Chapter Eighteen: Preparations for Opening

  In the evening, Zi Juan muttered that Mrs. Fang had dealt with Fourth Aunt, and Pang Luo Xue just raised an eyebrow without saying a word. People always have to be forced to a certain extent before they learn to resist. If Mother hadn't learned to manage the household, she would have been bullied by the aunts sooner or later. Fourth Aunt's family background is now daring to make such a gesture, unaware that in the end, she was harmed by Wang Aunt. Evil people will be ground down by other evil people.

  She instructed Zi Juan to take some gifts to comfort Yang Shi, and then instructed Lian Ye Lian Ou to set up the meal. As expected, just as the food was ready, Qi Yao appeared in the courtyard of Qi Yao's residence wearing a black night-traveling outfit. Her slender and delicate figure was particularly eye-catching, fortunately, it was getting late, I've always disliked noisy gatherings, there were not many maids and servants around. Sitting by the table with her hands propping up her chin, her eyes fixed on her without blinking as she walked over, a martial artist's footsteps are especially light, if you weren't staring at her, you wouldn't feel even half of it.

  Sister Yao arrived just in time, I had just ordered food and thought you must be hungry. I said with a smile.

  Qī Yáo didn't get annoyed, she lowered her head and swept a glance over the table, there were four sets of bowls and chopsticks in total. It was clear that she had known I was coming early on and had already prepared everything. This narrow-minded little girl was now being so playful. She raised her head and smiled: "You've prepared so much food and also these bowls and chopsticks, aren't you just waiting for me to come and have dinner? I suppose if I didn't arrive early, the three of you would have starved to death." Qī Yáo said with equal cunning.

  Pang Luoxue was choked for a moment, and her face suddenly puffed up. She thought to herself, indeed, she had also made it obvious. Raising her head again, she saw Lianye Lianou walking in. Lowering her head, she coughed once, trying to cover up the awkwardness, just thinking of how to respond. Then she heard Lianye Lianou say without regard for my feelings: "Sister Yao, if you don't come, we'll be starved to death by Sister."

  I helplessly rolled my eyes: Oh dear, I can't stay in this family anymore. My sister doesn't care about me, and now that my younger sister has found a new backer, she's going to bully me too. I don't have any status at all, what a waste that I cooked so many dishes today.

  The three of them heard me say that and laughed, saying: "It's clear you're still not hungry. I won't tease you anymore. Hurry up and eat, we'll be busy later."

  The four of us quickly finished our meal, closed the door and ate with gusto, abandoning all semblance of elegance. I looked up to see Qi Yao holding a chicken leg in one hand, her mouth greasy as she discussed with me plans for tomorrow's wine preparation. I hastily nodded in agreement. We didn't dare make any more noise, quickly finishing our meal before ordering the table to be cleared and bringing in the embroidery frame and table once again.

  She had all the seamstresses in the mansion gather in the courtyard, and ordered Lin Ye to bring over the latest fabrics from the old boss who supplied the mansion with fabrics every year. The whole family was busy, thinking that this matter needed to be low-key, so they let the newly recruited seamstresses and those from outside the mansion come in through the back door and quietly move into the embroidery building. Fortunately, my three-story small building was spacious enough; otherwise, it would have been impossible for these hundreds of people to live there.

  I brought the veil and Qi Yao hurried to the embroidery building, where Lotus Leaf and Lotus Root were directing people to move fabrics. We were all busy with our respective tasks, working tirelessly from dawn till dusk. As soon as we entered the embroidery building, I saw that the outside embroiderers had already arrived in the large hall on the first floor. Qi Yao, fearing trouble for me, had arranged for the palace's own embroiderers to stay in my courtyard, while the outside ones were accommodated in the embroidery building, with the house servants keeping a discreet watch and not allowing outsiders to enter. I admired her thoughtfulness and responded with a grateful smile.

