Chapter 007: Assessment of Embroidery

Therefore, she decided to remain inactive for the time being and conceal her identity

A few young women whispered complaints, their faces filled with frustration and disappointment

Lan Qingxiao embroidered a phoenix tail flower, and Aunt Su also praised it, saying "vivid and lifelike, with exquisite embroidery skills," and she was also kept.

Why bother with so much? Isn't it a tremendous opportunity for us to be selected to enter the palace and become palace maids

I heard that only four embroidery girls were selected last time, and the palace could not allocate them, so the Needlework Bureau had no choice but to recruit again

Wasn't the selection already conducted some time ago? Why is there still a selection today?

She stopped by the side of Lan Qingxiao's table, watching Lan Qingxiao stitch quickly, her expression a bit surprised

Lan Qingxiao and Su Yue exchanged a smile with each other

There is only one path to take: preserve one's life, enter the palace and ascend to a certain high position, secretly investigate the truth behind the annihilation of the Lan family, and ultimately seek revenge

Lan Qingxiao clenched her fist and pressed her lips together, feeling delighted for this successful day

I usually stitch very slowly, what should I do about this

Aunt Su gently said: "The first round of the assessment is to use your most proficient techniques and stitches to embroider your favorite things, with a time limit of one hour. Everyone, please make the most of your time."

She heard a gentle voice and turned to see a girl of about seventeen or eighteen standing beside her. "My name is Qing... Qing, what about you?"

In front of the pavilion, seven individuals stood in a row with smiles on their faces. Aunt Su raised her voice and said: "From now on, you will be the palace maids of the Needlework Bureau, and you will follow my arrangements. Shortly, I will take you to the Needlework Bureau."

Aunt Su deliberately stood beside her to watch her embroider, and she showed no signs of nervousness or anxiety, completely absorbed in her work. Aunt Su nodded in satisfaction and then went to look at Su Yue

The exquisite moon embroidered a spring flower, and Aunt Su praised it as "elegant and refined," which led to her being retained

"Wow, your embroidery is truly exquisite," Su Yue exclaimed

"You and Su Yue should stay together," said Aunt Su

Eunuch Zhang said displeased: "If you do not continue to embroider, you will truly run out of time."

Indeed, embroidery is a meticulous craft; how can it be accomplished in haste

At this point, half of the young women have been eliminated, followed by the second round of assessments

She no longer thought much and focused entirely on her embroidery

Aunt Su nodded and said: "Qingqing, your embroidery skills are the best. Su Yue, you are also quite good. You two should go to the Yan Wang's residence to work as embroiderers and serve the Yan Wang."

In this assessment, out of more than thirty individuals, only seven received the approval of Aunt Su and were allowed to enter the palace

The women whispered among themselves, eager to try.

"My name is Lan ... ... My name is Qingqing." Lan Qingxiao felt delighted, does this mean I can enter the palace?

Lan Qingxiao secretly encouraged herself, brimming with confidence

Su Yue and Lan Qingxiao, along with other young ladies, have already begun to embroider, deftly maneuvering the needle and thread with focused dedication

Time flies, and Master Zhang announced that the hour has come, instructing everyone to cease their actions

I am one year older than you

Aunt Su walked while observing, sometimes shaking her head, sometimes nodding, and at times smiling

More than thirty young ladies were seated in the hall, where four rows of small tables were arranged. Master Zhang instructed several young eunuchs to distribute the white silk, threads, embroidery needles, and other materials needed for the embroidery. Then Master Zhang announced loudly: "This selection process consists of two rounds. Aunt Su will assess your embroidery work based on your creations, ensuring absolute fairness and impartiality."

This young lady has delicate features, but she appears somewhat aloof. She replied, "My name is Su Yue. I am seventeen years old, and you?"

One by one, the young ladies approached to present their embroidery to Aunt Su; some left dejectedly, while others stayed joyfully.

