Chapter 369: People Are Fading Like Chrysanthemums, Lacking Qi
Early the next morning, Bai Ruozhu set up her stall with her family. After the morning market’s busiest wave had passed, Bai Ruozhu called over Fusa and the two of them went to the Ding Residence together.
On the way, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but recall the conversation she had with Jiang Yichun the night before about Li Shunsheng’s wife.
"Madam Li doesn’t have any problems per se, she just doesn’t like her daughter–in–law. With her niece always flattering and currying favor with her and expressing an admiration for Li Shunsheng, she allowed herself to be persuaded by Liu Xianxian to drug Madam Li. However, Liu Xianxian’s family is rather complicated; she can’t marry Li Shunsheng."
Bai Ruozhu quickly thought of Li Shunsheng’s political position in Anyuan Town and immediately suspected that Liu Xianxian’s family might be connected to a dangerous courtier in favor with the Emperor.
She didn’t press further, and Jiang Yichun didn’t ask her to do anything. He probably didn’t want her to take any risks.
But now faced with the upcoming meeting with Madam Li, Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat awkward. Knowing such a secret was somewhat bothersome after all.
Upon reaching the Ding Residence, Bai Ruozhu felt even more troubled. Not only were Madam Ding and Madam Li present, there was also a young lady on the scene.
The girl sat next to Madam Li, appearing very intimate with her. Bai Ruozhu sensed immediately who she was and her heart tightened.
"Sister-in-law, is this the lady who made your hat? She does strike me as different from ordinary village women." The girl commented with a beautiful, charming smile and eyes slightly curved while laughing. If Bai Ruozhu hadn’t overheard her conversation with Lady Li, she definitely would’ve thought this woman to be amicable.
At this point, Bai Ruozhu was certain that the girl was Liu Xianxian, whom she’d met in the Tea House yesterday. She remembers her voice very clearly.
Madam Ding introduced Bai Ruozhu and Fusa to the girl, smiling: "This is Lady Li’s cousin, Miss Liu. She’s quite fond of the hat and wonders if it’s possible to make other items."
Bai Ruozhu secretly admired Liu Xianxian, who indeed knew how to adjust her strategies.
"I can also make scarves, shawls, waistcoats... it all depends on what Miss Liu needs," Bai Ruozhu responded indifferently. Despite her disdain towards Liu Xianxian, she didn’t want to arouse suspicion, so she just reassured herself that a fool wouldn’t take advantage of a money-making opportunity. If she disdained Liu Xianxian, then she should just exploit her silver.
The crafty businesswoman in Bai Ruozhu soon overpowered her feelings of disdain for Liu Xianxian.
Liu Xianxian, delighted at this, inquired, "What would the shawl look like? Are there any floral designs?" As she asked, her face not only expressed surprise but also a hint of shyness, as if she was already imagining the admiration she might receive for such a beautiful shawl.
Bai Ruozhu almost felt sick seeing this display, but kept a calm demeanor, suggesting, "How about I draw a design for Miss Liu?"
Madam Ding agreed and ordered a maid to bring some ink, paper, brush, and ink stone, laying the paper out on the table.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t have any formal painting training, but when she worked on crochet in her previous life in Mi Country, she’d seen plenty of simple design diagrams and even made a few sketches of her own.
With a few strokes, she outlined the design of the shawl and drew several five-petal flowers on it.
"This shawl would be composed of five-petal flowers. You can arrange them densely for better warmth, or make the design more intricate but thinner. The center of the flower can be adorned with gemstones or pearl jade for added luxury." Bai Ruozhu lay down her brush and began to explain.
Not only was Liu Xianxian captivated, but Madam Ding and Madam Li were equally interested. Liu Xianxian’s expression changed slightly, however, when she heard that Madam Li wanted one as well. But she quickly hid her feelings.
Bai Ruozhu smirked to herself. Liu Xianxian wanted to impress her cousin, but if Madam Li would be wearing the same shawl, would Li Shunsheng still pay her particular attention?
However, Liu Xianxian quickly regained her smug look. She subtly glanced at Madam Li’s figure and stood up straighter. After all, wouldn’t the same design help highlight her superiority over her sister-in-law?
Bai Ruozhu immediately understood what Liu Xianxian was thinking. However, what went on inside the house was not her concern. She was just there to earn her silver.
Madam Li seemed unaware of Liu Xianxian’s ambition and continued to act very intimate with her, laughing merrily and saying, "Xian’er likes pink, so I’ll choose dark purple instead."
Madam Ding also laughed and added: "Yes, we are getting old and can’t pick those tender colors anymore. I’ll take dark red."
Bai Ruozhu took note of their preferences."I will make sure the designs on your pieces are different," she promised.
Madam Ding and Madam Li both nodded in content at this. Liu Xianxian, however, frowned at the sketch and asked in a somewhat challenging tone: "Can’t you crochet chrysanthemums?"
Bai Ruozhu chuckled inwardly. A shawl full of chrysanthemums would be rather conspicuous, wouldn’t it?
"Yes, my cousin adores chrysanthemums. People often say she has a character as unpretentious as a chrysanthemum," Madam Li explained, smiling.
Bai Ruozhu smirked to herself. Did they mean that, like a chrysanthemum, the young lady would also wither at some point?
"The petals of a chrysanthemum are too complex. If many such flowers were combined, it would be quite messy. If chrysanthemums are used, I suggest crocheting a large chrysanthemum on the back to avoid disrupting the overall effect," Bai Ruozhu advised.
Liu Xianxian frowned. She didn’t seem to agree with Bai Ruozhu. In her opinion, how could a village woman possibly have better aesthetic judgment than herself, a young lady from a wealthy family?
Madam Ding, on the other hand, thought Bai Ruozhu made sense and nodded approvingly, indicating her agreement.
Liu Xianxian shook her head stubbornly, "I love chrysanthemum, so I’d like a shawl made of chrysanthemums. And don’t use pink. Instead, please use yellow to make it more realistic."
Bai Ruozhu suppressed a chuckle. This young lady’s aesthetic was rather amusing. Since she insisted, they would do it her way.
"Sure, we’ll follow Miss Liu’s instructions."
Madam Ding gave a glance at Madam Li, who asked Bai Ruozhu, "How much would it cost to have the shawl made?"
"If you provide your own gemstones, each piece would cost twelve taels of silver. A shawl uses far more material than a hat and is considerably more complicated in its construction. It will take Fusa and me quite a while to complete. As for Miss Liu, the chrysanthemum pattern she requested is even more intricate, so her piece would be eighteen taels," answered Bai Ruozhu.
Liu Xianxian’s eyes widened, and she blurted out in surprise, "That’s outrageous! You’re practically robbing us!"
Madam Ding frowned slightly, thinking that Liu Xianxian was not behaving appropriately for the high station she was in. She didn’t have to order such an expensive item. Her words were distasteful and made her appear petty.
Madam Li looked somewhat uncomfortable. To the young ladies of large households, spending a dozen or two dozen taels was nothing unusual. Liu Xianxian, being from a more humble background, seemed to lack the larger perspective. In comparison, Bai Ruozhu, who was of a commoner upbringing, came across as much more composed and elegant.