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On the appointed day, Su Zhi had Shen Zi’an drive the ox-cart to town. They delivered all the prepared dolls to Liang Fu’s designated contacts. Liang Fu was also present in the carriage but did not disembark, exchanging a few words through the small curtain on the carriage before parting ways.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi entered the town. It was market day, bustling with people as usual. They had some shopping to do for items they needed at home.
This time, Su Zhi bought more grain. Their stock at home was already substantial, accumulated over repeated trips like this. They anticipated a possible drought and believed that more grain would be better.
Afterward, they arrived at the Embroidery Shops. During her idle moments at home recently, Su Zhi had woven some nets, and Aunt Lan had woven quite a few as well, which they brought here to sell. Additionally, Su Zhi had some business with the shopkeeper Su, although she could have dealt with someone else, dealing with shopkeeper Su whom they already know is better.
The business at the Embroidery Shops seemed prosperous as several people were inside browsing when Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an entered. However, shopkeeper Su was not present, and they were greeted by one of the shop’s assistants.
“Where is Shopkeeper Su?” Su Zhi asked the assistant. If she was only selling nets, she could settle with the assistant, as he knew her and the standard price for her nets. However, she had specific business with Shopkeeper Su.
The assistant replied, “Our shopkeeper is attending to a guest in the back. She’ll be out shortly, Madam Shen, please wait a moment.”
Su Zhi nodded, took out the nets from her basket, and handed them to the assistant, saying, “Here are 120 nets, including two new designs. This one is ‘Twin Phoenixes Playing with Pearls,’ and this one is ‘Hundred Flowers Vying for Spring.'”
The assistant’s eyes lit up as he examined the nets in his hand. He praised, “Madam Shen, your craftsmanship is exquisite and innovative. Everyone recognizes these nets you’ve created. It’s rare that you’re so open about it. You’ve also taught the people in your village, and their lives have improved as a result. You truly have a kind heart.”
That fellow spoke sincerely. Recently, many people selling embroidery at Embroidery Shops have been using the threads that Su Zhi brought earlier, and they’re selling quite well.
“You flatter me. It’s all thanks to our fellow villagers,” Su Zhi smiled. Since Shugen’s Wife and her friends also had some well-off relatives, they came up with ways to make money and wanted others to share the benefits with their consent. They taught several patterns of embroidery to their acquaintances. Later, Su Zhi taught them new styles without affecting their ability to sell for high prices. As a result, more people started making embroideries following Su Zhi’s teachings, truly benefiting some.
“Madam Shen, I’ll take this inside to show it to our shop manager. Please wait a moment.”
The assistant smiled as he took two pieces of embroidery and turned around. Lifting a nearby curtain, he entered the door, where there was another room. The esteemed guest mentioned earlier was inside. A large embroidery house like Baise Embroidery shop naturally had such places to entertain distinguished guests. Not all women wandered outside to look at things, and not all good items were displayed outside for people to choose from. Those truly familiar with the place or those perceived as wealthy by the shopkeepers would be led to the back to see valuable items.
Su Zhi smiled and didn’t wait around, moving aside to look at other embroideries.
The assistant carried Su Zhi’s embroideries into the back, into a tastefully decorated room. Inside, he saw the shopkeeper Su talking to a woman, both standing, with a maid behind the woman holding something. It seemed they had already chosen their items.
When the shopkeeper Su saw the assistant come in and the items in his hands, she raised her eyebrows slightly and asked, “Is that a new embroidery? Has Madam Shen arrived?”
Shopkeeper Su thought that if the assistant came in with the embroideries, it must be because they were new and unique. The assistant was here to show her, and now the only person who could create such new embroideries was Su Zhi. She immediately thought of Su Zhi.
The assistant smiled and said, “Yes, these are the new embroideries created by Madam Shen. One is called ‘Double Phoenix Playing with Pearls,’ and the other is called ‘Hundred Flowers Vying for Spring.’ Shopkeeper, take a look.”
“The names are well chosen indeed—Double Phoenix Playing with Pearls and Hundred Flowers Vying for Spring. I must see them. Lately, you always have such fresh embroideries here. It’s rare that I get to see them first.”
The woman said, her face breaking into a smile. She was very attractive, though not extraordinarily beautiful, she had a unique charm about her. Her features were captivating, and her voice was as soft as a warbler in the valley, making people unable to resist looking at her.
Shopkeeper Su smiled and took the two embroideries from the assistant, handing one to the woman.
“Madam Yue, please have a look.”
This woman was none other than Zhang Baozhu’s concubine, Jia Yue’er. However, the shopkeeper Su was tactful, addressing her as Madam Yue, which sounded pleasant.
Jia Yue’er examined the embroidery in her hands, nodded, and said, “This design is very fresh. This must be ‘Hundred Flowers Vying for Spring,’ truly capturing the feeling of countless flowers blooming in spring. The person who embroidered this has a clever mind and skillful hands. ‘Double Phoenix Playing with Pearls’ is also excellent. Shopkeeper Su, please give me ten of each of these.”
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper Su smiled and asked the assistant, “Do we have enough of these two types of embroideries brought by Madam Shen this time?”
The assistant smiled and replied, “Yes, Madam. Madam Shen brought 120 pieces of these embroideries this time. For this new style, she only made ten of each; the rest are still in the original styles.”
“Madam Shen is always like this. If she didn’t have a head for business, it would truly be a loss,” the assistant added with a chuckle.
Shopkeeper Su smiled and said, “Because every time Su Zhi brings a new design, the price tends to be higher, and the quantity is always limited, making them rare and valuable.”
Jia Yue’er listened to Shopkeeper Su’s words and remarked, “Since Shopkeeper Su praises this Madam Shen so highly, I’m quite curious to meet her. She must be an extraordinary person, isn’t she?”
Shopkeeper Su smiled. Normally, she would have immediately complimented back with something like “Surely not as remarkable as Madam Yue,” to flatter Jia Yue’er. After all, she was the beloved concubine of Zhang’s wealthy son, highly regarded despite her status. Their business relied on the Zhang family in many ways, and it was wise not to offend Jia Yue’er and potentially gain some benefits by getting along well with her. However, because this was about Su Zhi, Shopkeeper Su couldn’t bring herself to say those words. In her view, Su Zhi, with her natural charm, seemed just as impressive as Jia Yue’er, if not more so.
“Madam Shen is indeed very skillful with her hands,” Shopkeeper Su finally remarked lightly. She didn’t wish for Su Zhi to have much interaction with Jia Yue’er, despite knowing Su Zhi for a short time, Shopkeeper Su felt protective of her.