Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1164 - 073 The Dark Curtain, - 31

Chapter 1164: 073 The Dark Curtain, Chapter 31

Accompanied by the sound of conversation, Tian Xuan had already helped herself to lift the door curtain and enter the room, plunking down on the stool beside the two of them and casually taking a sip from the cup in front of Tian Hui.

After drinking, she smacked her lips in distaste and complained, "Is this the tea your brother-in-law sent over? It’s awful, so bitter."

Taken aback, Tian Hui snatched the tea cup back, baring her fangs unusually, "If it’s so awful, why do you drink it? Go to your own room!"

Seeing Tian Hui like this, Lin Yuan was still a bit surprised. On the other hand, Tian Xuan drew a finger across her face, sticking her tongue out teasingly at her, "Lose, lose! You get mad at me the moment you hear someone badmouth your brother-in-law!"

Lin Yuan immediately couldn’t help but laugh at the antics of this child, Tian Xuan. She shouldn’t have let Tian Xuan hang out with Lin Wei; she should have had her spend time with Xiao Linshuang instead—she was certain the two of them would hit it off.

Of course, Lin Yuan finally understood why Tian Hui had taken such an instant liking to Xiao Linshuang upon their first meeting—it was because she had a sister with a similar temperament.

Riled up by Tian Xuan like this, Tian Hui no longer had the mood to quarrel with her and harrumphed twice, ignoring her afterward.

However, Lin Yuan did remember what Tian Xuan had said upon entering the door: Tian Hui was about to get married, and naturally shouldn’t casually leave her home. So it was unrealistic to expect her to accompany Lin Yuan to the Yao Mansion, and besides, she didn’t need anyone accompanying her—she had three sisters of her own. If even she needed others’ support, how would she be able to look after her own sisters?

Her presence alone would have dimmed in stature.

But before she could politely refuse, Tian Xuan had already stepped forward, confidently volunteering herself for the task.

"Is it to attend the banquet at the Yao Mansion? No problem, I’ll go with you. I’ve heard from my sister. You’re new to the Capital city, unfamiliar with the place. It must be inconvenient to attend social gatherings, but don’t worry, with me around, you don’t need to be concerned. I know all the young ladies at the banquet and I guarantee you’ll get along with them after just a few words."

Before Lin Yuan could respond to Tian Xuan’s assurance, Tian Hui already sneered dismissively, "You, just go back to your room and practice your embroidery. If you fail to be selected again this time, wait and see how father punishes you."

As soon as her father was mentioned, Tian Xuan’s brow twitched, and her expression sank slightly, though she still stubbornly refused to admit defeat, "I came to ask Miss Lin about her sister’s situation. We’re all part of the selection for the Red Smoke Pavilion, and it would be nice to discuss it together, wouldn’t it?"

However, this was going to disappoint Tian Xuan, as Lin Yuan apologetically smiled, "Second Miss Tian might be disappointed. My sister has been away from home for the past few days; she went out of town."

"Out of town?" Tian Xuan was puzzled, "Could it be that there is some formidable embroidery lady outside the city? That doesn’t seem right. I’ve been in the Capital city for so many years, so how come I’ve never heard of a particularly skilled embroidery lady outside?"

Lin Yuan chuckled secretly, it seemed that Tian Xuan was just like Lin Wei, deeply passionate about embroidery. She was just not sure how skilled her embroidery work was.

"Not an embroidery lady, we bought a manor outside of the city, and we are currently having people repair and tend to the garden, so I had my two younger sisters go there."

Tian Xuan suddenly realized, so that was the case. However, hearing this explanation, she became even more surprised, her eyes wide open, her dimples on her face becoming visible: "The shortlist for the competition is about to be announced, and she’s not at home practicing her embroidery, but actually has the leisure to go off to the outskirts of the city to do this? Does she not want to join Red Smoke Pavilion anymore?"

After a pause, Tian Xuan gathered her hands together in frustration, "It’s not that I am alarmist, but getting into Red Smoke Pavilion isn’t that easy. I’ve already applied three times, and the first two times I didn’t even have a chance to make it to the finals. Last year, I finally made it to the finals, but on the day of the competition, well, never mind, the point is this is my fourth time applying. Four times! Just think about it, and you should realize how difficult that is, right?"

Not being able to get into Red Smoke Pavilion after three attempts didn’t mean Tian Xuan’s embroidery was really poor; it was mainly because there were just too many people who excelled at embroidery under the heavens. Moreover, there were quite a few who came to Red Smoke Pavilion just to prove that their skills were better than those of the ladies of Red Smoke Pavilion, not just to get a chance to join.

Last year, such a person appeared. Although her embroidery was very good and her work exquisite, she still didn’t place in the top three. Unconvinced, the lady claimed she was the best embroidery lady in Jiangnan and demanded an explanation from Red Smoke Pavilion that she could accept, otherwise she would accuse Red Smoke Pavilion of rigging the selection process.

Red Smoke Pavilion had been established in the Capital city for more than twenty years, and if a mere embroidery lady claimed there were underhanded dealings, its reputation would undoubtedly be affected.

Embroiderer Ru immediately stepped forward, spread out the woman’s embroidery work on the table, and from left to right, from top to bottom, inside and out, front and back, pointed out no less than ten flaws. The woman herself was too ashamed to lift her head.

With this, the allegations of underhanded dealings naturally fell apart, and the woman admitted defeat, conceding graciously, and declared she would return next year.

Whether this woman had applied to participate this year, Tian Xuan did not know. However, from her words, Lin Yuan could sense that she was a very tenacious and proud person. If she said she would come, she would definitely come.

"Alright, Xuanxuan."

Tian Xuan wanted to say more, but Tian Hui had already cut her off, reminding her, "Since it’s not easy to get into Red Smoke Pavilion, shouldn’t you rush back to your room to practice? I have seen Lin Wei’s embroidery, and it’s incredibly clever and skillful. Compared to you, it’s much stronger! Remember the pledge you made to father; if you fail to get into Red Smoke Pavilion again, you’ll have to keep quiet and focus on learning poetry and painting."

The mention of poetry and painting made Tian Xuan forget the embroidery of Lin Wei she had intended to ask about, and she left the room with a pout, very unwillingly returning to her own courtyard.

After her younger sister left, Tian Hui began to share her own grievances.

Turns out Tian Xuan didn’t know when she suddenly took a keen interest in embroidery. She no longer studied her previously favored poetry and instead insisted on learning embroidery. While sewing was indeed an essential skill for young ladies, it shouldn’t be pursued as if one’s life depended on it. Yet, she harbored the aspiration to become an embroidery lady in Red Smoke Pavilion, which made her father, Tian Hui, anxious.

The younger daughter, unlike her elder sister, was less understanding and had been spoiled by her mother Madam Tian, ignoring his advice no matter how much he counseled. Fortunately, Red Smoke Pavilion had its own selection process for embroidery ladies, and no matter how influential an official was, they couldn’t push their daughters through the back door. Thus, the four-year agreement was established.

This year was naturally the last year of this agreement, no wonder the young lady was so anxious.