Just as they were talking, a maid outside knocked on the door and said, "Second Miss, the embroiderer has brought your clothes."
Fu Zhen exchanged a glance with Cui Huan. Cui Huan opened the door and walked out. "Go and ask the embroiderer to come and report," she said.
It was Jin Lan who came.
She was good at speaking and could talk non - stop. Now seeing Fu Zhen, she was enthusiastic but not obsequious. "Greetings, Second Miss. This slave has brought your clothes. Please take a look. If you're not satisfied, just give orders and this slave will go back and make changes."
She actually took all the credit for herself.
Fu Zhen gave a faint smile. "Bring them here. Let me have a look."
Bi Yu stepped forward to take the clothes and unfold them. The color was like the spring water in the mountains. When the gentle breeze blew, it seemed like rippling blue waves. The lotus flowers on the cuffs and collar swayed slightly with the fabric, looking vivid and lifelike.
Fu Zhen quickly and imperceptibly sized up the dress. Bi Yu held it up and turned it over. Seeing that the dress was elegant and beautiful, she leaned in and examined it carefully but found no flaws.
She pursed her lips, looked up at Fu Zhen, and gently shook her head.
Fu Zhen paused for a moment and then smiled again. "It's really good craftsmanship. These lotus flowers look just like real ones. You've all worked hard."
"Cui Huan, give a reward," she said, looking at Jin Lan, who was beaming with joy. "Your embroidery skills are excellent. This is the reward for you. Don't think it's too little."
Cui Huan and Bi Yu, the two senior maids, always carried three or four purses with them, filled with some small silver coins, so as not to make a fool of themselves when their mistress wanted to give a reward.
Hearing this, Cui Huan stepped forward with a smile and stuffed a purse into Jin Lan's hand. "Our young lady appreciates you. This is the special reward for you. Take it home and buy some candy for your son."
"This..." Since the silver was already in her hand, there was no reason to push it back. Jin Lan rolled her eyes and then happily accepted it. "Thank you, Second Miss. Thank you, Second Miss."
"This slave still has to deliver the clothes to Miss Huan Yun, so I'll take my leave first," she said.
Fu Zhen nodded and said softly, "Take your time."
Jin Lan turned around and left. After leaving the courtyard, she touched the purse in her sleeve. Feeling the weight inside, she couldn't help showing a smug smile.
Cai Ju was so stupid. She had such a good chance to show herself in front of the mistress but didn't want it. She always said she was of low status and didn't want to get close to the mistress. She deserved to work herself to death and only earn such a small monthly salary! Unlike herself...
A greedy look flashed in her eyes. She had to hurry to Miss Huan Yun's place. Maybe she could get another reward while the iron was hot!
Bi Yu stood at the courtyard gate and watched her go far away. Then she turned back and walked up to Fu Zhen. Fu Zhen was asking Cui Huan to hold the clothes while she examined them carefully.
"Miss, have you noticed anything wrong?" Bi Yu asked anxiously.
Fu Zhen couldn't find anything wrong. She reached out and stroked the dress gently. It felt soft, and there was really nothing wrong with it. So she shook her head and said, "There's nothing wrong with this dress."
"What about Xiao He then..." Cui Huan frowned. Xiao He was introduced by her. Although she was young, she always knew her limits and didn't seem like someone who would lie about this.
Fu Zhen lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. "Did Xiao He clearly see what the embroiderer looked like just now? Was she the same as the one she saw in the garden?"
Xiao He was watering the flowers in the courtyard. Since Jin Lan came in without avoiding anyone, she should have seen her.
"This slave will go and call Xiao He here!" As soon as Bi Yu finished speaking, she rushed out in a hurry.
Actually, this matter wasn't a big deal. Fu Zhen wasn't too nervous. Lady Bai's whole - hearted love for her all her life gave her enough confidence. Seeing Bi Yu so anxious, she even had the mood to joke, "Bi Yu's impatient nature is really hard to change."
Cui Huan shook her head. "She just became more stable for a while after getting a lesson. Now it seems that she has become lively and impetuous again."
"It's not a bad thing. I'm relieved with you watching over her." Although Bi Yu was not very stable, she was well - informed. Many things had to be inquired by her. So Fu Zhen didn't want to suppress her nature.
In just a few words, Bi Yu quickly walked back. "Xiao He, come quickly! Don't be so slow all the time!"
Cui Huan walked over and tapped her on the forehead, scolding, "You're even scolding others in front of the mistress!"
Bi Yu touched her forehead and carefully looked at Fu Zhen's expression. Seeing that she was still smiling, she relaxed and playfully nudged Cui Huan with her shoulder. "Good sister, I'm just too anxious."
Xiao He was small and walked slowly. Everyone in this room was someone she didn't dare to provoke. Now she didn't even dare to look up at Fu Zhen. Before she could catch her breath, she quickly bowed. "Greetings, Second Miss."
Fu Zhen gently comforted her. "Don't be nervous. I just want to ask you something. Is the embroiderer named Jin Lan who just came in the same one who met Qing'er in the garden?"
Xiao He didn't dare to lie and quickly said, "It's her. It's definitely her! The embroiderer who met Qing'er had a mole on her chin, which was very noticeable. Jin Lan who just came in also has it. It must be her!"
Fu Zhen nodded and asked Cui Huan to give her a plate of pastries on the table. "Okay, I see. You did a good job in this matter. I'll give you half a day off. Take these pastries and go and play with the other girls."
Xiao He happily held the pastries. She didn't expect that today she would not only get silver but also have pastries to eat. She quickly thanked her. "Thank you for the reward, Second Miss!"
After she left, Fu Zhen slowly frowned. "I originally thought she was stupid, but unexpectedly she has some skills. It seems that there's nothing wrong with this dress. It's really hard not to wear it."
Bi Yu bit her lip. "How about reporting this directly to Lady Bai? Anyway, we have Xiao Tao as a witness. She won't not believe us."
Fu Zhen smiled. "Silly girl. You can hide for a while but not forever. Lady Bai can solve this matter this time, but what about next time? Do I have to look for her every time? What would that be like?"
Cui Huan nodded. "Miss is right. We have to wear this dress and not show any anomaly on the surface. But on the day we go to the Liu Mansion, we can prepare an extra dress. Once we find something wrong, we can find an opportunity to change it. Then we'll know what tricks they've played."
"What Cui Huan said is right. Let's do it like this," Fu Zhen said. She didn't think about this matter anymore. It was really a waste of this wonderful spring to worry about such a meaningless little scheme.
Bi Yu was carefree. Seeing that her mistress and Cui Huan were both confident, she immediately threw this matter out of her mind. "It is said that children come back from school early and are eager to fly kites in the east wind. The weather has been so nice these two days with a gentle breeze. Miss, how about we fly kites in the courtyard?"
The Zhuring Courtyard was large and spacious. Although it was not as good as the garden, it was more than enough for flying kites.
Fu Zhen teased her. "Our Bi Yu can even quote poems now. Won't you become a great poet in the future?"
Bi Yu could tell the teasing in her words. She stamped her foot in annoyance. "Mistress is always making fun of me! I... I'll go and get the kites!"