Xiao Jingduo stood frozen in place, unable to move for a long time.
The current emperor, once the invincible Prince Qin, was gone just like that.
Xiao Jingduo was stunned, barely able to believe it was real. At that moment, the long, lingering toll of a bell rang out from the county temple, echoing slowly through the city, never-ending.
When an emperor passed, the bells tolled for three months in Chang’an and temples across the land, and the entire nation went into mourning. Now that the temple bells had begun ringing, there was no doubt—it was true.
Xiao Jingduo could not describe what he was feeling. When he was eight years old, he had personally witnessed Prince Qin leading the Xuan Army across the desolate plains, storming Zhuojun with an unstoppable force. That was the first time Xiao Jingduo had seen the world beyond his family’s small courtyard. The battle left an indelible impression on him, and even now, he could still vividly recall the heroic figure of the Prince Qin—now the late emperor. He could also remember the blood-red banner, emblazoned with the bold character “Xuan,” fluttering in the wind above the cavalry like a dark storm pressing upon the battlefield. Because of that brief childhood encounter, Xiao Jingduo had always held a unique reverence for the emperor. But now, this once-invincible, world-conquering hero was gone forever.
For the first time, Xiao Jingduo clearly realized that death was inevitable for all—just as beauty fades with age, even legendary figures must perish.
“In the capital, the one inheriting the throne is—”
“It is His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Xiao Jingduo felt a sense of relief settle in his heart. Though he knew he should not feel this way, he still turned toward the direction of Chang’an and silently murmured, “Congratulations.”
With the emperor’s passing, the entire nation was required to observe mourning. For thirty-six days, all would wear mourning attire, and for a hundred days, music, weddings, and official ceremonies would be halted; for civilians and the military, the mourning period lasted a month.
The legendary ruler who once dominated the world was gone, and now a new legend was beginning.
After ascending the throne, the Crown Prince swiftly issued several imperial decrees, most of which were benevolent edicts showing care for the people, along with a few bestowing rewards upon meritorious officials.
Not only were the members of the former Eastern Palace promoted in large numbers, but the new emperor also formally conferred the title of Empress upon the former Crown Princess (his wife), elevated his birth mother, the title of Empress Zhaode, to the honored title of Empress Dowager Yide, and bestowed the title of Princess Qianning upon his eldest daughter, who had previously been Princess Yangxin. His eldest legitimate son, Rong Lang, was named the new Crown Prince.
As for the other princess, Hejing—what was she to the new emperor? Why would he concern himself with her?
Qianning… Xiao Jingduo silently mused. Like Chang’an, it was an excellent title with an auspicious meaning. His little princess had successfully been elevated to the rank of an imperial princess—how wonderful. It was just a shame that he could not personally congratulate her.
Xiao Jingduo quickly pushed aside his wistful thoughts. He immediately ordered that everyone inside and outside the county office change out of their colorful clothing and don mourning attire. White banners were to be hung at the main entrance and central hall of the government office.
The entire county was soon draped in mourning white. Qiu Ju and the others busied themselves taking down the colorful decorations in the courtyard—lanterns, paper cuttings, and all festive ornaments were to be removed.
“We haven’t been away for long, yet so much has happened in the capital,” Qiu Ju sighed. “The Emperor is gone just like that.”
“Mind your words—he must now be called the Late Emperor,” Xi Qi quickly reminded her.
“Yes, yes, I forgot again,” Qiu Ju lightly slapped her own mouth and then said, “His Highness, the Crown Prince, has ascended the throne. It is truly well deserved.”
By the time the mourning emissaries set out from Chang’an, the Crown Prince had not yet held his coronation ceremony. But by the time the news reached Jiannan, the new emperor had surely already taken the throne. For years, the Crown Prince had been widely praised by the people as a wise and benevolent ruler. His ascension to the throne could not have been more fitting.
Xi Qi nodded in agreement, and Chen Ci, overhearing their conversation, was quite surprised. “You two certainly seem to know a lot about imperial affairs.”
