Chapter 79: Embroidery

“Master, what do you require of this humble servant?”

“Yi’er, it has been many years since the incident. When will you finally call me ‘Father’?”

“Master, if there is nothing else, this servant shall take his leave.”

“Sigh… Yi’er, you are already fifteen this year. Boys your age in other families are already married. I summoned you back to discuss this matter.”

“This servant has his own plans. There is no need to trouble the Master.”

“Marriage must follow the parents’ command and the matchmaker’s words. How can you decide for yourself? What kind of propriety is that?”

“Does Father intend to treat me as he did Eldest Brother back then?”

“Yi’er, your father is filled with regret. How could I repeat the same mistake?”

“This matter requires no further discussion. If the Master has nothing else, this servant shall take his leave.”

“The matchmaker has already been sent to the girl’s family. You have no say in this.”

“If the matchmaker has already been sent, the Master may proceed with the wedding himself. In the Master’s courtyard, adding one more woman—or even ten—would hardly be enough. Farewell, Master.”

Watching his son turn away indifferently, the white-bearded elder wore a complex expression—whether regret or resentment, it was hard to tell.

Once outside his father’s courtyard, a grown man who had been waiting outside fell into step beside the youth. As they neared a fork in the path, the youth remained deep in thought, unwilling to speak. The man finally asked, “What did Father want?”

“A marriage arrangement.”

“Yi’er, as your elder brother, I advise you to return home. Do you truly intend to live in that small town forever? Besides, you are already fifteen—it is time to marry.”

“Elder Brother, I have my own plans. Yi’er does not wish to repeat your past. I will decide my own marriage.”

“Ah, very well. But when will you return to assist me?”

“Once I pass the military examinations, I shall return. How is Zhang Xiangfa doing?”

“He has the makings of a great general. With proper training, he will be invaluable. His wife, though not as capable as he, is an excellent assistant. Together, they complement each other perfectly.”

“That is good to hear.”

“I know you care for that family. A few days ago, the military physician reported that Zhang Xiangfa’s wife is three months pregnant. The couple wished to inform their parents and asked for my permission. I allowed them to write a letter, which will be sent through official channels. However, the dispatch will take half a month, and bureaucratic procedures are cumbersome. By the time the letter reaches their parents, another month will have passed. If you deliver it personally, it will be much faster.”

“Bring it to me tomorrow.”

“Yi’er, you only return once a year. Stay a few more days so we brothers may talk.”

“Elder Brother, though we do not see each other, we are well aware of each other’s circumstances. What need is there for face-to-face conversation?”

“Ah, Yi’er has grown up and no longer follows his elder brother as he did in childhood. Very well, I shall indulge you in all else—but tonight, you must accompany me to visit the physician. Let him examine you thoroughly to ensure the lingering poison from years past has been fully expelled.”

When Qi Biao returned from the capital, there were still five days left before the Liangping Town Talent Competition. It was only then that Lin Fang finally saw Lin Cui’e’s entry—twelve embroidered scenes of garment workshop labor on sheer gauze. To be precise, it was twenty-four scenes, as Lin Cui’e had used double-sided embroidery, with different images on the front and back. Delicate script in the margins served as captions. The figures, whether in expression or movement, were exquisitely lifelike. Each scene was no larger than the palm of a hand, and viewing them felt like flipping through a picture book.

“Wow, Auntie, these are beautiful! You’re sure to win first place!”

Lin Fang couldn’t take her eyes off them—no, she didn’t dare touch them, they were so finely crafted. Her gaze lingered, unwilling to look away.

Lin Cui’e, however, showed no particular joy, her expression calm. She turned to Lin Wu and said, “Wu’er, could you do me a favor?”

Lin Wu was taken aback. “Huh? What is it?”

“I’d like to frame these embroideries. You’re the most skilled with your hands—could you make some borders for me?”

“Me? Auntie, your embroidery is so exquisite. What if I ruin it? You should ask someone else.”

“It’s fine. Didn’t Eldest Sister-in-law say that participating is what matters, as long as we give our best? If I ask others for help, it would be no different from cheating.”

“Well… that’s true. Wait—no! If I make the frames, isn’t that still cheating, since they’re not your work?”

“We’ll design them together. That doesn’t count as cheating.”

“Oh, alright. Hehe, if Auntie’s embroidery wins, do I get some credit?”

“Of course! Your contribution is indispensable. No matter how fine the embroidery, poor framing would diminish its beauty.”

*Hmph, truly Mother’s disciple*, Lin Fang thought wryly. Though Lin Cui’e’s reasoning was sound, it still sounded like she was buttering Lin Wu up.

Li Cuimei examined her sister-in-law’s embroidery with delight, finding it no less impressive than her own work from years past—perhaps even surpassing it. Before she could fully admire them, she overheard the conversation between aunt and nephew and called out, “Cui’e, wait! Have you prepared the outfit you’ll wear for the competition?”

Lin Cui’e replied, “It’s ready. I’ll change into it now.”

When she reappeared, everyone’s eyes lit up. She wore a lake-green dress with a slightly paler sash, loosely tied to accentuate her slender waist. Matching embroidered shoes peeked from beneath the skirt, and a light brown gauze shawl completed the ensemble. On anyone else, the combination might have seemed mismatched, but on Lin Cui’e, it only enhanced her rosy lips, fair complexion, and delicate features. The twelve embroidered scenes, predominantly brown, harmonized with the shawl, making the whole presentation even more striking.

