Chapter 67: Establishing a Female Household, Opening an Embroidery Workshop

Chapter 67: Setting up a Household in Her Own Name and Opening an Embroidery Workshop

"Setting up a household in her own name?" Aunt Hui never expected A Yuan to make such a decision.

"You need to realize how tough it will be to raise a child by yourself, A Yuan. You're still young; you can't give up on all men just because of Wei Xun..."

Aunt Hui held her hand, earnestly advising her.

A Yuan also knew she had chosen the hardest path, but she was afraid of living as someone's dependent.

Wei Xun had treated her well too, but his kindness was merely the affection one shows to a well-behaved pet.

She felt like a golden canary trapped in a cage, smiling and pleasing him whenever he visited, gaining a bit of his sympathy. When Wei Xun didn't come, she would wait for him in that small courtyard.

Besides, she had to deal with the old lady's rules and the servants' neglect, and a small misstep could mean her life.

Now Zhou Yan also expressed his desire to marry her, but A Yuan was afraid. She feared all men were the same, treating you well when they liked you, but once they didn't, you'd be like a stain on the wall, too repulsive to even glance at.

Moreover, she had been with Wei Xun for five years and was carrying his child. She didn't believe Zhou Yan could truly not mind.

She was no longer the naive girl she once was; perhaps growing up in the Spring Smoke Tower, she had seen enough of men's fickleness and never believed in their sincerity.

A Yuan held Aunt Hui's hand, her eyes resolute, "Aunt Hui, you once said that a talented woman can stand on her own two feet. You taught us embroidery to give us another way out."

"Aunt Hui, my Su embroidery is your true legacy. Don't you trust me?"

"Sweetheart, I'm just worried you'll wear yourself out."

Aunt Hui sighed, ultimately saying no more.

She had always respected A Yuan for her strong character, not wallowing in self-pity despite being in a filthy place.

Now that A Yuan could finally steer her own life, how could she stand in her way? That would make her undeserving of being A Yuan's mentor.

Once Aunt Hui understood, she nodded, "Alright, I'll help you."

...

Zhou Yan had once been in the Hanlin Academy, and though his official position was stripped, he still had some influence in Suzhou.

A Yuan wanted to set up a household in her own name and needed to buy property first.

She had managed to save five hundred taels of silver on her own, and Qiu Wen had insisted on giving her another twenty taels.

From the capital to Suzhou, she had remained on the boat throughout the entire trip, only spending on passage and food, so her savings were still untouched.

Zhou Yan and Aunt Hui were not comfortable with her living alone, so they bought her a two-courtyard house on Osmanthus Lane, just a street away from the Zhou residence.

The street was named Osmanthus Lane because each home had osmanthus trees planted.

Jiangnan winters were milder compared to the capital's; the trees in the courtyard were still green, with a few wintersweet blossoms blooming brilliantly, their scent drifting on the breeze.

"The owner of this house had passed the imperial exams, and the whole family moved north to become officials. They couldn't bear to see the house ruined, so their only request was for the new owner to cherish the courtyard."

The broker explained as they strolled, and since it was almost New Year, business was slow. Now that they had met A Yuan, an easy-going buyer, the broker naturally tried her best to sell.

"A Yuan, what do you think? If you don't like it, we can look at more."

Aunt Hui actually didn't want A Yuan to move out so quickly, at least not until after the New Year.

A Yuan may appear delicate, but she was actually very strong-willed. Once she made up her mind, it was hard to change, otherwise she wouldn't have risked her life to escape from Wei Xun.

"Auntie, this one will do."

The house was finally sold for one hundred and fifty taels, and A Yuan gave the broker another fifty taels to rent a shop for herself.

Since she wasn’t showing yet and the baby wasn’t giving her any trouble, it was the perfect time to start the embroidery workshop.

Hui Gu had injured her hand and couldn’t help with the embroidery, but she found a few embroiderers for A Yuan.

"Lady Qian and your sister Mengyun have both studied with me for a few days, they can handle simple embroidery work. You’re pregnant, after all, so you shouldn’t overwork yourself. With their help, it should be easier."

Lady Qian, a widow in her early thirties, lived on Pingyang Street. With her round face and ever-present smile, she was very likable.

Su Mengyun was her niece. Lady Qian had died young, and Su’s father remarried, reducing Su Mengyun to little more than a servant in the household.

A couple of years ago, her stepmother tried to marry her off to a widower as a second wife, but Su Mengyun refused and ran away to seek refuge with her aunt.

As orphans and widows without any means of support, they had learned embroidery from Hui Gu for a couple of days and could only embroider pouches and handkerchiefs, but both were hardworking and diligent. Hui Gu was willing to help them, and since A Yuan needed assistance, she recommended them.

"Lady Xie,"

Lady Qian and Su Mengyun greeted A Yuan with some nervousness, and A Yuan quickly helped them up. "Auntie Qian and Sister Mengyun, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. Your help is exactly what I need right now."

"Lady Xie, just let us know what needs to be done."

...

A Yuan’s embroidery workshop was located on South Street in Suzhou, where there were many embroidery shops, and her Jinxiu Workshop didn’t stand out much.

Besides, while Su embroidery was rare in the capital, most embroiderers in Suzhou were somewhat skilled in it. Fortunately, A Yuan was just trying to make a living.

New Year's Eve.

A Yuan, Auntie Qian, and Su Mengyun gave the workshop a thorough cleaning, and they planned to open on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

The embroidery workshops on South Street had been around for many years and were well-regarded by the locals. A Yuan didn’t aim to surpass them but hoped to stand out by being creative.

This year was the Year of the Rabbit, so A Yuan, Auntie Qian, and her niece worked through the night to make rabbit-shaped lanterns and rabbit hats for young ladies and children.

In the past, embroidery workshops looked down on such novelties, but A Yuan saw a business opportunity.

"My lady, take it easy during the New Year. Mengyun and I will handle the other lanterns. You shouldn’t overexert yourself now."

Auntie Qian, who spent every day with A Yuan, could easily tell she was pregnant.

Though she didn’t know who the father was, A Yuan was so beautiful that the man who abandoned her and their child must have been blind.

Auntie Qian’s thoughts were scathing, and Wei Xun, far away in the capital, couldn’t help but sneeze.

After he called off the engagement with Shen Qiuyu, Madam Wei had fallen ill, and the New Year was ruined.

Chang Yuan, seeing his master who had already pulled three all-nighters in a row, advised earnestly, "Master, your body won’t hold up if you keep this up. Rest for a while."

Wei Xun, looking down at the case files, didn’t respond. His eyes were already bloodshot, but he dared not close them.

As soon as he closed them, he saw A Yuan drowning and calling for help.

He hated himself for not recognizing his feelings sooner and allowing A Yuan to endure so much hardship.

She must have been freezing, falling into the water the night before he was to marry the future princess.

The man's hand holding the brush trembled slightly, and it took a long time to suppress the moisture in the corner of his eye.

"You go out. Let A Jin and my second sister-in-law comfort my mother more. Give her whatever she wants to eat or have."

He was destined to be an unfilial son, but without A Yuan, what was the point of marrying?