Seeing several large carriages at the courtyard gate and Huan’er bustling in and out, directing servants to move things, Gan Cai’er instinctively stepped aside, afraid of blocking the way.
Load after load of belongings were unceasingly unloaded and carried into the house.
Gan Cai’er couldn’t help but click her tongue in amazement.
“With such a grand display, those who know would say you’re here to visit a friend; those who don’t would think my family is taking a concubine.”
“Hah, does your family bring concubines through the main gate? Tsk, you really have a broad mind!”
Zhu Xiaoxiao shot her a disdainful glance, then flicked her handkerchief and strode into the courtyard on her own.
“Miss, I just checked—the east side room has the best light and will definitely be comfortable to stay in. I’ve already had all the trunks moved in,” Huan’er reported as she hurried over.
“Oh, really? Then quickly take me to see it.”
Watching the two of them walk away, Xiao Hong began rolling up her sleeves.
“Miss, this courtyard belongs to our family, doesn’t it?”
Gan Cai’er promptly restrained Xiao Hong, who was about to fly into a rage.
“If she’s willing to pay half the rent, I could even give her the west side room too, so she can change places to stay every day.”
“Heh, I seem to recall someone specifically invited me to stay?” Zhu Xiaoxiao’s voice drifted over from afar.
Gan Cai’er choked. Fine, she’d pretend she said nothing.
Gan Cai’er had invited Zhu Xiaoxiao to stay in Dànzhōu Fǔ for a while, firstly to work on design sketches and secondly to prevent Zhu Xiaoxiao from remarrying her husband from her previous life.
Zhu Xiaoxiao’s husband in her previous life was named Ma Yuting, a scholar from Zhushan County. He was handsome, refined, and elegant, exuding an air of scholarly refinement that made people instantly like him.
Zhu Xiaoxiao fell for him at first sight, and before long, their families arranged a marriage. They chose an auspicious day and soon married. Everything proceeded smoothly, and everyone thought they were a perfect match made in heaven.
Who would have thought that after marriage, Zhu Xiaoxiao would discover that Ma Yuting was nothing but a pretty face—outwardly impressive but inwardly worthless.
Ma Yuting used studying as an excuse every day, ignoring household affairs, while secretly gambling everywhere, and he was addicted to it.
Later, he gambled away all of Zhu Xiaoxiao’s dowry and would often take out his losses by beating her. Unable to bear it any longer, Zhu Xiaoxiao fled back to her parents’ home.
In the end, their marriage lasted less than three years before ending in divorce.
Hah, a scholar? Gan Cai’er snorted disdainfully in her heart.
In the county, a scholar might still be considered talented, but in Dànzhōu Fǔ, especially in the academies of Dànzhōu Fǔ, which family didn’t have a bunch of scholars?
In a prestigious academy like Lùmíng Shūyuàn, if a student couldn’t pass the scholar exam, they’d be too ashamed to show their face and would have to voluntarily withdraw!
Gan Cai’er felt that in her previous life, Zhu Xiaoxiao had simply seen too few scholars, which was why she was dazzled by Ma Yuting.
In this life, she was determined to let Zhu Xiaoxiao meet more and better men.
True to being Gan Cai’er’s childhood best friend, Zhu Xiaoxiao understood exactly what Gan Cai’er was describing and what she wanted with just a brief explanation, and she could draw it almost perfectly.
Delighted, Gan Cai’er patted Zhu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder repeatedly, saying that only she was truly her confidante.
Zhu Xiaoxiao disdainfully picked up Gan Cai’er’s hand with her fingers and flung it off her shoulder.
She sneered coldly, “Hah, who wants to be your confidante?”
But the corners of her mouth secretly curled upward, impossible to suppress, full of pride.
“The new pattern you mentioned is indeed unique, but the colors are a bit chaotic. How about I make some adjustments for you?”
With that, she picked up a brush and began making changes to the sketch. With just a few strokes, the pattern on the draft transformed into a completely different style, appearing more elegant and refined.
Gan Cai’er’s gaze toward her shifted; she truly hadn’t expected Zhu Xiaoxiao to possess such talent.
“Xiao Xiao, why don’t you join me in the embroidery business?” Gan Cai’er’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Why should I bother with that?” Zhu Xiaoxiao set down the brush, showing little interest.
The Zhu family was not short on money.
Although Zhu Xiaoxiao’s father had never held a high-ranking official position, he had accumulated considerable wealth over the course of his life.
Zhu Xiaoxiao was the only cherished daughter of the Zhu family, raised with delicate hands that had never touched the hardships of daily life, unaware of the cost of necessities.
For her, money was something that would come whenever she wanted it—no effort or worry required. In this regard, she was exactly like Gan Cai’er in her previous life.
Gan Cai’er had no idea how Zhu Xiaoxiao’s previous life had ended. However, as long as she remained in Qingshui Town, it was unlikely to have been pleasant after the flood.
Gan Cai’er began to persuade her gently: “But don’t you think it would be delightful to see noble ladies from prestigious families competing to buy the clothes made from your designs?”
“Hmm, that doesn’t sound too bad.”
Zhu Xiaoxiao tilted her head, thought for a moment, and her interest was piqued.
Thus, Gan Cai’er and Zhu Xiaoxiao enthusiastically threw themselves into the work of developing new clothing.
During the day, the two of them visited the Nisheng Pavilion to discuss stitching techniques, color matching, and tailoring with the embroiderers. In the evenings, they returned to the courtyard to brainstorm new styles and patterns—one gesturing and explaining with hands and words, the other understanding intuitively and sketching away, both thoroughly enjoying themselves.
In less than half a month, a lake-green gown was completed. Its design differed from the common styles of the time, and the embroidered pattern was so novel that even Yunniang had never seen anything like it.
Holding the gown, she couldn’t help but praise it repeatedly, remarking that the styles from Jingdu were truly innovative and exquisite!
However, after hanging in Jinxiufang for many days, the new gown attracted no interest whatsoever.
This was a heavy blow to Gan Cai’er. Could the tastes of women in Danzhou really differ so much from those in Jingdu?
Zhu Xiaoxiao put on the gown and twirled in front of the bronze mirror. The multicolored silk threads on the dress seemed to come alive, flowing across the fabric and making the entire gown vibrant and dynamic.
“This dress is truly beautiful” Zhu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Gan Cai’er nodded repeatedly, wholeheartedly agreeing.
But how could such a beautiful dress fail to attract anyone? Those people must be blind! Gan Cai’er thought indignantly.
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened and settled on Zhu Xiaoxiao, who was lost in self-admiration.
Oh, it wasn’t that those people were blind—they simply hadn’t seen it!
“Xiao Xiao, you look absolutely stunning in this dress, truly stunning!” Gan Cai’er leaned in close to Zhu Xiaoxiao, smiling brightly.
Zhu Xiaoxiao abruptly stopped and took two steps back, eyeing Gan Cai’er warily.
“What are you up to now?!”