Chapter 33 – The Bored Patron
Jade finally finished testing the brand-new iron oven, drafted a SOP for handling the dangerous equipment, trained several older students to manage it, and set up a new baking schedule along with the varieties they would sell and provide for the students’ meals.
Josh studied the updated schedule and his assigned duties. He would take turns with Matt and Raymond managing the chips stall during winter. In addition to his studies and sales work, he was to learn bread-making and improve his piping skills using biscuit dough.
He had never expected to earn a single coin while serving as Miss Jade’s apprentice. To his surprise, he now received three shillings a week. Though that was two shillings less than what he had earned at the textile factory, he could stay in the domus, and his daily expenses were essentially covered by Miss Jade. It was far better than he had imagined.
“You only received two pennies a day before the iron oven was installed because your workload was lighter,” Jade explained. She did not agree with the wage standard of this world, but she had to blend in to avoid drawing attention, so her expression remained serious as she spoke. “Now that you’re making bread for the school, that’s real responsibility. You should be paid accordingly. Even if the bread isn’t as good as what we used to buy, it’s for our school, for your classmates. We don’t expect perfection, so take this opportunity to refine your bread-making skills, try different techniques, and make use of whatever ingredients we can obtain.”
She sighed and scratched her head. “We can’t get butter now – dang, it’s extremely expensive during winter… But I’ll definitely get you some when it’s available; making bread with butter is different from using other fat. For now, use whatever oil or fat we can manage, okay? You’re mostly on your own with the bread, and you’ll definitely run into more mistakes and flaws than you have me teaching you about other pasties. That’s normal, so don’t dwell deep on it. You got me?”
“Yes, Sensei,” Josh replied with a bright nod.
Bread-making. He had never heard of a baker’s apprentice being taught such knowledge in their first year under a master. Yet within days, she had kneaded dough and begun refining his own recipe!
Miss Jade will forever be the most respectable person in my heart, Josh swore silently as he busied himself in the bakehouse. Then his thoughts drifted; he could not help wondering what was happening in the classroom… and why their school’s patron kept visiting their dearest teacher, anyway??
The same question echoed in Jade’s mind.
She raised a brow, glaring at the nobleman seated across from her. His frequent visits had prompted her to prepare a tea set reserved exclusively for him. Somehow, it had become an unspoken arrangement: whenever he visited, he and his secretary would meet her in her classroom, and she would brew him a cup of herbal tea. He would watch her movements with quiet fascination as she boiled the water and poured the infusion.
As Jade blanched the dried flower and wild herbs she had purchased from the farm ladies with her own coins – solely for the purpose of serving this Mr. Rich Sponsor – a realisation suddenly dawned on her: Was he just watching me the way people watch Twitch Livestreams or soothing YouTube videos?
This thought struck her. She paused only briefly before pouring the hot water into the waiting cups. It’s alright… she assured herself. It’s kinda funny that I’ve become a Youtuber or Streamer in an era where the concept doesn’t even exist, but it’s fine… At least it’s not a romance scandal. That would bring far too many problems to the domus.
“Sir, I thought you were busy managing the competition and the commission,” Jade said, taking a bite of the biscuit. It was her newest experiment – potato biscuit. She noted mentally: Hm, tastes fine. Should be able to sell these in the spring when fruit isn’t available yet.
“I have agents to handle most of it,” Ashbone replied, nodding as he sampled one himself. “I only need to oversee matters occasionally, to ensure everything proceeds according to my expectations.”
Hm. Crunchy. A savoury biscuit with a hint of roasted beef? Interesting… He mused.
Jade blinked. “I guess that explains the competition. What about the commissioned work? You should have read a few chapters by now, eh?”
Ashborne set down his teacup with a soft huff. “The authors I contacted are quite interested in your draft. However, they would like to discuss the plot structure and characters among themselves first. They prefer to keep their deliberations private before reporting back to me.”
“Which means…”
“Which means,” he said with a faint smirk. “I find myself quite available to follow developments at our school, Miss Jade. I heard the iron oven you’ve long hoped for has finally been installed. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” Jade replied casually. “I’ve submitted a detailed operational report to Father Rochester; you may get a copy from him. So basically, biscuit production will increase. More students will be involved in baking and sales. Josh and I will oversee product selection, which includes developing new recipes adjusted to our production capability. The children’s meals will gradually improve, and we should be able to get them dictionaries next month. By then, the revenue from the oven should be stable, and we can allocate part of it to hire a new teacher next semester – if we decide to do so.”