I... my family is poor, and I thought that entering the palace might allow me to achieve something great. What about you?" Lan Qing casually fabricated a lie.

You also embroider quite well said Lan Qingxiao with a smile

At this moment, a eunuch in his forties and a palace maid in her thirties approached. The eunuch introduced himself as Master Zhang, responsible for this selection process. He introduced the palace maid beside him as Aunt Su, the most experienced embroiderer in the Needlework Bureau

Perhaps the mastermind behind the scenes is powerful and influential, while she is all alone, without power or influence. How can she confront them? How can she seek justice and avenge her parents and the Lan family?

Lan Qingxiao somewhat understood the intention behind this exam question. One hour is indeed very short; it is manageable to embroider a leaf or a flower, but to create a complete embroidery piece is simply impossible. Aunt Su must be looking to see who can embroider quickly and well within a short period of time

Certainly. It is a pleasure to meet you

This is the palace; what right do you have to speak? Aunt Su's arrangements are made with good reason, " Eunuch Zhang scolded.

Lan Qingxiao contemplated for a moment and began to thread the needle.

At that moment, a eunuch approached quickly and whispered a few words in Aunt Su's ear

Furthermore, hiding in the inner palace makes it difficult for her enemies to find her

The time limit for the second round of assessment is two hours, and most of the young women are embroidering flowers, birds, and fish, while Su Yue is embroidering orchids, which are elegant and serene

The women spoke in unison: "Master Zhang, Aunt Su."

"Aren't you from the capital? Why do you want to enter the palace and become a palace maid?" Su Yue asked curiously

"Yes," the women said

Some young women wear a worried expression, some ponder seriously, and some laugh excitedly

Ah? Why?" Lan Qingxiao instinctively asked, extremely unwilling, "Aunt Su, I want to stay at the Needlework Bureau

Becoming an embroidery court lady in the Needlework Bureau is the first step towards her life goal

In the past five days, she has been recuperating while contemplating. If she were to go to the Ministry of Justice or the Supreme Court to beat the drum and seek justice, not only would she lack evidence to prove that someone murdered the Lan family, but she would also expose the identity of a wanted criminal, which would lead to her being imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's dungeon, with a dire outcome. Furthermore, the mastermind behind the murder of her entire family knows that she is in the capital and will undoubtedly send someone to kill her and silence her.

That's great! Last time I missed it and lost the opportunity. Fortunately, I stayed a few more days in Tokyo, otherwise I would have missed it a second time

I enjoy embroidery, and at the Needlework Bureau, I can learn more exquisite embroidery techniques said Su Yue

Then may I call you sister

Lan Qingxiao stood calmly in the corner, observing. For her, this was an excellent opportunity

It has only been one hour, the time is too short, and it is impossible to embroider a complete piece.

Aunt Su held Lan Qingxiao's embroidery and examined it for a while in silence. Eunuch Zhang asked, "Aunt Su, what is the matter?"

Each of you should bring your embroidery forward, and after Aunt Su has reviewed them, if she finds them satisfactory, she will keep you

"It's nothing. This phoenix tail bamboo is quite noble in character, a work of superior quality." Aunt Su smiled and asked, "What is your name?"

In front of the pavilion next to the Meridian Gate of the palace, more than thirty young ladies gathered, chattering incessantly, each one filled with excitement as they awaited the upcoming assessment

Aunt Su kindly glanced at the group of girls and then said, "Let us begin"

What is your name? Are you also skilled in embroidery?

For her, who has already had ten years of embroidery experience, this assessment is hardly a challenge

Aunt Su said gently: "You are all skilled embroiderers, but the Needlework Bureau must create luxurious and beautiful garments for the noble ladies in the palace, which requires not only skill but also insight, understanding, and a broad knowledge of embroidery techniques. The second round of the examination is to take spring as the theme and embroider what you consider to be the most beautiful thing, requiring at least two techniques and four stitching methods"