The Peach Blossoms White by the Village Edge

Chapter 4: The Gift of Clothing

Qu Feng didn't bother Qu Qingjiang) with his concerns, and she didn't ask about what happened in the ancestral hall. After lunch, the father and daughter went about their separate tasks.

Qu Qingjiang returned to the courtyard and sorted the plant dyes she had collected. She then took the stems and leaves of the woad and the leaves of the indigo , cleaned them thoroughly, and soaked them in water. This was the first step in extracting the dye, a process that would take several days. During this time, she could collect some silkworm cocoons to spin silk threads.

In fact, both silk threads and dyed threads could be bought at the local grass market or county town shops, so she didn't need to do these tasks herself. However, the silk threads for embroideryhad to be delicate, uniform, and of consistent thickness. Threads bought from the market often varied in texture or thickness and rarely met her standards. Consequently, when she couldn't find suitable silk threads, she simply spun them herself. The same applied to the dyes.

Because of her high standards for silk threads and colors, combined with her exceptional embroidery skills, her embroidery work was highly sought after, and her reputation spread throughout Qingjiang County. When she was thirteen or fourteen, many wealthy families invited her to teach the women of their households in embroidery, and there were also students who came to seek her guidance.

She wasn't reluctant to share her experience and techniques, but she usually only found time to teach after completing a piece of embroidery, so during these periods, few people would disturb her.

Qu Qingjiang went to the silkworm house to get some silkworm cocoons. As she was about to leave, she heard someone complaining outside. At first, she didn't catch what was being said, but when she lifted the door curtain and went outside, she realized it was her father's other concubine, Tian Shi, washing clothes by the well and muttering, "In just half a day, her clothes got so dirty. It doesn't look like she just fell and got dirty; it seems like she rolled around on the ground for quite a while!"

She awkwardly stood in place, unsure whether to pretend she hadn't heard anything and leave or to casually greet the person.

Before she could decide whether to greet her, Tian Shi had already noticed her presence and awkwardly closed her mouth. After a moment, likely feeling that the atmosphere was too awkward, she forced a smile and said, "Sister, are you picking silkworm cocoons?"

"Mm." Qingjian replied with a smile, "Next time, I'll try to roll around only once, so you won't have to work so hard."

Tian Shi: "......"

Tian Shi had hoped that Qu Qingjiang hadn't heard her comments, but Qu Qingjiang's response abruptly shattered her self-deception.

Tian Shi, with a thick-skinned smile, said, "Hehe, Jie'er, you really know how to joke."

Qu Qingjiang had no intention of pursuing the matter further. She walked away, carrying the basket of silkworm cocoons.

After Tian Shi was sure she couldn't see Qu Qingjiang's figure, she murmured, "When I have a son..." Her voice grew fainter and was eventually drowned out by the sound of washing clothes.

Qu Qingjiang stayed busy until dusk. At dinner, she ate the bamboo shoot and meat buns made by Li Shi and found herself thinking about Zhao Changxia.

After quietly finishing dinner, Qu Qingjiang nonchalantly asked Li Shi, "The bamboo shoot and meat buns you made are so fresh and delicious. Are there any left?"

Li Shi replied, "Yes, I made quite a few, and they are steaming in the steamer."

Qu Feng was somewhat surprised and asked, "Leniang, it seems like your appetite has increased?"