DBB – Chapter 23: Shu Embroidery

“Indeed, the embroidery is exquisite—it carries the charm of Shu embroidery,” Second Madam commented as she examined the handkerchief. The orchids embroidered on it were truly remarkable.

Yet, her mind was elsewhere. This handkerchief had been presented by Ye Xian… How had Gu Jinchao’s handkerchief ended up in Ye Xian’s possession?

She turned to Jinchao and softly asked, “Chao’er, is this truly yours?”

Jinchao took a deep breath, stood up, and calmly replied, “Your Lordship must be mistaken. If it is truly my handkerchief, how did it end up in your hands?”

Ye Xian stood beneath the winter plum tree, the pale sunlight falling upon him. Smiling, he said, “The upper left corner is embroidered with ‘Jinchao’ in aquamarine thread—I could not have mistaken it.”

Jinchao clenched her hands. How had she offended the heir of the Marquis of Changxing for him to treat her like this? A young lady’s handkerchief ending up in a man’s possession—if she couldn’t explain it properly, it could cause a great scandal! Moreover, among the noble ladies present, how many were eyeing the Marquis’s heir? She had no intention of competing for favor, nor did she wish to become the target of their scrutiny.

Quickly regaining her composure, Jinchao touched her sleeve in mild surprise and said, “It seems my handkerchief is indeed missing. I must have dropped it at the opera stage earlier. How kind of Your Lordship to have found it.”

Ye Xian tilted his head slightly in feigned reproach. “Why do you call me ‘Your Lordship’? You should call me ‘Uncle.’”

“…Yes, Uncle.” Looking at the youth before her, nearly the same age as herself, Jinchao had no choice but to yield to his unconventional ways.

Fortunately, Gu Jinxian interjected, “When we returned to the opera stage, you were no longer there. But we did find Eldest Sister’s handkerchief left on the table. Uncle casually picked it up, praising the embroidered orchids. What kind of orchid is this? It looks quite rare—is it a Jian orchid?”

Jinchao replied, “This orchid is called the Four-Season Orchid. It resembles the pure-hearted Jian orchid, and some believe it to be the same species. However, the Four-Season Orchid has lighter-colored leaves with clearer veins, so it is sometimes classified as a new variety. This type of orchid thrives in the misty mountain ravines of the south.”

Gu Jinxian’s eyes lit up with excitement. “You know about orchids?” He stepped forward, his enthusiasm apparent. “I love cultivating orchids, but my family doesn’t own any orchid manuals. The ones I’ve found outside are quite common. Eldest Sister, may I consult you in the future?”

As they were cousins of the same surname, the concerns of propriety between men and women were not too strict.

Jinchao smiled and nodded. “You are always welcome.”

Second Madam passed the handkerchief around, and the gathered ladies marveled at its beauty. The orchids truly seemed lifelike.

Gu Lian, having just been embarrassed, recalled how her mother had scolded her earlier. Biting her lip, she finally muttered, “Eldest Cousin, though this is your handkerchief, are you certain you embroidered it? The butterfly you were stitching earlier seemed rather clumsy. How could you have embroidered such fine work? Even Lan’er once said that you were not skilled in embroidery. Why don’t you demonstrate for us?”

Gu Lan lowered her head to sip tea, her jade bracelet clinking softly, remaining silent.

She was more than happy to let Gu Lian stir up trouble. The moment she saw the handkerchief, she knew it wasn’t Jinchao’s handiwork. She had seen Jinchao’s embroidery before—crooked and unsightly. What did it matter that she had studied under Master Xue?

The thought unsettled her. She had always been the more talented of the two sisters in embroidery. Yet their father had hired Master Xue solely to teach Jinchao. Was she not also a daughter of the Gu family?

Jinchao took a deep breath. She neither sought attention nor wished to stand out, yet some people were relentless. If that was the case, she would not be easily bullied either.

Jinchao lifted her gaze, smiling. “How can a single butterfly determine skill? Madam Chen, could you bring me another embroidery hoop?”

Second Madam nodded, and her trusted maid, Madam Chen, promptly retrieved a new hoop. Jinchao sat down, threading the needle with practiced ease.

Ye Xian and the others found the scene intriguing and took seats nearby to watch.

The soft winter sunlight filtered through the plum trees, casting dappled light upon Jinchao. Her attire was simple—a moon-white silk jacket embroidered with pendant patterns, paired with an aquamarine skirt. The understated colors softened her striking beauty, lending her an air of quiet grace. Her slender fingers moved deftly over the silk, precise and elegant.

Gu Jinxian watched, momentarily stunned, and whispered to Gu Jinxiao, “I never knew embroidery could look so beautiful in motion…”

Half an hour passed, and Hengxie Pavilion had fallen utterly silent.

Jinchao finished her work, secured the last stitch, and softly recited:
“Among all blossoms, none surpasses this flower;
Clouds clipped, snow draped, and tinted with cinnabar.
When it blooms in the early spring months,
It outshines ten thousand homes in Chang’an.”

She set the embroidery hoop down, revealing her work.

