Re-embroidering life

Shui Qinghua racked her brains for Dong Yajing's dress for the palace banquet. There was only one month left before the palace banquet, and there were so many processes to go through, including drafting, pattern making, embroidery, and finishing. Just thinking about it made her scalp numb. The time was too tight.

The words have been spoken, and we must keep doing it even if it takes no sleep.

At this time, Shui Qinghua missed her right-hand men, Jinlan, Yuhua and Huixin. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt that she had forgotten something. It turned out to be Jinlan!

Jinlan returned to Beijing to get married. At first, she sent a few letters to him, but after she got married, she lost contact with him. Shui Qinghua understood that a woman would have to face complicated relationships and tedious household affairs after getting married, so he didn't want to disturb her too much. It had been a long time since they had contacted. Now that he had come to Beijing, he had to see her no matter what.

Shui Qinghua didn't know where the Chen family was, she only knew that the family Jinlan married was surnamed Zhao, and her father-in-law was a sixth-rank official. There were so many people surnamed Zhao in the capital, and looking for such a family was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

It was Ji Zimo who solved her worries again: "If you can't find the Chen family or the Zhao family, you can look for the Fang family. Fang Hanlin is considered my master, and I was planning to visit him. The Fang and Chen families are relatives, so Fang Hanlin must know where the Chen family is."

The next day, Ji Zimo went to visit Fang Hanlin. Since receiving Ji Zimo's "Deer Singing", Fang Hanlin has been full of praise for his novel composition of poetry and painting. He hung it in his study to appreciate it day and night, and also invited many literary friends to appreciate it together. Before Ji Zimo came to Beijing, his name had already spread in the Hanlin Academy.

Fang Hanlin was very happy to see Ji Zimo, and taught him everything he knew about the examination rules. At the end, he said a little embarrassedly: "Look at me, I forgot that you are Dong Daru's last disciple. Dong Daru must have taught you these things a long time ago."

Ji Zimo answered sincerely: "My dear teacher did mention it, but my dear teacher has been in seclusion for many years, and the rules of the examination have changed a lot. Your words just now have helped me to fill in the gaps and I have benefited a lot."

Fang Hanlin was greatly relieved. In the two meetings, this guy was calm and steady, and his words were flawless. He was not defeated even when Prefect Huang secretly targeted him that day. He was a good candidate for an official position. When he heard that Ji Zimo was looking for the Chen family, he not only wrote down the address of the Chen family, but also wrote a note in his own name and gave it to Ji Zimo.

The next day, Shui Qinghua went to the Chen family with Fang Hanlin's invitation and asked to meet Mrs. Chen, Chen Jinlan's mother.

After sitting in the hall for a while, I heard the sound of fabric rubbing against each other, and Mrs. Chen walked in. She was wearing a dark brown brocade gown with intricate patterns embroidered on the hem. Her hair was neatly combed and pierced with a few gold hairpins, but the style was a bit old-fashioned. She had a thin face, high cheekbones, and her skin was fairly fair, but it was hard to hide the traces of time, especially in the middle of her eyebrows, where she had several deep vertical lines due to years of frowning.

Behind her followed a thin young wife, who kept looking down at her toes.

Shui Qinghua stood up and saluted, explaining her purpose, hoping to meet Chen Jinlan. Mrs. Chen had a blank expression on her face, and her words were cold: "Thank you for your concern, Madam Shui. Jinlan is living well in her husband's family, so there is no need to disturb her."

Shui Qinghua was surprised by Madam Chen's attitude: "I won't disturb her. I just want to see her once. I'll feel relieved if she's doing well. After all, I'm her master..."

Madam Chen interrupted her impatiently, "What master? I am Jinlan's mother. She must get my consent to become your disciple. If I don't acknowledge it, it doesn't count."

