Chapter 3 Huangmei Peach Blossom
At 8:45 AM, the sun was blazing hot, and the cicadas began to chirp incessantly.
Today's breakfast was particularly delicious, and Ruan Bi ate until she was a little full. She lazily lay on the couch reading a book, which also helped her digest. A couple of days ago, after the old lady took her to the ancestral hall to offer incense to the old master, she said that Ruan Bi was too thin and specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare a variety of delicious meals for the fifth young lady every day, including a bowl of ginger soup every day to warm her stomach. It really worked immediately; in just a few days, Ruan Bi felt that her face had become fuller.
Whispers came from outside, like the chirping of insects and birds.
Ruan Bi listened intently, as if the person was talking about her, and then winked at Xiuzhi.
She understood and went to the outer room. After a while, she turned back and said, "It was Xiaoju and Hanxing who went to the garden to pick jasmine flowers and made them into flower garlands. They wanted to give them to you, but they were afraid you would dislike them, so they were discussing it outside."
"I see," Ruan Bi felt a warmth in her heart. She usually interacted more with Xiuzhi, Cha Mei, and Granny Liu, and rarely spoke to these two maids; it seemed they were a little afraid of her. "Let them in."
Xiuzhi lifted the curtain and called out, "Xiaoju, Hanxing, the young lady wants you to come in."
Xiao Ju was only eleven years old, but she was about the same height as twelve-year-old Han Xing. They walked in side by side, both with small faces and big eyes, looking like little sisters. The two were rather uneasy and shy, blinking their eyes and pushing each other back and forth, signaling to each other to speak.
Ruan Bi sat up straight and asked with a smile, "Didn't you say you were going to give me a garland of jasmine flowers? Are you reluctant to part with them?"
The two maids chuckled. Hanxing mustered her courage and said, "It's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, it's that I'm afraid you'll find it distasteful, Miss." As she spoke, she stretched out her hand, revealing a string of white jasmine flowers lying in her palm.
Ruan Bi took it, put it on immediately, and shook her wrist, asking, "Does it look good?"
Xiaoju and Hanxing nodded repeatedly.
Hanxing said, "Beautiful. The girl's hands are so white, whiter than jasmine flowers."
Smelling the faint fragrance, Ruan Bi found even the noisy cicadas outside to be exceptionally endearing. "It smells so good. I'm going to visit my fourth sister later; she'll be so envious."
The two maids exchanged a glance and then giggled happily.
Xiuzhi feigned displeasure and said, "Why are there only girls' ones? Where's mine?"
Xiao Ju had grown bolder at this point and said, "Sister Xiuzhi, we've finished stringing yours too, and they're outside."
“Then I’ll wear one too. I can’t let the young lady smell so good all by herself.” Xiuzhi said, and walked out. Xiaoju and Hanxing followed her out with smiles. A little while later, Xiuzhi returned, also wearing a string of beads on her wrist, and asked with a big smile, “Are you going to see the Fourth Young Lady?”
"Yes." Ruan Bi got off the bed and put the book back on the table. "Why hasn't Aunt Liu come yet?"
"While the young lady was reading, she called someone over to say that her grandson was feeling a little unwell and that she would be coming over later."
"Her grandson? Is he Sister Luo's son?"
"I don't know. I heard that she has a grandson herself."
Ruan Bi was taken aback. She had been too busy lately and had forgotten to inquire about Liu Mama's situation.
That time at the City God Temple, her demeanor was clean and efficient. After returning, she became more cautious in her words and actions, no longer bossing people around as before, showing she was a clever person. If she were willing to submit to me from then on, she would be worth employing.
While thinking about it, he took the embroidery piece off the embroidery hoop.
Xiuzhi leaned closer and asked, "Miss, are you done embroidering? Didn't you just start embroidering the day before yesterday?"
“I finished embroidering it last night,” Ruan Bi said, unfolding the embroidery. “How is it?”
Xiuzhi glanced at it; the plain white cotton fabric was adorned with several dark lotus flowers interspersed with two red ones, creating an elegant and charming effect. "Oh, you only used embroidery, young lady? No wonder you're so fast."
"Yes, isn't it beautiful?"
Xiuzhi nodded and said, "It's beautiful, but I don't often see this kind of embroidery."
Ruan Bi smiled and said excitedly, "Let's go and let Fourth Sister take a look."
Upon arriving at the main house of Liaoyuan, the Fourth Sister was practicing calligraphy in the study. Seeing Ruan Bi come over, she asked, "Fifth Sister, what's the good news? You seem so happy."
Ruan Bi unfolded the embroidery piece in her hand and said, "I've been embroidering a pillowcase these past two days. Could you give me some feedback, elder sister?"
The fourth sister placed her brush on the brush washer, glanced at it, and said approvingly, "Not bad, simple and elegant." She paused, then said with a hint of surprise, "It's all embroidered with yellow plum blossoms! Tsk tsk, really nice. It seems that embroidery, like calligraphy and painting, is most importantly about the concept. As long as the composition is good, even yellow plum blossom embroidery will be unique. My teacher said that girls from her hometown all like to use yellow plum blossom embroidery, but the few pieces she brought were either lacking in originality in composition or too bright in color, so I didn't like them. I didn't expect that my sister's embroidery would be so elegant and vivid. I'll try it sometime."
Ruan Bi was taken aback. She had done cross-stitch when she was in college, and this ink lotus embroidery was made from cotton fabric using cross-stitch techniques. She had thought that no one would have ever seen it before and might be quite surprised. But to her surprise, Xiuzhi and the Fourth Sister were only surprised that she used only one stitch, not the technique itself. It seemed that cross-stitch had always existed. With that, she felt much more at ease.