“Of course! When our eldest master passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, he even had an audience with the emperor in the Golden Throne Hall!” Qiu Ju said proudly.
“Wow, an audience with the emperor?” Chen Ci exclaimed in astonishment. She was already considered a well-informed woman, thanks to her father. When she was rescued from the Tai Li Sect, she immediately recognized Xiao Jingduo at first glance, all because of her father’s status. County Magistrate Chen was the head of the county, so Chen Ci knew everyone in the county office. Before she was abducted, she had already heard that a new county vice magistrate would be arriving. When she saw the unfamiliar face of Xiao Jingduo that day, combined with the color of his official robes, she easily deduced that he was the new county vice magistrate.
However, even with her knowledge, Chen Ci was only familiar with the ranks of minor officials. The emperor, on the other hand, was someone beyond her imagination.
In the hearts of the people, the emperor was an unattainable figure. Even for many officials, seeing the emperor in their lifetime was impossible. It was said that when officials from distant provinces were promoted to the fifth rank and above, they were granted an audience with the emperor during the Winter Solstice Grand Court Assembly, and many were so overwhelmed that they fainted on the spot. To a common official’s daughter like Chen Ci, the thought of Xiao Jingduo having met the emperor and crown prince was simply beyond belief.
Qiu Ju grew more and more proud as she spoke, finally waving her hand grandly. “Our eldest master has seen much grander occasions than this. If you want to know more, you can ask him when he returns. I remember that he even received a reward from His Highness the Crown Prince—who is now the reigning emperor! Oh dear, all these treasures are imperial gifts! I must go wipe them down again—heaven forbid they collect dust!”
The women were bustling with excitement, eagerly anticipating Xiao Jingduo’s return. However, they waited for a long time, even past the usual time for court dismissal, yet he was nowhere to be seen.
After a while, Xiao Lin came looking for Qiu Ju and the others. “The master is discussing affairs with the envoy from the regional inspector. You should make preparations—he will be leaving for Rongzhou tomorrow.”
“So soon? He’s leaving tomorrow?” Qiu Ju became anxious. “Wait here, I’ll go pack his things immediately!”
There was, of course, a reason for Xiao Jingduo’s urgent trip to Rongzhou.
In March, the late emperor had passed away, and by the time the news reached Jiannan, it was already April. Coincidentally, the new emperor’s birthday was at the end of August. Since this was the first birthday of the new emperor after his ascension, the court placed great importance on the occasion.
Moreover, with a new ruler on the throne, officials were expected to maintain decorum and fulfill their duties, neither fawning over the emperor nor appearing negligent. However, the regional inspector of Rongzhou left his words hanging—his meaning was clear.
Xiao Jingduo understood immediately. “What the regional inspector means is that we should prepare a congratulatory gift in advance to celebrate His Majesty’s longevity.”
“Precisely. As loyal subjects, it is our duty to share the burdens of our ruler. If anyone has ideas, feel free to speak up now,” the regional inspector said, stroking his beard as he looked at the county magistrates seated below him.
Xiao Jingduo and the others had been urgently summoned to Rongzhou. With the new emperor’s ascension, the regional inspector wanted to make a proper gesture, but he was struggling to find a gift that would neither appear overly flattering nor get lost among the many offerings from other provinces. That was why he had called upon the county magistrates to discuss the matter together.
This was entirely new to Xiao Jingduo—he had never handled anything like this before and had no idea where to start.
One county magistrate suggested, “Why don’t we present Shu embroidery to His Majesty?”
“That won’t do. Our silk production in Rongzhou is far inferior to that of Chengdu Prefecture. How could our embroidery possibly compare?”
“That’s true,” another official said, furrowing his brows. “Then what about porcelain or jade artifacts?”
“The Jiangnan region is famous for its porcelain, and they will certainly spare no effort in presenting the finest pieces. We can’t compete with them,” the regional inspector shook his head again. “However, jade might be worth considering. We are close to Nanzhao—perhaps we can acquire some rare jade stones from there.”
This was an eye-opening experience for Xiao Jingduo. The art of gift-giving in official circles was truly a delicate and intricate craft.
