Chapter 113: Rushing the Job

  Doing needlework is different from other chores, like kitchen work, which can be rushed through even at night. But needlework is not the same. At that time, lighting relied on lamps and candles, and the light was limited. Cao Zhan worked during the day and only embroidered for two hours in the evening, but already felt that her eyes could no longer see things clearly.

  Doing needlework is very taxing on the eyes, especially when the lighting conditions are poor. Cao Sheng had already added twice as many lamps and candles, but later still couldn't hold out, could only put away the frame first, blow out the lights and go to bed.

  My eyes feel sour and swollen, probably because I haven't pulled an all-nighter in a long time.

  What was it like when you were working in the laundry alley before?

  I don't remember very clearly anymore.

  Human memory is really strange.

  At that time, I thought it was a lifelong memory, but maybe after three or five years, when I look back, it's already vague.

  Why did the skirt get burned? A fire pan that is not smashed or broken, used for ten or twenty years, will not be damaged. Man'er had ironed clothes before, how could the bottom of the fire pan leak... Who played tricks?

  Is it for the sake of the child?

  What's so special about Ke Man'er that would make others take a liking to her? She's not even the favored one in the main house. Even if she managed to snag the job of ironing clothes this time, it's unlikely she'll be able to rise above her station. If someone were to make a move on her at this time, it wouldn't seem very plausible.

  Is it for Wen's family?

  This skirt is going to be a problem, Madam Wen will certainly not have nothing to wear when she enters the palace for New Year's, but that's not this one. The queen's attire is all set, and Madam Wen had this skirt made specifically for New Year's. If at that time all the other sisters-in-law are wearing theirs, but she can't wear hers out, it would be a very embarrassing thing.

  However, those who can move around freely in the kitchen are probably only the people from the main house.

  If it's true, then who is the one behind the scenes?

  The second day of the tide, she woke up early in the morning, her eyes were swollen, and she was not in good spirits. She splashed cold water on her face to refresh herself, washed her hands clean, and warmed her cool hands by the teapot filled with hot water.

  It's essential that stiff and cold fingers can't even hold a needle steadily, let alone make agile movements to work.

  Xiao Shun came looking for her and whispered: "The king said, let you go to the study to do this."

  "Where is it?"

  "It's inevitable that someone will come here, and if they see you, won't it be known to others? Moreover, with people coming and going, you can't focus on your work. The study is quiet, the king is not there, and even if the door is closed, no one will go in. Plus, there's a brazier, which is warmer than here."

  Tidal birth heart middle feel moved: "Only, this on shelf... not good move."

  "Don't worry, I'm here." Xiaoshun smiled and beckoned towards the door: "Come on in."

  The person outside came in.

  Chao Sheng was a bit nervous at first, but when he saw it was Xiao Su, he let out a sigh of relief.

  "Didn't you go out today?"

  "The king ordered me to stay."

  Was it just to help her that Xiao Su was left behind?

  Xiao Su and they took a large trunk, put all of Chao Sheng's things, including the embroidery frame, folded them up and packed them into the box. The two of them carried it out from the alleyway.

  The study is much better than the room of the young master.

  A row of long windows is spacious and bright, the light is better than her small house. There is a charcoal basin in the house, which is indeed warm. If the weather is too cold, the needle will be stiff, the fabric and thread will become hard, not to mention that the hands are frozen and numb.

  The greatest advantage is that there are no outsiders coming here. The fourth prince leaves the house, except for rest days, entering the palace, and going to the Ministry of Works to check the time every day. Once he leaves, the study is both quiet and secluded. There are also Xiao Su and Xiao Shun taking turns guarding outside the door, it couldn't be more suitable.

  Summon up your courage and make a concerted effort.

  Maybe it's the good environment, or maybe heaven is blessing us, but Chao Sheng made rapid progress on this day and half of the peony flower embroidery was already done. At this speed, it will definitely be finished in time for Madame Wen to wear.

  Xiao Shun came in twice during the interval, but Chao Sheng was so focused that she didn't dare disturb her, and just stood behind to watch.

  Wow, people can't be judged by their appearance.

  Chao Sheng is usually modest and never boasts about his accomplishments, but he is indeed skilled with his hands. He cooks well and also does excellent embroidery.

  After the noon tide, I took a nap and even massaged my eye sockets - this was still the eye care exercise I learned in my previous life. At that time, in school, we had to do it twice a day, but almost everyone just went through the motions perfunctorily. Chao Sheng didn't think that after crossing over, he would actually experience the benefits of the eye care exercise.

  When your eyes are tired, press and rub them a bit, it's really more comfortable.

  The snow outside has stopped, but the sky is still gloomy. As the saying goes, it's not cold when it's snowing, but it's cold after the snow stops. After the snow stopped, the north wind blowing on my face was harsh and piercing. The artificial hill and bamboo grove behind the house were also covered with white snow, but the flowing water had not frozen, and I could still hear the faint sound of running water.

  Chao Sheng's fingers were sore from holding the needle for too long, and her fingertips were also aching. She finished embroidering a petal and put down the needle.

  She raised her head and arched her back, her whole body aching in protest, she almost let out a moan.

  "Tired?"

  Chao Sheng turned his head around and found that the Fourth Prince had returned at some unknown time, slightly bending down to look at the embroidery on the frame.

  Chao Sheng wanted to get up and greet them, but his legs had gone numb from sitting for too long. As soon as he tried to stand up, his legs gave way and he sat back down again.

