Font Size:
Construction of Shen Zi’an’s house had begun, and with a bustling crowd on site, men were hard at work while groups of women came by in threes and fives, ostensibly to offer assistance to Su Zhi but in reality, to observe the progress of the house. They were curious to see how it was being built, the materials being used, such as the loads of bluestones, stacks of quality timber, and piles of black tiles. As they viewed the laid foundation, they marveled in awe, realizing it was going to be a grand estate. It seemed that prosperity was on the horizon for Shen Zi’an’s family!
“Su Zhi, this house you’re building is truly grand. You’ll need some exquisite furniture soon, won’t you?” Sugen’s wife said with a smile.
“If you plan on getting furniture made, don’t bother looking elsewhere. Just ask your brother-in-law Li Qing; his craftsmanship is top-notch. Everyone in the surrounding villages praises his skills! When the time comes for furniture, I’ll have him waive the extra charges for you.” Li Qing’s wife reminded.
Having interacted with several women from the village in the past few days, Su Zhi was most familiar with Shugen’s wife and Li Qing’s wife. Their husbands were working on the construction, and since they didn’t have in-laws to tend to at home, they could visit frequently, leading to a growing familiarity.
Su Zhi recognized the kind nature of these two women, and their husbands were also reputable individuals. Hence, she treated them with warmth and a friendly smile.
“We do intend to have furniture made. Since you’ve suggested it, we’ll entrust this task to Brother Li Qing. We won’t look elsewhere,” Su Zhi responded.
Su Zhi didn’t decline Li Qing’s wife business proposal. After completing the architectural drawings for the house, she had also sketched designs for the furniture. Shen Zi’an had previously mentioned Li Qing’s excellent woodworking skills, and the couple had already planned to hire him. Since Li Shi had initiated the discussion, Su Zhi decided to go along with her suggestion as a gesture of goodwill.
Li Shi beamed with joy upon hearing Su Zhi’s agreement, holding Su Zhi’s hand and saying, “It’s settled then. Rest assured, my husband will craft your furniture meticulously. You’ll be delighted with the results!”
Shu Gen’s wife, who had been listening with a smile, chimed in, “Su Zhi, my husband mentioned that your house has architectural blueprints drawn by you, and he’s been praising your skills. Even though the house isn’t built yet, it looks excellent. You seem well-traveled. Did you also sketch the furniture designs?”
Intrigued by the conversation, Li Qing’s wife also expressed interest. She had heard from her husband that Shen Zi’an was fortunate to have married a talented woman who could draw. Although she had teased him about possibly feeling outmatched by her skills, she admired Su Zhi and was eager to spend more time with her, hoping to bask in her brilliance.
“Sister, do you have blueprints for the furniture as well? Could you show us?”
Su Zhi smiled and said, “Yes, I have them, but they’re not fully complete yet. If you ladies would like to see, I’ll bring them right away.”
Entering the sleeping quarters, Su Zhi retrieved the blueprints. These furniture designs were inspired by modern pieces she had admired in the contemporary world. Elegant yet classical, these designs were commonly seen in modern settings but were extraordinary in the current time and rural setting, as evident from the expressions of the two women.
“Did you draw these, Sister?” Shugen’s wife looked at Su Zhi with newfound respect, impressed by the quality of the drawings. While they lacked the vibrant colors of traditional paintings, the furniture sketches composed of simple lines showcased a level of skill that made the furniture appear three-dimensional. This skill surpassed even the festive paintings, and the furniture resembled that of wealthy households. She recalled visiting a wealthy merchant’s home in the city and found Su Zhi’s designs to be even more appealing.
Su Zhi didn’t downplay her abilities. Having once been in a convent, she had no qualms about showcasing her talents. She knew that being able to write and draw would earn her respect, as people in rural areas held educated individuals in high regard, regardless of gender.
“These are my drawings. They may not be perfect, but I hope they don’t invite ridicule from you both.”
“Where do you see imperfection? They are beautifully drawn,” Li Qing’s wife pointed at the furniture designs and remarked, “These pieces look as if they are standing right on the paper. If you were to draw a person, it’d be much more detailed than the figures in traditional paintings!”
Shugen’s wife nodded in agreement, both women showering Su Zhi with praise.
Li Qing’s wife hesitantly proposed, “Sister, these furniture designs are exquisite. If my husband could replicate these for others, they would surely sell well. Would it be possible for him to craft furniture in this style? If you disagree, it’s fine. If you agree, Li Qing won’t charge for the work; not for the furniture-making or even the construction work for the house. What do you think?”