This discussion did not yield any results. Seeing that the matter could not be resolved quickly, the governor of Rongzhou dismissed Xiao Jingduo and the others, instructing them to think carefully and discuss further the next time they convened in Rongzhou.
In the bureaucratic system, hierarchy was rigid—while the governor of Rongzhou racked his brain on how to please the new emperor, the county magistrates under him had to find ways to alleviate their superior’s concerns. When they left, they all pretended to have no clue, but the moment they turned away, they began racking their brains for suitable tribute gifts.
Such was the lack of trust in officialdom.
Xiao Jingduo also pondered over the matter. Publicly, as a subordinate, he was expected to show proper regard for the emperor’s birthday. Privately, the crown prince had shown him great favor, and he genuinely wished to celebrate his ascension to the throne. Thus, he had to put extra thought into preparing the birthday tribute.
The matter occupied his mind all the way back to the county office. When he arrived at the eastern courtyard, Qiu Ju and Xi Qi were engaged in embroidery. Hearing the door open, Qiu Ju hurried out.
“Master, you’re back!”
“Mm.”
“You must be tired from the journey. I’ll have someone prepare everything to welcome you back properly.”
Chen Ci was also in the side room, doing embroidery. Seeing Xiao Jingduo return, she stood up and respectfully bowed at the doorway.
In the county office, there were only a few women—Qiu Ju, Chen Ci, and a few others—so they often spent time together. Xiao Jingduo gave them a great deal of freedom; as long as they completed their tasks, they could do as they pleased. When he was away, Chen Ci frequently visited the eastern courtyard to sew with Qiu Ju and the others. Not long ago, they had been chatting and laughing together, but the moment Xiao Jingduo returned, Chen Ci immediately straightened her posture, withdrew her smile, and prepared to leave after offering her greetings.
Chen Ci was a typical refined lady, much more reserved than the noblewomen of Chang’an. She was always mindful of propriety between men and women, and Xiao Jingduo, in turn, was careful to be respectful, lest he offend her.
However, today, as Chen Ci passed by him, something caught Xiao Jingduo’s eye, and he couldn’t help but breach decorum to call out, “Miss Chen, please wait. May I take a look at the embroidery in your hand?”
Chen Ci, puzzled, carefully handed over the embroidered handkerchief. Xiao Jingduo took it and flipped it back and forth in disbelief. “The pattern is identical on both sides?”
Embroidery was a meticulous craft. Many women could embroider exquisite designs on the front, but the back was usually left messy with visible stitches and thread ends. However, this handkerchief was astonishing—both sides were perfectly identical, meaning that Chen Ci had embroidered the back while working on the front.
Xiao Jingduo waved a hand and quickly summoned Qiu Ju. “I don’t recall seeing embroidery like this in Chang’an, though perhaps I just missed it. You are more familiar with these things—have you ever seen such stitching in the Eastern or Western Markets?”
Qiu Ju shook her head firmly. “Certainly not.”
Having spent years in the inner quarters, Qiu Ju was highly knowledgeable about embroidery styles. Hearing her decisive response, Xiao Jingduo was finally convinced.
“Qiu Ju, tell me—do you know how to embroider like this?”
“I don’t. I only saw this technique for the first time after coming here. These past few days, I’ve been learning from Miss Chen.”
“Can you master it?”
Xiao Jingduo suddenly realized that this embroidery technique might be a secret skill passed down in Chen Ci’s family. He cautiously looked at her and asked, “Miss Chen, would you be willing to teach this embroidery method? If it is a family secret, then please forget I asked. I apologize for the imposition.”
Chen Ci smiled and replied, “It’s no problem. I was already planning to teach Qiu Ju and Xi Qi. I didn’t originally know this technique myself—I learned it from a local woman after arriving in Jinjiang County with my father. I didn’t expect that Magistrate Xiao would also appreciate it. That is wonderful.”
Xiao Jingduo was pleasantly surprised. “That is excellent. Thank you, Miss Chen. By the way, you mentioned that a local woman taught you this?”
