Chapter 282 - 182: Paying Money To Get Involved_2
He cried for a while before saying, "If by good luck the screen frame I, Lu Cheng, make can be matched with this embroidery, death itself would be worth it." He then explained apologetically to Qian Yixiu, "I am a craftsman, and what I most desire is for the world to appreciate and recognize the things I create, money is secondary. Coming across such fine embroidery, far superior to all I have seen before, I am overjoyed. Such an opportunity is once in a thousand years, and I will certainly do my utmost to make a screen frame that does not diminish the embroidery."
He also mentioned that while small-leaf red sandalwood is nice, it does not quite match the color scheme of the embroidery, and he felt golden nanmu would be best.
It truly seemed like fate had its own plans; golden nanmu was wood favored by the Royal Family.
Qian Yixiu nodded and told him to do as he thought best.
Master Lu said he had an older fellow apprentice in the Capital City, who would make furniture for many Imperial relatives, and he would immediately send someone with a message asking his older apprentice brother to help source some golden nanmu.
Master Lu didn’t even think about making furniture anymore; he left all that to his disciples while he pondered day and night what kind of screen frame would be worthy of that fine embroidery.
When Lady Wu found out about this, she was taken aback. She said, "The Royal Family’s favorite golden nanmu to make a screen frame? That must be exorbitantly expensive. How could we country peasants afford it? Master Lu’s craftsmanship is also expensive, who knows how much it will all cost. The family has already spent so much silver; I’m not willing to sink our entire fortune into this."
She then went to the back yard to find Master Lu and told him not to buy golden nanmu, as they couldn’t afford it.
Master Lu said, "Sister-in-law Qian, it would be a pity if such a fine piece of embroidery were not paired with a golden nanmu screen frame. To use ordinary wood instead would be to let jewels gather dust." He clenched his teeth and said, "Here is what we’ll do: you only need to pay for the wood, I will forgo my labor fees." Seeing that Lady Wu was still hesitant, he added, "I will cover half the cost of the golden nanmu. It is truly an honor for me to make a frame for such an embroidery, even if I have to contribute my own money."
Lady Wu went back to the front courtyard, still somewhat in disbelief. Seeing Qian Sangui and Qian Yixiu in the hall, she spoke of the matter, "... Could Master Lu be a swindler? What kind of fool would be willing to take a loss in order to help someone else’s work? Husband, we should dismiss them. I always feel that there’s something not quite right about Master Lu."