Chapter 42: Seizing the Opportunity—The Third Sister Embroidering a Gift of Congratulations

"Oh? Is that so?"

Jiang Shiyuan seized the opportunity to take out a handkerchief from her bosom and handed it to Nanny Shen.

"Your Highness, please take a look. This is the handkerchief embroidered by my third younger sister."

Nanny Shen presented it to Princess Qinghuan. The two of them examined the delicate butterflies and tangled branches embroidered upon the silk. The craftsmanship was indeed exceptional. A flicker of delight appeared in the Princess’s eyes, and she spoke.

"The embroidery is naturally exquisite, but I am a bit concerned about her working on such a task all alone. Why don't we have her come and work alongside the embroiderers in the Princess’s manor? Perhaps they might spark some new ideas together. What do you think, Anian?"

Jiang Shiyuan’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this.

Setting aside everything else, merely entering the Princess’s manor was a rare opportunity. Given her third sister’s intuition for embroidery, she might even learn something new. Moreover, staying in the Princess’s manor for two months would undoubtedly be beneficial for the status of both her sister and Concubine Yang within the household. She rose and replied, "On behalf of my third sister, I thank Your Highness. When I return, I shall relay this news to her, and she will surely do her utmost to complete this task with all her heart and soul."

"Very well. Since she is Anian’s sister, I shall naturally take care of her. Nanny Shen, have a courtyard in the South Garden tidied up for this Third Miss Jiang. Treat her with the courtesy befitting a guest."

"As you command, Your Highness."

In just a few words, the matter was settled.

Jiang Shiyuan gave Pei Zisu a grateful smile for his earlier assistance. After chatting a while longer about the Ning’an Garden, they prepared to leave before the midday meal. As they departed, the Princess seemed somewhat reluctant to let them go, holding Jiang Shiyuan’s hand as she sighed.

"Once you are married, I won't be able to find someone to talk to as freely as I do now. If you go to Hanzhou, it will be even more so."

"If Your Highness desires a confidante, that is simple: just find a consort who suits your heart soon. By then, I fear that even if I sent a formal request to visit, I might not be able to step through the doors of the Princess’s manor for ten days or a fortnight," Jiang Shiyuan teased.

Princess Qinghuan, however, was not an ordinary person; she had heard such remarks many times and took no offense. "Let it be. A consort is a dispensable thing. My Imperial Father also feels there is no need to decide so quickly, telling me to play for another two years."

"His Majesty is truly doting toward Your Highness."

After bidding farewell, Jiang Shiyuan and Pei Zisu left. Pei Zisu led the way as usual, and as it was nearing lunch, the streets were becoming quite bustling.

***

By the time they returned to the Marquis of Wenyuan’s manor, Jiang Shishu had already been waiting for a long time.

"Eldest Sister, are we going home now?"

"No rush. Sit down first; I have something to tell you."

Jiang Shishu looked puzzled, but she had always listened carefully to her eldest sister’s words. She listened as Jiang Shiyuan recounted the events. When she realized she was to enter the Princess’s manor to embroider a congratulatory gift for the Empress Dowager, she was so stunned that she could not speak, clutching her handkerchief in a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"Eldest Sister, I... I am afraid I cannot do it."

"Your embroidery skills are already outstanding, and you are the only one who truly knows the appearance of the 'Lingguo' flower from Wangzhou. Just set your needle with confidence. Besides, there are many experienced embroiderers in the Princess’s manor from whom you will surely learn a great deal. There is only one thing: you must stay there for two months, eating and living in the manor. However, Nanny Shen has received the Princess’s orders and will take good care of you, so you need not worry about that."

Jiang Shiyuan explained everything clearly, yet Jiang Shishu’s brow remained tightly furrowed, and she did not immediately agree.

"What is it? Is there anything else you don't understand?"

"I am worried... if I fail to embroider it well, will I implicate you and the rest of the family?"

"Third Sister, this is a rare opportunity. If you do not wish for you and Concubine Yang to always be at the mercy of others in the inner chambers, this is a turning point for both of you. However, if you are truly this terrified, I cannot force you. But if you decline the Princess, this path will be closed to you forever. Do you understand?"

Jiang Shiyuan certainly hoped her third sister would step up, but she needed to make the decision herself. If she relied solely on backing, she might collapse before the gift was even finished.

Her hands trembling slightly, Jiang Shishu couldn't quite articulate her feelings at that moment. Such a good opportunity—had her eldest sister not been acquainted with Princess Qinghuan, it would never have fallen to her. She loved embroidery and wanted to refine her techniques, but most importantly, as her eldest sister said, if she could spend two months in the Princess’s manor, it would provide a foundation of dignity for her and her mother.

After a moment of silent reflection, she swallowed her fear and nervousness, then firmly gripped Jiang Shiyuan’s hand. Her eyes filled with gratitude, she said, "Eldest Sister, I am willing to go!"

Hearing this, Jiang Shiyuan felt relieved. Success or failure depended on one’s willingness to cross that threshold. Since her third sister was willing, she would surely be able to overcome any obstacle in the future.

"Very well. Let us return to the manor, report this to Father, and then you can explain it to your mother. Tomorrow, I will personally take you to the Princess’s manor."

"Yes."

***

Jiang Shishu nodded heavily. Since she had agreed, she would have to give her all to create this embroidery. The Lingguo flower was indeed difficult to embroider, but it was familiar to her and her mother, as it was a flower from her mother’s hometown. In this regard, she felt a modicum of confidence.

Lost in these thoughts, she barely remembered how she returned to the Jiang manor. Once Concubine Yang learned of the news, the two of them wept in each other's arms for a long while. After composing themselves, they immediately prepared some food and headed straight to Ting Shi Xuan.

It was the hottest time of the day, and when Concubine Yang and Jiang Shishu arrived, there were beads of sweat on their foreheads. As soon as Concubine Yang entered, she dropped to her knees before Jiang Shiyuan, and with Jiang Shishu following suit, they kowtowed repeatedly, startling the maids, Lüluo and Liuhua.

"What are you standing there for? Why don't you help Concubine Yang and the Third Miss up?"

"Oh, yes, Young Miss!"

The maids moved to help them, but Concubine Yang refused to rise. Her eyes were red and swollen, showing she had just been crying. She wiped the tears from her face and said with immense gratitude, "I cannot repay your kindness, Eldest Young Miss. If there is anything you need in the future, just give the word. Even if it means climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of fire, I will see it done for you!"

"Concubine Yang, you speak too seriously. Third Sister is my family, and her embroidery skills are there for all to see. If it weren't for your excellent guidance, she would never have found such an opportunity. In fact, your own embroidery skills are perhaps even more refined, but you are a woman of the Jiang household, and it would be inappropriate for you to go to the Princess’s manor abruptly. Otherwise, you would surely have been able to show your true talents."

Concubine Yang was already overjoyed that her daughter could go; she dared not covet anything more. She waved her hands hurriedly. "Eldest Young Miss, you flatter me too much. My clumsy skills cannot compare to the Third Miss’s intuition. She just lacked a good mentor; otherwise, with her ability, she would have mastered the craft long ago."

Jiang Shiyuan did not fully understand the technical details, but she agreed with Concubine Yang that her third sister possessed great intuition.

After having Lüluo and Liuhua help the two to their seats, Jiang Shiyuan added, "The next two months will surely be arduous for Third Sister, but the effort will be worth it. If she can receive praise before the Empress Dowager, it will bring much dignity to her future marriage prospects."

These words were exactly what Concubine Yang longed to hear, and she became even more deeply indebted to the Eldest Young Miss before her.