Re-embroidering life

The embroidery painting "Landscape in the Style of Mi" was worth twice as much because of Dong Daru's inscription and seal, and was bought by the Shangshu Mansion of the Ministry of Rites for two thousand taels. It happened to be the 70th birthday of the old lady of the Shangshu Mansion, and the screen was taken out for guests to appreciate on that day.

"Who is Ms. Furong? How could she have received an inscription from Mr. Dong?" someone asked.

"I remember now," a young man from a noble family who was studying at the Imperial College patted his head, "I once heard from a senior brother that Master Dong once saw a landscape screen imitating Mi at the home of Ji Hanlin, the top scholar of this year's imperial examination. He praised it for its exquisite craftsmanship and said that his peers could not even compare to it. It is said that the screen was made by Madam Ji, and Master Dong even called her the Saint of Needlework."

"Needle Saint? That's really high praise, her skills are really worthy of it!" The guests exclaimed.

In this way, the name of "Needle Saint" Furong Jushi spread, and naturally it also reached the ears of Princess Dihua.

"Needle Saint? There are so many embroiderers from the palace in my Jing Embroidery Workshop, but none of them is worthy of the title of Needle Saint? They are all trash!" Princess Dihua was furious, her beautiful face was distorted, and everyone in the embroidery workshop knelt down.

Soon, the court issued an edict: the Empress Dowager's birthday was approaching, and the Empress Dowager had always liked embroidery. To show his filial piety, the Emperor would hold an embroidery conference in the capital. He would collect embroidery works from the palace embroidery bureau, government-run embroidery workshops and the public, and select the three best ones to present to the Empress Dowager.

Shui Qinghua also heard the news, but she didn't take it seriously. She was trying to stay as far away from the royal family as possible.

She didn't look for trouble, but trouble looked for her. That day, an eunuch came to the Ji family.

The eunuch held his head high and squinted his eyes at the people: "The Queen Mother has given her an order. I heard that Ms. Furong is known as a needle saint among the people. She is allowed to participate in the embroidery conference. She must submit her embroidery on time without any mistakes."

Shui Qinghua quietly handed over a purse and said, "Eunuch, I just do some needlework in my boudoir in my spare time. The Needle Saint said that it was a joke from our master. How did it get to the Queen Mother's ears?"

The eunuch weighed his purse and looked better: "It was Princess Dihua who favored you and tried her best to persuade the Queen Mother, otherwise you would not be qualified. Embroider well and don't let the noble lady down."

Shui Qinghua had already guessed it. She didn't cause trouble, but she wasn't afraid of it either. Now she was aroused to fight: "When it comes to embroidery skills, I, Shui Qinghua, have never lost. I will definitely not let you down, Princess Dihua."

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. To celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday, you must first understand her preferences. Shui Qinghua handed a note to the Third Prince's Mansion.

This was the first time Dong Yajing had seen her since her wedding a few months ago. The daughters cried out that they missed Aunt Dong, so they took her along as well.

The Prince's Palace is majestic and magnificent, showing the royal style. The mansion is connected to three areas, the middle is high, the left and right are slightly lower, and there are about seven courtyards in depth. Looking around, there are countless houses, only continuous tiles, repeated gables, staggered eaves, and carriages and horses filling the gates.

Shui Qinghua and her daughter sat in a sedan chair at the entrance and walked for a quarter of an hour before arriving at the main courtyard of the prince's wife. The courtyard was shaded by green bamboos, and the elegance of the "Youhuangli" in the past could be vaguely seen. Shui Qinghua nodded secretly, it seemed that the third prince still understood Yajing.

Dong Yajing sat in the room, her belly slightly bulging. The mother and daughters bowed according to the rules, and Dong Yajing hurriedly asked Qingzhu and Zizhu to help them up.

Dong Yajing, who was pregnant, became a little plumper, her face showed more kindness, and she began to radiate maternal radiance.

