Chapter 36: Embroidery
She then ordered the maids and servants to carry out the things she had prepared for Wang Yanran.
Just wait for Wang Yanran to leave, and then send her to Wang's house.
After sitting and chatting with the old lady for a while, it was time for her to take a lunch break.
Wang Yanran left with her maid. Since the day of departure was set, she had to make some preparations.
Living in the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, the old lady liked her and rewarded her with many good things.
The old lady of the Marquis's Mansion, Madam Li, was a kind-hearted person. In addition, she had been pampered since she was a child. Because of her natal family, she had never suffered any hardship after marrying into the Chen family. Most of the people in the old Marquis's room were selected by her, and they all respected her.
This old lady is rich and kind, and now that she is old, she likes to spend money to have fun.
Anyone who treated her well would be respected and honored. If she was pleased, she would just wave her hand and reward them continuously.
Everyone else is like this, not to mention that Wang Yanran is her favorite granddaughter-in-law, so the things she gives her are definitely not cheap.
Just like the white jade bracelets, agate headdresses, and pearl earrings, each one of them is worth a lot of money, not to mention that there are a lot of good materials.
As soon as Wang Yanran arrived at the Marquis' Mansion, the old lady invited an aunt from Huajinfang to come and make her three sets of clothes each for spring and summer.
This set of clothes would cost at least ten taels of silver, and six sets of clothes would cost sixty taels in total.
"Miss, everything is in order. You must take away everything the old lady gave you."
Wang Yanran originally wanted to take everything with her. After all, everything the old lady gave her was excellent, but...
She thought again.
"You don't have to take everything. Leave some behind. Two of my old clothes and one of the new clothes the old lady made for me. You might come back again in the future. It wouldn't be appropriate to take everything with you."
She was worried that if she took everything away, the old lady would say she was petty.
Can't stand any good things.
If you see them, you must take them all away.
***
The eldest daughter of the Wang family had left. This news spread to Xiaoxiang Garden and naturally reached Yun Qiao's ears.
Yun Qiao was so busy embroidering the handkerchief that she had no time to take care of this.
Fang Jia ate some preserved fruit while lying on the table, watching Yun Qiao sewing needle by needle.
"Sister Qiao, why don't you take a break? With the Marquis away, things have become more relaxed in our courtyard. I was thinking of asking you out for a walk. But it seems you're busy again."
Yun Qiao put down her needle and thread and paused to rest her wrist.
"I don't know who told the old lady that my embroidery skills were decent, but how did she notice me? She called me over and asked me to embroider a few handkerchiefs for her. I've been staying up like a hawk these past few days."
It hurts.
Fang Jia burst out laughing.
"Why aren't you happy about having won the old lady's favor? I heard that the old lady likes to give gifts to people. If you get a reward in the future, don't forget me, your old friend."
Yun Qiao said jokingly with a smile, "Don't worry, if I ever win the old lady's favor, I will definitely help you first."
Fang Jia laughed non-stop.
"Just give me a hand, if you really have the ability, just send me back to my family."
Of course, this was just a joke from Fang Jia. If she was really let out of the Marquis' Mansion, she still wanted to leave Kyoto and go to a small place where she could live out her life, a life that belonged only to her.
After chatting with Fang Jia for a few words, Yun Qiao continued to embroider the handkerchief.
Seeing that she was busy, Fang Jia didn't want to disturb her again. She didn't come to see Yun Qiao for a few days. When others asked Fang Jia about Yun Qiao, Fang Jia said that she was busy working for the old lady.
This is something the old lady has instructed us to do. Whoever dares to delay it has the guts to do it.
After seven or eight days of hard work, Yun Qiao finally finished embroidering the three handkerchiefs.
The first handkerchief was embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water, the second one was embroidered with blooming winter plum blossoms, and the third one was embroidered with a lotus leaf just beginning to show its tip, with a dragonfly already perched on top of it.
The three handkerchiefs represent the scenery of three seasons.
They are spring, winter and summer respectively.
Yun Qiao took the handkerchief to the old lady's courtyard and asked Yu Lan to take the handkerchief in first while she waited outside.
The weather was getting hotter and hotter. Yun Qiao was standing outside in the strong sun. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, so she picked up a handkerchief and wiped them.
At this time, the maid in the room came out.
"Miss Qiao must be getting anxious waiting for you. The old lady has been feeling unwell these past few days and has just taken some medicine. Now please come in with me."
"Is the old lady feeling better? Qiao Niang is not anxious and is not afraid of waiting."
"Better."
Yun Qiao asked softly, simply asking whether the old lady was sick or what was going on?
Yu Lan said that it was the transition from spring to summer, and the old lady's body could not bear it. She was feeling unwell just because of the change of seasons. It was an old ailment, and she would feel much better if she took some medicine and had a good rest.
As a maid serving the old lady, Yu Lan was very happy to hear Yun Qiao's caring words.
He then conveyed Yunqiao's concern to the old lady.
The old lady also liked the embroidery made by Yunqiao.
"I saw the purse Miss Qiao was carrying. It was embroidered beautifully and vividly, even better than these three handkerchiefs..."
When Yunqiao heard Yulan's words, she quickly opened her purse.
"If the old lady likes it, you can take it to her for a look. Qiao Niang has no other skills, only her embroidery is a little bit outstanding."
Yu Lan stepped forward, took the purse and handed it to the old lady.
The old lady looked at it again and again and could not help but praise it, "It is really good, so vivid, just like a fish leaping before my eyes..."
"Just embroider this fish. I'll have Mother Chang come find you and tell you how to embroider it. Just follow my instructions and wait for the embroidery to be finished. I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Yun Qiao nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Madam, for liking Qiao Niang's embroidery. I will naturally do my best to complete it and will definitely not let you down."
After seeing Yunqiao off, the old lady returned Yunqiao's purse.
However, when Yun Qiao left, the old lady asked someone to send a few plates of pastries directly to Yun Qiao's room.
Yun Qiao kept two pieces of each kind for herself and Xiao Tao to share, and shared the rest with other people in Xiaoxiang Garden. The task of distributing the pastries was given to Fang Jia, as she really liked this job.
Soon, Mother Chang came to Yunqiao with a request.
There should be both koi and words wishing you a happy birthday.
It took Yun Qiao three full days to finalize the first draft, which she drew on the drawing.
I asked Mother Chang to take a look at it, and after she decided on it, I started embroidering.
This embroidery takes a long time and requires a lot of energy. Yun Qiao roughly estimated that it would take at least three months.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager's birthday is in the twelfth lunar month, so I can at least make it in time.
She negotiated with the old lady for an extra half month, embroidering slowly and taking care of every detail.
The old lady also said what she meant. She didn't seek to be outstanding, but just wanted to make people's eyes light up, and that was enough.
Embroidery is about putting a lot of thought into it, so that it can touch people’s hearts.
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