The Peach Blossoms White by the Village Edge

Chapter 107: Feeding

Yue Yaofang spent a long time contemplating the sachet, and Luo Chunjiu, noticing her unusual behavior, took another close look. This time, she vaguely saw traces of Qu Qingjiang's influence in the sachet.

When Luo Chunjiu went back to find Qu Qingjiang, she had already noticed that Qu Qingjiang's needlework was different from others. The Wenxiu Courtyard typically did "Imperial Embroidery" for the court and nobility, using gold and colored threads, while most people used velvet threads. Regardless of the type, the threads were twisted from two strands. However, Qu Qingjiang's threads were half as thin as the usual ones!

Luo Chunjiu initially did not recognize it because the colors used in this sachet were very bold and eye-catching, differing somewhat from Qu Qingjiang's previous style.

Just as Luo Chunjiu was about to ask about the origins of the sachet, Yue Yaofang had already inquired, "Why doesn't the princess find the embroiderer of this sachet?"

The Shaofu Bureau official responded, "The princess doesn't know who the embroiderer is. Recently, the younger brother of Prince Wang and a young lady from the Wu family got married, and this sachet was brought as a return gift from the Wu family. The princess saw it and liked it very much, asking Wu about the origin of the sachet. Wu only said it was a gift from her sister, who bought it during the dragon boat races and didn't know the embroiderer's background."

Yue Yaofang's eyes flickered, and she said, "I'll take a risk and give it a try."

Having someone volunteer for the task was better than the Shaofu Bureau official running back to the princess and saying no one could replicate it. With over three hundred of the best embroiderers gathered at the Wenxiu Courtyard, it would be embarrassing if they couldn't match the work of an obscure embroiderer. Such news would be laughable!

"Once it's done, send it to the princess's residence," the Shaofu Bureau official instructed, leaving the matter to Yue Yaofang.

After the official left, Yue Yaofang asked Yue Yaofang, "Can you really do it? It's not your usual style."

"I have to try," Yue Yaofang said pragmatically.

Yue Yaofang didn't press further. Luo Chunjiu approached and whispered, "You recognized who made this, didn't you?"

Yue Yaofang feigned surprise: "I didn't figure it out. Did you, Luo?"

Luo Chunjiu studied her for a moment before saying, "This is probably embroidered by Le Niang. You've seen her work before and even discussed her techniques with the Courtyard Manager, so you should be familiar with her style. If you really can't recognize it, it means you haven't mastered the craft well."

With that, Luo Chunjiu left, remarking as she went, "I'm getting old and will soon retire. This position should be held by someone with genuine skill."

Yue Yaofang understood the implication—she wasn't deemed qualified to take the position!

Watching Luo Chunjiu's retreating figure, Yue Yaofang's expression was hard to decipher. As she released her grip, her previously smooth sleeve was now wrinkled.

Since Qu Qingjiang had been exchanging and discussing embroidery techniques with the Pu family from Chengdu and the Qian family from Suzhou, she had not only applied certain techniques from Sichuan and Suzhou embroidery to her own work but had also been inspired to rethink the traditional understanding of the "Double-Sided Exotic Color Embroidery."

While her thoughts were still fresh, Qu Qingjiang immersed herself in her work, often neglecting sleep and food, researching into the late hours.

Zhao Changxia didn't want to disturb her, fearing it would break her concentration. After reheating the meal three times and worrying that she might starve herself, she brought the food to her personally, saying, "My dear, if this eye ointment is making you lose track of time, I'll throw it away."