Other people's embroidery is worth two taels, while his own is worth two cents. How could Zhang Xiaochun accept this?
She took her embroidery and visited all the embroidery shops.
But in the end, we got the same result: two cents.
Zhang Xiaochun reluctantly sold her embroidery and returned home cursing. Her embroidery was much more beautiful than Erya's, so why was it worthless? Xu Xingchen must have taught her some secret techniques!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, but she didn't dare to make a fuss anymore, for fear that Xu Xingchen would take the blame again if he got upset!
In the end, Zhang Xiaochun could only follow Erya secretly, trying to find evidence of her having a private relationship with him.
Three days later.
Xu Xingchen inspected the bungalow and asked, "Has everyone finished their first embroidery?"
The women in the embroidery class all had smiles on their faces: "It's done. Sister Xu, come and help me see how I embroidered it." The person who spoke was Zhou Xiaoniang, who was waving while holding the embroidery.
Xu Xingchen walked over and took a look, then nodded: "This embroidery is good, very detailed."
Zhou Xiaoniang had quarreled with Zhang Xiaochun before, but she is more at ease now that she has calmed down.
Look, I’ve seen results after just a few days of study.
Zhou Xiaoniang smiled and said, "Even our master said that my embroidery is good, so there is really nothing wrong with it. I plan to take this embroidery to the embroidery shop this afternoon to see what price I can sell it for."
Others also had the same idea. After learning silk embroidery for so long, it’s time to check the results!
Xu Xingchen thought about it and decided that since he had nothing to do in the afternoon, he might as well take them to the embroidery shop.
"I'll go with you."
After lunch, the group set off with their respective works. It was the same embroidery shop as before. The young man who had previously had a conflict with Xu Xingchen was clearly very impressed by her. As soon as he saw her, he hurried into the inner room. A moment later, the young man led a slightly overweight middle-aged woman out.
He introduced: "Boss, this is the person who sold the embroidery last time."
The proprietress greeted them with a smile, and when she learned that they were all there to sell embroidery, she invited them into the inner room.
She checked the embroidery she brought one by one.
The proprietress nodded in satisfaction: "The quality of this embroidery is a little lower than last time, but it's still good. We bought it all."
Xu Xingchen asked, "How much do you charge?"
The proprietress thought about it for a moment and gave a figure. This figure was slightly lower than the last time Xu Xingchen and Erya came to sell, but it was still within an acceptable range.
After all, the women in the embroidery class have just learned to do thread embroidery not long ago, and their embroidery skills still have a lot of room for improvement.
Seeing that there was no objection, Xu Xingchen agreed. The proprietress was also a straightforward person and settled the money immediately.
The women were grinning from ear to ear as they held the money.
Just as they were about to leave with the money, the proprietress suddenly stepped forward and blocked their way. "Wait a moment, I have something else to discuss! A few days ago, the county magistrate's daughter ordered a skirt from our embroidery shop for thirty taels. I see that your embroidery skills are quite good, so I'm wondering if you'd be willing to take on this commission?"
Thirty taels of silver? This amount shocked many people. How much food could thirty taels of silver buy?
Their eyes sparkled, and they nodded quickly, agreeing, "We can take this task!"
"I disagree."
Among the crowd, only Xu Xingchen remained rational and didn't lose her mind to the pie. She asked the boss lady, "Are there any additional requirements for making this skirt?"
The proprietress nodded: "I guess so. The lady didn't mention any requirements, just that it has to be exquisitely made and beautiful."
The women immediately responded, "You've seen our embroidery, boss lady. We can guarantee it's exquisite and beautiful!"
"Yes, I wanted to give the job to you because I saw the embroidery."
The proprietress said, "If you are willing to accept the task, please pay a deposit of five taels. When the skirt is ready and the lady is satisfied, the deposit will be returned in full."
Xu Xingchen keenly noticed the key point: "What if she is not satisfied?"
The lady boss said solemnly: "Of course the deposit will not be refunded."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present stared.
It is normal to ask for a deposit when making clothes. After all, the patterns and fabrics have to be obtained from the embroidery shop, but five taels of silver is really too expensive!
And there is a risk that the money will not be returned!
The proprietress saw through their hesitation and sighed, "I know this is excessive, but please understand our difficulties. The county magistrate's daughter paid a huge price for this dress, and we wouldn't dare neglect it even if we had a hundred guts!"
Xu Xingchen frowned: "I need to think about this."
The proprietress thought that they were the best embroiderers, and five taels of silver was indeed a bit expensive, so she agreed.
"Then you should think about it first and give me an answer tomorrow."
The group said goodbye to the proprietress and returned to Sanwan Village.
Xu Xingchen brought a stool and sat in the yard to think carefully. Should he accept this task or not?
Jun Haoyue finished his work and walked towards her: "Xingchen, did you get into trouble when you went to town today? Why do you look so depressed when you came back?"
Xu Xingchen turned around and said, "No trouble, I just encountered a multiple-choice question. You came just in time, please help me with some reference!"
She told him what happened at the embroidery shop today.
Finally, she asked Jun Haoyue: "Do you think I should take this mission?"
Jun Haoyue smiled and said, "Actually, you already have the answer in your heart."
Xu Xingchen has always been a man with his own ideas.
Seeing his thoughts being seen through, Xu Xingchen simply said straight to the point: "Yes, I do have an idea, which is to accept it! But there is a big problem in front of us. We have no money!"
Five taels of silver is not a small amount, it is all her belongings!
It is precisely because of poverty that Xu Xingchen is so conflicted.
"Don't worry, I still have some money here, you can use it to pay the deposit." Jun Haoyue said and went to get the money.
Xu Xingchen was a little moved. Five taels of silver was still too much. It would take an ordinary person half a year to save up that much money. She couldn't let Jun Haoyue pay for it: "That's not necessary. There's no reason for you to pay for a woman's affairs!"
Jun Haoyue raised an eyebrow: "Then what are you going to do? Are you willing to give up this mission?"
Xu Xingchen pursed his lips and said, "Of course I'm unwilling... Oh, by the way, maybe I can ask other people if they're willing to take it. If they are, if everyone contributes a little, we can definitely raise enough money!"
At this moment she thought of her mission.
If the county magistrate's daughter's skirt can be made, then Sanwan Village will be one step closer to having enough food to eat.
We must fight for this!
"I'm going out for a while!"
Before she finished her words, she rushed out and called all the women in the embroidery class to the bungalow.
After everyone arrived, Xu Xingchen coughed lightly and said, "I called you here now mainly to talk about the mission. Is anyone willing to make a skirt with me?"
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