Shui Qinghua couldn't help but said, "Madam, please be careful with your words. Jinlan's apprenticeship was a grand ceremony. Madam Chen presided over it personally, and all the relatives of the Chen family watched the ceremony. You can't just say you don't recognize him."

Madam Chen snorted coldly: "Since it is the old lady who presided over it, you can go find the old lady. I will not admit it, and I will not let you disturb Jin Lan."

The young wife seemed to see this, and after a while she thought about it, she stammered, "Mother, actually my sister mentioned her master to me..."

"Is it your turn to interrupt when your elders are talking? As a woman, you should behave in a dignified and steady manner. You should not be afraid of losing face for the family when you show your face in public and mix with men!" Mrs. Chen scolded her daughter-in-law with a stern face.

Shui Qinghua understood what was said. Being a soft persimmon and letting others take advantage of her was a thing of the past life. "Madam Chen, I don't mind your complaints about me, I just have different ideas. But if you take it out on Jinlan and prevent her from socializing normally, that's not right. Whether you recognize me or not, I am Jinlan's master. I will find her, and if she is not doing well, I will make the decision for her. If you don't accept it, go find your mother-in-law."

After saying that, Shui Qinghua turned around and was about to leave.

Madam Chen said in a trembling voice behind her, "I am Jinlan's mother, and I only want the best for her. If you hadn't instigated and led her astray, how could she have become alienated from me and not be content to be the daughter-in-law of the Zhao family! I will never let Jinlan see you again!"

Shui Qinghua paused for a moment, then quickened her pace and left the Chen family.

After walking out of the Chen family's gate, Shui Qinghua was upset and walked aimlessly on the street. The sky suddenly darkened, dark clouds gathered overhead, and cold raindrops fell on Shui Qinghua's face. She brushed them away. Two young women ran past her with a bunch of snacks and rouge and powder in their hands. The smiles on their faces hurt Shui Qinghua. Jin Lan used to be so innocent and happy, but where is she now?

As the palace banquet approached, Shui Qinghua could only devote herself to embroidering Yajing's palace skirt. She brought a message to Yajing, asking her to send someone to find Chen Jinlan. She had no connections or manpower in the capital, so she could only ask her for help.

On this day, Shui Qinghua was concentrating on her work when Lan Xin knocked on the door and came in, saying that when she went out to buy vegetables, a little beggar stuffed a note into her hand and ran away. She opened it and saw only four words on it: Dengcao Hutong.

Shui Qinghua stood up suddenly and said, "Lan Xin, go to the street and ask someone where Dengcao Hutong is, then rent a carriage and we'll go there right away!"

Dengcao Hutong is located in Huanghuafang in the southeast of the city. It is said that this place is close to the Lantern Market and got its name because of the sale of lantern grass. On the way, Lan Xin asked: "Third Madam, who did you say passed me the note?"

The image of the young daughter-in-law of the Chen family flashed before Shui Qinghua's eyes. She must be Jinlan's sister-in-law.

As the carriage entered the alley, Shui Qinghua lifted a corner of the curtain and quietly looked around. This place was in a very good location, not an ordinary residential area. Along the way, she saw many wealthy families.

As we walked and asked, we finally found the Zhao family. The gate of the house was similar to those of the surrounding wealthy families. Now the paint on the gate was peeling off, revealing the cracked wood underneath. A group of ants were happily crawling in the gaps. The lantern hanging on the door was covered with dust, and the silk thread hanging below the lantern had long faded in the wind and rain.

This scene seemed familiar. Shui Qinghua thought about it for a moment and it reminded her of the Ji family's old house in Yuquan Town. Wasn't it the same scene? The ancestors were rich, but the family fell into decline.

Lan Xin handed in a invitation, saying that an old friend came to visit and wanted to meet the young lady of your family, whose surname is Chen.

Seeing that they were dressed in ordinary clothes, the concierge was obviously not a noble, and he made a gesture to drive them away: "Do you think our young mistress can be seen whenever she wants? Go away!"