Three

It is naturally a pattern!

Cui Pei meticulously inspected each item in front of the display case, carefully observing and patiently evaluating, reminiscent of the inspection conducted in the clothing room that day. Ning Shuang remarked that Cui Pei is an exceedingly meticulous and rigid person, particularly attentive to the techniques involved. Given her extensive experience, it is impossible for her not to notice that the embroidered satin had been tampered with at that time

Indeed

After the hour of the rabbit, the maidservants gathered early in the embroidery hall. The head of the clothing department, Cui Pei, sat on the phoenix chair in the main hall, with her hands resting down. Next to her was Zhong Yilan, dressed in a lilac skirt, followed by Yan Jinxin from the accessory department and Bai Bi from the ceremonial department. Beside them, a woman in a high-waisted long dress adorned with snow and moon tassels, with a snake bun and dangling tassels, was likely Yu Xizi, the head of the treasure department.

Two people standing very close to each other began to gaze into each other's eyes, not even bothering to conceal the hostility and hatred reflected in their gazes. Time stood in between them, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Cui Pei standing not far away, who, like the other two in charge, watched coldly, unable to help but smile bitterly.

This is the first time Qingmei has shown a determined expression, and Shaoguang is taken aback

Xiu'er wiped her eyes with her sleeve, breaking into a smile after shedding tears

Ning Shuang was taken aback, "Burned?"

What is there to be concerned about? Zhong Yilan raised an eyebrow and said, "What, is the Si Baofang short-staffed? Do you need me to send a few palace servants over to assist?"

As Ning Shuang spoke, Xiu'er covered her mouth, revealing a look of bewilderment and panic.

Ning Shuang patted her chest and said, "Fortunately, if someone were to catch hold of my weakness, life would indeed be difficult in the days to come"

Time lifts its gaze

The time of two incense sticks has passed, and the hall gong has struck once more

No wonder Zhong Yilan urged her to practice embroidery more diligently these days. A craft that requires meticulous work like this cannot be learned and sold on the spot; that would be akin to child's play. ... She truly overestimates herself, and perhaps, the arrow is already on the string ... . ... Shaoguang sighed inwardly, and when she raised her eyes, she did not miss the fleeting glimmer in Zhong Yilan and Yu Xizi's eyes.

On that day, after the assessment was completed, it was taken out and burned

Qingmei's cheeks were slightly flushed, "It is all Ning Shuang's suggestion. Many of the designs above are the initial attempts at embroidery. If Miss Renshao were to copy them one by one, with needle and thread in hand, I believe it would be of some benefit." After speaking, she handed over the intertwined branches that had been folded, "A humble token of my appreciation, I hope it can be of assistance."

The palace maids from several quarters all breathed a sigh of relief. When the maid in lake blue silk took her seat at the sandalwood table, Ning Shuang could not help but murmur in confusion, "It is unusual to see an exception today, as it has not been the case in the past."

The woman has a faint smile on her face

After the assessment, the palace maids returned to their respective quarters. Ning Shuang paced back and forth anxiously, sometimes frowning and sometimes sighing

After Zhong Yilan finished speaking, the other three families burst into suppressed laughter. Ning Shuang and Qing Mei had very unpleasant expressions, while Xiu Er hid behind, not daring to even breathe.

Upon the conclusion of the speech, the court ladies could not help but exclaim in astonishment

Qingmei held a basket of embroidery and said in a muffled tone: "What are you wandering around for? It makes people feel unsettled."

Stepping into the courtyard, the woman placed the tray on the table. The silk threads and embroidery threads, known as Mengbu Li, were vibrant in color and shimmered with brilliance, freshly taken from the storage room. Shaoguang arranged the silk threads one by one, then sat in front of the bronze mirror, using a fish-tail comb to smooth the silk threads.

Xiu'er peeked in and said, "Is this the embroidery sample that the two sisters mentioned before? It is truly beautiful!"

On the 9th day of the first month, the major assessment of the Shangfu Bureau is taking place, with all four houses participating

At this moment, Qingmei lowered her head in contemplation for a brief moment, but then resolutely raised her eyes and said: "Alright, we will teach you."

Upon returning from the outer corridor, Shaoguang saw Xiuer, who was on the verge of tears, leaning over the dressing table. "There are many disputes in the room; with such a commotion, someone is bound to go back and dig up old grievances."

The outdoor fabric was piled high like a mountain, yet Zhong Siyi still urged her companions to practice their needlework diligently. When the city gate caught fire, the innocent fish in the moat suffered the consequences. Fearing that the day of the competition would not arrive, the three of them found it increasingly difficult to remain in Siyi's room.

The three rooms stood orderly on either side, while the ones patrolling the hall were the chief treasure keeper Chunyu and Liuyun from the Si Bao room. Ning Shuang kept her gaze fixed on Chunyu, occasionally letting out a disdainful hum. Shaoguang hesitated whether to ask a question, when Xiuer tugged at the hem of her dress and whispered, "Chunyu was originally an ordinary maid in the Si Yi room, but after following Manager Yu to the Si Bao room, she was promoted to chief treasure keeper, and since then, she has looked down on us."

