Chapter 23: Shu Embroidery
"Indeed, the embroidery is exquisite, with the charm of Shu embroidery," Second Madam remarked as she examined the handkerchief, where the orchid was exceptionally well-stitched.
Yet her mind was preoccupied with another matter—this handkerchief had been produced by Ye Xian... How had Gu Jinzhao's handkerchief ended up in Ye Xian's hands?
She turned to Jinchao and asked softly, "Chaojie, is this handkerchief truly yours?"
Gu Jinzhao took a deep breath, stood up, and replied calmly, "Perhaps the Young Marquis is mistaken. If this were my handkerchief, how could it have come into his possession?"
Ye Xian stood beneath the winter plum tree, the pale sunlight casting a glow over him. He smiled and said, "In the upper left corner, the name 'Jinchao' is embroidered in water-green thread. I couldn’t possibly mistake that."
Gu Jinzhao clenched her hands. How had she offended the heir of Marquis Changxing to warrant such treatment? A young lady’s handkerchief ending up in another man’s hands—if she couldn’t explain this clearly, it would spell trouble! Moreover, among the noble young ladies present, many had their eyes set on the heir of Marquis Changxing. She had no intention of competing, nor did she wish to become a target of envy.
Quickly regaining her composure, she touched her sleeve and feigned surprise. "Ah, my handkerchief really is missing. Perhaps I dropped it earlier at the opera pavilion. How thoughtful of the Young Marquis to return it."
Ye Xian tilted his head slightly, as if reproaching her. "Why do you call me 'Young Marquis'? You should address me as 'Uncle'!"
"...Yes, Uncle." Faced with this young man who was practically her age, Jinchao had no choice but to yield to his unconventional behavior.
Fortunately, Gu Jinxian interjected, "We returned to the opera pavilion, but you were no longer there. Instead, we found Eldest Cousin’s handkerchief left on the table. Uncle picked it up casually, praising the orchid embroidery. What kind of orchid is this? It looks quite rare—could it be Jianlan?"
Jinchao replied, "This orchid is called Four Seasons Orchid. It resembles the plain-hearted Jianlan, and some even consider it a variety of Jianlan. However, the Four Seasons Orchid has lighter leaves with distinct veins, leading some to classify it as a new species. These orchids are commonly found in misty mountain streams in the south."
Gu Jinxian’s eyes lit up instantly. "You’re knowledgeable about orchids?" He stepped closer to Jinchao, excitement evident. "I adore cultivating orchids, but our family lacks an orchid manual, and the ones I’ve found outside are nothing special. Eldest Cousin, may I consult you in the future if I have questions?"
As cousins sharing the same surname, the usual propriety between unrelated men and women didn’t apply as strictly.
Jinchao smiled and nodded. "You’re always welcome."
Second Madam showed the handkerchief to the others, and everyone marveled at the exquisite orchid embroidery.
Gu Lian, humiliated and recalling her mother’s earlier scolding, bit her lip before finally speaking up. "Eldest Cousin, even if the handkerchief is yours, did you really embroider the pattern yourself? The butterfly on your embroidery frame looked rather clumsy—how could you produce such a beautiful design? Lan Er has also mentioned that you’re not skilled in needlework. Why don’t you demonstrate your embroidery for us? We’d love to see."
Gu Lan sipped her tea quietly, the jade bracelet on her wrist tinkling faintly. She said nothing.
Of course, she was pleased to see Gu Lian stir trouble. The moment she saw the handkerchief, she knew it couldn’t be Gu Jinzhao’s work—she had seen Jinzhao’s embroidery before, crooked and hideous. What did it matter if she had learned from Master Xue?At this thought, she felt somewhat resentful. Clearly, she was the one with greater natural talent in needlework between the two sisters. Why had Father invited Master Xue to teach only Gu Jinzhao? Was she not also a daughter of the Gu family?
Gu Jinzhao took a deep breath. She had no desire to stand out or draw attention, yet someone was relentlessly pushing her. If that was the case, she wasn’t one to be bullied either! Jinchao raised her head with a smile. "A single butterfly can hardly count. Would Chen Mama kindly fetch me another embroidery hoop?"
Second Madam nodded, and Chen Mama by her side brought over another small hoop. Jinchao sat down, threading the needle with practiced ease, her movements deft and fluid.
Ye Xian and the others found this quite amusing and settled down on brocade stools to watch.
Pale sunlight filtered through the plum blossoms, casting dappled shadows over Gu Jinzhao. Dressed simply in a moon-white satin jacket with tassel patterns and a pale green pleated skirt, her striking beauty appeared serene and understated. Her slender fingers danced lightly over the silk, graceful and skilled.
Gu Jinxian was momentarily stunned and whispered to Gu Jin Xiao, "I never knew embroidery could look so beautiful..."
Half an hour passed, and Slanting Abode was so quiet that not a single word could be heard.
Once Jinchao finished, she neatly tied off the thread and said softly, "'Among all flowers, none surpass this one, / Cutting clouds, draped in snow, dipped in cinnabar. / Blooming in the second or third month of spring, / It shatters the hearts of thousands in Chang'an.'" She laid the embroidery frame flat, revealing the flower she had stitched.
