Yinzhen left the office early and when he returned, he saw Le Shu hunched over her desk, writing and drawing without even looking up.
Upon closer inspection, Yinzhen's gaze froze.
"The clothes made with these patterns would indeed need to be kept out of sight. Do people in later generations wear clothes like these?"
His gaze fell on a sundress.
If I were to wear this outfit out, let alone if people found out, they would probably accuse me of being licentious.
"It's only part of it. The one you're looking at is what I plan to wear to bed. I would never wear it outside, so don't worry! I know what I'm doing."
A nightgown?
That's not a problem, after all, women in ancient times even wore a bellyband to sleep in the summer! The bellyband was even more... well, you know.
He looked at another one: "This is a cheongsam, isn't it? It's just slightly different from the ones I've seen before."
"This is a modified cheongsam. Compared to the original cheongsam, this one is more form-fitting, and I quite like it. It's just that I can only wear it after I give birth. I can't wear it this year. I'll draw it first and make it next year."
The cheongsam is all about the fabric, design, and workmanship. Modern Le Shu has ordered several cheongsams made by master craftsmen in the alley, and the prices were so high that she felt a little pain in her wallet.
Now that she has the freedom to choose her own fabric and her own embroiderers, her designs may be slightly lacking, but... looking at Yinzhen, there are still people who can help improve them.
"How come there are Song Dynasty clothes here?"
"There were also some from the Tang Dynasty?"
"Of course, you need to have all of these. Song Dynasty clothing is cooler than Manchu clothing. The outer garment is made of light and breathable gauze, while the main body is made of cotton. I wear it in the courtyard. I designed the inner garment separately."
As for Tang Dynasty clothing, it was even cooler. If well-made, it would look grand and vibrant, with a colorful and unrestrained style.
I designed several outfits for you, they're all lying around here. It's just a pity about your hair; it's not quite there yet to achieve that classic, elegant look.
"You're getting better and better at making fun of me. This dress hasn't even been colored yet, let me do it!"
Le Shu looked at him with sparkling eyes: "Okay, that's what I've been waiting for!"
"And he's getting more and more bossy!"
Le Shu looked at him with a smile: "Then, Fourth Master, will you let me serve you?"
Yinzhen picked up his brush and said, "What do you think? Take out the paint, I'll fill in the colors."
Le Shu gave him a thumbs up: "Fourth Master, you're so generous!"
Yinzhen didn't understand what "juqi" meant, but he roughly understood what it meant. He was starting to understand her strange behavior more and more.
It was getting dark, and Yinzhen had only filled in about half of it when it finally got dark. Under the lamplight, it wasn't a good time to fill in the colors, but he could finish the rest later.
It took Yinzhen three days to finish filling in the colors.
Le Shu called Xiu Lan and Xiu Mei over and first asked them a few questions: "I asked Granny Su to provide you with a place to stay. Do you find it convenient?"
Xiulan: "Thank you, Princess. Granny Su has taken great care of me and my sister. You have gone to so much trouble, Princess. I will do my best to serve you."
Xiumei, who was a bit clumsy with words, followed her sister's lead and said, "This servant is the same."
"I have taught you all the rules and regulations for doing things. I will not let you do anything immoral. However, it is most important that you do not reveal anything about Shaoguang Courtyard, no matter how small or big it may be."
"Yes, I understand."
Le Shu took out six blueprints: "Take these back and make them according to my dimensions. Send them over whenever they are finished."
"Yes, Princess."
The two took the blueprints and left.
The two women didn't ask if there was a time limit. They wouldn't slack off. As embroiderers serving the favored concubines of the Prince's mansion, if they were to slack off, there would be plenty of people who would want to replace them.
They are pitiful, but they are not fools if they can get into the Prince's mansion!
There are six patterns: two are loose-fitting sundresses, two are modified ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and the last two are various kinds of underwear and panties.
The sundress and underwear had to be made of silk fabric imported from Shandong.
As for the improved mid-waisted ruqun, it is simpler than the traditional ruqun.
A typical outfit consists of a small camisole top made of poplin, a long skirt that reaches the ankles, and a soft gauze overcoat. It's sure to be very cool and comfortable.
The other one is even simpler: a long sundress, a soft gauze vest, and a strap to cinch the bust or waist—perfect.
Since she wasn't showing her arms or legs and there was no way to spread the news from Shaoguang Courtyard, and she had also received confirmation from Yinzhen that there was no problem, she naturally let go of the design.
We just have to get through this summer first.
Xiulan and Xiumei worked quickly, and the clothes were delivered five days later. Looking at the dark circles under their eyes, you could tell they had worked very hard.
The clothes were simple in style, but since Yinzhen was a designer, they also had to embroider them. The reason they could finish so quickly was because Yinzhen's aesthetic leaned towards a minimalist and elegant style. If it were Gan Xiaosi's style, it might not have been possible to finish embroidering them in fifty days.
"You've worked hard, there's no need to rush. From now on, you can work during the day. If it's not important clothes, you can work for two days and rest for one day. Three hours a day should be enough. Don't ruin your eyes."
Le Shu looked at their embroidery skills and said it was no exaggeration to call them exquisite. They were truly talented, and she had to protect her eyes. She was still waiting for them to start their class.
Xiulan and Xiumei felt as if they had heard some kind of heavenly book: do two jobs, rest one day, and work three hours a day?
How could there be such a good job?
In Jiangnan, even the most skilled embroiderers are exploited and many go blind from embroidery, leading to a miserable old age.
Xiulan felt this was no joke, so she naturally agreed. She pulled her sister down to kneel: "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."
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