The Road to Glory

Chapter 8

"This dignified aura doesn't seem like someone who..."

When they stepped out from the fabric stall, Xiao Huiniang clutched the heavy copper coins in her sleeve pocket, still feeling as if she were in a dream.

Not only had they sold the entire basket of embroidered handkerchiefs at high prices, but the stall owner had also proactively suggested that if they had more handkerchiefs in the future, they could bring them to him to sell. Although the price wouldn't be as high as what they could get selling themselves, it was still significantly better than what the peddlers offered. Moreover, he declared he would buy as many as they could supply.

The only requirement was that the designs couldn't be inferior to those they sold today.

The market remained noisy. The sun had melted the snow, making the weather increasingly dry and bitterly cold.

Xiao Huiniang glanced at Wen Yu walking beside her, who appeared completely composed. Perhaps because the silk gauze covered most of the red rashes on her face, the soft morning light falling on her brows and eyes softened those fine rash marks. Xiao Huiniang felt as if the girl was enveloped in a radiant glow, making even the patched old jacket she wore seem not shabby at all.

It was at this moment that Xiao Huiniang felt as if she were truly getting to know this girl for the first time.

At home, she was obedient and sensible to the point of being heartbreaking. But here in the market, her calm and confident manner of selling handkerchiefs and negotiating business with the fabric merchant without servility or arrogance suddenly made Xiao Huiniang think of the term "noble bearing."

Perhaps it was precisely because of that indescribable dignity about her that the women and young ladies who bought handkerchiefs from her at the fabric stall were all polite and respectful, completely unlike those who nitpicked and haggled at embroidery stalls.

Xiao Huiniang was so absorbed in staring at Wen Yu that she didn't even notice an ox-cart approaching head-on. It was Wen Yu who pulled her aside, saying, "Auntie, be careful."

Xiao Huiniang said, "With the money coming into our pockets just like that, I keep feeling as if I'm dreaming. My feet feel unsteady too, as if I'm stepping on cotton."

Wen Yu couldn't help but smile faintly. "Next time the market opens, if you bring more handkerchiefs, we can sell even more."

Speaking of money matters, Xiao Huiniang touched the copper coins in her sleeve pocket and suddenly called out to Wen Yu, "A Yu, if not for you, I wouldn't have been able to sell these handkerchiefs. Please take this money."

A heavy string of copper coins was abruptly pressed into Wen Yu's hand. The weight made surprise flicker in her eyes—Xiao Huiniang was probably giving her half of today's earnings.

She quickly refused, "How can I accept this? Most of those silk handkerchiefs were embroidered by you. I only did seven or eight. Besides, there are costs for needles, thread, and fabric to consider. I eat and live at your home—I absolutely cannot take this money!"

Xiao Huiniang insisted, "Let's be clear about this. Today, it was entirely thanks to your ideas that we sold all the handkerchiefs and even established a connection with the fabric merchant. Even if I keep only half, it's still more than what I used to earn selling handkerchiefs to the Chen family's second son. You'll need to search for your family in the future—take it..."

She pressed down on Wen Yu's hand, preventing her from returning the money.

Her palm was warm, and under her grip, the string of copper coins in Wen Yu's hand also felt warm—it was the warmth from her pocket, but it slowly warmed Wen Yu's heart as well.

She softened her tone, "Then, Auntie, please keep it for me for now. I still owe Second Master thirty taels."Xiao Huiniang noticed her hesitation in the latter half of the sentence and sighed, counting out another hundred copper coins for her. "Take these hundred coins and buy whatever catches your eye at the market."

This time, Wen Yu did not refuse.

As they continued walking, a voice suddenly called out from behind: "Miss with the veil ahead, please wait!"

Wen Yu and Xiao Huiniang both halted and turned to look.

They saw a young woman with double buns hurriedly catching up to them. Dressed quite respectably, she appeared to be a maid from a wealthy household.

When she reached them, she asked, "Were you the ones selling the Suzhou embroidery handkerchiefs at the fabric merchant's earlier?"

As she spoke, she unfolded a Suzhou embroidery handkerchief in her hand. A sprig of red plum blossoms was embroidered in the lower corner, accompanied by an insignia whose meaning was unclear, creating a harmonious composition.

