Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Mother

When Eleven Miss heard the matriarch's question, she stood up and respectfully replied, “Yes, but I’ve only learned some basics.”

The matriarch nodded almost imperceptibly, pleased by her humility.

“April 24th is the birthday of the elder madam of the Yongping Marquis Estate. I’ve asked your Fifth Sister to write one hundred different styles of the character ‘longevity.’ You’ll then use double-sided embroidery to create a screen featuring these characters and take it to Yanjing as a birthday gift for the elder madam.”

Luo Yuaniang, the eldest daughter of the Luo family, is married to Xu Lingyi, the Yongping Marquis.

The elder madam of the Yongping Marquis Estate was Luo Yuaniang’s mother-in-law and the matriarch’s in-law.

The first son of the Xu family had died young, and the second son had passed away from illness. The third son, born of a concubine, unexpectedly inherited the title of marquis when Xu Lingyi became the marquis. With Xu Lingyi’s elder sister being crowned empress by the new emperor two years ago, the Luo family became an influential and powerful family in Da Zhou. As a result, preparing the elder madam’s birthday gift became the matriarch’s top priority.

Understanding the importance of the matter, Eleven Miss hesitated and said, “Although I can do double-sided embroidery, my skills are not refined. Yanjing is full of skilled artisans, and I’m worried that my work might not be up to par and could embarrass Big Sister…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the matriarch smiled and said, “No one can match the skill of the palace’s Needlework Bureau when it comes to craftsmanship. We are sending a ‘hundred longevity embroidered screen’ just to express our heartfelt wishes.”

Indeed, no matter how good her craftsmanship was, it could never surpass those embroiderers selected from all over the country who learned their skills for survival. No matter how precious the items sent by the Luo family were, they could never be more valuable than the emperor’s gifts of favor.

Feeling reassured, Eleven Miss smiled and asked, “I wonder what auspicious day Mother has chosen to send the birthday gift to Yanjing?”

“The sixth of March,” the matriarch replied with a smile. “I checked the almanac. The sixth is a day when it is unwise to open warehouses or dig the ground but suitable for traveling and visiting friends. There’s no better day before this, and delaying any further could risk travel delays.”

Eleven Miss pondered for a moment, her face showing hesitation.

Seeing this, the matriarch asked with concern, “Is there any difficulty?”

Eleven Miss hesitated and said, “This double-sided embroidery requires three times the effort compared to single-sided embroidery… I calculated the time, and it seems quite tight!”

“What should we do?” The matriarch frowned. “I’ve been thinking about this idea for over half a month. If we change it now, we’ll have to choose a new birthday gift, and I’m not sure if we’ll have time. Even if we do, it’s troubling to decide what to send.”

The Luo family, being an official family for generations, had deep roots. Even without rare items, it wouldn’t be difficult to find something auspicious for the birthday gift. Or perhaps, the elder madam’s birthday in the Ping’an Marquis Estate had some special significance this year…

Thinking this, Eleven Miss quickly glanced at Fifth Miss.

Sitting beside the matriarch with a teacup in hand, Fifth Miss appeared lost in thought, paying no attention to the matriarch’s words.

Eleven Miss felt a stir in her heart.

Asking her to embroider one hundred longevity characters in double-sided embroidery was no easy task, and asking Fifth Miss to write one hundred different longevity characters was equally difficult. Despite the challenge, the usually resourceful Fifth Miss remained unusually quiet.

Eleven Miss also noticed that Fifth Miss had supported the matriarch as she walked in earlier.

It seemed that either Fifth Miss didn’t find it difficult and had readily agreed, or she found embroidering one hundred longevity characters more challenging than writing them and was waiting for Eleven Miss to refuse. In that case, the matriarch would blame Eleven Miss for the task not being completed.

In either scenario, the situation no longer allowed her to refuse.

Moreover, she had no intention of refusing the matriarch’s request.

However, she didn’t want to agree too easily, as that might make the matriarch underestimate the difficulty and her effort.

The thought flashed by.

She then pondered, “Maybe Master Jian could assist…”

“That won’t do!” Before Eleven Miss could finish her sentence, the matriarch immediately rejected her suggestion. “If someone else does the embroidery, it would lose its meaning.”

Eleven Miss blushed and murmured, “I was mistaken in my thinking! Please don’t blame me, Mother.”

The matriarch sighed upon hearing this.

Eleven Miss, appearing uneasy, quickly said, "Let me try, Mother..."

The matriarch's eyes lit up. "What are your chances?"

Eleven Miss paused for a long moment, then replied softly, "I'll rise early and sleep late. I'll have Dongqing help with threading and needlework... that should help expedite the process." She sounded uncertain.

The matriarch pondered for a long time without giving any approval or disapproval.

Eleven Miss looked somewhat disheartened.

Fifth Miss, with a smile, interjected, "I'll rise early and sleep late too, and finish writing the one hundred 'longevity' characters in just two days. I wonder if Eleven Miss has more confidence now."

Eleven Miss perked up and said with a smile, "I originally thought it would take you half a month. If you can finish in just two days, we should be able to meet the deadline."

In her mind, she had already decided that she would copy Fifth Miss's "longevity" characters into two sets, and have Master Jian find someone to embroider one set while she embroidered the other. If the matriarch suspected anything, she would stand firm and deny it. Even if the matriarch wanted to verify, would Master Jian contradict herself?

