The Crown Princess made a few polite remarks and, as the hostess, introduced Qian Jiaoniang to everyone. Princess Leluo’s painted face flushed deep red—her own skirt didn’t even compare to that of the “pig butcher” village girl; what right did she have to mock her! Moreover, the large, round, and lustrous pearl in the village girl’s hair—who among them had the like? Probably not even the Crown Princess or Princess Jianan.
They had originally intended to give Dingxi Marchioness a warning, but instead, she silently turned the tables.
The Crown Princess said, “Madam Marquis, this dress is truly beautiful—the peonies look so alive.” She liked it more and more. “What embroidery technique is this? Which master’s work is it? How have I never seen such exquisite embroidery before?”
Qian Jiaoniang replied, “Your Highness is too kind. I embroidered it myself in my spare time. I don’t even know what kind of embroidery it is—I just stitched randomly, left and right.” She smiled and touched the green leaves embroidered on her skirt.
“You embroidered it yourself?” The ladies were all shocked. Wasn’t she just a village girl who only knew farming? How could she have embroidery skills comparable to a master?
“Yes, isn’t it embarrassing?” Qian Jiaoniang smiled, pressing her lips.
If that’s embarrassing, then their skirts must be trash!
“The Second Prince’s Consort has arrived—”
The arrival of the Second Prince’s Consort paused the conversation. Except for the Crown Princess and Princess Jianan, everyone stood to greet her. The Second Prince’s Consort smiled warmly, leading her attendants inside. She first congratulated the birthday celebrant, then greeted Princess Jianan, before facing the group.
Unlike the full figure of the Crown Princess and Princess Jianan, the Second Prince’s Consort was slender and frail, looking ill and weary—like a breeze could blow her over. Yet she was sharp-eyed and immediately noticed Qian Jiaoniang’s extraordinary skirt. She approached and examined it carefully, asking the same question as the Crown Princess. Upon learning Qian Jiaoniang had embroidered it herself, she was as surprised as everyone else.
Supported by her attendants, the Second Prince’s Consort returned to her seat, coughed lightly, and took the hand warmer offered. She looked up at Qian Jiaoniang and smiled, “I didn’t expect Dingxi Marchioness to have such exquisite skill. The Marquis is truly blessed. Would you be willing to embroider a skirt for me? I would like to offer this bracelet as a gift.” She then removed the jade bracelet from her right wrist. Princess Leluo, sitting beside her, noticed—it was a glossy green jade.
A jade bracelet for a skirt? If Qian Jiaoniang hadn’t realized where she was, she almost would have slapped the table and agreed. That jade was clearly valuable; she could pawn it later and worry no more about hardship.
Others were also shocked, not because the Second Prince’s Consort offered a jade bracelet for an embroidered skirt—if anyone else had done so, they would have agreed too. But that she befriended the Lady of Marquis so openly—did she not know her background?
Qian Jiaoniang steadied herself and forced out, “Your Highness is too gracious. If you don’t mind my clumsy hands, I would be happy to embroider a skirt for you.”
The Second Prince’s Consort replied, “That won’t do; embroidery is taxing, and such exquisite work is rare in the world. You’re a marquis’s wife with little spare time to embroider for me. I say this as a royal consort. If you refuse, I can’t insist.”
Qingya whispered softly, “Agree to her.”
Lady Qian smiled, “Since Your Highness insists, I’ll shamelessly accept. Whatever satin or design you need, send someone later to tell me.”
“Just embroider peonies, but different from the set you’re wearing.” The Second Prince’s Consort smiled, lightly flicking her slender wrist to have the attendants deliver the jade bracelet to Qian Jiaoniang. She turned to the Crown Princess and said, “Sister, I know your fondness for peonies. Afraid that the birthday gift I brought today might not please you, I’m borrowing flowers to present a Buddha—asking the Marchioness to make you a peony skirt.”
The Crown Princess was momentarily taken aback, then her face brightened with a warm smile. “You’re such a clever one. I could have asked the Marchioness myself, yet you’ve gone and done it for me. I suppose I’ll have to thank you later.” The Crown Princess spoke kindly, her face full and inviting, making her very approachable.
The Second Prince’s Consort covered her lips and laughed, and except for Princess Jianan, the others joined in the laughter.
“I originally planned to offer this embroidered skirt as a birthday gift, but I worried the Crown Princess might find it too modest,” said Qian Jiaoniang.
“That just shows you don’t know me yet. Look at how clever my sister-in-law is—she immediately grabbed it to give to me.”
Everyone laughed again. The Second Prince’s Consort’s maid placed the jade bracelet on a handkerchief and offered it to Qian Jiaoniang, who didn’t take it but turned to the Second Prince’s Consort and said, “Back when I was an embroiderer, payment was always made hand to hand. Now that we’re exchanging gifts, the same principle should apply. Let me finish the skirt first, then the royal consort can give me the bracelet.”
So this village girl had once been an embroiderer? For a woman, exposing oneself in public was shameful and foul-smelling, yet she said it so openly and confidently, as if proud of it. Back when Madam Xu, wife of the Minister of Works, was just serving her in-laws back home, she was already too ashamed to face people. But this the Marchioness said it outright, as if it were something to boast about.
The noble ladies immediately regained their confidence.
Qingya pinched Qian Jiaoniang lightly in secret.
All the female guests had arrived, and the Crown Princess ordered the dishes served. Soon, beautiful maidservants brought out one delicacy after another. Qian Jiaoniang looked dazzled by the array of exquisite dishes before her, many of which she had never seen. Her fingers twitched unconsciously, and her stomach growled. The other ladies glanced at her secretly, seeing her obvious inexperience with royal banquets. They rubbed their hands in anticipation, ready to make a big show and teach her the difference between clouds and mud.
No matter how skilled or lucky this village girl was, she was still mud, unworthy to sully the noble clouds they embodied.
Qian Jiaoniang was about to raise her chopsticks, but Qingya said, “Madam, do you want your servant to taste the dishes for you first?”