Yu Xizi gazed at her warmly

Cui Pei sat at the highest position, surveying the surroundings for a week, yet only selected the individual assessment chart of the Si Bao Fang.

I will study diligently, " said Shaoguang softly, holding the fish tail comb.

When ... ...

The charcoal fire in the bronze cauldron was very hot, and the ashes fell, causing the piece of satin embroidered with intertwined hands to turn to dust. She handled it very cleanly

Within the palace, in order to assess the situation, there are examples of two familiar factions exchanging maids for a friendly competition. The Department of Attire and the Department of Treasures have always been at odds with each other. Unexpectedly, Zhong Yilan proposed a suggestion that left the palace maids exchanging glances, their astonishment greater than their curiosity

Qingmei dropped the material in her hands and said, "What good is being anxious? Everything has already been submitted; can it be stolen back?"

Xiu'er raised her head with concern; the art of embroidery is an extremely laborious skill. To surpass the Si Bao Fang in embroidery skills within half a month is undoubtedly a pipe dream

I will study diligently

This is the first time Shaoguang has heard someone actively mention the name Liuying. When it was brought up, he specifically observed the expressions of those around him and noticed that many people's gazes began to shift awkwardly upon hearing that name

Time carries a hint of confusion, and at this moment, a clear and melodious laughter, like the sound of gold and stone, arises from behind: "What a pity it is for Yu Sibao to have such favor, being clear-minded yet misjudging the person!"

The water of the Shangfu Bureau is equally profound

Raising her head, Shaoguang beheld a graceful woman before her, smiling gently like water

The envelope is made of wax paper, with each sheet containing a palace style, hand-painted floral designs, and patterns ranging from simple to intricate, which are quite different from the practice embroidery samples distributed within the room

Ning Shuang was lost in thought for a while before she blankly replied, "What, what?"

Shaoguang asked in surprise: "What happened to the original treasures of the Si Bao Fang?"

The aggressive words were accompanied by a sense of disdain and provocation. Yu Xizi's expression became somewhat stiff, and after a while, the smile at the corner of her mouth finally faded and then reappeared, "What does Zhong Siyi want to compare?"

During the visit, as Cui Pei lagged behind, Yu Xizi suddenly stopped after passing three or four tables on the west side and said: "You... are the one from the palace?"

At that time, I felt that you were a person of great potential, but unfortunately, we were not destined to have you join the Sibaofang.

In the carved bronze mirror, a slightly pale face is reflected, with pitch-black pupils that seem to have crushed a pool of night into the depths of the eyes

That palace has already been burned by me

At this moment, the maidservants of the Si Bao Fang put away the meticulous brushwork, and the two attendants retreated to the sides. In the hall, before Cui Pei could rise, Yu Xizi eagerly supported her arm. Yan Jinxin and Bai Bi exchanged a glance, while Zhong Yilan stared at the two of them walking together, tugging at the silk handkerchief in her hand.

Qingmei calmly said: "The original treasure was called Acha, and later died mysteriously. It is said that she was also from the same hometown as Liu Ying"

Yu Xizi maintained a posture with her back turned, "Does Zhong Siyi mean to return the person to me?"

Having said that, he turned around and opened the lacquered flower cabinet, retrieving a twisted branch seal from the third shelf

As Yu Xizi glanced sideways, her brows furrowed slightly, "Spring chill has just passed, and the various palaces are about to change their decorations and ceremonial vessels. Is Zhong Siyi not intending to compete at this moment?"

You are indeed able to sit still. Did you not hear Zhong Siyu say that she does not understand embroidery? The palace-style embroidery that you and Xiu'er collaborated on has already been submitted. What will you do if it gets discovered

She had narrowly escaped from the chaos, yet the scornful, hostile, mocking, and cruel gazes followed her like shadows, reminding her that once she left the Morning Glow Palace, she would be nothing more than a worthless and lowly servant. The entwined branches were half-open, still retaining the warmth left by the delicate hands that had held them. Shaoguang looked at Xiuer and Ningshuang, who were gazing at her with the same earnestness, and suddenly found herself at a loss for words, yet a sense of desolation and solitude filled her heart in an instant.

The person who has been sitting for a long time finally stands up, without speaking, first revealing a smile that is sufficiently noble. "I originally thought I possessed exceptional skills, yet I find that I cannot even manage the most basic of women's work. Had I known this would be the case, I might as well have given it to the Si Bao Fang from the beginning"

Of course not. It is just that I have heard that the Si Bao House has recently acquired a few new maidservants. Since both houses are skilled in embroidery, why not have a competition to test our skills

Ning Shuang tilted her head, and after a moment, it seemed she remembered something. She clapped her hands and said, "That's right, your needlework skills are unmatched. If you become a master, how could your embroidery skills not improve?"

Xiu'er shook her head