Shen Xiaoyan bid farewell to the shopkeeper after asking a helper to carry the fabric into the cart.
Huo Si was startled when he saw the amount of fabric the helper brought. He had never imagined Shen Xiaoyan would buy so much. Even as a servant, he couldn't say much.
With the purchases made, their task was considered complete. Huo Si then urged the cart out of Tongling Town, heading straight for Baiyun Manor.
They arrived home close to noon. Upon hearing of Shen Xiaoyan's return, Yue Qingxin also emerged from the west wing. Seeing the large quantity of items Shen Xiaoyan had brought back, Yue Qingxin expressed her curiosity.
Shen Xiaoyan called for Madam Qu and presented her with the clothes and fabric. She said, "The weather will soon warm up. Take this fabric and make some clothes for yourselves. Don't be stingy with it. As long as you do your work diligently, I will not mistreat you."
Madam Qu looked at the fabric before her, a mixture of surprise and joy on her face. She was surprised that Shen Xiaoyan would buy fabric for her entire family, and she was happy that she could make new clothes for her three children.
Madam Qu felt deeply grateful to Shen Xiaoyan from the bottom of her heart, believing her family was fortunate to have met such a kind mistress.
Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she found herself unable to find words to respond.
Seeing her reaction, the smile on Shen Xiaoyan's face deepened. She cherished people who knew gratitude.
Some people always felt that the kindness shown to them was deserved and that any lack of it was a disservice. Shen Xiaoyan had no respect for such individuals. If Madam Qu had been like them, she would have unhesitatingly sold the entire family.
Don't call her heartless. In this era, household servants and slaves could not be taken lightly, as one never knew when they might betray you or stab you in the back.
"Take it, you've been given it. I'll say it again, as long as you work diligently, I will not mistreat you," Shen Xiaoyan told Madam Qu.
"Yes, Madam. We will certainly work hard," Madam Qu replied respectfully, curtsying to Shen Xiaoyan.
Watching Madam Qu leave with the fabric and sewing supplies, Shen Xiaoyan turned to Yue Qingxin and said, "Eldest Sister, look, this is the fabric I bought for the three of us. The weather will be getting warmer, and we should make some light clothes."
As Shen Xiaoyan spoke, Yue Qingxin examined the fabric. The colors and styles were excellent, and she liked them very much. In no time, she had envisioned how these fabrics would look as finished garments.
"Sister, you don't need to worry about any of this. Just leave it all to me," Yue Qingxin said with a smile.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded. Although she knew how to tailor clothes, she had no intention of learning further. Her current skills were sufficient for making her own personal garments, and she had no desire to learn more, nor did she possess the talent for it.
After the two of them had discussed the styles of the clothes, Madam Qu entered again. "Two Madams, the meal is ready. Will you be eating here, or in the main room outside?"
Shen Xiaoyan glanced at the pile of fabric filling the room and asked Yue Qingxin, "Eldest Sister, shall we eat outside?"
Yue Qingxin happily agreed, and the two of them went together to the main room outside.
After lunch, Yue Qingxin busied herself with her pile of fabric. Shen Xiaoyan knew her well; when she saw fabric, she would immediately think of making clothes. In her previous life, this would have been a clear sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. But Shen Xiaoyan didn't mind. It was Yue Qingxin's specialty, and she didn't need to worry about it.
Shen Xiaoyan went into the inner room, changed into an old outfit, and then exited the main room. She found a rake and, with Huo Si, went to the east courtyard.
Each courtyard complex had east and west wings. In the second courtyard, where Shen Xiaoyan lived, the west wing housed the kitchen and stable, while the remaining open areas were planted with various vegetables.
The east wing, however, only had a small pavilion near the gate, with a well beneath it. The rest of the area was empty.
Although the east wing was smaller than the west wing, with the west wing spanning a little over an acre, the east wing was less than half an acre.
Despite its size, the east wing was sufficient for Shen Xiaoyan's current needs. She intended to convert it into her medicinal garden, at least outwardly. Most of the medicinal herbs, however, she would grow in her personal space. Planting some here was merely to avoid suspicion.
Shen Xiaoyan and Huo Si together turned over the soil, removing wild vegetables and weeds. They then broke up large clods of earth and finally leveled the surface. Their task for the day was thus completed.
Having finished, Shen Xiaoyan told Huo Si to rest and returned to her room.
Inside, Yue Qingxin was still making clothes. She noticed Shen Xiaoyan's return and, without looking up, asked, "Sister, are you done with your work?"
Shen Xiaoyan replied, "Yes. The land isn't much, and the two of us finished it quickly."
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan went into the inner room to wash up.
When Shen Xiaoyan had finished washing and changed her clothes, Yue Qingxin had put down her needlework.
Shen Xiaoyan's eyes brightened as she looked at the light yellow robe on the kang table. "Eldest Sister, this dress is so beautiful."
Yue Qingxin smiled and said, "It's not embroidered yet. Once I finish the flowers, it will look even better when you wear it."
Shen Xiaoyan knew Yue Qingxin was speaking sincerely, so she didn't refuse.
The two of them tidied the fabric on the kang bed and set it aside before sitting down to talk.
Shen Xiaoyan pondered for a moment and then said, "Eldest Sister, I bought some medicinal herb seeds at the apothecary in town today. I want to try planting some first."
Yue Qingxin nodded. "Plant them if you wish. I don't know much about it anyway. Let me know if you need any help."
Shen Xiaoyan smiled. "We have people to do the work at home now, so there's no need for you to tire yourself out."
After discussing this matter, they both fell silent. After some time, Yue Qingxin said, "Sister, you mentioned before that you would teach me martial arts. Since we have time now, why don't we start tomorrow?"
In truth, Yue Qingxin wasn't particularly enthusiastic about learning martial arts. She was idle anyway and wanted something to distract herself.
Shen Xiaoyan was taken aback by Yue Qingxin's sudden mention of martial arts. A thought flashed through her mind, and she chuckled to herself.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan laugh, Yue Qingxin thought she was mocking her. Her face flushed, and she didn't know what to say.
Shen Xiaoyan realized she had misunderstood and said, "Eldest Sister, don't be upset. I'm not laughing at you; I just remembered something."
"What is it?" Yue Qingxin asked, her disbelief evident.
"I heard that some martial artists use golden needles as weapons. They can scatter a hundred golden needles with perfect accuracy. Since your embroidery skills are so good, why not use embroidery needles as weapons? It would be killing two birds with one stone, wouldn't you say?" Shen Xiaoyan said, then chuckled again.
Yue Qingxin was stunned at first, then her face turned even redder. However, she nodded and said earnestly, "Sister, this is a good idea. I'll leave it to you."
"Leave what to me?" Shen Xiaoyan was bewildered.
"Naturally, the secret technique of using embroidery needles as weapons. I'll be waiting for you to teach me," Yue Qingxin said with a serious expression.
Shen Xiaoyan: . . .
She was only joking, wasn't she?