Chapter 42: General Xie

Chapter 42: General Xie

General Xie was Lin Qingshuang's idol. When the barbarians invaded the border, he fought off hundreds single-handedly, leading a cavalry unit to cut down thousands of barbarians, deterring them from invading again.

His most famous feat was wiping out a mountain stronghold single-handedly, which border storytellers turned into legends.

However, the noble ladies in the capital were more into tales of scholars and beauties, so these violent tales didn’t interest them. Thus, Lin Qingshuang was the only one in the entire capital who would buy General Xie’s stories.

Seizing the chance to sneak out, the Lin family’s carriage driver was waiting at the side gate.

Lin Qingshuang first went to the bookstore to buy the storybook, then had her maid purchase a large bag of candied fruits. She walked along, munching on them.

"Is this shop new? I don’t remember seeing it before..."

The two stopped in front of an embroidery shop, and Lin Qingshuang’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the exquisite double-sided embroidery screen.

She handed the candied fruits to her maid, smoothed her hands, lifted her skirt, and stepped inside.

A Yuan stood at the inner room’s doorway, veiled. When someone finally entered, she unclenched her hands slightly.

"Su Embroidery Shop? Do you only sell Su embroidery here?" Lin Qingshuang asked sweetly.

"Yes, miss," Madam Zhu replied, stepping out from behind the counter with a smile.

As Chun Tao’s mother, she’d gained favor thanks to her daughter. She’d once offended her master and been banished to the outer gate, but with A Yuan in favor, she was back in the fold.

Moreover, she was familiar with A Yuan’s embroidery work, making her the most suitable person to be the shopkeeper.

"Bring this screen over for me to see."

Lin Qingshuang, ever lively, was instantly drawn to the screen of a cat chasing butterflies. The cat was embroidered so vividly, its snow-white fur looked almost real.

On the back of the screen was a white tiger lying on its side. Even with its eyes closed in sleep, it radiated majesty.

Most young ladies would’ve been scared by the tiger, but Lin Qingshuang was no ordinary girl. She admired the cat, touched the tiger, and was utterly delighted.

"I’ll take this screen! But I’ve got a request—let me meet the embroiderer behind it."

She was curious about what kind of woman could have such ingenuity, blending playfulness and majesty so well.

Madam Zhu hesitated.

A Yuan’s identity meant she couldn’t appear in public, and even today’s outing was a special favor from the young master.

"What? Is she not allowed to be seen?"

Lin Qingshuang raised her delicate eyebrows, her spoiled noblewoman demeanor fully displayed.

She was used to getting whatever she wanted, and Madam Zhu, unable to handle her, unconsciously glanced toward the inner room.

As the atmosphere in the outer room grew awkward, A Yuan bit her lip and lifted the curtain to step out.

"The person you wish to see is me."

Her figure was willow-like, and a faint fragrance trailed her as she walked. Though her face was veiled, her almond-shaped eyes were unmistakable.

Lin Qingshuang met her gaze, "Ahem, she’s so young..."

She muttered, her usual stubbornness vanished.

A Yuan sensed her childlike nature and saw no malice, so she turned to grab a small pouch.

The pouch was meant for kids, but she thought it perfect for the girl.

"You’re the first customer at Su Embroidery Shop, so this pouch’s on me."

"...Thank you."

Lin Qingshuang shyly took it. She usually brushed off flattery, but A Yuan’s gift made her blush like crazy.

Once outside the shop, Lin Qingshuang fanned her face furiously with a handkerchief, waiting for her cheeks to cool down.

"Where on earth did this embroiderer come from? She’s more captivating than storybook fairies."

She nearly lost it.

The maid whispered conspiratorially, "Miss, haven’t you heard? She’s the Wei Crown Prince’s concubine."

"What? Wei Xun’s concubine?!"

Lin Qingshuang exclaimed, turning her head to glance back at the shop.

A Yuan had already retreated to the inner room, but the woman’s charm stuck in her mind.

"Tsk tsk! No wonder Wei Xun’s so smitten with her. If I were a guy, I’d be into her too."

"Miss, watch what you say. If Madam hears, she’ll make you copy the 'Rules for Women' again."

The maid was exasperated with her mistress’s behavior. It was bad enough that she collected General Xie’s storybooks, but now she’s ogling a woman like some creep.

"You always bring Mother into it."

Lin Qingshuang pouted and snorted lightly, "Don’t tell Mother, especially about my books. If she finds out, you’ll be punished with me!"

"Yes."

The maid nodded obediently, and the two of them boarded the carriage.

Lin Qingshuang lifted the carriage curtain and took one last look at the Su Embroidery Shop.

"Too bad this little embroiderer is with Wei Xun. Once Shen Qiuyu marries in, her life will likely be difficult..."

"The Wei Crown Prince dotes on her so much, he’ll surely protect her," the maid chimed in.

Lin Qingshuang rolled her eyes, "What do you know? Shen Qiuyu has eight hundred tricks up her sleeve. If she wants to scheme, she has plenty of ways. Besides, can Wei Xun keep an eye on her all the time?"

While favoring a concubine over a wife was frowned upon, if Lin Qingshuang had to choose between A Yuan and Shen Qiuyu, she would choose A Yuan without hesitation.

Someone like Shen Qiuyu, with her hypocrisy, deserved to be put in her place.

......

A Yuan didn’t stay in the shop for long. After Lin Qingshuang’s visit, many customers came in one after another.

A Yuan’s embroidery was exquisite, and her double-sided embroidery was rare. The noble ladies of the capital knew quality when they saw it, and almost no one left empty-handed.

By day’s end, they’d made a hundred taels.

Madam Zhu tallied up the accounts and showed the ledger to A Yuan.

"If we can supply enough embroidery work every day, our Su Embroidery Workshop could outshine Bao Embroidery Pavilion."

Bao Embroidery Pavilion is the largest embroidery shop in the capital, with dozens of embroiderers. They serve both the elite and the everyday folks, making Bao Embroidery Pavilion known to everyone in the capital.

A Yuan chuckled at her words, "I never knew you had such big dreams, but unfortunately, there are few people in the capital who know Su Embroidery. For now, I can only do it myself, or perhaps teach Chun Tao?"

"I’m all thumbs, don’t make fun of me, mistress!"

Chun Tao waved her hands repeatedly. She couldn’t sit still to save her life, and learning embroidery would be more painful than death for her.

"Look at you, no drive at all! Lady Xie is willing to teach you, and you’re still not satisfied!"

Madam Zhu was exasperated. Her daughter had her good points, but she was lazy and loved her snacks, only interested in having fun.

Fortunately, Lady Xie was tolerant and could put up with her.

"Alright, Madam Zhu, don’t scold her. We’re not in it to get rich, just to keep busy."

A Yuan didn’t want to stand out either. Wei Xun put her in charge of the shop just to keep her occupied. If the shop really became successful, Madam Wei and the second wife might not be too happy about it.

Especially Zhao Wan, who would surely think she was trying to meddle with the family’s assets.

A Yuan didn’t want to stir the pot.