When she returned in the evening, Aunt Wang was waiting at the door. As soon as she saw Gu Liyue, she immediately stepped forward to support her. "Miss Liyue, oh, you're really lucky not to be at home today. You don't know. Your aunt came again. She was scolding and shouting here. When she found you weren't home, she even wanted to barge in. Fortunately, I called Uncle Wang, and we drove her away."
Gu Liyue divided half of the wild vegetables in her basket for Aunt Wang. "Thank you, Aunt Wang. I don't know what I would have done today without you."
Aunt Wang gave a hearty laugh and only took a small portion of the wild vegetables. "No need, no need. We have some at home. Liyue, don't be so polite. We're all neighbors. It's only right for me to help you with such a small thing. If you need anything in the future, just shout. We'll hear you. Don't try to handle everything on your own. Do you understand?"
Gu Liyue was extremely grateful. She thanked Aunt Wang again and again before returning home.
Before she left, she deliberately put away her pens, papers, and books, and also hid all her embroidery work. She was just afraid that Miao and the others would barge in and steal her things.
Unexpectedly, Uncle Wang had driven them away.
Gu Liyue let out a sigh of relief. After dinner, she lit a lamp and started doing embroidery under it.
Yunniang was afraid that it would hurt her eyes. Knowing that Liyue wouldn't stop, she lit two more lamps.
Gu Liyue let out a soft laugh. She ran the needle across her scalp and said, "In the past, when I couldn't finish my work during the day and had to do it at night, I wasn't even allowed to light a lamp for fear of wasting oil. The needle holes are so tiny, and the embroidery work is so delicate. It was really tiring for my eyes. Now, I can even work under three lamps."
Yunniang wasn't in the mood for joking. She was only worried. She didn't know when such days would end. If it continued like this every day, wouldn't they have to hide in the mountains during the day and only do their work at night?
However, early the next morning, the person who came wasn't Miao but someone else.
Gu Liyue had just finished breakfast and was tidying up her things to start writing when she saw Uncle Zhao leading a middle - aged man in. It was Shopkeeper Feng.
"Shopkeeper?"
Shopkeeper Feng sized up the house. Although it was simple, it was clean, which showed that the owner was a tidy person. He also saw Gu Liyue laying out papers, seemingly about to write.
He asked, "Miss Gu, do you like writing?"
Gu Liyue said shyly, "I have nothing to do in my spare time. Writing can calm my mind."
Shopkeeper Feng was greatly interested. He took the pen from Gu Liyue's hand and quickly wrote a poem about lotus on the paper.
Gu Liyue read the words one by one. "The Mirror Lake spans three hundred miles..."
But she didn't recognize the characters that followed.
Shopkeeper Feng taught her, "Hanzan means water lily."
Gu Liyue scratched her head shyly. The last time she pretended to be well - read, but now all her pretense was exposed, especially since the Thousand - Character Classic was still lying on the table.
Shopkeeper Feng flipped through Gu Liyue's previous writings, nodded, and said, "It's good for young people to be ambitious."
Gu Liyue explained, "I... don't have any other hobbies. When I'm free, I just write a bit. It's actually of no use."
Shopkeeper Feng didn't agree. He only said, "Reading is to understand principles and distinguish right from wrong. You're willing to read, which makes you better than ordinary girls."
Gu Liyue brewed some tea for Shopkeeper Feng. She told Yunniang to put away the pens and papers and then asked, "Shopkeeper, why do you have the time to come today? These days, I've only finished that embroidered screen. I haven't started on anything else yet."
Shopkeeper Feng smiled and said, "I'm here about the embroidery work, but I'm not here to urge you. The employer asked me to come. Didn't I tell you before that the employer's wife really liked the purse you embroidered? The wife went to the capital before, and a noble lady there took a fancy to that purse. So she sent someone to ask if you'd like to go there and work as an embroidery maid. Are you willing?"
Gu Liyue was stunned. "An embroidery maid in a noble family? What's the difference?"
Shopkeeper Feng laughed. "Of course, there's a difference. Our business also has embroidery maids. Most of them, like you, have signed a contract for one or several years. But the embroidery maids in noble families don't embroider at their own homes. They embroider in the inner courtyard of the noble family's mansion. They get paid a monthly salary. They still get paid even when they're not busy."
Gu Liyue didn't understand these things and felt a bit nervous.
Shopkeeper Feng added, "This is a good thing. Not just anyone can be an embroidery maid in a noble family. Just like our business is part of a trade association. Only the well - known embroidery maids can be selected to work in noble families. I've heard that in ordinary noble families, they can get at least two taels of silver a month, not to mention the rewards. It's normal for those who do well to get five taels."
So much money?
Gu Liyue tightened her grip on her hands. If she could get two taels of silver a month, she wouldn't have to worry about anything. Moreover, from what the shopkeeper said, they would also provide food and accommodation.
Shopkeeper Feng continued, "If you're willing, you can take this aunt of yours with you. Then our employer's wife will arrange a place for her. When you have days off, you can come back and visit her."
Gu Liyue hesitated. The capital was a place she didn't even dare to dream of. But here, everything was stable. Should she just leave everything behind and go?
Yunniang walked over gently and gestured with her hands. If you're reluctant to leave here, I can stay.
Gu Liyue asked, "You also think I should go?"
Yunniang nodded. Your aunt won't let you off so easily. It's better to leave.
After only a moment of hesitation, Gu Liyue said to Shopkeeper Feng, "In that case, I agree. But I really have to take Yunniang with me. We've been relying on each other. Where I am, she will naturally be there."
Shopkeeper Feng was extremely happy when he heard her agreement. He had heard from the employer's wife that the noble family was truly noble, not an ordinary one. If he could send the right embroidery maid there, the Feng family would be able to establish a connection.
Establishing a connection with an official family was a big deal. The Feng family had fame and wealth but no power. This was an opportunity. They didn't need a lot of power. As long as they could protect the family's fame and wealth, that would be enough.
"Of course. Then... Miss Gu, how many days do you need to prepare and pack?"
After all, there were things at home, and they couldn't just leave.
Gu Liyue was also thinking. This was a rented house. Since she was leaving, she should get back some of the remaining rent. She had to go to the county town to find someone and discuss it. It definitely couldn't be done in a short time.
Shopkeeper Feng nodded. "Would five days be suitable? After five days, go to the Feng family's business in the county town to find me. I'll arrange your journey for you so that you can go to the capital as soon as possible."
Gu Liyue hesitated for a moment but was finally tempted. She nodded. "In that case, I'll have to trouble Shopkeeper Feng."
Since they had reached an agreement, Gu Liyue pointed at the unfinished embroidery work. "But these... I'm afraid I won't have time to embroider them."
Shopkeeper Feng waved his hand. "It doesn't matter. The things the lady has asked for are more important. You don't need to finish the rest. We'll draw up a new contract later."
Just then, Miao's shrill voice came from the door. "Gu Liyue, you finally dare to come back? If you're so brave, stay on the mountain for a whole night and never come back. Let me tell you, if you don't take out the money today, I'll just lie here and won't leave."
Gu Liyue looked at Shopkeeper Feng apologetically. "I'm sorry. My aunt is like this. Please allow me to deal with this matter first."