Chapter 15: Making New Clothes

Preparing return gifts for Xu Qingyi was only natural, so Mama Yulan went to Madam Qin’s quarters to get the key to the warehouse.

Madam Qin, being in the wrong, dared not refuse.

Xu Qingyi wasn’t polite either. When she saw something she liked, she would ask Mama Yulan about its origin, purpose, and value.

If it wasn’t too expensive, she would take it.

If it was too costly, she would leave it.

She wasn’t someone who was greedy for more than what was necessary.

Xu Qingyi’s sense of propriety impressed Mama Yulan.

As expected of a lady from a noble family, her actions were dignified and appropriate—she ensured she didn’t lose out while not being unnecessarily harsh.

With a mother like her looking after them, the three boys were truly lucky despite their misfortunes.

No wonder the Old Madam and the Marquis treated her with such care and attention.

While browsing through the warehouse, Xu Qingyi came across some fabric and carefully examined it.

Seeing this, Mama Yulan said, “Young Madam, these fabrics are newly stocked and are quite popular right now. You can take some as return gifts. They would be suitable for the madam or young ladies.”

She then pointed to a newly arrived color and added, “You could even use this one to make yourself a dress. This calamus-colored fabric is elegant and will complement your complexion very well.”

Xu Qingyi shook her head. “I won’t take it. There’s still plenty of unused fabric from the dowry.”

She continued, “I was just wondering if there’s anything suitable for the boys. Do you know if their summer clothes have been made yet?”

In truth, whether or not their clothes had been made, having a few extra sets wouldn’t hurt.

It turned out, she was thinking about the boys after all.

Mama Yulan smiled. “Of course, there are fabrics here that would be perfect for the Young Masters. Please, take your pick.”

The Young Masters of the household had at least four sets of clothes made each season. Although it seemed like a lot, they would wear them in rotation, and after three months, they would be worn out—so it wasn’t too much.

For children who were doted on by their elders, a season’s worth of clothes would certainly be more than four sets.

At the moment, Xu Qingyi wasn’t sure if the boys had enough clothes.

In any case, making clothes wasn’t troublesome, so making a few more sets to rotate between would be fine.

The shelf where the fabrics were stored was too high.

Xu Qingyi picked up Heng and asked, “Heng, take a look. Which fabric do you like?”

Heng, having grown up, rarely made decisions on his own. He stood there for a moment, staring in a daze.

“You can choose whichever you like for your clothes. Pick a few, and I’ll make two sets for your brothers as well.”

If he picked something too garish, that would be another matter.

To avoid torturing her eyes, Xu Qingyi would still intervene if necessary.

“Okay.” Heng’s little face was serious as he raised his tiny finger and pointed.

He chose indigo blue, moon white, sage green, gardenia yellow, and vine purple.

These were all colors he liked.

This made Xu Qingyi not only impressed but also amused. Heng’s sense of aesthetics was surprisingly good—he had chosen colors that would make anyone’s complexion look fairer.

She exclaimed, “Heng, you really know how to pick!”

Heng smiled with his lips pressed together.

Then Xu Qingyi herself picked out ultramarine and silver marten colors.

These were more suitable for the older Lin. He would look great in them.

After choosing the fabrics in the warehouse, arrangements were made to have them organized and loaded onto the carriage.

Upon returning to the main house of Danhuai Courtyard,

Mama Cai timidly entered and lowered her head, respectfully saying, “Young Madam, I’ve thought over your words carefully this afternoon, and I’ve come to understand.”

She continued, “In the past, I truly didn’t act with sincere respect for the Young Master. Please, Young Madam, punish me.”

Xu Qingyi looked up at Mama Cai.

Previously, the Marchioness hadn’t paid much attention to the Young Masters, and as a result, the servants had little respect for them as well.

Although favoritism was a common human trait, Xu Qingyi wasn’t about to tolerate it here.

“You’ve understood, that’s good.”

However, Xu Qingyi wasn’t an unreasonable person. Unless someone had committed an unforgivable mistake, she wouldn’t easily dismiss a nursemaid who had taken care of Heng since he was a child.

She admonished, “From now on, you need to take good care of Heng. Not only should you earn my approval, but also Heng’s approval, do you understand?”

The implication was clear: if Heng didn’t approve of her…

Mama Cai’s old face flushed with shame. “Yes, Young Madam, I will certainly improve myself.”

She had been too lax in the past.

“Mm, do your best, and I won’t treat you unfairly.”

Xu Qingyi said this, but kept a careful eye on things. She wasn’t planning to entrust Heng to Mama Cai just yet.