“Yes.” Chen Ci wasn’t sure why Xiao Jingduo was asking, so she simply nodded slightly.
Xiao Jingduo held the embroidered handkerchief in his hand and paced back and forth along the corridor. Qiu Ju and the others watched him in confusion. Suddenly, Xiao Jingduo clenched his fist lightly and strode out.
Chen Ci was baffled, and Qiu Ju also found it strange. “The young master has never paid attention to embroidery or clothing before. What’s going on today?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, right, Madam Chen, your handkerchief—”
“It’s fine. I’ll bring a new one tomorrow to teach you. It’s getting late, so I should head home.”
Qiu Ju escorted Chen Ci to the door, then peeked in the direction Xiao Jingduo had left. He was gone for a long time without returning.
“What’s going on with him all of a sudden?”
…
Xiao Jingduo, holding Chen Ci’s embroidered piece, immediately went to find the other county officials.
The county clerks had already gone home after work, but Xiao Jingduo dragged them back, leaving them deeply frustrated. Even worse, they were starting to get used to this.
“This embroidery can create the same pattern on both the front and back, with no visible stitches. Have any of you seen this technique before?”
“Yes, it was first developed by an old woman in the county. She lost her husband and son, and her only daughter was widowed. They had no land, and their household taxes were extremely high, so they had to make embroidery pieces to earn a living. But ordinary people have no use for such fancy and impractical items, so there weren’t many buyers. It was only after Magistrate Chen arrived that his wife and daughter took a liking to this embroidery style and frequently supported them, allowing the old woman’s family to get by a little better.”
“Where does this old woman live?”
The officials were even more bewildered. “Magistrate, it’s after hours—why are you asking about this now?”
“I have my reasons.” Xiao Jingduo casually pointed at one of them. “Do you know where her house is?”
The chosen official silently groaned, while the others cast sympathetic glances at him. He was extremely reluctant, but there was no way he could refuse. With a sigh, he answered, “Yes, I know.”
“Good. Lead the way. I want to visit her.”
The person who was singled out silently groaned, while the others cast sympathetic glances at him. The county officer chosen by Xiao Jingduo was extremely reluctant, but even if he had the courage of several men, he wouldn’t dare claim he didn’t know. So, with a sullen expression, he responded, “I know.”
“Good. Lead the way—I want to visit Granny Zhou.”
As the rumors suggested, Granny Zhou’s home was indeed remote and rundown. Although it was clear that the mother and daughter had done their best to keep the courtyard clean, the sparse furnishings still revealed the household’s poverty.
“Magistrate Xiao, you suddenly came to see this old woman—do you need something?”
Granny Zhou asked cautiously. It was understandable for her to overthink the situation; after all, if government officers suddenly appeared at someone’s house at dusk without warning, anyone would be frightened half to death.
“There’s no need to worry, Granny Zhou. I came today to ask about your embroidery.”
“Embroidery?” Granny Zhou was even more confused.
For the past few months, Xiao Jingduo had spent most of his time inspecting the fields. The people of the county had taken note of this and gradually developed a deep respect for their young but responsible magistrate. As a result, his reputation had been improving, and many villagers had begun inquiring about him in private—where he came from, how old he was, and most importantly, whether he was married.
By now, nearly everyone in the county knew that Xiao Jingduo was unmarried and had no known fiancée. So why was a young man suddenly asking about embroidery? Could it be that he was preparing for marriage and selecting embroidery pieces as gifts for his bride?
In the blink of an eye, Granny Zhou had already imagined several scenarios.
Unaware that even an ordinary elderly woman in the county was so well-informed about his personal life, Xiao Jingduo noticed her puzzled expression and elaborated, “To be honest, I’ve never seen this kind of embroidery before, even in Chang’an. The ability to embroider both sides of the fabric at the same time is remarkable. So, I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to make more and sell them to the government.”
Granny Zhou’s eyes widened. “I must be getting old—my ears must not be working properly. Magistrate Xiao, did you just say that the government wants to buy my embroidery?”