Gu Lan, who had been waiting to see Gu Jinzhao humiliated, found herself unable to laugh. On the pristine white silk was a single pale-red peony, its petals layered and delicate, the color fading from deep to faint, with a tender yellow stamen at its center—so lifelike it seemed to bloom upon the fabric, elegant and vivid.
Gu Jinxian, who had already warmed to Jinchao after the orchid incident, remarked, "'Among all flowers, none surpass this one...' That’s a poem by Xu Yin. It seems our elder cousin isn’t as unlearned as the rumors say!"
Gu Jin Xiao frowned but said nothing, still disdainful of Gu Jinzhao’s arrogance.
Ye Xian, however, pondered for a moment before nodding. "A fine poem."
Second Madam was astonished, and even the madams playing mahjong nearby came over for a look. Fifth Madam studied it for a long while before saying, "This is Shu embroidery—rarely seen in Yanjing. It’s exquisitely done, almost as if alive..."
Second Madam murmured in awe, "Chaojie, how could you say your embroidery isn’t good?"
With such skill, Gu Jinzhao had still been modest earlier. Was this the so-called "a full pot makes no sound, while a half-filled pot clatters"? Second Madam couldn’t help but glance at Gu Lan, whose expression had darkened.
Gu Jinzhao had just delivered a direct slap to her face!
Jinchao replied respectfully, "It is indeed Shu embroidery, something I learned privately in my spare time. But completing an entire piece would take at least ten days to half a month, so I only stitched this peony. I didn’t mention it earlier not out of modesty, but because my formal training was in Su embroidery under Master Xue. If word got out that I excel in Shu embroidery instead, it might harm her reputation. That’s why I kept silent... I hope Second Aunt can forgive me."Second Madam couldn't possibly say anything negative about Gu Jinzhao. She smiled and gestured for her to sit down: "With such excellent embroidery skills, your teacher Xue would be overjoyed—how could there be anything bad? Looking at the orchid on this handkerchief... it's not as lovely as this peony!"
As she spoke, she made to return the embroidered handkerchief to Jinchao.
Ye Xian, who had been sitting to the side watching the scene with his chin propped on his hand, suddenly spoke up lazily: "Since I was the one who picked it up, doesn't that make it mine? Why does Second Madam want to return it?"
Hearing this, Second Madam nearly broke out in a cold sweat. What exactly did the heir of Marquis Changxing mean by this?
For a moment, the room fell silent. After a pause, Ye Xian slowly added, "...If it's troublesome, never mind. I'll just find another one with this pattern."
Only then did Second Madam relax. If Ye Xian took a fancy to Gu Jinzhao here, she'd be in big trouble later. This young master had always acted on a whim and paid little heed to propriety—it was probably just an offhand remark. She forced a smile and said, "If you like the orchid pattern, I have a gold-traced sandalwood folding screen embroidered with orchids and plums in the Suzhou style. I'll have someone send it to you later."
Gu Jinzhao's tense heart also eased. When the handkerchief was finally returned to her, it carried a faint, soothing scent of medicinal herbs.
As evening approached, Tai Furen sent someone to summon everyone to the banquet at the Pavilion of Drooping Flowers.
Gu Jinzhao deliberately lingered behind to avoid the crowd. After her Sichuan-style peony embroidery was revealed, the others' gazes had lingered on her—some subtly, others openly appraising. After today, she was bound to become even more notorious.
Mo Xue couldn't help whispering, "That was truly terrifying, Eldest Miss. I had no idea your embroidery skills were this exceptional... And that young master—who knows what he was thinking? If things had been misunderstood, what would have happened to your reputation..."
Gu Jinzhao hesitated before finally saying, "He's just too unpredictable. Best not to engage with such people—getting entangled with them is nothing but trouble."
"Are you talking about me?" A light, drifting voice came from behind them, startling the mistress and her two maids on the path.
Gu Jinzhao turned to see Ye Xian perched on the branch of a plum tree. His long sash dangled down, adorned with a jade pendant. The soft glow of twilight illuminated his handsome profile, and his long lashes cast a faint, downy light, making him appear almost boyish.
Wearing a faint smile, he said, "You don't seem to like me helping you."
Gu Jinzhao curtsied and replied, "You jest, Uncle. How could you possibly help me? I'd be fortunate enough if you didn't cause me harm."
Tilting his head, he studied her. "You're a strange one. Most people would beg for my help, yet here you are dismissing it!"
Gu Jinzhao sighed. "...My reputation is already in tatters, so I don't particularly care. But you shouldn't associate with me—I wouldn't want to tarnish yours. I'll take my leave now." With another curtsy, she turned and hurried away.
As they walked, Mo Xue, still shaken, muttered, "What a strange man... At least you won't have to deal with him in the future!"
But Gu Jinzhao's thoughts drifted to the rumors she had heard in her past life... The heir of Marquis Changxing had once been the talk of the capital.
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