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After a few days at Splendorous Garden, Song Jingyun and Jiang Mixia gradually became familiar with the place and also began to get to know several other scholars who had come to the capital for the imperial examination.
Engaging in discussions, seeking advice from learned individuals, and pursuing knowledge…
Song Jingyun had been incredibly busy these days.
Being occupied left him with no time to stay in the No. 8 Courtyard with Jiang Mixia.
Jiang Mixia wasn’t the type to cling only to her husband or feel anxious in new surroundings, so she took the opportunity to explore the area during this break.
Buying some daily essentials, exploring the local specialties of the capital, and thinking about what gifts to bring back home for the family on their return journey became Jiang Mixia’s focus. Additionally, she paid particular attention to exploring potential business opportunities in the city.
Song Jingyun excelled in his studies, displaying great talent. While he might not top the list this time, making it onto the rankings seemed almost inevitable. If he were to stay in the capital, settling down there wouldn’t be easy considering the modest salary of a newly appointed official.
In a city like the capital, one’s assets and business acumen were crucial for stability. With this in mind, Jiang Mixia spent several days exploring the city, understanding that the capital, being the administrative and economic hub of the country, offered a wide range of business opportunities, both expected and unexpected.
The wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient people far exceeded Jiang Mixia’s expectations. Take, for example, the bamboo weaving artistry that the Jiang family excelled in—here, the craftsmanship of bamboo items was even more intricate, reaching the level of creating art through bamboo weaving.
Bamboo strips were soaked in dye and woven into delicate paintings, exquisitely detailed and visually pleasing. These pieces could be used as screens or bamboo curtains, enhancing both beauty and finesse.
Impressed by the craftsmanship, Jiang Mixia purchased several smaller bamboo woven paintings and brought them back to show Song Jingyun. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
“Yes,” Song Jingyun nodded in agreement, “The bamboo strips are thin, the work is precise, and the ability to weave dyed bamboo strips into artworks is a skill that takes time and dedication to master.”
Song Jingyun reflected for a while, then tilted his head and said, “If we could apply this craftsmanship to the bamboo silk fans made in our family, they would undoubtedly look even more exquisite.”
“Indeed,” Jiang Mixia agreed but chuckled, “You mentioned earlier that weaving dyed bamboo strips into paintings is a skill that takes time to master. Transforming them into fans might be even more challenging. This matter requires careful consideration.”
“In the coming days, I’ll write a letter home to inform my parents about this and then try to find a master craftsman in the capital with such skills to see if we can combine these two elements.”
If successful, this fusion could certainly elevate the family’s bamboo weaving business to new heights.
While Jiang Mixia pondered business matters, Song Jingyun carefully examined one of the bamboo woven paintings. After a moment, he remarked, “It doesn’t seem as complicated as it looks.”
“How so?” Jiang Mixia, interrupted in her thoughts, asked.
“I don’t think weaving these bamboo paintings is as difficult as it appears. I believe I can give it a try,” Song Jingyun said, eager to attempt it. “Tomorrow, I’ll go out and buy some bamboo and tools for weaving bamboo strips. Could you also get some dye? Let’s give it a shot.”
Jiang Mixia, “…”
Song Jingyun had been taught bamboo weaving by his parents, but he took the family’s bamboo weaving skills to a new level. Especially the incredibly delicate bamboo silk fans, they were all crafted by Song Jingyun himself.