Double-sided embroidery, also known as two-sided embroidery, is most astonishing because the same piece of fabric can embroider two different sides. Correspondingly, its embroidery technique is extremely laborious.
A’Yuan had been in the mansion for three years and had only embroidered two screen panels for the old lady.
Shen Qiuyu urgently demanded that a screen panel be embroidered within seven days. Even under normal circumstances, A’Yuan would have to work several long nights, let alone now when her hand was injured.
Chun Tao applied ointment to A’Yuan’s hand and wrapped it with white cloth. She pursed her lips indignantly, “The young master is such a clever person, how can he not see Shen Qiuyu’s hypocrisy? Not only did she deliberately injure your hand, but she also wants you to embroider a double-sided embroidery for her. She really has a big face!”
She only regretted not tearing Shen Qiuyu’s face publicly to vent her anger for her mistress.
A’Yuan was amused by her, finding some joy in hardship as she bent her thickly wrapped fingers. Her captivating eyes only retained clarity, “What would exposing her achieve? The young master will eventually marry.”
Without Shen Qiuyu, there would be others, just like Su Yingxue before. No mistress would tolerate the existence of a concubine like her.
Even if she remained obedient and law-abiding, she would still be feared by the young master’s wife, especially now that she had lost Wei Xun’s favor. Perhaps even living peacefully in the future would become a luxury.
A’Yuan lowered her eyes and instructed Chun Tao, “Take the shoes and socks made for the second wife and deliver them.”
“Mistress?”
Chun Tao was puzzled, “Didn’t we say we wouldn’t send them?”
The second wife had bullied her mistress so much; these six pairs of shoes and socks should be kept in storage rather than sent.
A’Yuan smiled faintly, “Go.”
Times are different now. Previously, she had foolishly believed Wei Xun would protect her, so she dared to boldly resist Zhao Wan.
Now, a series of humiliations had made her see clearly that a man’s favor is unreliable. She shouldn’t let her own anger affect Chun Tao.
Such a luxurious thing as dignity, she had lost it since falling into Chunyan Tower.
“Yes.”
Chun Tao stomped her feet, took the shoes and socks, and went out angrily.
She went quickly and returned quickly, but when she came back, her face was pale, and her eyes had lost their sparkle.
A’Yuan’s heart skipped a beat, thinking she had been bullied at the second wife’s place, and quickly stood up to ask, “What happened?”
Hearing A’Yuan’s voice, Chun Tao gradually reacted. She hurriedly grabbed A’Yuan’s hand, her lips trembling incessantly, “Mis… mistress, Bi Wu has died.”
“Bi Wu… died? How could that be possible?”
A’Yuan ignored the pain in her hand, feeling only absurdity.
How could someone so vibrant not long ago suddenly be gone?
“It’s true. I saw Fu Cai, the second master’s attendant, carrying her out. The blood flowing from her stained the courtyard of the second wife’s residence red.”
Chun Tao was only fifteen years old; she had never seen such a bloody scene and was half scared out of her wits.
“…Did they say why she died?” A’Yuan pressed.
Chun Tao shook her head, “I don’t know.”
“I understand. Go out.”
A’Yuan waved her hand, her eyes somewhat dim.
Although she and Bi Wu had always been at odds, the sudden loss of a life made her feel uneasy.
Outside the window, the phoenix tree sprouted new branches, and a pair of magpies landed on them, chirping noisily.
A’Yuan sat by the window, staring blankly outside until the sunset.
In the evening, Chun Tao came to light the lamp and brought a rare guest.
“A’Yuan.”
The visitor wore plain clothes with a gray cloak draped over them, holding a small bundle in her arms. Hesitantly, she called out to the woman by the window.
A’Yuan turned her head, surprised to see her coming, and bowed in greeting, “Concubine Qiu.”
Qiu Wen quickly helped her up, forcing a bitter smile, “We are sisters, why bother with such formalities?”
Besides, she was merely Wei Cong’s concubine, not as dignified as A’Yuan.
“You must have heard about Bi Wu. She always loved to compete, but ended up like this…”
Qiu Wen choked on her words, lowering her head to wipe her tears with a handkerchief.
“The child was already formed, yet it was brutally crushed out. She was so afraid of pain, and for the first time begged me to protect her. But what status do I have? When the master commands, how can servants like us dare to question?”
Only with A’Yuan could she allow the tightly wound strings in her heart to loosen.
A’Yuan’s heart trembled, finally understanding the truth.
It turned out Bi Wu had been pregnant for two months. She had hoped to gain favor through the child, seeking Wei Cong’s attention. Little did she know Zhao Wan kept track of all the concubines’ menstrual cycles. When Bi Wu missed hers for two months, an old servant reported it to Zhao Wan.
Wei Cong was frail, and offspring were scarce. The concubines bore the responsibility of expanding the family.
But Zhao Wan was deeply jealous. She tolerated Wei Cong’s usual frivolities, but children must come from her alone.
Bi Wu’s pregnancy had already violated this taboo.
Zhao Wan dared not act openly, so she seized evidence of Bi Wu flirting with Wei Cong’s servant, accusing her of adultery.
In grand households, there were many ways to wage war without visible weapons.
Especially since Wei Cong often indulged in outrageous games, Bi Wu and the servant were already involved.
Now caught in adultery, he himself grew suspicious and naturally sided with Zhao Wan.
Bi Wu was pinned down by two rough servant women, her lower body brutally crushed with a rolling pin. The fetus, mixed with blood, was forced out.
Qiu Wen trembled, clutching the bundle tightly in her arms.
“A’Yuan, Aunt was right. Grand households may appear prosperous, but inside they harbor the deepest filth. Bi Wu’s fate today might be mine tomorrow. We are rootless people; when we die, we’re just wrapped in a ragged mat and thrown into a mass grave. I don’t fear death, only pray that in the next life I can be reborn into a good family. I don’t seek great wealth, only parents who cherish me, so I won’t suffer such turmoil again.”
With a bitter smile, she handed the bundle to A’Yuan.
“Inside are a few of Bi Wu’s clothes. I have Second Madame’s people watching me, so I can’t keep them. Please, for our past bond, help her establish a memorial grave. If it’s too difficult, just… burn them for me.”
Bi Wu loved vibrant colors; her clothes were mostly peach reds and willow greens. Though she was sharp-tongued, her nature was like a blazing fire. Yet such a person died without even dignity.
A’Yuan looked at the bundle in her hands, feeling an indescribable emotion, “I promise you.”
Qiu Wen choked, tears falling again from her eyes, “Thank you.”
“In the past, Bi Wu and I bullied you. Our fate today is deserved. We are merely playthings serving others, fighting endlessly yet our ambitions soar high while our lives are fragile as paper. A’Yuan, guard your heart, live well.”
She glanced deeply at A’Yuan’s hands wrapped like dumplings, then turned and left.
A gust of wind entered from outside, the candle flame flickering as mist blurred A’Yuan’s vision.
The vivid image of Bi Wu from before flashed before her eyes. A’Yuan murmured, “I will.”
She would live well and guard her heart.
The death of Biwu did not stir any ripples in the Marquis Manor; a low-ranking concubine died, and that was all.
The second household brought in a new slender horse, and Zhao Wan remained as radiant as ever.
Only the Jade Clear Courtyard grew quieter.
A’Yuan finally finished embroidering the screen panel by dawn on the seventh day, her hands covered with bloody marks, unable to lift them at all.