Wen Yu recognized the handkerchief as one she had sold to a woman. Now that this maid-like person had sought them out with it, she wondered what the matter could be.

Xiao Huiniang was also puzzled and spoke on Wen Yu's behalf: "Yes, it was us. What is it?"

The young maid seemed pleased and quickly asked, "Was the embroidery on this also done by you?"

Wen Yu nodded. "I embroidered it."

The maid said, "Then would you please come with me? Our mistress wishes to see you."

Wen Yu asked, "Who is your mistress? Why does she want to see me?"

Though the young woman's clothing was shabby, the maid felt inexplicably suffocated under her cool, dark gaze. She hurriedly explained, "My mistress's surname is Xu. Earlier, while selecting fabrics at the cloth shop, she noticed a woman holding a handkerchief with rare Suzhou embroidery. Upon inquiry, she learned that you were the one who sold it. My mistress's intention in seeking you out can only be for good reasons. Please rest assured and come with me."

She pointed not far away and said, "My mistress's carriage is parked over there!"

Wen Yu then looked at Xiao Huiniang. "Aunt, shall I go?"

Xiao Huiniang was nearly overwhelmed by the series of fortunate events today. She understood that if the noble lady took a liking to Wen Yu's embroidery, Wen Yu would have another means of earning money. She felt happy for Wen Yu and said, "Since the noble lady is waiting, you should go."

Wen Yu followed the maid to the carriage. While the maid went ahead to announce her, Wen Yu waited five steps away.

This feeling was quite novel to her. For over a decade, she had been the one inside the carriage; now, suddenly, she was the one waiting outside.

Her gaze swept over the carriage, which was quite impressive by the market's standards. Not seeing any insignia on the carriage body or the horse's hindquarters, she guessed that the owner must be from a merchant family.

Before long, the maid beckoned for Wen Yu to approach.

The noblewoman inside the carriage wore a red brocade coat trimmed with rabbit fur, holding a hand warmer. She had a very prosperous appearance. After scrutinizing Wen Yu with her narrow eyes, she asked leisurely, "Why do you still cover your face?"

Wen Yu, familiar with the ways of the nobility, lowered her eyes without looking directly at the woman and replied, "This humble girl's face is unsightly. I fear it would offend your eyes."

The noblewoman had little interest in her appearance anyway and changed the subject: "You know Suzhou embroidery?"

Wen Yu answered, "Yes."

The noblewoman asked further, "How long have you been embroidering?"

Wen Yu said, "I learned from my mother since childhood."

Only then did the noblewoman lift her eyelids slightly. "Can you do double-sided embroidery?"Wen Yu's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as she replied, "I can, but not with great skill."

The noblewoman's well-maintained fingers lightly tapped the hand warmer resting on her knees, as if considering for a moment before saying, "I observed the embroidery stitches on your silk handkerchief are delicate and well-arranged, comparable even to those of long-established embroiderers. Could you embroider a fan surface for me within a month?"

Currently short on silver, Wen Yu wouldn't refuse. After a moment's contemplation, she said, "Yes."

A smile appeared on the noblewoman's face. Adjusting the hand warmer to a more comfortable position, she said, "This item is meant as a gift, so you must devote your utmost care to the embroidery. If done well, you'll be duly rewarded. For a single-sided fan surface, I'll pay five thousand coins. But if you can manage the double-sided embroidery..."

The noblewoman glanced at Wen Yu: "I could multiply the payment tenfold."

Wen Yu's long eyelashes suddenly lifted slightly.

Tenfold?

That would be fifty thousand coins, equivalent to fifty taels of silver!

Not only would it secure her freedom, but it would also provide enough silver to hire protection for her search for trusted relatives.

However, embroidering double-sided work was truly time-consuming and mentally taxing.

Countless embroiderers in the Suzhou and Hangzhou regions had ruined their eyesight striving to master double-sided embroidery.

Seeing Wen Yu silent, the noblewoman assumed she was stunned by the reward and unconcernedly called her maid's name.

The young maid understood immediately, taking out a silver ingot and handing it to Wen Yu, saying, "This is the deposit. For this month, don't take any other jobs—focus solely on embroidering what my lady requires. Where do you live? Later, someone will deliver the satin material, silk threads, and embroidery pattern to your home."

Wen Yu had already made her decision. Accepting the silver ingot, she provided the street where the Xiao residence was located.