  Qī Yāo smiled lightly, and I went with her to the embroidery building to oversee the embroiderers. Several attentive maidservants were waiting on us. Because I was in a hurry, I paid them more wages, so many embroiderers came. I was increasingly satisfied with Lián Yè's handling of affairs, and I must reward her well.

  Pan Luo Xue gently clapped her hands to signal the seamstresses to be quiet, and looked up at Qi Yao. Qi Yao understood and said: The reason I called everyone over today is that I have a large number of embroidery pieces here that need your help. Although our quantity is large and urgent, we will naturally pay double wages from the beginning.

  The embroiderers immediately perked up when they heard their wages would be doubled. They were instantly invigorated.

  Master Qi continued: Since the master's house is willing to pay a high price, you must also put in your heart and soul. A good master will definitely reward you heavily, and any rare or unique skills will be rewarded handsomely. However, let me make one thing clear: the master's household does not want to hear any rumors or gossip. During your stay here, everything will be taken care of, from food to clothing to daily necessities. If you need anything, just send someone to fetch it for you. But I must warn you that private inquiries about the master's affairs are strictly forbidden. If I hear even a whisper of such behavior, there will be severe punishment without exception.

  I saw Qi Yao speaking with a serious tone, and the seamstresses below her also became quiet in fear. After all, she is the daughter of General Tiger Gate, and this bit of dignity still has some weight to it.

  Pang Luoxue looked at these embroiderers and suddenly had an idea in her mind, but suppressed it for the time being. Things can't be rushed, and now they're already busy enough. This matter will be discussed with Qi Yao tonight to let her prepare before proceeding. As soon as she withdrew her gaze from the embroiderers, the pressure on them was immediately reduced.

  The embroiderers couldn't help but mutter in their hearts that this young master's gaze was fierce, even more majestic than the black-clothed girl.

  Pang Luoxue said: I now need ten dance costumes, you have a hundred embroiderers here, every ten embroiderers are responsible for one, and the best ones will be rewarded with 100 taels of silver. Today is already late, you can go back and rest first, tomorrow we will start to give me the embroidery samples. If there's anything needed, just tell my maid directly, they will satisfy your needs. Alright, you can withdraw now.

  The embroiderers respectfully bid farewell.

  I and Qi Yao came out of the embroidery building and arrived at our own courtyard. The embroiderer who often worked in our mansion paid her respects and said, "Second Miss, are you going to make some clothes?"

  Also, there's nothing else, just find some popular embroidery patterns and bring them over. By the way, I've drawn a few designs recently, trouble you to embroider them onto silk handkerchiefs. These days are urgent, trouble you to rush it up, this matter I don't want others to know, when doing things in the mansion one must take care of their own mouth. Got it? By the way, a batch of dark-colored moon shadow gauze has arrived recently, pick out a good one and make it into a skirt later and give me the sample drawing, I will give you the measurements, this skirt must be exceptionally luxurious. Heard?

  The embroiderers nodded in agreement. There were not many embroiderers in the mansion, and I didn't want them to know too much, so Lian Ou and Lian Ye brought over many of my paintings, including serene distant mountains and stone paths, majestic pines, as well as charming peonies and blooming peach blossoms...

  After sending the seamstress away, Qi Yao came to my boudoir and sat beside the embroidery screen admiring it. I walked in and said, "Sister, do you like it? If so, I'll give it to you."

  Qiu Yao smiled and said, I just think this embroidery is stunning, it must be your masterpiece.

  Yao's eyes are so venomous, it's just what I'm doing with nothing to do. But now there's something to be busy with, tomorrow the sample will come out and the embroidery girls will start embroidering. Since our Cuimiao Building is going to open, we must make a big splash in the whole city. Sister still has to check on the decoration work tomorrow, so it doesn't matter if she rests here at my place today.

  Qī Yáo didn't pretend to agree, and called out Lián Yè Lián ǒu. The four of them surrounded the canvas thinking about the embroidery pattern. I took out paper and pen and drew the finished product according to their requirements. The four of them slept soundly until dawn.

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