Four Seasons Brocade – CH 002

Chapter 2 ☆、 A Young Girl’s Thoughts Are Many

Seeing that Ah Wu had been looking at the purple jacket for a long time, Zi-Yan assumed she had chosen it. She then took a white skirt with gold-embroidered chrysanthemum patterns from another cabinet and presented it to Ah Wu.

This was exactly how the Fifth Young Lady had dressed back then. Seeing Zi-Yan’s practiced movements, Ah Wu realized this was not her first time doing something like this and felt even more embarrassed.

“I do not need this one,” Ah Wu said, pointing to another plain pink gauze skirt in the cabinet. “It goes well with that one.”

Then she chose a pink undergarment with a high collar. Ah Wu asked Zi-Yan to style her hair into a bun. Rong Wuyou did not have many pieces of jewelry, and none were particularly valuable. Ah Wu used two delicate gold rose bracelets to string together a dozen or so pearl or petal-shaped earrings, wrapping them around the bun, creating an indescribably innocent, charming, and delicate look.

Dressed impeccably, Zi-Shan presented Ah Wu with the golden sunflower eight-treasure longevity lock she always wore, helping her put it on. Every young lady in the Rong family possessed such a longevity lock.

Ah Wu, dressed this way, actually displayed a more delicate and charming girlishness than her previous attire, which she had adopted as the fifth young lady’s elegant and dignified self. It was also more in line with her age.

“I feel much better today. Let’s go sit in Madam’s room,” Ah Wu said, referring to Lady Cui, the Third Madam of the Rong family.

Lady Cui had just returned from attending to the Old Madam in the main room, and Ah Wu rose to go to Lady Cui’s main room.

“Madam, did you just return from the Old Madam’s room? How is the Old Madam’s health?” A maid lifted the soft silk curtain, and Lady Cui saw Ah Wu standing smiling at the door.

Even Ah Wu’s own mother stared at her for a moment, mesmerized. Seeing that Ah Wu was different today, Lady Cui noticed something different. In the past, Ah Wu liked to imitate Fifth Young Lady Rong’s attire, which was overly ornate and made her appear old-fashioned, like a peony covered in a golden shell, lacking true charm. Today, however, she was so delicate and charming, like a porcelain doll, so adorable that Lady Cui did not know how to cherish her, wishing she could hold her in her arms and cuddle her.

Even at such a young age, her every move exuded a captivating, graceful radiance.

Lady Cui held Ah Wu in her arms, kissed her affectionately, and exclaimed, “You are truly my darling! How did you get here all by yourself? I just said I’d come to see you.” Lady Cui looked at Ah Wu with loving eyes. “Ah Wu, are you feeling better? What did you eat this morning? Did you digest it?”

Hearing the affectionate name “Ah Wu,” even though it was a homonym, Ah Wu was still moved. She thought of her parents, who had truly loved her for over twenty years, and wondered how they were doing in this life.

In this life, Ah Wu ^(雾) had become Ah Wu ^(勿). For the sake of convenience, we will continue to call her Ah Wu ^(雾) from now on.

Ah Wu glanced at the rosewood furniture in Lady Cui’s room. Although it was valuable, it was mostly pieced together from different pieces of wood, ultimately not as precious as furniture made from a single large piece of timber. Ah Wu could not help but sigh; Heaven truly did not allow anyone an easy life. In this life, although she possessed the beauty she had dreamed of in her previous life, she was born into an awkward position.

In her previous life, she was proud and defiant, constantly competing with Gu Xihui, ultimately exhausting herself and causing her parents grief and tears. In this life, she must cherish her blessings.

“Everything is palatable, especially the yam cake with red date filling,” Wuyou sighed inwardly, though not as delicious as the pastry chef at the Princess’s Mansion.

“If Ah Wu likes it, Mother will have the main kitchen make it for you again tomorrow,” Lady Cui said, looking at Ah Wu with affection. “Your health seems to be improving; there’s color in your face again.”

