Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 350 - 207: Forced to Sell the Embroidered Screen_1

Chapter 350: Chapter 207: Forced to Sell the Embroidered Screen_1

Qian Hua was drenched in sweat with worry. "Miss," he said, "some noblemen came to the shop, accompanied by eunuchs with dust whisks. It must be a Prince. They asked to see the embroidered screen, and when I told them it was at the Weiguo Duke Mansion, their faces darkened. They demanded that we go with them to Liang Mansion. I’m afraid that those people are not ones the Liang Family can afford to offend..."

Qian Yixiu felt a sinking feeling in her heart. The imperial relatives were not someone even Old Lord Liang could afford to offend. Besides, it wouldn’t be right to involve the Liang Family in offending such noble people, even though she had once saved Uncle Liang’s life.

She regretted not having sold the screen to Huang Wanchun or Prince Consort Pan. Selling it to Huang Wanchun would have made her more money. Selling it to Prince Consort Pan could have built a good relationship. But she just couldn’t bear to part with it, indulging in wishful thinking until now, still unable to keep it safe. If that nobleman insisted on buying, no matter how much they were willing to pay, she wouldn’t dare to bargain. Such a loss it would be.

With a heavy heart, Qian Yixiu straightened her clothes and followed Qian Hua to the front of the shop.

At the back door of the shop, they saw a pale, beardless man holding a dust whisk standing there. Seeing her approach, he blocked her with his hand and said, "No idlers allowed." His voice was shrill, unlike that of an ordinary man.

Qian Yixiu shivered. Was this the so-called ’Rootless Man’?

Qian Hua bowed with a smile. "Two eunuchs, this young lady is my master."

When Qian Yixiu entered the hall, she saw a man sitting in a chair with two men standing behind him. The seated man was dressed in brocade and had an arrogant demeanor with an imposing attitude.

One of the standing men asked, "Is this young girl the owner of the Jinxiu Embroidery Workshop?" Seeing Qian Hua nod, he continued, "This is Prince Shou, Zhu Hongtang. We’ve heard that your embroidered screen is exquisite, with unparalleled embroidery skills, and His Highness wishes to see it for himself."

Prince Shou, Zhu Hongtang, the Emperor’s brother, though not of the same mother, was highly trusted by the Emperor and in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Hearing this, they hurriedly knelt down to kowtow. "The humble subjects pay respects to Your Highness." Then, Qian Yixiu informed, "Your Highness, the screen is currently at the Weiguo Duke Mansion."

Prince Shou stood up and said, "Let’s go take a look together, then."

Qian Yixiu and Qian Hua rose and followed them out of the Jinxiu Embroidery Workshop. They didn’t get into their own carriage but were instead ushered into a carriage from the mansion of Prince Shou.

Arriving at the gates of Liang Mansion, the doorkeeper rushed in to report upon hearing of Prince Shou’s visit.

Liang Zechong came out to welcome him with a fist and palm salute, laughing, "Haha, Your Highness graces us with your distinguished presence, brightening up my humble residence."

Prince Shou smiled, "Old Lord Liang seems to be enjoying his retirement at home, something I envy."

Liang Zechong laughed in response, "This is all thanks to the Emperor’s kindness and consideration for his old servant." He cast a knowing glance at Qian Yixiu who was following Prince Shou.

He gestured for Prince Shou to enter the hall, where Prince Shou took the seat of honor with Liang Zechong sitting to his side. The rest stood.

After serving tea, Prince Shou expressed his desire to see the embroidered screen.

Liang Zechong quickly ordered the screen to be brought in. Prince Shou stood up and examined it for a long time, circling it several times. He then said, "Old Lord Liang, this screen must be a new acquisition for your home, isn’t it? Name your price, I truly adore it. I’d like to buy it, to present it to the Empress Dowager on her thousandth birthday. I wonder if you’re willing to part with it?"

Liang Zechong originally intended to claim that his family had already purchased it. Then, he would pay the extra silver and buy the screen outright, preventing Miss Qian from losing out. His mother and wife had seen the screen and both liked it very much.

