Re-embroidering life

Fei'er and Rui'er were very happy to hear that a beautiful auntie was coming to teach them to read. Shui Yuhua made a small bookcase for each of them, and they carried it on their backs and ran around the yard, filling the house with laughter. From time to time, Wei'er would cry a few times in her nurse's arms, as if protesting against not being taken to play.

These days, Shui Qinghua has been trying to focus on opening an embroidery workshop. When she faces Wei'er again, she feels much calmer. She remembered what Abbot Hongjing said, "Since you are here, make the best of it," and also thought of the words in her dream, "You can treat me as a friend." Give it a try! Life is so long, and it is impossible for a mother and daughter to not see or talk for a lifetime. With her temperament, it is even more impossible for them to become enemies. She can only adjust her mentality, try to face it, and raise the child well. If she is a good person, then be friends. If not, we can talk about it later.

Fei'er and Rui'er saw their mother and ran over to surround her. Fei'er remained reserved, while Rui'er ate candy while acting like a spoiled child. Shui Qinghua took the candy from her mouth without hesitation, called Yuhua and Qinxin, and told them that Rui'er's daily meals and snacks must be rationed, and candy must not be given. Whoever was soft-hearted would be punished. In this life, Shui Qinghua must control her mouth no matter what!

Rui'er cried loudly without her candy and rolled on the ground. Everyone was heartbroken, except Shui Qinghua. She returned to her room, spread out the rice paper, and planned to draw the inspiration for the embroidery. Shui Yuhua followed quietly in, "Second sister!"

"What's the matter?" Shui Qinghua didn't even raise her head.

"Second sister, I also want to learn embroidery. Can you teach me?" Shui Yuhua asked hesitantly.

Shui Qinghua put down her pen and looked at Yuhua seriously: "Needlework is hard, tiring, and strains the eyes. It also requires calmness and the ability to sit still. Can you do it?"

"I can!" Shui Yuhua said loudly, her eyes sparkling. "I also want to be a capable woman like my sisters. My eldest sister is full of poetry and books, and my second sister is an excellent embroidery artist. I can't just wait to get married without knowing anything."

Shui Qinghua patted her head lovingly: "Since you have such ambition, Second Sister will certainly support you."

"Second sister agreed!" Shui Yuhua shouted.

Shui Qinghua said, "You have learned some basic needlework at home, but your ability is still insufficient. From tomorrow on, you and Miss Dong will practice needlework for an hour every day."

"Okay!" Shui Yuhua responded happily and ran out to play with Fei'er Ruier.

That day, Qinghua and Yuhua cleaned up a room in the yard, swept it thoroughly, burned very light incense, and placed three embroidery frames.

At the agreed time, Dong Yajing arrived as expected.

Yajing, Yuhua and Fei'er officially started learning embroidery from that day on. The three of them had different levels of proficiency. Yajing had received instruction from famous masters since she was young, and her level was the highest, so she could start embroidering directly. Yuhua had some basic skills, but she couldn't do the more complicated needlework. Fei'er was completely a blank slate, and she started from scratch.

Qinghua taught the students in accordance with their aptitude and set up different courses for the three of them. Yuhua and Fei'er were at a lower level, so she gave them a brief explanation and let them practice on their own. She focused most of her energy on Yajing.

"The so-called embroidery painting, embroidery is painting, painting is embroidery, using needle and thread as brush and ink, the same as calligraphy and painting. Embroidery skills are important, but there are many embroiderers who are good at embroidery. Why can't many of them make embroidery paintings? Because what is more important than embroidery skills is the painting concept. Good embroidery cannot be done rigidly according to the drawings, but it is created based on the understanding of the interest and rhyme of the painting. If you don't understand this level, you will lose the craftsmanship."

Dong Yajing suddenly became enlightened. She had been learning painting since she was young, and her painting skills were extraordinary. Shui Qinghua had never studied painting seriously, but she was extremely talented, and she spent a lot of time trying to understand the mountains, rivers, natural scenery, and the meaning of painting in the world. The two of them came to the same conclusion through different paths, and their understanding of embroidery painting was naturally less artificial and more spiritual.

“Some people incorporate painting into embroidery, some incorporate poetry into embroidery, and some incorporate nature into embroidery. Embroidery skills are only the basics. If you are not proficient in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and are not close to nature, the objects you embroider will lack poetic and picturesque meanings and will not be lifelike, and you will not be able to become a master of embroidery.” This is Shui Qinghua’s understanding, and Dong Yajing agrees with her.

Under Shui Qinghua's guidance, Dong Yajing made rapid progress. She already had a lot of techniques, but what she lacked was how to flexibly use these techniques and needlework to express different painting ideas.

"For example, this work is mainly embroidered with plum blossoms, and is complemented by camellia and green bamboo." Shui Qinghua pointed to an embroidery piece brought by Dong Yajing, which showed a magnificent red plum blossom, a bunch of red camellia, and a magpie singing loudly, creating a bright and beautiful spring mood. "It's a pity that your needlework is too simple and does not fully express the mood. If you combine loose needlework, needlework, rolling needlework, straight needlework, and empty needlework, you can present a more prosperous and gorgeous scene."

Yajing tried it as Qinghua said and saw amazing results. She couldn't help but be convinced by Qinghua.

Qinghua also felt that Yajing was very smart. Her attainments in poetry, calligraphy and painting far surpassed his own. With a little guidance, she could understand everything. As the saying goes, teaching and learning benefit each other, Qinghua also learned a lot from Yajing. The two of them felt that they had met too late.

In the afternoon, it was Yajing's turn to teach Fei'er and Rui'er. Qinghua and Yuhua were also average in poetry and literature, so they followed to listen. In addition to poetry and literature, Yajing also taught the girls some etiquette and rules of the family at Qinghua's request. Qinghua came from a poor family, which was her shortcoming, and this was also the most criticized by her mother-in-law. She hoped that her daughters would grow up to be well-educated, sensible and considerate ladies like Miss Dong.

At the end of the day, everyone gained a lot and showed unprecedented enthusiasm for learning. From adults to children, everyone was eagerly looking forward to the next class. After all, Dong Yajing was a rich girl and could only come once every three days. In the meantime, she arranged homework and everyone practiced on their own.

This day's teaching made Shui Qinghua clearly see her own disadvantages. Compared with Dong Yajing, her poetry, calligraphy and painting were too weak, which would greatly limit her performance in embroidery. The new needlework alone was not enough to support her to go further, and she had to work harder.