“Not just that. But we can discuss the rest later. For now, would you be willing to make a few pieces for me?”
“Of course! How could I refuse?” Granny Zhou’s hands trembled with excitement. Xiao Jingduo quickly reached out to steady her and said, “It’s already late, so I won’t take up any more of your time. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone send over the embroidery patterns, and you can set the price yourself.”
“That won’t do!” Granny Zhou shakily stood up to escort him out. “How could I accept money for making something for you? By the way, which young lady is it for?”
“Huh?” Xiao Jingduo didn’t understand. “What did you say?”
“Oh, nothing, nothing. Please take care, Magistrate.”
Xiao Jingduo didn’t give it much thought and simply said, “Then let’s discuss further tomorrow. I’ll take my leave now.”
A few days later, Xiao Lin handed over the completed emb
roidery to Xiao Jingduo. “Young Master, this is what Granny Zhou asked me to deliver to you.”
Xiao Jingduo had been waiting eagerly, but when he saw the finished piece, he subtly furrowed his brows.
emperor also formally conferred the title of Empress upon the former Crown Princess (his wife), elevated his birth mother, the title of Empress Zhaode, to the honored title of Empress Dowager Yide, and bestowed the title of Princess Qianning upon his eldest daughter, who had previously been Princess Yangxin. His eldest legitimate son, Rong Lang, was named the new Crown Prince.
As for the other princess, Hejing—what was she to the new emperor? Why would he concern himself with her?
Qianning… Xiao Jingduo silently mused. Like Chang’an, it was an excellent title with an auspicious meaning. His little princess had successfully been elevated to the rank of an imperial princess—how wonderful. It was just a shame that he could not personally congratulate her.
Xiao Jingduo quickly pushed aside his wistful thoughts. He immediately ordered that everyone inside and outside the county office change out of their colorful clothing and don mourning attire. White banners were to be hung at the main entrance and central hall of the government office.
The entire county was soon draped in mourning white. Qiu Ju and the others busied themselves taking down the colorful decorations in the courtyard—lanterns, paper cuttings, and all festive ornaments were to be removed.
“We haven’t been away for long, yet so much has happened in the capital,” Qiu Ju sighed. “The Emperor is gone just like that.”
“Mind your words—he must now be called the Late Emperor,” Xi Qi quickly reminded her.
“Yes, yes, I forgot again,” Qiu Ju lightly slapped her own mouth and then said, “His Highness, the Crown Prince, has ascended the throne. It is truly well deserved.”
By the time the mourning emissaries set out from Chang’an, the Crown Prince had not yet held his coronation ceremony. But by the time the news reached Jiannan, the new emperor had surely already taken the throne. For years, the Crown Prince had been widely praised by the people as a wise and benevolent ruler. His ascension to the throne could not have been more fitting.
Xi Qi nodded in agreement, and Chen Ci, overhearing their conversation, was quite surprised. “You two certainly seem to know a lot about imperial affairs.”
“Of course! When our eldest master passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, he even had an audience with the emperor in the Golden Throne Hall!” Qiu Ju said proudly.
“Wow, an audience with the emperor?” Chen Ci exclaimed in astonishment. She was already considered a well-informed woman, thanks to her father. When she was rescued from the Tai Li Sect, she immediately recognized Xiao Jingduo at first glance, all because of her father’s status. County Magistrate Chen was the head of the county, so Chen Ci knew everyone in the county office. Before she was abducted, she had already heard that a new county vice magistrate would be arriving. When she saw the unfamiliar face of Xiao Jingduo that day, combined with the color of his official robes, she easily deduced that he was the new county vice magistrate.
However, even with her knowledge, Chen Ci was only familiar with the ranks of minor officials. The emperor, on the other hand, was someone beyond her imagination.
In the hearts of the people, the emperor was an unattainable figure. Even for many officials, seeing the emperor in their lifetime was impossible. It was said that when officials from distant provinces were promoted to the fifth rank and above, they were granted an audience with the emperor during the Winter Solstice Grand Court Assembly, and many were so overwhelmed that they fainted on the spot. To a common official’s daughter like Chen Ci, the thought of Xiao Jingduo having met the emperor and crown prince was simply beyond belief.