But upon hearing Prince Shou’s intention to present it to the Empress Dowager, it became difficult to mention his own desire to buy it. He thought if Miss Qian sold it directly to Prince Shou, she would surely be at a loss. If she was at a loss, so would his grandson be. Naturally, he was not willing to let his grandson suffer.

Remembering that Huang Wanchun had once come to the Mansion to ask for it, he laughed, "Prince Shou jests. Who wouldn’t want such a fine item? I am no exception. Unfortunately, I was too late to act, and it was already claimed by someone with swifter steps."

Who would dare to snatch something he had his eye on? Prince Shou asked, "Who?"

Uncle Liang replied, "The person is someone Prince Shou himself knows, it’s Huang Wanchun."

Prince Shou was just about to curse when Uncle Liang whispered a few words in his ear.

Prince Shou’s face lit up with joy after hearing them, but he maintained a serious tone, "That won’t do..."

Uncle Liang laughed, "The Emperor has repeatedly warned us not to compete with the common folk for profit. Since Huang Wanchun bought it first, it wouldn’t be proper for us to contend with him, right?"

Prince Shou nodded in agreement, "That is true, that is true indeed."

Afterward, Uncle Liang and Prince Shou sat in the front hall drinking tea, while Qian Yixiu was led to the back yard to pay her respects to Old Lady Liang.

Qian Yixiu was carried to the second gate on a small sedan by a boy servant; upon arriving, she was then transferred to a sedan carried by maids to the Wanhe Hall, where Old Lady Liang resided. This was Qian Yixiu’s first time in a sedan, and she found it quite novel. But thinking that it was her first visit to pay respects to the leader and the leader’s superior, and that she had brought no gifts and was dressed rather casually, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat nervous.

The sedan stopped in front of a Drooping Flower Gate, where she was led by a maid through the gate, around a large rosewood jade inlaid screen in the passageway, and then into the courtyard. The courtyard featured a five-room main house with mountain-passing corridors and wing rooms on either side, all beautifully carved and decorated, an enchanting sight to behold. Under the eaves hung many birds, whose melodic chirping mingled with the flowers and plants in the courtyard, creating a serene and harmonious scene of natural beauty.

The Liang Mansion was different from Rongen Earl Mansion where Prince Consort Pan resided; Liang Mansion had a more imposing presence, while Rongen Earl Mansion emphasized elegance and refinement.

Walking down the Stone Blue Road and approaching the front door of the main house, a young maid lifted the red silk curtain at the doorway and dutifully reported, "Miss Qian has arrived."

Upon entering the hall, she saw an old lady in fine garments sitting on a purple sandalwood arhat bed at the front; the old lady had kind eyes and her hair had turned completely white. She was holding a few-years-old boy in her arms, and sitting beside her was a young girl — it was Liang Jinyu.

Several women sat in armchairs on both sides, with more women standing in the room—a house full of women adorned with pearls and jades, the air thick with their fragrance.

Qian Yixiu stepped forward, whereupon a cushion had already been laid out on the Western Region Carpet by a maid. Qian Yixiu knelt down and kowtowed, "Commoner girl Qian Yixiu bows before Old Queen Grandma, wishing her blessings as vast as the East Sea and longevity like the eternal pine of South Mountain."

The Old Queen Grandma said with a smile, "Good child, rise, come here and let me have a look at you."

Qian Yixiu got up and a maid led her to Old Queen Grandma’s side; Liang Jinyu moved aside with a cheerful smile.

Old Lady Liang took Qian Yixiu’s hand and looked her over, saying with a smile, "What a lovely girl." She then seemed surprised, "Why does she look so familiar to me? It’s as if I’ve seen her before."

Madam Liang laughed, "Every time Old Lady Liang sees a beautiful young girl, she says that she’s seen her somewhere before."

This remark made everyone in the room laugh.

Old Lady Liang also laughed, and lifting her head, a maid offered her a pair of glasses. Qian Yixiu felt somewhat curious; glasses in this era?

The old woman put on her glasses and examined Qian Yixiu closely, saying with a smile, "This child is beautiful and surely blessed."

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