Su Zhi widened her eyes slightly as she looked at Li Qing’s wife. She wasn’t angry; after all, once the furniture was displayed, people would inevitably try to replicate it. She couldn’t stop that. Moreover, it was about the act of crafting the furniture by hand. She was more impressed by Li Qing’s wife quick thinking and entrepreneurial spirit, realizing that the designs could be a means to earn money. She admired her for not taking advantage and seeking her consent.
Comparing people, Su Zhi couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between Li Qing’s wife respectful approach and the Shen family’s tendency to exploit situations for personal gain, even though they were all related. Similarly, observing the distant neighbors who politely sought permission before pursuing their own ventures highlighted a clear gap in behavior.
Su Zhi’s impression of her improved instantly.
“It’s fine. Li Qing can certainly produce furniture in this style for others. I’ll give him the blueprints. As for you, Sister Shen , I can’t provide the house blueprints to Shugen, as it wouldn’t be ideal if everyone knew the layout of our home. However, if he wishes to learn to draw, I can certainly teach him. Consider this my gift to you both. Let’s not discuss buying or selling. Payment will be provided as agreed.”
Li Qing’s wife and Shugen’s wife were delighted by Su Zhi’s response, expressing gratitude and secretly hoping to benefit from her generosity without imposing on her further.
After examining the blueprints and lunchtime approaching, the two women returned home to prepare meals. When their husbands arrived home, they shared the news with what they talked about with Su Zhi and the head of the household. Delighted by the developments, the men finished their meals early and promptly headed to Shen Zi’an’s house to express their gratitude to Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an.
Following this event, Su Zhi noticed that both Shugen’s wife and Li Qing’s wife seemed warmer towards her. She understood why many time-traveling women garnered attention—simple modern knowledge was treasured by people of ancient times. A few sketches had already prompted offers of free labor; perhaps she should consider selling a few recipes in town someday.
Although Su Zhi pondered these thoughts, current circumstances didn’t allow for immediate action. With the house construction underway and Shen Zi’an unable to leave, she had to tend to cooking and chores. Venturing into the city would have to wait at least another month.
While the city was out of reach, the mountains remained accessible.
Initially, Su Zhi hadn’t planned to return to the mountains until after the house was completed. She believed offerings to the sacred beast should happen once the home was fully built and fortified. She was relieved that the chestnuts were safely stored in the most dilapidated room acting as a temporary warehouse. Although she regretted not gathering more essentials like ginger, the current supplies would suffice for now. During the construction period, she hadn’t considered another trip to the mountains. However, someone had mentioned something that reignited her desire to explore the mountains.
On the day of the house-raising ceremony, many visitors arrived. After the festivities, Su Zhi gave each child two pieces of candy and a handful of sunflower seeds. It was a rare treat for the children to receive candy at this time. During such occasions, sugary treats were customary for the children to enjoy the spectacle, and Su Zhi’s generous distribution stood out, as most households only offered seeds and peanuts.
Wang Shi and Li Shi visited today. While they didn’t come daily or always together, their frequent visits indicated a good relationship between the sisters-in-law. Their interactions appeared harmonious, unlike the strained dynamics seen in the third household.
Observing Su Zhi generously treat their children, Wang Shi and Li Shi reminisced about the first meeting when Su Zhi had given each child a special gift—silver hairpins for the girls and tiny silver ingots for the boys, both of exceptional quality. They admired Su Zhi’s graciousness, acknowledging her superior manners even compared to their own family members.
“Auntie, I don’t have anything delicious, but you can have this. It’s pretty,” Chuncao, the liveliest among the siblings, handed Su Zhi a handful of red fruits. Despite feeling a bit shy and self-conscious, she hoped Su Zhi would appreciate the gesture.
As Chuncao offered the fruits, her little brother, the Fourth grandson, interjected playfully, ” Chuncao, you stingy thing! Giving sour fruits to Auntie Su! What a troublemaker! Auntie, don’t eat it; they taste terrible! Chuncao, you’re naughty. Auntie don’t give her anything tasty in the future!”
Chuncao glared at Fourth grandson indignantly as he teased her, pulling a funny face before darting away.
Chuncao looked at Su Zhi with a sense of injustice, saying, “Auntie Su, Chuncao isn’t naughty. These fruits may not taste good, but they look nice. Chuncao gave them to Auntie to play with!”
“Auntie Su likes them very much. How can something like this be bad? It looks appetizing. Believe it or not, even if it tastes unpleasant, Auntie Su can make it delicious!” Su Zhi took the two small red fruits from Chuncao. She recognized them as hawthorn berries, slightly sour but not necessarily unpalatable. It seemed that the incredible uses of hawthorn berries were still unknown to many at this point!