When the noblewoman waved dismissively, Wen Yu bowed and took her leave. Throughout the encounter, she never raised her eyes, yet even with her head slightly lowered, she carried an aura of refined dignity.

Watching her depart, the noblewoman remarked curiously, "Such poise—she doesn't seem like someone who relies on embroidery for a living."

The young maid also glanced at Wen Yu's retreating figure and said, "Perhaps her family was once fairly well-off? Maybe they fled here as refugees after the war?"

The noblewoman withdrew her gaze, lowering her eyelids. "Enough. Whatever her past, as long as she meticulously embroiders what I need."

—

After returning, Wen Yu told Xiao Huiniang about the noblewoman's request for the fan surface embroidery.

Naturally, Xiao Huiniang didn't believe Wen Yu could accomplish double-sided embroidery. Not only did it require exceptional skill, but one month was far too short a time.

Although five thousand coins for a single-sided embroidery was already generous, Xiao Huiniang didn't brighten at the prospect. Instead, she frowned worriedly. "I'm afraid the pattern they provide might be too intricate. This kind of work requires meticulous care—one month is really too rushed..."

Wen Yu simply said, "Auntie, there's no need to worry for me. I know what I'm doing."

Xiao Huiniang sighed. "Don't let those thirty taels weigh on you like a mountain. Ultimately, this matter is Chen Lai Zi's fault. Once Huan'er finds him, he'll be the one to repay the debt. How can we make a child like you pay Chen Lai Zi's gambling debts?"

But the problem was, until Chen Lai Zi was found, the debt remained unclaimed. Since Wen Yu had been pawned to her son by Chen Lai Zi, Xiao Huiniang ultimately couldn't decide to let Wen Yu leave without her son's consent. All she could do was treat her as kindly as possible.Recalling these thoughts, Xiao Huiniang felt a heaviness in her chest and steered the conversation back to embroidery: "For the next month, focus solely on embroidering the fan cover. I'll handle the handkerchiefs. Just prepare a few embroidery patterns later—as long as the designs are novel, the fabric stall owner will accept them."

Wen Yu thanked Xiao Huiniang and handed her the silver ingot. Xiao Huiniang naturally refused, but Wen Yu insisted, pressing it into her hand: "Please keep it. Household expenses for firewood, rice, oil, and salt all cost money. Consider it as if I've already repaid one tael."

Clutching the silver ingot, Xiao Huiniang felt a mix of emotions, her gaze toward Wen Yu filled with both affection and guilt: "You, child..."

To steer Xiao Huiniang away from further discussion of money, Wen Yu brought up the idea of hiring embroiderers to help with the handkerchiefs. After all, she no longer had time to embroider Suzhou embroidery handkerchiefs herself. The handkerchiefs sold relied entirely on the novelty of their patterns. Each batch sold to the fabric merchant meant fewer new patterns remained. Only by producing enough handkerchiefs per batch could they maximize earnings from a single design.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Huiniang was convinced. As they neared the market exit, she turned back abruptly: "No, if we're hiring embroiderers, I must buy more silk fabric!"

They had already purchased many New Year goods along the way, and Wen Yu found the load quite heavy. Worried they couldn't carry more, she persuaded: "Aunt, perhaps we should buy more another day. We've already bought so much today."

Xiao Huiniang calculated the next market day and shook her head: "The next market won't be until after the New Year. I'll go back and buy another bolt of silk. There's a tea stall ahead—A Yu, take our things and wait there. I'll return shortly."

Wen Yu tried to call out to Xiao Huiniang again, but she had already turned and disappeared into the bustling crowd. Carrying their numerous packages, Wen Yu had no choice but to head to the tea stall to wait.

She ordered a pot of hot tea from the waiter, set down her belongings, and sat.

Unexpectedly, before the waiter even brought the tea, a group of slovenly hoodlums swaggered into the stall, spitting melon seed shells along the way. Grinning cheekily, they made a beeline for Wen Yu's table.

"Little lady made quite a haul at the market today, eh? Bought so much—why not share some with us?"

Author's note:

Fish Treasure: dialing Hello, police? I'm being robbed qaq

Certain Author (keyboard clacking furiously): Deploying Xiao·Patrol Hound·Li at top speed.