A Good Country Wife

However, these embroidery works naturally did not require Zhang Qiusheng’s involvement; they only needed to be mounted by the ordinary carpenters in the carpentry workshop. Zhang Qiusheng could now be said to be exclusive to Lin Yue, only taking on tasks of high difficulty or those involving intricate carving. After all, a person’s energy is limited.

Lin Yue also intentionally selected a few talented carpenters to apprentice under Zhang Qiusheng. At first, Zhang Qiusheng was somewhat reluctant, hence he held back certain techniques, unwilling to share his most crucial skills with these few. However, after the Fangcao incident, Zhang Qiusheng’s attitude improved significantly, no longer secretive. He understood that continuing such behavior would truly offend the mistress, especially since it was her idea for these apprentices to follow him. Besides, he had realized that the mistress merely intended to raise everyone’s carpentry skills and had no other motives. Didn’t she also teach the people in the embroidery room her own exclusive double-sided embroidery technique?

"By the way, Musheng’s wife, how are you coming along with the double-sided embroidery technique I showed you? If there’s anything unclear, don’t hesitate to trouble me. Feel free to come and ask me directly, or you can ask Lan Fang and Dong Xue as well. These two girls have been quick learners and have basically mastered it."

Even though Lin Yue taught everyone equally, each individual’s capacity to learn varied. Musheng’s wife was older and learned more slowly, not quite matching up to the likes of Lan Fang and Dong Xue in embroidery skills. Some things needed to be taught several times, but luckily she had a solid foundation in embroidery skills, which allowed her to integrate anything once learned.

"I am clumsy and still don’t understand some parts; I don’t dare to trouble mistress. Mistress has taught me more than once, and I still can’t remember. I’ll ask Lan Fang and Dong Xue later for advice."

Lin Yue was only worried that Musheng’s wife felt too embarrassed to ask her, so she casually offered help. As for what Musheng’s wife wanted to do, Lin Yue couldn’t be bothered to care. "Do whatever you think is best. When you’ve learned it, you’ll be able to teach a few disciples too. You can’t teach others yet since you haven’t mastered it yourself."

"Teach disciples? Does mistress mean I can teach the double-sided embroidery technique to others?" Musheng’s wife asked Lin Yue in surprise, thinking she had misunderstood.

"Yes, why, are you unwilling? If you are reluctant, I won’t force you. Taking disciples is a matter of fate, after all."

Musheng’s wife always felt she was a bit slow-witted, "No, no, I am willing. I just hadn’t imagined mistress would let me pass on the double-sided embroidery technique to others, so I needed to make sure and ask."