  The fourth prince pointed at the small half-finished embroidered flower: "Is this what you embroidered today?"

  "I also embroidered for a while last night."

  The fourth prince nodded and carefully looked her up and down: "Your eyes are bloodshot."

  His voice was not loud, but Chao Sheng felt that the sound was right next to his ear, and the warm air was like soft feathers, tickling the base of his ear and making it slightly itchy.

  "There's no need to rush so much, many people have been getting sick lately, be careful or you'll get sick again."

  Chao Sheng only felt his face burning fiercely, lowered his head, and responded vaguely: "Thank you, Your Highness... it's bright and warm in the study..."

  "Oh? So if this skirt can be made in time, I'll have a share of the credit too?"

  Cháo shēng wǔ le xià, dī shēng shuō: "nà shì...dāng rán de."

  Translation:

  Chao was taken aback for a moment, and said in a low voice: "That is...of course."

  The fourth prince is not just meritorious, but greatly meritorious.

  Not counting on the study, if he doesn't give Chao Sheng this material, where can Chao Sheng go to find Liang Hong Jin?

  "The fourth prince asked in a low voice: 'Then what will you use to thank me?'"

  Is this still necessary? Thank you?

  Well, of course, thanks are in order.

  But what can Chao Sheng give him in return?

  Yes, in the movie, whenever someone mentions gratitude, it's always "no need to thank me" or "in my next life, I'll be your cow and horse, and serve you faithfully"... Now, Chao Sheng is just a maid of the fourth prince, even if she doesn't have to work as hard as a cow or horse, but she still serves him wholeheartedly without any slack...

  And what she eats, wears and uses are all from the Wang Fu, which is equivalent to being the Fourth Prince's. She doesn't have anything that belongs to her... What else can she take out to specially thank the Fourth Prince?

  "Why aren't you talking? You're not going to be so petty, are you?"

  Is this really the magnanimous Mingming? When did the Fourth Prince become so petty? Does she still need to thank him for something like this?

  "Alright, you can't think of it now, just take your time. Whenever you've thought it through, let me know."

  His face turned even redder.

  She has no experience in this kind of thing.

  But she vaguely knew in her heart what the Fourth Prince wanted...

  What is it roughly?

  But did she give it?

  Palpitations, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat.

  But deep down, there is a faint sense of worry and melancholy.

  It seems there is a road already laid out in front of you.

  But this road is completely different from the future she has planned for herself.

  There's heartache, there's shyness, there's solemnity, and there's helplessness...

  There is also a hint of sweetness that is almost imperceptible.

  "Alright, it's been a long day, now get some good rest tonight."

  The fourth prince did not continue on the topic he had just mentioned, and Chao Sheng secretly let out a sigh of relief, as if he had been greatly pardoned.

  She didn't dare stay in the study for long either.

  For dinner, Aunt Li left her a portion because she was afraid that she would overcook it, so she specially cooked her some spinach and water chestnut soup to clear the fire and brighten her eyes. In the cold winter month, this spinach and water chestnut were more precious than chicken, duck, fish, or meat. If Aunt Li hadn't been so concerned about her, she wouldn't have gone to the trouble of cooking this small meal for her.

  After dinner, it started snowing again. Chao Sheng thought about the pattern for a while, thinking about how to proceed tomorrow, and was just about to take down her hair and go to bed when she heard someone knocking on her door in a hurry.

  "Tidal life, tidal life."

  The urgent low voice, who else could it be besides Meng?

  Chao Sheng was afraid that something had happened again, and hurriedly got out of bed to open the door. Man Er brought a gust of cold wind into the house, her expression indeed not very good, flustered, her face blown red by the cold wind.

  She didn't have a chance to send a message to Man'er yesterday, and today she was too busy to attend to it. Man'er still doesn't know that she has already found Liang Hongjin, this matter may be able to succeed in passing off as nothing, he must be very worried.

  "What's wrong? You're coming over so late?"

  Man'er swallowed his saliva: "I came once during the day, you weren't here..."

  I am in the study.

  Man'er nodded randomly: "Today during the day, Qin He asked me about the skirt..."

  Chao Sheng also tensed up: "What did you say?"

  If Qin He lets it out tomorrow, the skirt can't be handed over.

  "I... at that time, I was in a hurry, afraid she knew something... " Man'er said softly, her eyes shifting to the side, not daring to look at Chao Sheng: "I told her your craftsmanship is better than mine, so I asked you to iron the skirt, so it can't be given to her for these two days..."

  Chao was taken aback for a moment.

  He said in a low voice, "I know it's not good to say this, but at the time I had no choice, there were several people in the house, and I was afraid that if anyone found out... wouldn't that be a disaster? In my panic, I..."

  Yes, Chao Sheng also understood that at that time, Man Er probably could only think of this one excuse.

  But then she thought, if at that time she couldn't produce a skirt, wouldn't the person who had ruined the skirt become her?

  How about Man Er? Has she thought it over?

  Chao Sheng's gaze made Man Er even more uneasy, she clutched at her hem, and her breathing also became urgent and coarse.

  "Tidal birth... I..."

  She looked up and took a glance, then lowered her head: "I think..."

  Chao Sheng didn't make a sound, waiting for her to continue speaking.

  "If Qin He asks..." Man'er said in a low voice: "Don't mention it."

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  Bought a small cake, lit a candle and made a wish.

  Thank you for everyone's blessings, I'm very touched.

  Well, I counted the number of long reviews... Oh my god, if I add one more update for each review, I'll have to update every day next week...

  I'm crying