lord Gu asked, "Baozhu, did you come to talk to your sister-in-law today?"
Gu Baozhu smiled somewhat obsequiously and quickly got up.
"Third brother, I'm helping my sister-in-law with something. Mother said she's not very familiar with the women, so she asked me to help entertain them."
Lord Gu stood at the door, his eyelids slightly lowered, his thick, dark eyelashes obscuring his thoughts. He simply said, "Not bad."
Gu Baozhu breathed a long sigh of relief.
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