At this point, remembering the difficulties the main kitchen had caused, Lady Cui frowned. She thought of Ah Wu, so lovely and delicate; if she had not been mistakenly conceived in her womb, how could she have lived such a humble life, unable even to choose her own food?

Lady Cui sadly adjusted Ah Wu’s hair ornaments. Although she was looked down upon by the daughters of the first and second branches, Ah Wu loved playing with Fifth Young Lady Rong. This illness was also because of the Fifth Young Lady Rong. If those two mischievous Fourth Young Lady Rong and Fifth Young Lady Rong had not tricked Ah Wu into fetching some trivial things for them, she would not have been caught in the rain and nearly lost her life.

“Why did you decide to style your hair in a bun today?” Lady Cui fiddled with Ah Wu’s hair. She often imitated Fifth Young Lady Rong, pretending to be mature for her young age, insisting on wearing a style more like a grown-up. Fifth Young Lady Rong was already eleven years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning), while Ah Wu was only eight.

“Does it not look good?” Wuyou asked, feigning timidity.

“Of course it looks good! My daughter looks good in anything,” Lady Cui said proudly.

This was true; Ah Wu was beautiful and innocent, looking lovely no matter what.

“Mother, I’d like some new clothes made, alright?” Ah Wu tugged at Lady Cui’s sleeve.

Looking into Ah Wu’s bright, sparkling eyes, Lady Cui could not bring herself to refuse. “If you say so, then so be it,” she said, patting Wuyou’s hand.

“Mother loves me the most,” Ah Wu nestled her head into Lady Cui’s arms. Even her usually stern, princess-like mother could not resist her sweet talk, let alone Lady Cui.

Lady Cui chuckled, ruffling Wuyou’s hair. “You silly child, you’ve become so clingy now that you are better.”

Ah Wu smiled, not daring to reply. She realized her previous self had not been so attached to this mother. In her spare time, Ah Wu would look through her childish handwriting from her past life. Even at a young age, she was melancholic and vain, constantly dreaming of emulating Fifth Young Lady Rong, shamelessly trying to curry favor with those who would not listen.

Seeing Lady Cui’s unusually flattered reaction when she clung to her, Ah Wu felt even more contempt for her predecessor. Just because her mother was born of a concubine, she, like Fifth Young Lady Rong and the others, looked down on her mother—what kind of behavior was that? She did not even understand basic filial piety.

Ah Wu could never be as humble and ridiculous as her predecessor.

These past few days, Ah Wu had been ill and had heard many maids gossiping about her predecessor. Instead of being a proper mistress, she imitated Fifth Young Lady Rong in every way, to a pathological degree. In this mansion, not only the masters but also the respectable maids looked down on her behavior.

Only Lady Cui and Third Master Rong truly loved her and tolerated her outrageous behavior.

“What are you doing today, Mother?” Ah Wu sat up.

“What can I do? Just take out your two brothers’ clothes and make some, and make two pairs of insoles for your father.” This was Lady Cui’s daily routine. Even without being told, Ah Wu could tell Lady Cui’s situation. Household affairs were none of her concern as a concubine’s daughter-in-law. When visiting relatives, she was looked down upon for being born of a concubine, especially since she was married to a husband born of a concubine. When Ah Wu was a princess, she had seen many ladies and wives of the Rong family, but her own mother was rarely seen.

If it were her own Princess Mother, she would surely be busy preparing tea with dew in the morning, sweeping flowers, and welcoming guests in the afternoon. Her trusted maids would take care of all the household chores, and there would never be a shortage of distinguished guests visiting.

“I will watch Madam do some needlework,” Ah Wu said, genuinely focused on watching Lady Cui do her needlework.

