Chapter 200: The Miao King Wants a Top Scholar Grandson
Chapter 200: The Miao King Wants a Top Scholar Grandson
September 7, 2024
The first place Meng Qianqian took Liu Qingyun to was the Misty Rain Pavilion.
Meng Qianqian was now a regular customer at the Misty Rain Pavilion, and almost all of her and Bao Shu's clothes were made there.
When the manager saw her, he greeted her politely, "Lady Lu, have you come to look at the clothes today?"
"Manager Niu," Meng Qianqian replied.
Bao Shu, sitting in Tan'er's arms, had a head of frizzy golden braids and greeted him.
Manager Liu was startled. Was she no longer a little tiger cub but a little lioness with frizzy hair? Fortunately, he reacted quickly and smiled at Bao Shu, "It's Miss Bao Shu, looking so pretty that I almost didn't recognize you."
Bao Shu proudly lifted her chin.
Soon, Liu Qingyun also got off the carriage.
Her beauty, as expected, caused quite a stir once again.
Manager Liu whispered to Meng Qianqian, "The owner is upstairs."
Meng Qianqian smiled knowingly, "Then, please ask Manager Liu to pass on a message for me. I'd like to request that Yun Niangzi make a set of clothes for my mother-in-law."
She already knew that Yun Xiayao was the owner of the Misty Rain Pavilion.
Manager Liu hurried off.
Liu Qingyun grumbled impatiently, "Even making a set of clothes is such a hassle."
Meng Qianqian smiled and said, "Yun Niangzi's embroidery skills are unparalleled, and she rarely makes clothes for others."
"Tsk."
Liu Qingyun scoffed.
Meng Qianqian explained, "This purple Misty Rain Fairy skirt that my mother is wearing was designed by Yun Niangzi and made by her apprentice."
Ever since Yun Xiayao made her wedding dress, she hadn't taken on any other business.
Meng Qianqian wasn't sure if Yun Xiayao would agree, but it was worth asking.
Liu Qingyun seemed very pleased with her outfit and stopped complaining after hearing Meng Qianqian's words.
When Manager Liu reached the third floor, Yun Xiayao was discussing design sketches with her apprentice, Wu Xiuniang.
Wu Xiuniang said to Manager Liu, "Making wedding dresses is extremely exhausting. The owner will not take on any business for at least three years. Manager Liu, you've been here for ten years, don't you know the owner's habits?"
Manager Liu broke into a cold sweat, "I know."
Yun Xiayao put down the sketchbook, "Don't blame him. If he didn't tell the customer, how would they know I'm here? Well, who's here?"
Manager Liu smiled brightly, "Lady Lu!"
Yun Xiayao asked, "Is it her?"
Manager Liu smiled, "Her mother-in-law has come to the capital, and she wants the owner to make a set of clothes for her."
"Owner," Wu Xiuniang frowned and looked at Yun Xiayao.
Yun Xiayao said to Manager Liu, "Tell her that I can make the clothes, but she must become my apprentice."
"An apprentice?"
Meng Qianqian, upon hearing Manager Liu's words, pointed at herself in disbelief, "Me?"
Manager Liu smiled, "Yes."
Meng Qianqian asked in confusion, "Why would you think of taking me as an apprentice?"
Manager Liu gave an awkward laugh, "Well, I'm not quite sure about that. Lady Lu, what do you think? Will you agree?"
Liu Qingyun snorted coldly, "Selling yourself for a set of clothes? Forget it! Let's go!"
---
"Owner!"
Manager Liu hurried upstairs, panting heavily.
Wu Xiuniang asked solemnly, "What happened?"
Manager Liu gasped, "She... her mother-in-law disagrees."
Wu Xiuniang said coldly, "She's the mistress of the Governor's Mansion, with a noble status. Why would she look down on us embroiderers who make a living through our skills?"
After saying this, she noticed her master's icy gaze upon her, and she quickly lowered her head, "I didn't mean it that way... Master, you're different from us."
Yun Xiayao spoke coldly, "In life, one must never belittle oneself."
Wu Xiuniang hurriedly replied, "Yes, disciple knows her mistake."
Manager Liu struggled to speak, "I didn't say that... her mother-in-law disagrees... but she agreed... she wants to become your apprentice..."
Yun Xiayao immediately smiled, "Ask them to wait in the side room, and I'll go take the customer's measurements right away."
"Hey, Owner!"
Manager Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead and rushed downstairs, risking his life.
No one had told him how tiring it was to be a manager!
Wu Xiuniang bit her lip and gathered her courage to ask, "Owner, we apprentices practiced for years to become your disciples. But you've only met her a few times, why break the rules and accept her as a disciple?"
Yun Xiayao glanced at the sketchbook on the table, "Did you spend three years designing these clothes?"
"Yes."
"None of them are usable."
"Master!"
Yun Xiayao said, "Go downstairs."
Wu Xiuniang, feeling defeated, stood up.
Yun Xiayao pointed to the sketchbook, "Take this one too."
Wu Xiuniang reluctantly said, "Master, if you don't want it..."
Yun Xiayao stared at her with an imposing presence.
"I understand, disciple will work harder."