“Heng is more clingy at the moment. He needs to come with me to visit my family tomorrow. You can come back in a couple of days to take care of him,” she instructed.

She wanted to avoid any emotional reactions from Mama Cai, as she wasn’t sure if she would act irrationally. Xu Qingyi planned to observe for a few days first.

Mama Cai didn’t suspect anything and expressed her gratitude. “Yes, Young Madam.”

“But there is something else I need to ask you. Do you know how to do embroidery?” Xu Qingyi asked.

“Yes, I do.” Mama Cai nodded.

Xu Qingyi instructed, “I’ve selected some fabric in the warehouse to make clothes for the boys. Gather a few maids and nursemaids who can do embroidery, and have them start working on the clothes in the next couple of days.”

Upon hearing this, Mama Cai immediately responded with enthusiasm, “Yes, Young Madam. I will make sure your instructions are carried out properly.”

“Good. Once it’s done, there will be a reward.” Xu Qingyi nodded.

After giving her orders to Mama Cai, Xu Qingyi noticed Heng staring at her intently.

“What is it?” she asked, puzzled.

“Does Mother think I’m too clingy?” Heng couldn’t quite understand the adult subtleties and only heard his mother say he was clingy.

Xu Qingyi sighed inwardly. This child was as sensitive and delicate as ever.

She shook her head. “Of course not. I just needed an excuse to take you away from Mama Cai for a while.”

“…” Heng understood her words and smiled, slowly leaning into Xu Qingyi’s embrace.

Xu Qingyi hadn’t expected this either.

Her first time sharing a bed after marriage, and the companion was a little child.

But perhaps it was for the best. The antique, classical surroundings could be quite eerie at night, and having someone beside her made it easier to sleep peacefully.

On the other side, Mama Cai immediately began her task, taking a measuring tape to measure the Young Masters.

She also had someone bring over the fabrics, allowing the Young Masters to choose what they liked.

As per the usual order, Mama Cai first arrived at Lin’s room. “Young Master Lin, the Young Madam has instructed me to make summer clothes for you.”

“…”

Mama Cai beamed, pointing to the ultramarine and silver marten fabrics. “These were specifically chosen by the Young Madam for you. Apart from these two, you can also have a look at others if you prefer.”

Lin gave them a quick glance. This was the first time he had enjoyed such treatment.

In the past, clothes were simply made to measure and sent to him without any choices—whatever was sent, he wore.

The summer clothes had already been made, and according to the usual routine, the next batch would be for the fall.

It was likely Xu Qingyi who had arranged all of this.

“Anything is fine, I’m not picky,” Lin responded indifferently.

“Alright, then we’ll make one set in each color. The Young Madam said, the more, the better.”

Mama Cai smiled, already used to Lin’s aloofness.

After finishing with him, she went to Zhen’s room.

Zhen was much more enthusiastic. He chose what he liked without hesitation and sweetly asked Mama Cai to pass along a message: “Please thank Mother for me.”

As Zi Xiao came on shift, he overheard some maids sweeping the courtyard gossiping. They said that the Young Madam had brought back a lot of fabric from the warehouse and was making new clothes for each Young Master.

The servants in Danhuai Courtyard also each received two sets of clothes.

“The Young Madam is so generous. She even gave rewards after the kowtowing ceremony yesterday.”

“Having a lady of the house makes all the difference. Even the flowers in the garden are blooming brighter.”

Zi Xiao suddenly remembered that the four of them hadn’t gone to kowtow to the Young Madam yet.

So, they hurried to make up for it.

As expected, they were rewarded with silver and new clothes.

“Why are you two so late?” Mo Yan and Guan Qi were waiting for them.

“We went to kowtow to the Young Madam, and she rewarded us with silver and clothes,” Zi Xiao said. “You two should go soon too!”

“Yes, the Young Madam had clothes made for everyone in the household, including the Young Masters. They were all new fabric from the warehouse.”

They weren’t ignorant.

But before, without a lady of the house, things had been quite rough.

“Oh, we should go quickly then!” Mo Yan said, realizing they had forgotten to inform the Eldest Young Master that they were leaving.

Xie Yunzhi: “…”

It sounded like Danhuai Courtyard was quite lively. For some reason, he couldn’t help but feel a bit pleased.

Suddenly, Zi Xiao mumbled, “Has the Young Madam prepared clothes for the Eldest Young Master?”

Everyone else had some, so the Eldest Young Master should have them too, right?

The Eldest Young Master also needed clothes, and they wore out quickly.