Qiu Ju grew more and more proud as she spoke, finally waving her hand grandly. “Our eldest master has seen much grander occasions than this. If you want to know more, you can ask him when he returns. I remember that he even received a reward from His Highness the Crown Prince—who is now the reigning emperor! Oh dear, all these treasures are imperial gifts! I must go wipe them down again—heaven forbid they collect dust!”
The women were bustling with excitement, eagerly anticipating Xiao Jingduo’s return. However, they waited for a long time, even past the usual time for court dismissal, yet he was nowhere to be seen.
After a while, Xiao Lin came looking for Qiu Ju and the others. “The master is discussing affairs with the envoy from the regional inspector. You should make preparations—he will be leaving for Rongzhou tomorrow.”
“So soon? He’s leaving tomorrow?” Qiu Ju became anxious. “Wait here, I’ll go pack his things immediately!”
There was, of course, a reason for Xiao Jingduo’s urgent trip to Rongzhou.
In March, the late emperor had passed away, and by the time the news reached Jiannan, it was already April. Coincidentally, the new emperor’s birthday was at the end of August. Since this was the first birthday of the new emperor after his ascension, the court placed great importance on the occasion.
Moreover, with a new ruler on the throne, officials were expected to maintain decorum and fulfill their duties, neither fawning over the emperor nor appearing negligent. However, the regional inspector of Rongzhou left his words hanging—his meaning was clear.
Xiao Jingduo understood immediately. “What the regional inspector means is that we should prepare a congratulatory gift in advance to celebrate His Majesty’s longevity.”
“Precisely. As loyal subjects, it is our duty to share the burdens of our ruler. If anyone has ideas, feel free to speak up now,” the regional inspector said, stroking his beard as he looked at the county magistrates seated below him.
Xiao Jingduo and the others had been urgently summoned to Rongzhou. With the new emperor’s ascension, the regional inspector wanted to make a proper gesture, but he was struggling to find a gift that would neither appear overly flattering nor get lost among the many offerings from other provinces. That was why he had called upon the county magistrates to discuss the matter together.
This was entirely new to Xiao Jingduo—he had never handled anything like this before and had no idea where to start.
One county magistrate suggested, “Why don’t we present Shu embroidery to His Majesty?”
“That won’t do. Our silk production in Rongzhou is far inferior to that of Chengdu Prefecture. How could our embroidery possibly compare?”
“That’s true,” another official said, furrowing his brows. “Then what about porcelain or jade artifacts?”
“The Jiangnan region is famous for its porcelain, and they will certainly spare no effort in presenting the finest pieces. We can’t compete with them,” the regional inspector shook his head again. “However, jade might be worth considering. We are close to Nanzhao—perhaps we can acquire some rare jade stones from there.”
This was an eye-opening experience for Xiao Jingduo. The art of gift-giving in official circles was truly a delicate and intricate craft.
This discussion did not yield any results. Seeing that the matter could not be resolved quickly, the governor of Rongzhou dismissed Xiao Jingduo and the others, instructing them to think carefully and discuss further the next time they convened in Rongzhou.
In the bureaucratic system, hierarchy was rigid—while the governor of Rongzhou racked his brain on how to please the new emperor, the county magistrates under him had to find ways to alleviate their superior’s concerns. When they left, they all pretended to have no clue, but the moment they turned away, they began racking their brains for suitable tribute gifts.
Such was the lack of trust in officialdom.
Xiao Jingduo also pondered over the matter. Publicly, as a subordinate, he was expected to show proper regard for the emperor’s birthday. Privately, the crown prince had shown him great favor, and he genuinely wished to celebrate his ascension to the throne. Thus, he had to put extra thought into preparing the birthday tribute.
The matter occupied his mind all the way back to the county office. When he arrived at the eastern courtyard, Qiuju and Xiqi were engaged in embroidery. Hearing the door open, Qiuju hurried out.