Lin Fang, sharp-eyed, asked, “Huh? Auntie, is there a pattern along the edge of your shawl?”

“Hehe, you little rascal, nothing escapes you. Come see—do you recognize what it is?”

Lin Cui’e removed the shawl and handed it to Lin Fang. Along the rectangular ends, twelve zodiac animals were embroidered in fine, dense stitches, barely visible against the gauze. Each was no larger than the tip of Lin Fang’s little finger. At a glance, they might have been mistaken for thicker weaving along the hem. These zodiac figures, each in a different pose, were doodles Lin Fang had made in her free time. Lin Cui’e had once joked about embroidering them, but Lin Fang never thought she’d actually do it.

“Auntie, your attention to detail is incredible. If you don’t place in this competition, the judges must be blind.”

Lin Fang was startled to hear this praise from her second brother, Lin Wen, who usually showed no interest in feminine pursuits. She looked up—only to yelp in pain as her head collided with Lin Wen’s chin. He had bent down behind her to examine the shawl, and her abrupt movement caught him off guard.

Lin Wen clutched his jaw while gently rubbing Lin Fang’s head. Both winced until the pain subsided. Tears welled in Lin Fang’s eyes as she grumbled, “Elder Brother, don’t you have anything better to do? Why are you always following me around? Shouldn’t you be studying?”

Lin Wen chuckled awkwardly. “Studying requires balance. Overdoing it only makes one a dullard. Besides, Auntie’s competition is a family affair. As a member of the Lin household, how could I ignore it?”

*Huh? Did Lin Wen just say that? Since when did this bookworm care about the outside world?* Lin Fang mused. *I guess traveling really does broaden the mind. No wonder Father and Mother insisted he take the imperial exams in Shengcheng, even though Liangping Town has its own academy.*

Lin Wu pulled Lin Fang aside, glaring at his second brother for hurting her. “Don’t cry, little sister. Fifth Brother finished the fine charcoal pencils days ago. I meant to surprise you, but since Second Brother upset you, let’s go see them now. No more tears, alright?”

Lin Fang was speechless. She wasn’t crying—just tearing up from the pain. Still, she was touched by Lin Wu’s affection and happily followed him to inspect the pencils, leaving Lin Wen clutching his sore jaw.

“Fifth Brother! Little Sister! Where are you going? What’s that in your hand?”

Lin Xia charged in, followed by Lin Juan, just as Lin Wu and Lin Fang, hand in hand, were about to return to the main hall with the new pencils.

“Charcoal pencils? Perfect! Reading medical texts is exhausting, and grinding ink for notes is such a hassle. These will be so useful. This one’s mine—do you have more?” Without waiting for an answer, Lin Xia snatched the pencil Lin Fang had shown her and handed it to her maid, already demanding more.

Before Lin Fang could respond, Lin Wu scowled. “Fourth Sister, you’re too much! I made these especially for Little Sister, and you take them before she’s even used them? What kind of elder sister does that?”

Lin Xia laughed. “Fifth Brother, don’t play dumb. You’d never make just one pencil for her. You’re so skilled—even if this were the only one, you could whip up more in no time. Why fuss over this single one?”

The two had grown up together, and Lin Xia knew him well. Lin Wu turned away in mock indignation. Thrilled with her new pencil, Lin Xia pestered him until she secured two more. Out of the ten he’d painstakingly crafted, three was a generous concession.

Having lost her chance to try the pencil, Lin Fang couldn’t resist needling Lin Xia. “Fourth Sister, are you competing too? In medicine? Or recitation?”

Knowing full well that Lin Xia struggled with memorization and was still a novice in medicine, Lin Fang was deliberately provoking her. Yet Lin Xia remained unruffled. “If I wanted to compete in medicine, I’d have to wait until I’m as old as Grandmother. I’m just here with Third Sister to observe. They say the town has been lively lately. Grandmother wants us to see more, hear more, and think more.”

*Wise words from Second Grandmother. Wait—why isn’t Fourth Sister angry? Has she grown a thicker skin from hanging around me?* Lin Fang deflated.

Lin Juan’s entry was a larger piece. The front depicted a shepherdess (modeled after Tong Shi) driving sheep with a whip, while the reverse showed two goats locking horns in combat. Both designs were drawn by Lin Cui’e, and Lin Juan had poured all her skill into embroidering them, finishing just the day before.

Guo Siniang had been invited as a competition judge and organizer this year. She’d been taken away a month prior to oversee preparations and ensure fairness by isolating judges from contestants to prevent cheating. In her absence, Li Cuimei managed the garment and embroidery workshops, leaving Lin Juan and Lin Cui’e to focus on their entries without interference. While Lin Cui’e was confident, Lin Juan remained hesitant. Hearing that Lin Wu would help frame the embroideries, she asked Li Cuimei if her piece might be mounted as a kang screen.

Li Cuimei avoided a direct answer. “Juan’er, meticulousness is valuable in competition, but hesitation is the greatest enemy. Indecision costs opportunities.”