The Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons Embroidery, stitched with golden threads, was eventually hung on a wall where it could be seen with a mere glance.
After some laughter and chatter, Madam Manoban intentionally invited her niece to stay for dinner. Krystal, however, did not want to witness her cousin and cousin’s wife’s displays of affection any longer. She coughed lightly into her handkerchief, prompting Madam Manoban to express her concern repeatedly.
Under the watchful eyes of her aunt and cousin, Krystal boarded the carriage for her return journey. As the carriage curtains fell, her expression turned sour.
The carriage rumbled away from Furong Street. Inside, her maid inquired, “Miss?”
Krystal nervously twisted her handkerchief. “Do you think my cousin has figured it out? Why else would he look at me so oddly?”
Feeling guilty, Krystal’s maid thought back carefully, utterly confused. “Did he?”
Of course, he did!
Putting everything else aside, given Krystal’s affection for Lisa, even a slight frown from Lisa would have her pondering for ages. Over time, she had come to understand her cousin as well as her own aunt.
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. She muttered to herself, “I hope my cousin doesn’t think I’m trying to stir up trouble.”
“…..”
Her maid was speechless but thought to herself: Are you doing a good deed? That huge embroidery, with all those different babies, anyone with eyes would be stressed out seeing so many joyous chubby children every day. It would drive anyone crazy thinking about having kids.
Krystal brushed away her worries and chuckled, “It’s not my problem to worry about, who cares about others?”
She changed her tone, and her maid obediently lowered her head.
……
Lisa was staring blankly at the wall when footsteps sounded behind her, bringing her back to her senses.
“Is it beautiful?”
“No, it’s not.”
She was being honest. Her cousin was frail and had to be cared for constantly. Embroidery, a meticulous task, was draining. Her cousin’s skills were rudimentary, and her work couldn’t compare to even the least skilled embroiderers in the household.
Moreover, the meaning behind “Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons” didn’t sit well with Lisa. The idea of countless offspring was exhausting to even think about.
Not wanting to sugarcoat her words, Jennie, fearing Lisa’s bluntness might hurt her cousin’s feelings, hooked her hand and led her outside. Lisa, not daring to be careless, supported her as they walked forward.
YOU ARE READING
On the Wedding Night - JENLISA
Historical FictionJennie kim is a blind woman who has grown up with the constant mistreatment and belittlement from her parents and servants. They take pleasure in laughing at her expense. However, her life takes a sudden and unexpected turn when she is welcomed into...