“Master, you’re back!”
“Mm.”
“You must be tired from the journey. I’ll have someone prepare everything to welcome you back properly.”
Chen Ci was also in the side room, doing embroidery. Seeing Xiao Jingduo return, she stood up and respectfully bowed at the doorway.
In the county office, there were only a few women—Qiuju, Chen Ci, and a few others—so they often spent time together. Xiao Jingduo gave them a great deal of freedom; as long as they completed their tasks, they could do as they pleased. When he was away, Chen Ci frequently visited the eastern courtyard to sew with Qiuju and the others. Not long ago, they had been chatting and laughing together, but the moment Xiao Jingduo returned, Chen Ci immediately straightened her posture, withdrew her smile, and prepared to leave after offering her greetings.
Chen Ci was a typical refined lady, much more reserved than the noblewomen of Chang’an. She was always mindful of propriety between men and women, and Xiao Jingduo, in turn, was careful to be respectful, lest he offend her.
However, today, as Chen Ci passed by him, something caught Xiao Jingduo’s eye, and he couldn’t help but breach decorum to call out, “Miss Chen, please wait. May I take a look at the embroidery in your hand?”
Chen Ci, puzzled, carefully handed over the embroidered handkerchief. Xiao Jingduo took it and flipped it back and forth in disbelief. “The pattern is identical on both sides?”
Embroidery was a meticulous craft. Many women could embroider exquisite designs on the front, but the back was usually left messy with visible stitches and thread ends. However, this handkerchief was astonishing—both sides were perfectly identical, meaning that Chen Ci had embroidered the back while working on the front.
Xiao Jingduo waved a hand and quickly summoned Qiuju. “I don’t recall seeing embroidery like this in Chang’an, though perhaps I just missed it. You are more familiar with these things—have you ever seen such stitching in the Eastern or Western Markets?”
Qiuju shook her head firmly. “Certainly not.”
Having spent years in the inner quarters, Qiuju was highly knowledgeable about embroidery styles. Hearing her decisive response, Xiao Jingduo was finally convinced.
“Qiuju, tell me—do you know how to embroider like this?”
“I don’t. I only saw this technique for the first time after coming here. These past few days, I’ve been learning from Miss Chen.”
“Can you master it?”
Xiao Jingduo suddenly realized that this embroidery technique might be a secret skill passed down in Chen Ci’s family. He cautiously looked at her and asked, “Miss Chen, would you be willing to teach this embroidery method? If it is a family secret, then please forget I asked. I apologize for the imposition.”
Chen Ci smiled and replied, “It’s no problem. I was already planning to teach Qiu Ju and Xi Qi. I didn’t originally know this technique myself—I learned it from a local woman after arriving in Jinjiang County with my father. I didn’t expect that Magistrate Xiao would also appreciate it. That is wonderful.”
Xiao Jingduo was pleasantly surprised. “That is excellent. Thank you, Miss Chen. By the way, you mentioned that a local woman taught you this?”
“Yes.” Chen Ci wasn’t sure why Xiao Jingduo was asking, so she simply nodded slightly.
Xiao Jingduo held the embroidered handkerchief in his hand and paced back and forth along the corridor. Qiu Ju and the others watched him in confusion. Suddenly, Xiao Jingduo clenched his fist lightly and strode out.
Chen Ci was baffled, and Qiu Ju also found it strange. “The young master has never paid attention to embroidery or clothing before. What’s going on today?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, right, Madam Chen, your handkerchief—”
“It’s fine. I’ll bring a new one tomorrow to teach you. It’s getting late, so I should head home.”
Qiu Ju escorted Chen Ci to the door, then peeked in the direction Xiao Jingduo had left. He was gone for a long time without returning.
“What’s going on with him all of a sudden?”
…
Xiao Jingduo, holding Chen Ci’s embroidered piece, immediately went to find the other county officials.
The county clerks had already gone home after work, but Xiao Jingduo dragged them back, leaving them deeply frustrated. Even worse, they were starting to get used to this.