"Sister, there's something I'd like to hear your opinion on." The fourth sister pulled Ruan Bi to sit down on the couch and said, "Sister, just say it, don't be so polite." "In half a month, it will be the Empress Dowager's birthday, and I'm thinking of embroidering a painting as a birthday gift."
The fourth sister's heart skipped a beat. After a moment's thought, she said, "Fifth sister, it's the Empress Dowager's birthday. Only officials and noblewomen enter the palace to present gifts. It's not our turn yet. However... if the Empress Dowager summons you to her presence on her birthday, that would be a different story."
"Fourth sister, this is what I think: on the Empress Dowager's birthday, all the people of the world should pay homage. It has nothing to do with the rules, it's just a token of our goodwill."
The fourth sister pondered for a moment and said, "What the fifth sister says is true, but even if you finish embroidering it, you won't be able to send it into the palace."
"Aren't Grandmother and Mother supposed to go to the palace to offer congratulations?"
The fourth sister felt a pang of jealousy. Why had she never thought of these things before? With her embroidery skills, she could have given it a shot. She had already missed out on making a name for herself last time; was she going to miss out again this time? "It seems a bit difficult. Mother and grandmother must have already chosen a gift."
Ruan Bi lowered her eyes in disappointment. If the Fourth Miss really had no ideas at all, then she would have to think of another way.
The fourth sister also lowered her eyes and furrowed her brows, her mind a jumble of thoughts, one after another, creating a chaotic scene. After a while, she made up her mind and said, "How about... we go and ask the landlady first? She must know the Empress Dowager's preferences."
“Okay, Fourth Sister.” Ruan Bi took Fourth Sister’s hand and walked towards the door, saying as they went, “The Empress Dowager likes to talk about metaphysics and Taoism, so why don’t we embroider a picture of the Peach Banquet?”
The fourth sister frowned and said, "There are too many people at the Pan Tao Gathering. It may be difficult to complete it in a month and a half."
"Use only yellow plum and peach blossoms?"
"It's worth a try." The fourth young lady's heart pounded. Using yellow plum blossom embroidery was much faster than other cumbersome embroidery methods, and this style was not common; at first glance, it was quite unique. Her footsteps quickened, but her heart hesitated. Was she really going to make a wedding dress for Ruan Bi?
But then she said, "I'm slow, I think it's better for you to do the embroidery, sister."
The fourth girl paused, surprised, and said, "I'm embroidering?"
“Of course, sending this away represents the dignity of our Ruan family. I shouldn’t embarrass myself by showing off my mediocre skills.” Ruan Bi turned her head to look at the fourth young lady and said, “Does that mean you are unwilling, sister?”
"How could that be?" Fourth Sister hurriedly shook her head, then realized she had shaken her head too quickly, afraid that Ruan Bi would see the joy in her heart. She paused for a moment before continuing, "What you said earlier is true. On the Empress Dowager's birthday, all subjects, regardless of rank, should offer their heartfelt thanks, just like an old man in the countryside."
"That's good." Ruan Bi smiled happily. Anyway, an opportunity has been created for her, and whether she is willing or not, whether she takes the initiative or not, is up to her.
Entering the old lady's courtyard, she was playing with her cat under the eaves, with only Manyun and Granny Zheng standing by her side. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and asked with great surprise, "Fourth girl, fifth girl, why are you here at this hour?"
"Grandmother, Fourth Sister wants to embroider a painting to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday. What do you think?"
The old lady paused for a moment, then handed the cat to Manyun and said, "Fifth girl, was this the trick you came up with?"
Ruan Bi smiled and nodded. She didn't want to deny it. If things went well, not only would Fourth Sister remember her kindness, but the Old Madam would also remember that it was her contribution. "Fourth Sister is very good at embroidery. The things she embroiders are just like the real thing. Using this as a gift can show our sincerity."
The old lady shook her head and said, "How can it be so easy? Sichuan embroidery and Suzhou embroidery, aren't they all lifelike and dazzling?"
"Grandmother, let Fourth Sister embroider first. If it's not exquisite enough, we won't send it as a gift. Is that alright?"
The old lady remained silent for a moment, thinking, "Ruan Bi is a disciple of Master Ziying, and Master Ziying is on good terms with the Empress Dowager. Perhaps there's more to the story. If the Empress Dowager appreciates her, this could be an opportunity for the Ruan family." "Have you spoken to your mother about this?"
"I haven't said anything yet, let me ask my grandmother for her opinion first."
The old lady thought for a moment and said, "Let's do as you say. Fourth daughter will embroider first, and we'll see how it turns out before making any further plans. There's no need to mention it to your mother."
This was exactly what Ruan Bi wanted to hear. She nodded and said, "But this time the embroidery needs to be made of cotton and linen, which we don't have at home..."
"Cotton and linen?" The old lady was taken aback. Wealthy families always used fine silks and satins, so why would they use cotton and linen? "Fifth girl, what are you and fourth girl up to?"
"Grandmother, you'll see when it's finished being embroidered."
The old lady pondered for a moment and said, "Your aunt's Treasure Pavilion sells fabrics. Have the driver take you there to pick some out."
Suppressing her joy, Ruan Bi calmly responded and left with the Fourth Sister.
Watching Ruan Bi's figure gracefully disappear into the distance, the old lady asked thoughtfully, "Ayao, what do you think that fifth girl is up to now?"
"Fifth Sister is intelligent and quick-witted; how could I possibly guess what she's thinking?"
The old lady withdrew her gaze, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Yesterday, Lan'er sent someone to deliver a letter. Zheng Mama was taken aback. Miss Lan has finally sent a letter?"
(One more chapter is coming, but it's not finished yet, I'll post it later.)
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