"How is your Majesty?" Shui Qinghua's eyes were a little moist.

"I'm fine," Dong Yajing smiled, her bright eyes and white teeth showing more clearly. Several daughters gathered around her boldly, calling her Auntie Dong, and Dong Yajing stroked their heads and pinched their little faces, showing her affection.

Dong Yajing looked at Ji Wei and joked, "Weier and I are not much different in age. Do you want to be a companion to the young prince or princess in the future?"

Shui Qinghua's heart skipped a beat. The baby in Dong Yajing's belly might be the future prince or princess, and she really didn't want her daughter to get involved in the royal family.

Just as I was about to refuse, Wei'er nodded and said loudly, "Okay."

Shui Qinghua was stunned and wanted to say something, but thinking that her daughter was different from others and had great ideas, she didn't say it.

Dong Yajing was already smiling: "Wei'er is the smartest, let your brothers and sisters learn from you." Shui Qinghua did not continue this topic, but instead asked about the Queen Mother's preferences.

"The Queen Mother is a Buddhist and has set up a small Buddhist temple in her bedroom. She burns incense, prays, and copies Buddhist scriptures every day." Dong Yajing said. The two of them lit up at the same time. Embroidering Buddha statues is their specialty!

The two were chatting when Qingzhu came in with an unhappy look on her face and reported, "Your Majesty, Concubine Liu came to pay her respects."

Dong Yajing said calmly, let her in.

Concubine Liu walked in with a swaying waist and a gentle manner, and bowed to Dong Yajing perfunctorily. Dong Yajing showed no anger at all and told her affectionately not to be polite.

Shui Qinghua brought the children to pay their respects to Concubine Liu, but Concubine Liu didn't even glance at them. She turned her face away with an arrogant look and didn't look at them.

This time Dong Yajing's face darkened. Just as she was about to explode, a child's voice rang out: "What a coincidence, I see you again!"

Concubine Liu shuddered slightly and turned her head to look. Sure enough, she saw the little devil. She had grown taller, was wearing a goose yellow skirt and a pearl necklace, and was looking at her with a smile.

For no reason, Concubine Liu was a little scared when she saw the child. A baby is smarter than an adult, maybe he is a monster.

Concubine Liu ignored her and rolled her eyes at Shui Qinghua. It turned out that this country woman gave birth to a wild child.

The baby saw her look and decided not to let Concubine Liu go: "Why did Auntie come to live in Auntie Dong's house? Where is the uncle who was holding your hand?"

Concubine Liu's sweat quickly poured down her cheeks. No matter how domineering she was, she was still a concubine. If her premarital secrets were exposed in front of the main wife, and if they were heard by the third prince... she didn't dare to think about it anymore.

"Oh, what a cute child," Concubine Liu quickly stood up and interrupted Ji Wei's innocent words, "Have a snack." Shut your mouth quickly.

Ji Wei smiled innocently, took the snack and ate it.

Dong Yajing looked at everything in front of her and said, "I have guests here. If you have nothing to do, go back and rest."

"Yes," Concubine Liu stood up lazily, looking weak and powerless, "I was too tired last night. I will go back to catch up on some sleep. I will not come to pay my respects to the queen tonight."

Dong Yajing and Shui Qinghua cursed in their hearts at the same time, saying how shameless it is to say this in front of the child. All your tutoring has been thrown to waste.

"Your Majesty," Shui Qinghua hesitated to speak.

Dong Yajing knew what she wanted to say at a glance: "Sister Shui, I'm fine. Although she is domineering, her mind is shallow and it is not difficult to deal with her. My goal is to assist my husband to ascend to a high position. Her family background can help me achieve my goal. What's wrong with tolerating her a little bit?"

Shui Qinghua admired Dong Yajing from the bottom of her heart. In her heart, the power and status represented by the third prince should be far greater than that of her husband.

"Yajing, with such a character, there is no need to worry about not achieving great things." Shui Qinghua subconsciously changed the address.