Chapter 21 Survival Record

After returning from the villa, Aying has been thinking about how to make her life more comfortable in this mansion.

Not to mention anything else, if she really encountered some difficult problems, Xie Chengyi, who she could rely on, would not be able to come back for a while, and her grandmother was so old, it would be inappropriate for her to keep bothering her. After all, this matter needed to be solved by herself from the root.

She couldn't keep hiding in Yimeyuan, as if she was so ignorant. After all, this was her biggest silver vault. She had to have the right attitude to make money when making money from others, especially from her grandmother. Her grandmother's act of giving her one thousand taels of silver still felt like a dream to her and she couldn't take it for granted.

However, if you want to win over someone, you have to be strategic and have the right timing. Right now, the Marquis and his wife want to kill her at any time, which really makes people afraid to act rashly. What if they think she has other intentions? That would not be worth it.

Thinking of this, forget it, just remain unchanged in the face of ever-changing circumstances, and deal with the enemy with our own strengths and weaknesses. Let everyone treat her as a nobody, or at least as someone with a very weak sense of existence.

But she had to show her kindness, so she took out two hundred taels of silver notes with great pain. Aying decided to use the money as a gift to everyone. She didn't have much money, and it was all she had. She couldn't afford to buy expensive items for everyone, but just putting her heart into it.

Of course, she was not without other ideas. She was going out for a walk today to take a look at the various industries in the capital. She had to plan for her future.

After lunch, Aying and Sujian went to the cloth shop together.

Looking at the dazzling array of fine brocades and silks, Aying liked every one of them.

"This is the finest brocade, take a look." When the waiter saw such a beautiful girl coming in, he hurried to greet her and pointed to the best brocade in the store.

Huo Aying took a quick look and thought that the brocade was good, but not unique enough, and the pattern was too ordinary.

Seeing Huo Aying's eyes skipping over Yunjin, the waiter hurriedly recommended: "Miss, this is Shujin, the workmanship is more complicated, the color is brighter, it is just suitable for someone of your status."

Huo Aying was not very fond of the guy's frequent recommendations, so he walked on to take a look.

Coincidentally, a graceful and calm woman came out from the backyard. When she saw Huo Aying's reaction, she said to the waiter, "You go and do your work first."

"Yes, boss." Then the waiter went to greet other guests.

"Miss, is there any fabric or pattern you're looking for? The space in the shop is limited, and we only carry styles that ordinary people often buy. Some special fabrics are placed in the warehouse. If you have a fabric you like, I can send someone to look for it." The shopkeeper said amiably. As soon as Huo Aying saw her expression, he knew that this lady was also a person who was in charge of the household.

"I want to make some clothes for the elders. It would be best if they have some texture and are comfortable." Huo Aying replied with a faint smile.

The shopkeeper nodded and said softly, "Young lady, you are so filial, the elders should be happy. As for comfortable fabrics, we have a few pieces that were just shipped back from Siam. They haven't been laid out yet. Miss, why don't you sit down for a while and take a look?"

Huo Aying nodded, "Thank you."

Afterwards, the shopkeeper ordered his servants to get the material.

After waiting for a while, the servant came out with several pieces of cloth.

Huo Aying stood up immediately.

"Miss, do you think these materials are satisfactory?" The shopkeeper stroked the materials and looked at Aying.

Ah Ying then took a closer look at the fabric. At first glance, the fabric was not eye-catching, but when she looked closer, she found that there were dark silver patterns on the fabric, like water waves, which were extremely beautiful under the reflection of the light.

When I touched the fabric, I felt that the outside was relatively smooth, but when I looked inside, it was extremely soft.

This is really good.

"This fabric is really comfortable." Aying murmured.

The shopkeeper nodded and said, "Fabrics like this are usually worn by noble families, and they emphasize comfort and elegance. However, it would be a little bland if worn on important occasions."

Huo Aying glanced at the female shopkeeper and said directly, "What the shopkeeper said is right."

After taking a closer look at the comfortable fabrics, Yunjin and Shujin, Huo Aying said firmly, "In that case, let's order a few more pieces. Take these three pieces of fabric and the two types of Yunjin above."

The shopkeeper smiled and immediately ordered the servants: "Pack up all the cloth that the young lady wants and send it to her house later."

"No need. I'll just take it away." Huo Aying replied. Having people deliver things to the mansion in such a swaggering manner seemed like he was deliberately seeking credit. He hadn't gained any favor before, so he might as well ruin it.

"Yes." The shopkeeper nodded.

Ah Ying waited patiently for them to wrap the cloth.

"Sister Zhuo, the batch of embroidery we sent to the palace was returned." A man reported to the shopkeeper anxiously.

Shopkeeper Zhuo was surprised and asked, "How could this happen?"

The man said with difficulty: "They said that our embroidery style is too old, and the ladies in the palace don't like it very much, so they have returned it now."

"This is a large order. If we return them all, we will probably lose a lot of money..." Shopkeeper Zhuo was probably really anxious and he was pacing all the time.