The matriarch was pleased with what she heard. "Since that's settled, you sisters should work together to complete the 'Hundred Longevity Embroidery Screen.' This will also give face to your elder sister. Let the people in Yanjing see that the daughters of the Luo family are not only knowledgeable about the past and present but also uphold the virtues taught by the sages."

The Luo family had ancestral teachings written by Ancestor Ji for the women of the Luo family. Before a Luo girl could read, she would first study the "Ji Nüzun," followed by the "Nüjie" and "Neixun." These two phrases were part of those teachings. However, the way the matriarch used them at this time and in this context made Eleven Miss feel quite uncomfortable.

But who would be foolish enough to question the matriarch?

Eleven Miss and Fifth Miss stood up and performed a half-kneel before the matriarch, respectfully responding with a "Yes, Mother."

The matriarch was very pleased with their attitude and nodded slightly. As if remembering something, she asked the daughter-in-law by her side, Wu Xiaquan's wife, "I recall that Eleven Miss's nurse stayed behind in Fujian..."

Wu Xiaquan's wife quickly replied, "At the time, Eleven Miss's nurse didn't want to leave her hometown, so she didn't come along."

"Hmm!" The matriarch nodded slightly, "Then assign Amber to Eleven Miss's quarters to serve her..."

Eleven Miss was taken aback.

If Amber was assigned to her quarters, what would happen to Dongqing?

Could it be that Nurse Ya really persuaded the matriarch to arrange a marriage for Dongqing with her nephew, so the matriarch was first assigning Amber to familiarize herself with the quarters, so that when Dongqing was married off, there wouldn't be any chaos in Eleven Miss's quarters?

Thinking of this, a tumult of emotions welled up within her, and a hint of resentment began to surface.

After three years of careful planning, she had finally developed a rapport with the people around her and got them to act according to her wishes. But now, the matriarch was placing her own maid by her side... It was like having someone else sleeping right next to her, even if they meant no harm. It was unsettling.

Yet she didn't dare show any of this on her face, nor did she dare to hesitate for a moment. With a look of apprehension, she said, "Mother, how can this be? Amber is a capable hand by your side. If she's given to me, what will you do?"

The matriarch smiled and waved her hand, signaling her to stop talking.

"The ladies of our estate are assigned a fixed number of attendants," she said seriously to the maids and daughters-in-law by her side, "Two senior maids, two junior maids, a nurse, and two general helpers. Since Eleven Miss's nurse stayed in Fujian, I'll assign her an additional senior maid to fill the vacancy... this won't be breaking any rules."

Some of the attendants said, "The matriarch is right," or "The matriarch has considered this thoroughly." Wu Xiaquan's wife even laughed and said, "Truth be told, the matriarch should have filled this vacancy in Eleven Miss's quarters long ago. It's strange that it's only being brought up now. I wonder if it was to save a few years of monthly allowance or if it was genuinely overlooked?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

The matriarch laughed too.

Wu Xiaquan was the chief steward of the Luo family, a household servant of the Xu family, and a personal attendant of the matriarch.

The matriarch had always been lenient with her household staff.

After laughing for a while, the matriarch looked at Eleven Miss. "As for Dongqing in your quarters..." She paused.

Perhaps because Amber's arrival jolted her completely awake, Eleven Miss realized just how fragile the foundation she had painstakingly built really was, especially in front of the matriarch—no, in the hands of those in power. Usually calm and composed, she suddenly became restless. A brief pause was enough to make her break out in a cold sweat, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

This is what it feels like to be at someone else's mercy, like a fish on a cutting board!

Her hand, resting on the edge of her skirt, clenched into a tight fist, her nails biting into her palm, but she felt no pain.

She needed to find a way to change her situation... This feeling of having her fate controlled by others was unbearable!

"…and relieve her of her other duties so she can focus on serving you wholeheartedly while you work on the hundred-longevity screen. Amber is capable, and with her by your side, I'll feel more at ease. From now on, the matters in your room will be handled by her," the matriarch's voice seemed to come from far away yet felt so close, making Eleven Miss's head buzz. "With Amber serving you, I can rest easy. You can focus on your embroidery without distraction."

Knowing there was no room for resistance, she decided not to argue.

Eleven Miss forced herself to compose herself.

Her immediate priority was to handle the situation at hand properly.

With a look of unworthiness, Eleven Miss half-knelt and performed a curtsy for the matriarch, saying, "Thank you, Mother!"

The matriarch's face showed a hint of weariness. She instructed Wu Xiaquan, "Later, inform the two Misses about the screen's size and design so they won't be in the dark. Once they've discussed it, come back and report to me."

Wu Xiaquan smiled and agreed.

The matriarch then lifted her teacup, signaling, "You may all leave now!"

The matriarch made no mention of Dongqing's marriage.

Had she forgotten about it?

Or was now not the right time?

Eleven Miss couldn't help but cast a glance at Yao Mama, standing far behind the matriarch.

Yao Mama looked back.

Their gazes locked. Eleven Miss saw her unyielding gaze.

She suddenly felt a deep sense of sorrow.

Now, the only person she could challenge was someone like Yao Mama.