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The apprentices in the workshop had varying levels of skill, with some producing commendable work while others were still at the stage of making simple bamboo baskets. Teaching them was indeed a challenging and ongoing task.
The pressure on Song Jingyun and Jiang Youcheng was considerable, as they were almost constantly busy at the workshop, teaching the apprentices.
Meanwhile, Jiang Mixia began designing new puppet patterns and, once completed, created clay models based on these designs.
With less work to do in the fields during the spring and no cotton planting yet, Jiang Chunyu often brought Jiang Maihua to Zhu Guangtai’s home to play, helping Jiang Mixia make clay puppets.
Jiang Maihua, being very young, simply enjoyed playing with the clay.
Jiang Chunyu admitted that he didn’t have the skill for this, but he enthusiastically made his own clay bowls and plates.
As for Zhu Guangtai, it was his first time seeing these clay puppets, and he found them fascinating. He tried to replicate Jiang Mixia’s work, but lacking the skill, the result was quite different from what he intended, much like a misshapen snowman.
“This is really difficult,” Zhu Guangtai sighed with frustration.
“Don’t worry, not everyone has the skill of sixth Sister,” Jiang Chunyu reassured him, feeling much better upon realizing that his own puppet-making was not far off from Zhu Guangtai’s attempt.
He wasn’t alone!
“Can’t say that. Your bother-in-law’s craftsmanship is excellent,” Jiang Mixia said with a smile as she carefully attached the antlers to the small deer puppet.
“Is Sister’s husband even human? He’s a deity!” Jiang Chunyu solemnly declared.
Jiang Mixia paused, taken aback.
“Uncle is a deity?” Zhu Guangtai was incredulous. After all, deities reside in the heavens, not on earth.
Zhu Guangtai widened his eyes, “Really?”
“Even if he’s not a deity, he’s close enough. I’ve never seen anyone as skilled as Sister’s husband. His fishing, basket weaving, and puppet making are all exceptional. It feels like there’s nothing he can’t do,” Jiang Chunyu spoke with pride, his chin lifting with evident satisfaction.
“Wow…” Zhu Guangtai gasped in amazement. “Uncle’s clay puppets are even better than Aunt’s?”
Zhu Guangtai had seen Song Jingyun weaving baskets.
The speed at which the bamboo strips were flying made Zhu Guangtai feel like his eyes weren’t quick enough.
Song Jingyun’s snowman was so well made.
Just now, Jiang Chunyu said that Song Jingyun was also skilled at fishing! Now, was Song Jingyun also proficient at making clay puppets?
“Of course,” Jiang Chunyu, still in the midst of praising him, caught sight of Song Jingyun entering the house and hurriedly went to grab him. “Brother-in-law, come and make a clay puppet for Guangtai to see your craftsmanship!”
To showcase his skill? No problem!
Song Jingyun readily agreed and, rolling up his sleeves, took some clay and quickly fashioned a small rabbit.
“Wow…” Zhu Guangtai’s mouth hung open again as he held the little rabbit in his palm, thoroughly captivated.
Once he had seen enough, Zhu Guangtai looked up at Song Jingyun, his eyes filled with admiration.
Uncle was truly a deity!
He was truly amazing! When Zhu Guangtai got his rabbit, Jiang Maihua, who had been playing with the clay nearby, came over, “Uncle, bunny, want bunny.”
“Alright, I’ll make one for you too.” Song Jingyun then proceeded to craft a rabbit for Jiang Maihua, similar to the one he made for Zhu Guangtai.
With their clay rabbits in hand, the two of them gathered together, playing and having a great time.
“Why are you back at this hour?” Jiang Mixia finally had a moment to ask Song Jingyun. “Is the workshop finished for the day?”
“Dad asked me to come back and rest for a while,” Song Jingyun scratched his ear. “I told him I wasn’t tired, but he insisted I come back, saying that if I kept watching, it would put too much pressure on the others, and they wouldn’t learn well. He wants me to go back tomorrow to check what they’ve woven…”
Jiang Mixia nodded in understanding. If the master was too skilled, it could easily intimidate the apprentices. Song Jingyun, in particular, was incredibly efficient, almost like a robot when it came to weaving. Working alongside him did require strong mental fortitude.
Especially for the apprentices who knew that Song Jingyun had only learned weaving after coming to the Jiang family, it made them doubt their own abilities.
Jiang Youcheng’s decision to have Song Jingyun come back was probably out of necessity.
“Since you’re free, help me finish the clay puppets,” Jiang Mixia requested.
The clay puppets crafted by Song Jingyun had a livelier and more expressive quality than hers, making them more advantageous for madam Zhen’s wooden puppets.
There was no reason not to help his own wife with her work.
“Sure,” Song Jingyun replied, getting to work.
As Zhu Guangtai and Jiang Maihua, who had been playing with the clay rabbits, noticed Song Jingyun starting to make other clay figures, they gathered around him once more.
As they watched the plain clay in Song Jingyun’s hands transform into adorable little animals, both children’s mouths hung open in astonishment, unable to close them for quite some time.
They didn’t even notice when Zhu Yongwu returned.
With the warmer days after the New Year, Zhu Yongwu’s foot injury had mostly healed. He spent the past few days clearing the area for building the house and preparing to hire someone to dig the foundation.
Today, he also went to see about buying green bricks and timber, eager to make progress on the construction. He felt a bit guilty for constantly bothering the Jiang family.
After a busy day of non-stop work, he was quite exhausted.
Upon returning and seeing Zhu Guangtai and Jiang Maihua gathered around Song Jingyun, he leaned in, curious. Zhu Yongwu smiled, “What are you two crowding around your uncle for?”
“Dad’s back!” Zhu Guangtai rushed over to Zhu Yongwu, holding up the little rabbit he had made, “We were watching Uncle make clay puppets. Look, Dad, see the little rabbit Uncle made for us!”
Zhu Guangtai was so excited that he almost bumped the rabbit into Zhu Yongwu’s face.
Zhu Yongwu took a step back and examined the clay rabbit in Zhu Guangtai’s hands.
It was lifelike and unlike the typical rabbit figures. The lines were not as refined as those of a typical rabbit, but the rustic lines made the little rabbit even more lively and adorable.
“This rabbit looks really nice,” Zhu Yongwu nodded in admiration, his gaze fixed on the little rabbit.
The rabbit was indeed wonderful, but the clay used to make it… Zhu Yongwu was curious. “Where did this clay come from?”
“Chunyu dug it up from near the river,” Jiang Mixia replied. “It’s clay. It’s suitable for making clay puppets, so we’ve been using it.”
“What’s special about this clay?” Jiang Mixia asked, noticing Zhu Yongwu’s serious expression.
“The clay has a fine texture and minimal impurities. If used for making ceramics, it’s as good as it gets,” Zhu Yongwu explained.