Ding Zhang kept stirring the pot. New servants had to be reviewed by her—otherwise, according to the marquis, they weren’t allowed into the estate. Monthly stipends had to be stamped by her—otherwise, said the marquis, the steward couldn’t release the money. Even buying pots and pans required her approval—or else, again per the marquis, it couldn’t be done.
There were also invitations from eastern dukes, gifts from western generals—every single thing had to go through Qian Jiaoniang. If she didn’t respond, Ding Zhang would be at her ear reciting, “The marquis says this, the marquis says that,” like chanting scriptures.
Now, for things like invitations and gifts, Qian Jiaoniang could turn a blind eye. But for monthly wages and hiring servants, she couldn’t ignore them. She had been a servant herself. She knew how much those wages meant, and how important it was for them to have a job. If she didn’t manage these matters, it would be a sin against heaven.
And once she gave an inch, Ding Zhang took a mile. As soon as she said yes to one thing, he brought everything to her.
Before Qingya even had time to gloat, she unexpectedly got assigned a task herself. Ding Zhang brought over ten maidservants—passably attractive and with decent figures—and said it was under the Marquis’s orders that she was to train them. A few would eventually be selected to serve at Qian Jiaoniang’s side.
Qingya was in low spirits for several days because of it. That day, while Qian Jiaoniang embroidered, she said to her, “He’s just putting on a show for others. If you don’t want to do it, then don’t. I’ll take the blame.” She wasn’t planning to keep any of them anyway.
Qingya was silent for a moment, then sighed, “Forget it, it’s not that big of a deal.”
Qian Jiaoniang bit off her embroidery thread and gave her a sidelong glance. “Really?”
“Really—hand me that little garment so I can have a look.”
The little garment Qian Jiaoniang had just finished was for the one-eyed dog. Its fur looked like it had been burned in several spots by a branding iron. Afraid it would be cold in winter without proper fur, she had sewn a little jacket from a soft fabric scrap and even embroidered a little dog on it.
Qingya traced the fine stitches of the embroidered dog and chuckled. “This little dog looks quite lifelike.”
“Right? I thought it turned out alright too.”
Qingya returned the garment to Qian Jiaoniang, who used tiny scissors to trim the ends of thread. Qingya watched her for a moment, then suddenly raised a brow and said, “Jiaoniang, I have a business proposition for you. Want to take it?”
“What kind of business?” When it came to making money, Qian Jiaoniang was always game.
Qingya said with a serious face, “I’ll design a pattern, and you embroider it into a dress for me.”
Qian Jiaoniang looked up and laughed. “Well now, that’s something! Has the lady finally taken a liking to my embroidery?”
Qingya smiled back, “When did I ever say I didn’t? Your stitching has definitely improved these past few days.”
Qian Jiaoniang smiled too. Back then, this proud young miss never said anything outright, but her eyes showed she didn’t think much of her work. Now she was actually requesting something embroidered—clearly, she’d won her approval. Being recognized by someone knowledgeable made Qian Jiaoniang beam with pride. “I felt it too—I suddenly know how to embroider. It really has gotten better.”
“You’ve had a breakthrough. I noticed some of your stitches aren’t the standard ones, but the result looks even better than before.”
“You’ve got a sharp eye! I modified some of the techniques my mother taught me, and it feels smoother now.”
Qingya teased, “Maybe the Silkworm Goddess visited you in a dream one night and gave you guidance.”
“Then I’d better burn incense and offer thanks to the goddess.”
The two laughed together for a while before Qingya asked, “So, will you take the job or not? I’ll pay fifty taels of silver.”
“Fifty taels! Where’d you get that kind of money?”
“Don’t you remember? From the reward last time—I got a good bit.” Later, Xing Muzheng had rewarded them again, and each of the few who knew the truth received ten taels of gold.
“You think my embroidery is worth fifty taels?”
Qingya said, “Honestly, I think it’s worth even more. But fifty is all I can offer right now. So? Do we have a deal?”
Qian Jiaoniang clapped her hands. “Deal! Why wouldn’t I take it? But I won’t take your money. Let’s count it as my payment to you for being my tutor.”
Qingya replied, “No way. If it’s business, there has to be payment.”
“Fine, fine—but fifty taels is too much. Give me ten taels, just as a token, and keep the rest for yourself. Don’t treat silver like it burns your hands.”
“You really don’t know how to make money,” Qingya laughed. “I’ll go draw the design now.”
“Go on, go on!” Qian Jiaoniang waved her off with a smile, feeling overjoyed inside. She couldn’t wait for Qingya to sketch out the design right away. She knew a dress commissioned by a noble young lady wouldn’t be simple, but she didn’t care. She was just thrilled. In the past, when she rushed embroidery orders, her eyes would go blurry and her head dizzy, and she’d sworn many times never to embroider again. But once some time passed, her fingers would itch. She was probably just fated to be a busybody.
Sure enough, Qingya went to fetch her brush, ink, and paper. Just then, the two maidservants Chunhua and Hongjuan came in carrying snacks and tea, bumping into Qingya near the screen. Laughing, they asked, “Miss Qingya, where are you off to?”