Huo Aying watched Manager Zhuo's movements with a solemn expression.

Just then, the cloth was sorted and brought over. Shopkeeper Zhuo calmed down and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, miss, I made you laugh. Shall we deliver these cloths to your carriage?"

Ah Ying turned to Su Jian and said, "Su Jian, go and lead them to put the things away."

Su Jian responded, "Yes."

Then Huo Aying looked at Shopkeeper Zhuo and asked, "What kind of embroidery did Shopkeeper send to the palace?"

Shopkeeper Zhuo was stunned, not understanding what Huo Aying meant by this question, and said blankly, "Purses, round fans, silk handkerchiefs and the like."

"Can I take a look?" Huo Aying looked at Shopkeeper Zhuo, with determination and confidence in his eyes.

Shopkeeper Zhuo was inexplicably tempted to believe the woman in front of him, "Aqiang, go get some of these things."

Soon, Aqiang brought in one of each.

Shopkeeper Zhuo lined up and looked at Ah Ying suspiciously, "Miss, please look."

I have to say that Shopkeeper Zhuo's vision is not bad. The patterns are the most commonly used patterns nowadays. However, the palace is not short of such common patterns.

"I do have a little idea, but I don't know if it can be used?" Aying said modestly.

Shopkeeper Zhuo immediately listened attentively, "Please enlighten me, young lady."

"For purses like these, why not add some highlights to the original ones? For example, use the embroidered pattern as the center, add a frame with beautiful lines, or decorate the blank space of the original pattern with some smart little objects, like imagination or painting within a painting. It doesn't take much effort, just the image will make it more vivid and interesting." Ah Ying made a slight gesture, and Shopkeeper Zhuo immediately understood, and said with a twinkle in his eyes: "This is much more interesting!"

"The masters in the palace have seen everything. Good materials may not necessarily attract attention, but exquisite designs will be more likely to attract attention." Aying looked at Shopkeeper Zhuo with a relaxed look.

This aroused the curiosity of Shopkeeper Zhuo, "Miss, do you have any suggestions for other embroidery?"

Ah Ying picked up a round fan, waved it a few times, and sniffed it carefully, saying playfully, "How can fake flowers smell as good as real ones?"

Just one sentence gave Manager Zhuo an idea.

Without further ado, Shopkeeper Zhuo said respectfully, "Forgive me for my poor eyesight. I didn't realize where the young lady came from. Such talent and vision are extraordinary."

Ah Ying smiled at what Shopkeeper Zhuo said, "I was just making it up. You are the expert."

Zhuo Wenqing didn't intend to take advantage of Huo Aying's kindness, so he specifically told the servant beside him, "Go, take down the silk brocade upstairs!"

After the servant came down, Shopkeeper Zhuo admired it very much and said, "This is the finest silk brocade. Although it's not much, it's a token of gratitude from Wenqing. Miss, you must accept it. I will immediately send an embroiderer to work on this batch of embroidery overnight."

Ah Ying waved her hands repeatedly, "It's just my humble opinion. I really don't dare to accept such precious silk and brocade."

Zhuo Wenqing sincerely sent her off. After a long stalemate, Ah Ying slowly accepted her and said, "I'm really sorry for the expense, Sister Wenqing."

"No, your valuable advice really helped me a lot!" Zhuo Wenqing escorted A Ying to the car.

"Miss, I think if you stay any longer, Manager Zhuo really wants to invite you to be the head embroiderer of the Yulan Pavilion!" Su Jian's eyes lit up at Miss Aying's idea. She seemed to feel that Miss Aying was more and more charming.

Ah Ying smiled faintly. To be honest, it's not impossible to be an embroiderer, but embroidery takes time, effort and energy, and the money earned is not much. It is really not the best way to make a living at the moment. However, she also has selfish motives in helping Zhuo Wenqing. If she can't make money from the Marquis' Mansion, she is not without a way out.

Touching the silk brocade, Su Jian said with envy: "Girl, what are you going to do with this silk brocade?"

"Hmm?" Ah Ying was startled. "I haven't thought about it yet."

"Why don't you embroider a brocade ribbon? This color is just right for the prince." Su Jian stroked the silk brocade.

Ah Ying took a look at the silk brocade. Give it to Xie Chengyi? She really couldn't bear to part with it, so she said calmly, "Keep it for now. It's not easy for me to have a little wealth in my poor family. Don't give it all away. You have to use it on the most important people."

Su Jian was stunned. Isn't the young lady too housekeeping? The prince is not considered an important person, so who is?
evening.

Ah Ying unfolded a simply bound notebook and wrote down a line of words solemnly:

Shop: Yulanxuan (embroidery)
Shopkeeper: Zhuo Wenqing (a man of temperament)

Back-up plan: Become an embroiderer

Attractiveness of making money: 60% (full 100%)

After turning over a few times, Aying finally felt truly safe.

Written in the book: Huo A Ying's Survival Record...

Good morning, everyone.

There is no theme today, please feel free to comment based on your own ideas. I will give you the sofa.