“Yun’er, your father and I can make them too. Let’s make more.”
"Okay." Lin Yun had the same idea.
"Father, Mother, please make a few ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) according to this pattern." Lin Yun handed a pattern to her mother, which depicted a simple and elegant ruqun design, with delicate embroidery patterns adorning the collar and cuffs.
"These styles are simple to make and suitable for ordinary people to buy. Let's open up the market with them first."
Lin's mother took the pattern, examined it carefully, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Yun'er, how did you come up with this? I've never seen these designs before, but they look so appealing."
Lin's father also came over to take a look and nodded, saying, "It is indeed ingenious, neither too complicated nor too elegant."
Lin Yun smiled and took out the silk fabric she had bought yesterday from the cabinet, gently stroking the smooth satin surface: "I plan to make a few high-end clothes out of this silk and sell them specifically to the wealthy young ladies and ladies in the city."
Mr. Lin hesitated for a moment: “Yun’er, these materials are precious. What if we ruin them…” It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his daughter, but Yun’er usually just helped out at home and had never touched such good materials before. Even he himself rarely touched them.
"Father, don't worry," Lin Yun said confidently. "I'm sure of it."
Seeing her resolute expression, Lin's father said no more and turned to help Lin's mother prepare needles, thread and fabric.
Lin Yun sat by the window, picking up her pen and sketching on the paper. Sometimes she would concentrate on her thoughts, and sometimes she would quickly put pen to paper. Before long, a noble and beautiful dress appeared on the paper.
---
Lin Feng carried a basket out of his house, which contained meat buns that his mother had just steamed and paper and pens that Lin Yun had specially bought for his younger brother. He walked briskly through the bustling market towards the academy.
Inside the academy, Lin Yan was sitting under a locust tree studying when he suddenly heard someone calling him.
Looking up, he saw his elder brother, Lin Feng. He stood up in surprise: "Brother? What brings you here?"
Lin Feng walked over with a smile and handed him the basket: "I brought you some food, and some paper and pens that your second sister bought for you."
Lin Yan took the basket, lifted the cloth, and the aroma of steamed buns wafted out. He swallowed hard and asked suspiciously, "My second sister just came yesterday, and you're here again today. Is something wrong at home?"
Lin Feng shook his head, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes: "It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing!"
He pulled Lin Yan down to sit and told him everything that had happened in his family recently, from Lin Yun earning one hundred taels of silver by selling patterns, to paying off the debts, and then preparing to reopen the shop.
Lin Yan was stunned, forgetting to eat the steamed bun in her hand: "Second Sister is so amazing?"
Lin Feng patted his younger brother on the shoulder and laughed, "Yes, she's the pillar of our family now. Even Master Xie from Jinxiufang praised those clothing designs."
Lin Yan's eyes lit up, and he said in a low voice, "Second Sister used to be sickly, but I didn't expect her to be such a different person after she recovered."
Lin Feng nodded: "No matter what, our family finally has hope. You focus on your studies, we'll take care of things at home."
Lin Yan clenched his fist and solemnly said, "I will definitely pass the imperial examination and not let you down!"
---
In the evening, Lin Feng returned home and found that the shop had been cleaned up and looked brand new.
Mr. Lin was standing at the door hanging up the signboard, which read "Lin's Clothing Shop" in bold and powerful characters.
Lin's mother was tidying up fabrics and new clothes behind the counter. When she saw Lin Feng return, she asked with a smile, "How is Yan'er?"
"My third brother is very kind. He even asked me to thank my second sister for the paper and pen on his behalf."
Lin Feng walked over to Lin Yun's side and saw her intently sewing a silk dress. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Yun'er, this dress is so beautiful!"
Lin Yun raised her head and smiled slightly: "This is for the ladies and young women in the city. It will be finished tomorrow."
After hanging up the signboard, Lin's father went inside, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said to Lin Feng, "Feng'er, there's something I want to ask you."
Lin Feng put down what he was holding: "Father, please speak."
After a moment of contemplation, Lin's father slowly said, "Do you still want to continue your studies? Now that our family's situation has improved, if you want to pass the imperial examinations, your parents will support you."
Lin Feng was taken aback, then shook his head firmly: "Dad, I'm not going to study anymore. I'm not cut out for it. I've wasted too much time before. Now I just want to help the family get the shop up and running."
He paused, then looked in Lin Yan's direction. "Third brother is smart; let him focus on his studies."
A hint of relief flashed in Lin's father's eyes, and he patted his son's shoulder: "Good, I'm very pleased that you have this thought in your heart."
Lin Yun stopped her needlework, looked up and said, "I have no objection. It would be great if my brother could help manage the shop."
Lin's mother wiped her eyes and smiled, "With our family working together, life will definitely get better and better."
As night fell, oil lamps were lit in the Lin family's courtyard.
Lin Yun hung a sample on the shelf and nodded in satisfaction. Lin's parents looked at the room full of new clothes, their eyes filled with hope.
Lin Feng stood at the door, gazing at the brightly lit streets in the distance, his heart filled with enthusiasm.
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