First, she looked at Lady Cui’s sewing basket. It contained every kind of fabric scrap and every type of needle and thread. Only a master could have such a complete set. As for her former self’s sewing basket, the contents were a mess, including an unfinished purse, too embarrassing to show to anyone. Her former self was bad at needlework, solely focused on becoming a talented woman like Fifth Young Lady Rong, but failing miserably in any area of ​​learning—truly a hopeless case.

“What’s the point of my needlework? You are only just starting to feel better; do not strain your eyes. If you are truly well, go back and study with your sisters,” Lady Cui sighed inwardly.

Ah Wu, that child, was exceptionally beautiful, but her mind was not sharp enough; she just could not do well in her studies. Lady Cui did not expect Ah Wu to be as outstanding as Fifth Young Lady Rong, but for girls from families like theirs, being illiterate was reason to become a laughingstock. Besides, people said, “A person with knowledge naturally exudes elegance.” Ah Wu was good in every way, but her timid and hesitant manner was disliked, and she definitely needed to study.

Today, Lady Cui noticed that Ah Wu’s demeanor and bearing were exceptionally different, displaying the elegance of a noble family. She believed this was due to Ah Wu’s diligent study. A mother’s tendency to think the best of things, however, made her forget that Ah Wu had only begun her formal education at the age of six and had not shown this remarkable talent in the preceding years.

Studying? Ah Wu chuckled inwardly.

In her past life, the Empress herself had invited her to the palace to tutor the princess. Why would she need to study with her sisters in this life? Besides, Ah Wu felt that, based on her experience, no matter how talented a girl was, it could not compare to a pretty face.

“Of course I will study. I will go back to school in a few days,” Ah Wu said, changing the subject before Lady Cui could continue, and asking her for guidance on needlework.

When she was Ah Wu, her health was poor, and she rarely touched needlework. Thinking of how she could not even make a purse for her parents before her death, leaving them a memento, a pang of sadness welled up within her.

“Madam’s needlework is quite different from others, so skillful, like weaving through flowers and willows; it’s dazzling to the eye,” Ah Wu said, turning her head towards Lady Cui.

Speaking about needlework, Lady Cui seemed to have opened a floodgate. “This was taught to me by your maternal grandmother. She was originally an embroiderer in your maternal grandfather’s household, and her needlework was unparalleled in Qingzhou City at the time. Once, a double-sided embroidery of ‘Jade Hall of Wealth and Prosperity’ worn by your grandmother was bought by a nobleman from the capital and presented to the palace. Even the Empress Dowager inquired about it and called it Cui embroidery.”

Ah Wu nodded. No wonder. Lady Cui was merely the illegitimate daughter of the Qingzhou prefect; how could she possibly be worthy of the son of the Duke of Anguo’s family, even if he was an illegitimate son? She had not expected there to be this reason.

As soon as Lady Cui mentioned the double-sided embroidery of ‘Jade Hall of Wealth and Prosperity,’ Ah Wu immediately remembered it, because that embroidery was part of her Princess Mother’s dowry, which had been sent to the Princess’s Mansion. The Imperial Princess possessed countless treasures, but she cherished the Jade Hall Double-Sided Embroidery immensely. It was only brought out of the storeroom to display when distinguished guests visited, and immediately put away once the guests left.

“Madam, please teach me! I cannot even embroider a purse properly now,” Ah Wu said playfully, pleading.

Lady Cui did not doubt Ah Wu’s change; she simply adored Ah Wu, loving her no matter what. Now, with Ah Wu clinging to her, she was overjoyed and forgot everything else.

“You are eight years old now (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning), and it’s time to learn needlework. But you are not fully recovered yet, so I will teach you slowly in a while.”

Wuyou nodded, took her leave of Lady Cui, and returned to the west wing.

Author’s Note:
The traditional Chinese age reckoning is a method of calculating age, a traditional Chinese method of age calculation used in East Asian countries since ancient times. The age calculation method is as follows: One year old is recorded at birth, and one year is added every New Year (this year, the Spring Festival, the first day of the Lunar New Year).