Gu Lan, who had been waiting for Jinchao to embarrass herself, found herself unable to laugh. Upon the snow-white silk was a single pale-red peony, its petals layered with delicate shading, from a soft blush to near translucency. At the center, a touch of yellow pollen completed the illusion of a flower in full bloom, graceful and vivid.

Having developed a fondness for Jinchao due to their earlier orchid discussion, Gu Jinxian spoke up. “That verse is by Xu Yin. It seems our Eldest Sister is not as unlearned as the rumors suggest!”

Gu Jinxiao frowned but said nothing, still holding onto his disdain for Jinchao’s past arrogance.

Ye Xian, however, thought for a moment before nodding. “That is a fine poem.”

Second Madam was astonished, and even the ladies playing mahjong nearby had come over to look. Fifth Madam examined the embroidery for a long while before finally remarking, “This is Shu embroidery. It is rarely seen in the capital. Such exquisite detail—it looks almost alive.”

Second Madam whispered in amazement, “Chao’er, with embroidery skills like this, how could you say you are unskilled?”

To think Jinchao possessed such remarkable skill yet had spoken so humbly before. Was this the case of ‘a full jug makes no noise, while a half-full one clatters’? Second Madam glanced at Gu Lan, whose expression was now rather unpleasant.

Jinchao had struck her down effortlessly.

Jinchao respectfully replied, “It is indeed Shu embroidery, something I learned in my spare time. However, completing a full piece would take ten days to half a month, so I only embroidered a single peony. I did not mention it earlier not out of false humility but because my master, Xue Shifu, teaches Su embroidery. If it were known that her disciple specialized in Shu embroidery instead, it might affect her reputation. I hope Second Aunt can understand.”

Jinchao respectfully said, “Indeed, this is Shu embroidery. I learned it in my spare time, but completing a full piece would take at least ten days to half a month, so I only embroidered a single peony. I did not mention it earlier, not out of humility, but because my master, Xue Shifu, specializes in Su embroidery. If it were known that her disciple had mastered Shu embroidery instead, it might affect her reputation. That is why I kept quiet… I hope Second Aunt can understand.”

Second Madam had no reason to reproach Jinchao. Smiling, she gestured for her to sit down. “With embroidery skills like this, your master would be proud of you, not displeased. And looking at the orchids on this handkerchief… they aren’t nearly as beautiful as this peony!”

Saying this, she prepared to return the handkerchief to Jinchao.

Yet, from where he had been idly watching the scene, Ye Xian suddenly spoke in an unhurried tone, “Since I found it, doesn’t that mean it belongs to me now? Why is Second Madam returning it?”

A cold sweat nearly broke out on Second Madam’s forehead—what was the Marquis’s heir implying?

The room fell into silence. After a moment, Ye Xian leisurely added, “…But if it’s troublesome, forget it. I can always find another with a similar design.”

Only then did Second Madam relax. If Ye Xian had truly taken an interest in Jinchao, it would have caused her no end of trouble once she returned home. The heir of the Marquis of Changxing was known for his carefree nature and disregard for etiquette—this was probably just a passing remark. She quickly smiled and said, “If you like orchid motifs, I have a gilded purple sandalwood Su embroidery screen depicting orchids and plum blossoms. I’ll have someone send it to you later.”

Jinchao, too, finally eased her tension. When the handkerchief was returned to her, it carried a faint medicinal fragrance.

By now, evening was approaching. Soon, a messenger arrived from the Matriarch, summoning them to the Chuihua Hall for the banquet.

Jinchao deliberately lagged behind the group. Ever since her Shu embroidery had been revealed, she could feel the subtle glances cast her way, as if everyone was re-evaluating her. After today, she feared she would become even more well-known.

Moxue couldn’t help but say, “Miss, you nearly frightened me to death today! I never knew you were so skilled at embroidery… And that heir of the Marquis, what was he thinking? If something had been misinterpreted, what would have happened to your reputation?”

Jinchao hesitated but then simply said, “He’s too unpredictable. Best to ignore people like that—getting entangled with him would only bring trouble.”

“You’re talking about me, aren’t you?” A light, teasing voice came from behind, startling the three walking along the path.

Jinchao turned to see Ye Xian crouched on a tree branch, his long sash hanging down, adorned with a jade pendant that reflected the dim light. The side of his face, delicate and striking, was framed by his long lashes, giving him a slightly boyish look.

He wore a faint smile. “You don’t seem very pleased that I helped you.”

Jinchao bowed and replied, “You must be joking, Uncle. How could you have helped me? I’m lucky enough that you didn’t cause me harm.”

Tilting his head, Ye Xian studied her. “You’re such a strange person. Others would be honored to receive my help, yet you act as if it’s a burden.”

Jinchao sighed. “My reputation is already ruined beyond concern. But for your sake, Uncle, it’s best if we aren’t associated. I’d hate to bring trouble to your name. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She bowed and quickly turned to leave.

As they continued down the path, Moxue still hadn’t recovered from the encounter. “He really is strange… Thankfully, you won’t have to deal with him in the future!”

Yet Jinchao recalled whispers she had heard in her past life—this heir of the Marquis of Changxing had once been the talk of the entire capital.