Tang Baozhu practiced all day. In fact, how could such a young child do any needlework? It was just a way to practice her patience.
They practiced until Old Man Tang returned in the evening before stopping. The oxcart was full of things, mostly everyday necessities. The most eye-catching items were the dressing table and jewelry box that he had bought for Tang Baozhu.
Old Man Tang carried the things into the house, placing the dressing table and jewelry box in Baozhu's room. "Baozhu, take a look and see if you like them? If you don't, Daddy will get you a different one next time."
"Father, Baozhu likes it very much."
You can tell that although it's not made of particularly precious materials, the workmanship is very exquisite, and there are some patterns carved on it. Just by looking at the delicate patterns, you know it must not be cheap.
Old Man Tang was overjoyed to see his daughter say she liked it. He took out a pure gold flower from his bosom, which was actually made of a few gold leaves glued together. There was a pearl in the middle. Instead of a long stick like a hairpin, there was a small hole at the bottom so that a cord could be threaded through it. Since Tang Baozhu was still young and didn't have much hair, he could just thread a hair tie through it and wear it on her head.
"Baozhu, do you like this flower that Daddy bought for you? When my Baozhu goes to learn embroidery, she can wear it in her hair. I promise it will look very pretty."
"Father, Baozhu likes it very much. Let's keep it at home. I'm afraid that if I take it out, someone else will snatch it away."
Tang Baozhu thought her father was really generous. He gave a four-year-old girl a gold jewelry piece. She wasn't even a young lady from a wealthy family. It would be too dangerous for her to go out like this.
Moreover, the pearl inside it was truly precious in an era when artificial pearl cultivation was no longer possible; if he were to take it out, he would definitely be robbed.
After listening to his daughter's words, Old Man Tang realized that he hadn't thought things through. He had only thought about buying a jewelry box, and that he couldn't be without any jewelry, so he picked out a piece that his daughter could wear at her age.
"Your daughter is so smart. You old man didn't think things through before you did anything. How old is she? You dare to let her flaunt her full set of jewelry everywhere."
Although Tang Li thought her little girl would look very pretty wearing it, it was fine to wear it at home, but it would be too conspicuous to wear it outside. She was not afraid of thieves stealing it, but she was afraid that thieves would have their eyes on it. If that happened, the old and the young in the family would never have a peaceful day.
Thinking about this, I think I should discuss it with my husband tonight. Should we buy a few more people for the family? That way, they can grow up together with Baozhu, and when my husband and I get old, there will be someone to protect our little girl.
The problem is that it's not easy to find the right person. If we find someone unsuitable or with ulterior motives, we risk letting a wolf into the house. We need to observe more carefully before making a decision.
"Alright, keep this gold jewelry for your little girl to wear at home. I'll buy her two small silver pieces tomorrow so we can lend it out."
Tang Baozhu practiced needlework at home for three days before her mother finally let her go, planning to take her to become an apprentice the next day.
Nothing much has changed at home in the past three days, except for a few things. The land in the backyard has been cleared, and Tang Baozhu wanted to have a cellar. Tang's father has been digging the cellar by himself for the past two days.
Early that morning, Tang Baozhu was pulled up by Tang Li Shi. "Baozhu, wake up quickly. Mother will get you all ready. You're going to learn embroidery from your master later. I don't know if they'll accept you."
"Mother, isn't it too early? And why wouldn't the master accept me? Didn't she say it would be ten taels of silver a year? Since she clearly stated the price, she shouldn't refuse to take on an apprentice!"
Tang Baozhu wasn't worried at all about not being able to get in. After all, a tuition fee of ten taels of silver a year wasn't something many families were willing to pay. It was usually only families with some money who doted on their daughters. She figured it would be quite lively inside!
She had two little pigtails tied in her hair, with two strings of silver bells attached. They jingled nicely as she walked, but I wonder if the teacher would think it was disrespectful.
After all, the level of openness in this era, although comparable to that of the Tang Dynasty, and women could go out to do business, was still afraid of encountering some old scholars who would always find fault with things.
After washing up and having breakfast, accompanied by my parents, we walked for about five minutes and arrived at the old master's house.
This house is much bigger than the one Tang Baozhu bought. There are maids greeting people at the door, and there are also students who have come to learn the arts, each with a maid by their side. It looks quite impressive.
Knowing that Tang Baozhu's family had come to become apprentices, they quickly led them inside. The layout of the house clearly indicated that it was a three-courtyard structure. Such a large house had only the master as the master's family, with the rest being maids and servants.
Following the maid directly into the second courtyard, it seemed that this was the master's residence. Tan Baozhu noticed that those who came to learn the craft went directly into the first courtyard, indicating that the second courtyard was used as living quarters and the first courtyard as a place for learning.
"Please wait a moment, everyone. I will go and inform my wife."
"Of course, of course."
Old Man Tang and Mrs. Tang were still a little reserved, but it wasn't too bad, after all, they were people who had seen the world.
Tang Baozhu kept looking at the courtyard and thought that the owner had kept the courtyard very well. The courtyard was quite large and had many flowers planted, and almost every kind of flower was blooming well. It seemed that the owner was a very gentle person.
Of course, Tang Baozhu knew that this was all an illusion. After all, how could someone who could spend his whole life in the palace and retire peacefully be a simple person?
Less than two minutes later, the maid came out and said, "My mistress invites this young lady in. Please wait outside."
Tang Baozhu wasn't surprised at all that she was asked to go in alone. After all, she was a single lady, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her father to go in.
"Father, Mother, wait for me here, I'll be out soon."
When Tang Baozhu spoke, the maids beside her were startled. They had thought it was her grandparents bringing their granddaughter to become her apprentices, but it turned out to be her father and mother. It seemed they had a daughter late in life. Otherwise, judging from their clothes and appearance, they were not a wealthy family. They were willing to send their little girl here, so it seemed she might be their only son.
Even if the maid was inwardly turbulent, she remained outwardly calm, which showed that she was well-trained.
Upon entering, I saw a middle-aged woman who looked to be in her forties sitting in a grand chair. At first glance, she seemed like a gentle woman, but upon closer inspection, I felt that I couldn't see through her.
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