Chapter 76 Borrowing Picture Books
“I heard that Sister Lin has a complete set of flower patterns, all drawn by her own hands. I would like to borrow them from her so I can take a look,” Baochai said.
In Baochai's mind, such picture albums were private collections and rarely lent to outsiders, so her request was indeed an unreasonable one.
However, their embroidery workshop was already experiencing declining business due to outdated designs.
In particular, a new building called Jinxiulou has recently appeared in the capital. It is said that it is backed by the Prince Zhongshun's Mansion, which has taken away a large part of the Xue family's embroidery business.
If they don't come up with any new designs, the Xue family embroidery workshop might have to close down soon.
“I thought it was something important. It’s such a small matter. Why are you asking me for such a favor, sister? Just send someone to get it.”
The patterns in Daiyu's paintings are rare because many of the flowers and plants in them are ones she saw in her dream in the courtyard of the former Red Lotus.
If she thought something was beautiful, she would paint it using the meticulous brushwork technique based on what she saw in her dream, then ask Yuan Hongqu what kind of flower it was, and then write its name in the album.
The three sisters often borrowed Daiyu's picture album to look at it, and would also draw patterns for others to embroider. When Baochai came to borrow the album this time, Daiyu did not suspect anything.
However, Daiyu's frankness only served to highlight Baochai's ill intentions.
"Sister Lin, I wonder if I could use flower patterns to draw this?" Baochai asked again, feeling a little ashamed. Was she trying to deceive a child?
“Why not? Sister Bao, you don’t need to be so polite. Just keep drawing.” Daiyu asked someone to bring out the picture album for Baochai.
This album is about a foot square and two inches thick, bound together by two gleaming gold copper rings.
These two brass rings are slip-on; Baochai once saw Daiyu press one on them to open the picture album.
If you need one of the paintings, simply open the clasp and take out the painting; it's very convenient.
Baochai thought to herself, if this method could be applied to other places, wouldn't it save a lot of trouble?
"My sister's picture book is exquisitely made. If all picture books were made like this, any damaged ones could simply be removed and replaced by opening the snap closure. It would be very convenient."
“My nanny also said this method is good, so she specially had it made,” Daiyu said with a smile. “Last month, she even taught this quick-knotting method to Sister Feng. I heard that Second Brother Lian thought this method was very useful and presented it to Prince Xian’s mansion, where he was praised again!”
"Oh, then Sister Feng must thank you very much," Baochai said casually.
"Of course. But what can I do? She was my nanny's student! My nanny said that since her student is a little slow, a teacher should teach her more; she should also share good things with her; who knows, it might save her life!"
Daiyu often heard Yuan Hongqu teasing Sister Feng like this. She was puzzled. Sister Feng was clearly not stupid. She had only been learning to read with Granny Yuan for half a year, and she could already recite many Tang and Song poems. Why would Granny Yuan say that she was stupid?
However, Yuan Hongqu did not hide these words from others; not only Daiyu heard them, but also Baoyu from the three springs.
Sometimes Daiyu would think that since her nanny had taught her for so long and never called her stupid, it seemed that in her nanny's mind she was still clever.
"Sister Feng is so lucky." Baochai felt a little envious. Why didn't she meet a good teacher like Granny Yuan?
Daiyu is one thing, but Yuan Mama put her first. But Feng Jie is someone Yuan Mama only met after arriving in the capital. How did she come to be so popular with Yuan Mama?
However, Granny Yuan seemed to have a prejudice against her, and always treated her with indifference.
Baochai was very puzzled.
Ying'er, carrying the picture book, followed the girl to Pear Fragrance Courtyard.
This picture book is thick and heavy, like two bricks.
Ying'er, a little girl, was getting tired of carrying the baby for a while, so she called over a nearby old woman to help carry her.
The old woman helped carry a picture album to Pear Fragrance Courtyard and received a large sum of money in return. After thanking Baochai, the old woman was overjoyed and said...
"Miss Bao, did you borrow these patterns from Miss Lin? The Rongyue Courtyard's needlework room copied all the patterns in here. We saw some we liked, and they were very generous, giving us quite a few. Look at this embroidered piece I'm wearing..." The old woman tugged at her embroidered cotton-padded jacket.
"This is called cornflower. It's the simplest thing to embroider, and it has a good meaning. Even I, who don't often use needles and thread, can embroider it."
Baochai carefully examined the embroidery on the old woman's cotton coat; the pattern was indeed unusual. Feeling a little anxious, she quickly asked...
"Have you tried all of these tricks?"
The old woman laughed, "We don't have that kind of skill. We can only pick one or two simple flowers from the picture book to use. We can't use the whole picture."
Baochai felt slightly relieved, but then the old woman said...
"However, I heard that Second Madam Lian has several skirts, all with the same pattern. The ladies and mistresses outside all like them very much and are asking where the pattern came from!"
Baochai's heart sank.
Within three days, Baochai returned the album.
Yuan Hongqu took the album and handed it over to someone to keep safe.
Baochai returned the album so quickly, but Yuan Hongqu didn't think much of it. She was currently trying to coax a child who didn't want to eat pastries.
"Daiyu doesn't like this lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake?"
Yuan Hongqu smiled as she looked at Daiyu. The main kitchen had specially sent over some pastries, saying they were made according to an ancient recipe, and that Miss Lin should also try them.
Daiyu pouted as she looked at the pastries on the table, but she had no appetite.
"Grandma, this is covered in sugar, osmanthus syrup, and honey. I know it'll be cloyingly sweet without even tasting it." She frowned. "I think they added at least twice the amount of sugar! Our homemade version is much better; it's refreshing and not too sweet at all."
"Why don't you try making it yourself?" Yuan Hongqu said with a smile, looking at Daiyu's well-reasoned and seemingly professional criticisms of the shortcomings.
Daiyu was eager to try, "Granny, when it's done, I want to give it to the old lady to try, to see what real lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake is like."
Yuan Hongqu chuckled. The little girl was quite serious; she was really going to learn how to make pastries!
The girl was going to make pastries, so the people in the kitchen quickly wiped the table and work surface again.
The others then displayed items such as lotus root starch and osmanthus flowers.
Daiyu solemnly tied on a small apron, which was always kept in the kitchen. Originally, Daiyu used to make snacks for the cats with Yuan Hongqu, so the sewing room specially made a few small aprons according to Daiyu's height.
"Granny, what should we do first?"
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