Ashborne nodded thoughtfully. “If the revenue proves sufficient for a new teacher, I shall gladly donate funds for constructing an additional classroom.”
“Thank you very much, Lord Ashborne,” Jade immediately replied with a flattering smile – one that clearly carried a sense of tease between friends. In a sweet tone and a purposefully “classy” voice, she added, “You are the most generous nobleman I’ve ever seen in my entire life! Oh, may the Light bless you with a radiant future and a life of endless fortune!”
“I should think so too, Miss Jade,” Ashborne replied, puffing out his chest with mock pride as he received the compliment.
They exchanged a knowing glance and laughed lightly. Even Mr. Trent’s unmoved expression softened, the faintest curve touching his eyes and lips.
How extraordinary, Ashborne reflected, to converse so freely without pretense or calculation.
He continued, “Now that the iron oven project has shifted from construction to funding, and the winter chips venture is seasonal, what is your next initiative? I’ve heard it involves needlework.”
“Yes, embroidery,” Jade said. “I see some talent among the students, so I’m thinking if I can enhance their skills in needlework, maybe they can be seamstressess… Well, not master dressmakers, but skilled enough to sew garments for working families. And if they were indeed talented…” she hesitated. “There’s something I wish to try, but I dare not think I could achieve it.”
Ashborne leaned forward slightly. “The Miss Jade I know does not undertake projects she deems beyond her ability. What compels you to attempt something you lack confidence in?”
Jade inhaled slowly and gestured with her hands. “D’you know there’s a kind of decoration, about this big? Large panels used to separate or divide a room into sections? Usually it’s some kind of picture or carved pattern – very fancy – and I think ladies would decorate their rooms with them?”
“A decorative screen, I presume?” Ashborne nodded as he followed her explanation. “Yes, we have several in our chambers. The finest are imported from the Centralland in the Far East; they take months of travel by sea. Most are painted papers mounted on carved wood. Some are paintings. I have seen a few embroidered panels as well… Ah. Is that what you are considering, Miss Jade?”
Jade nodded. “Yes. I want to train the students to produce embroidery good enough for decorative screens. The wooden frames and glass coverings can be dealt with later; the main thing is the embroidery, which is something I’m not skilled with. I mean, I can draw them the pattern; I can tell them if that’s the effect we need. But the needlework and craftsmanship required for that level…” She exhaled. “That’s out of my capability…”
She had watched videos of traditional Chinese embroidery. Threads layered so delicately that the images appeared realistic, shinny and shimmering as though printed on glossy paper or lacquered paintings. But she had only watched out of curiosity, to broaden her knowledge. She had never researched or studied the technique.
And now, Miss Jade – the schoolmistress who only vaguely remembered the techniques – needed to lead the students toward a craft she had never laid a finger on and only seen through dramas. The thought of such a reckless plan was enough to make anyone doubt it could work, and that was precisely why Jade hesitated. However–
“If I manage to do this… I mean, if my students are able to reach that level,” Jade continued, “I could price a single screen at £50! A piece of art a lady can show off in front of her guests. That’s a fortune that could change their lives! Of course, it would take nearly a year just to complete one piece. And before that, countless hours of practice are necessary to perfect the skill. That future is worth gambling on. I’m standing at a junction now, you know? One path leads my students toward their brightest future, but it’s risky; the other is safe, but they might never have a second chance to leap out of poverty… And the thing is, I can’t guarantee they will become embroidery artists just by following my instructions.”
Ashborne studied Jade’s expression carefully. “You already have a plan,”
“Of course I do,” Jade replied, rolling her eyes. “I’ve purchased the threads. This winter, I’ll try my best to see if I can get the basics right myself. If it works…” Her voice softened. “Then I can offer the girls another path. Another future.”
The final words were barely audible. They were so soft, yet Ashborne felt something tighten and soften quietly in his chest at the same time; it felt contradictory, complex, and slightly overwhelming.
“That’s why, I will be very, very busy for the entire winter, Sir,” Jade added, narrowing her eyes at the unoccupied, wealthy patron, “You sure you have nothing better to do than paying me such frequent visits, Sir?”
Ashborne blinked, then regarded her with bright, almost boyish composure. “I find myself remarkably unburdened this season, Miss Jade.”
Jade facepalmed for a long moment before looking at the puppy eyes in front of her. “Right, fine. I'll get you another piece of entertainment then.”
I don’t play D&D or TTRPGs, so don’t blame me if I’m being extra creative here! Jade grumbled mentally as she racked her brain, trying to fabricate something to shush this bored nobleman and keep him from disturbing her work.