“This embroidery can create the same pattern on both the front and back, with no visible stitches. Have any of you seen this technique before?”
“Yes, it was first developed by an old woman in the county. She lost her husband and son, and her only daughter was widowed. They had no land, and their household taxes were extremely high, so they had to make embroidery pieces to earn a living. But ordinary people have no use for such fancy and impractical items, so there weren’t many buyers. It was only after Magistrate Chen arrived that his wife and daughter took a liking to this embroidery style and frequently supported them, allowing the old woman’s family to get by a little better.”
“Where does this old woman live?”
The officials were even more bewildered. “Magistrate, it’s after hours—why are you asking about this now?”
“I have my reasons.” Xiao Jingduo casually pointed at one of them. “Do you know where her house is?”
The chosen official silently groaned, while the others cast sympathetic glances at him. He was extremely reluctant, but there was no way he could refuse. With a sigh, he answered, “Yes, I know.”
“Good. Lead the way. I want to visit her.”
The person who was singled out silently groaned, while the others cast sympathetic glances at him. The county officer chosen by Xiao Jingduo was extremely reluctant, but even if he had the courage of several men, he wouldn’t dare claim he didn’t know. So, with a sullen expression, he responded, “I know.”
“Good. Lead the way—I want to visit Granny Zhou.”
As the rumors suggested, Granny Zhou’s home was indeed remote and rundown. Although it was clear that the mother and daughter had done their best to keep the courtyard clean, the sparse furnishings still revealed the household’s poverty.
“Magistrate Xiao, you suddenly came to see this old woman—do you need something?”
Granny Zhou asked cautiously. It was understandable for her to overthink the situation; after all, if government officers suddenly appeared at someone’s house at dusk without warning, anyone would be frightened half to death.
“There’s no need to worry, Granny Zhou. I came today to ask about your embroidery.”
“Embroidery?” Granny Zhou was even more confused.
For the past few months, Xiao Jingduo had spent most of his time inspecting the fields. The people of the county had taken note of this and gradually developed a deep respect for their young but responsible magistrate. As a result, his reputation had been improving, and many villagers had begun inquiring about him in private—where he came from, how old he was, and most importantly, whether he was married.
By now, nearly everyone in the county knew that Xiao Jingduo was unmarried and had no known fiancée. So why was a young man suddenly asking about embroidery? Could it be that he was preparing for marriage and selecting embroidery pieces as gifts for his bride?
In the blink of an eye, Granny Zhou had already imagined several scenarios.
Unaware that even an ordinary elderly woman in the county was so well-informed about his personal life, Xiao Jingduo noticed her puzzled expression and elaborated, “To be honest, I’ve never seen this kind of embroidery before, even in Chang’an. The ability to embroider both sides of the fabric at the same time is remarkable. So, I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to make more and sell them to the government.”
Granny Zhou’s eyes widened. “I must be getting old—my ears must not be working properly. Magistrate Xiao, did you just say that the government wants to buy my embroidery?”
“Not just that. But we can discuss the rest later. For now, would you be willing to make a few pieces for me?”
“Of course! How could I refuse?” Granny Zhou’s hands trembled with excitement. Xiao Jingduo quickly reached out to steady her and said, “It’s already late, so I won’t take up any more of your time. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone send over the embroidery patterns, and you can set the price yourself.”
“That won’t do!” Granny Zhou shakily stood up to escort him out. “How could I accept money for making something for you? By the way, which young lady is it for?”
“Huh?” Xiao Jingduo didn’t understand. “What did you say?”
“Oh, nothing, nothing. Please take care, Magistrate.”
Xiao Jingduo didn’t give it much thought and simply said, “Then let’s discuss further tomorrow. I’ll take my leave now.”
A few days later, Xiao Lin handed over the completed embroidery to Xiao Jingduo. “Young Master, this is what Granny Zhou asked me to deliver to you.”
Xiao Jingduo had been waiting eagerly, but when he saw the finished piece, he subtly furrowed his brows.
T/N: Thank you for your patience! Next update will be on Monday.