Wu Xiuniang took the sketchbook, her face pale, and went downstairs.
In the side room, Liu Qingyun sipped on high-quality Longjing tea and slowly said, "Don't think that by doing this, I'll like you."
Meng Qianqian said, "I want to learn it myself."
Liu Qingyun furrowed her brows, "What's the use of learning this?"
Meng Qianqian curved her lips, "The more skills, the better. Besides, I'm just idle anyway."
Meng Qianqian didn't mention that in the small embroidery tower, they could even drink Longjing tribute tea. Who could say that Yun Xiayao was just a small owner of Misty Rain Pavilion? Her enemies were too powerful, and she had to do everything in her power to win over any influence she could.
"Sister!"
Tan'er suddenly tugged at her sleeve, indicating for her to look at the street, "Look, it's the Longevity God!"
Meng Qianqian focused her gaze and realized who Tan'er was referring to as the Longevity God.
It was none other than Xun Yu, who had been beaten by the old grandmother until his own parents couldn't recognize him.
His injuries had healed, and he was once again a graceful and refined gentleman.
The Miaojiang siblings he had met at the post station were now dressed in Central Plains attire.
It seemed that the Chancellor's Mansion was indeed making efforts to win over Miaojiang, and they had already achieved initial success.
From a distance, before Xun Yu noticed her, Meng Qianqian lowered the window lattice.
Bao Shu stared at Meng Qianqian in shock.
Meng Qianqian rubbed her little head, "It's too hot."
"Mother, it's hot."
Bao Shu said in a baby voice, then climbed down from Meng Qianqian's lap, grabbed the fan on the table, and walked back, fanning Meng Qianqian with a wobbly gait.
The fan was large and heavy, and she used all her strength.
Finally, she managed to fan herself to the ground.
The Eastern Avenue was one of the busiest streets in the capital, and despite the scorching summer heat, the flow of pedestrians showed no signs of diminishing.
Bai Yuwei sighed, "The capital is so prosperous, much livelier than our Miaojiang!"
Xun Yu spoke gently, "Miaojiang is blessed with beautiful scenery and talented people, which the capital can't compare to."
As they spoke, a little beggar bumped into an old man's cart, causing bags of grain to spill onto the ground, and the wheel broke.
Fearing responsibility, the little beggar scrambled away, not paying attention to his path, and collided with Xun Yu.
Xun Yu not only didn't get angry but instead reached out to help the little beggar up, "I saw you bump into the cart just now, are you hurt?"
The little beggar shook his head in fear.
Xun Yu took out a few copper coins from his purse and gave them to the beggar.
The little beggar bowed to him, then hurried away with the coins, fearing he might change his mind.
Bai Yuwei asked in confusion, "Why didn't you give him more just now?"
Xun Yu sighed, "These beggars often work together. The big beggar orders the little beggar around. If he doesn't earn enough tomorrow, he might get punished."
"So that's the case."
Bai Yuwei suddenly understood, and at the same time, she felt ashamed for misunderstanding him as stingy.
Xun Yu walked over to the old man, helped him up, and comforted him, "Old man, don't be sad. I can fix your cart."
The old man exclaimed, "Really?"
Xun Yu rolled up his sleeves and fixed the wheel in a few quick moves.
Bai Yuwei was stunned.
Bai Qingchen's eyes also flashed with surprise.
After fixing the cart, Xun Yu picked up the triangular farming tool from the ground, "Old man, do you all still use this plowshare to plow the fields?"
The old man sighed, "Yes, I'm getting old and can't manage much plowing."
Xun Yu smiled, "If you add a curved board, you can turn the soil faster."
Bai Yuwei walked over, "What curved board? I don't understand."
Xun Yu looked at the plowshare in his hand, covered in mud, "I thought of this while clearing wasteland in the Western City. Fortunately, I brought some back. I'll go get it and show you later."
After saying this, he politely asked the old man, "Old man, where do you live? I'll bring it to you tomorrow and teach you how to use the new iron plow."
The old man hesitantly told him the name of his village.
Xun Yu returned the plowshare to the old man and said to Bai Qingchen, "White Young Master, give me a hand?"
Bai Qingchen nodded and moved the hemp bag back onto the cart.
The old man repeatedly thanked them, and the onlooking commoners also sent appreciative glances.
Bai Yuwei said, "Xun Heir, I thought that all the noble young masters in the capital were only good at reciting poetry and playing music. I never expected that you, like my brother, are dedicated to the people and have real skills! You're a great man."
Xun Yu humbly replied, "Miss Bai is too kind. I'm just doing what I can. White Young Master is the true dragon among men and the future ruler of Miaojiang. I dare not compare myself to him."
Bai Yuwei proudly said, "My brother is naturally the most outstanding man in the world, but you're not bad either. I heard that you are the youngest zhuangyuan in the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Xun Yu smiled, "That's all in the past, not worth mentioning."
Bai Yuwei sighed, "My grandfather dreams of having a zhuangyuan. Unfortunately, we don't have zhuangyuan exams in Miaojiang. If you were my grandfather's grandson, I can't imagine how much he would dote on you!"
(End of Chapter)
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