She Lost Memory Before the Divorce-Chapter 123 - 0: Spectacular Counterkill! (1)
Chapter 123: Chapter 0123: Spectacular Counterkill! (1)
The craftsmanship of this style is simply incomparable to that of Sheng Xueqin’s piece; the embroidered patterns may look similar at first glance, but the layout of the stitching is entirely different.
Especially the two lifelike cranes, one standing on one leg while bending down to drink, the other raising its head to the sky in a long cry. The postures of the cranes were so vivid they seemed to spring to life. On the right shoulder area, there was also a cluster of purple auspicious clouds, which showed a gradient effect from different angles, pleasing to the eye.
Looking again at Sheng Xueqin’s piece, the two cranes were in a flying state, and while the craftsmanship was not bad, it clearly fell short in the matching of embroidery threads.
Anyone with eyes could see which piece was more attractive.
Sheng Xueqin, upon seeing that embroidery, clenched her hands into tight fists involuntarily.
Damn it! Wasn’t it said that Master Yao went to the mountains for a retreat? How could he possibly… And wasn’t it supposed to be identical designs? Why are the postures of the cranes different in the two pictures? Her gaze towards Mu Lan also flashed with venomous resentment. Could it be that this was a trap she’d meticulously designed?
“Are you deliberately copying my sister’s idea?”
Even at this point, Sheng Xueqian continued to argue irrationally.
The look in everyone’s eyes changed when they looked at the two sisters.
Huo Qiyuan calmed her shocked spirits and looked at Mu Lan with a trace more of admiration. After all, when it came to embroidery, she considered herself somewhat of a connoisseur.
“Miss Sheng, what you said is incorrect. If I’m not mistaken, this embroidery by Mu Lan is the work of the Empress of Suzhou Embroidery, Teacher Yao Minghui. You should know that it’s hard to book time with Teacher Yao.
Xueqin has only just returned, and if she had been preparing a birthday gift in advance, she would have certainly chosen the best master. However, it’s apparent this garment… was made in a rush recently.”
Sheng Xueqin’s face changed slightly, and she found herself at a loss for words.
And what was more upsetting was yet to come!
“Besides, what good does copying bring? What benefit did you get from copying this design?”
Sheng Xueqin looked at Huo Qiyuan, sensing there was more to her words, and tried to maintain her composure as she asked:
“Auntie, what do you mean by that?”
“This…”
Mu Lan, seeing Huo Qiyuan was somewhat at a loss for words, naturally took over the conversation very tactfully.
“Miss Sheng, I know you have the best intentions, but haven’t you noticed that the postures and directions of your cranes are all wrong?”
Upon saying this, it dawned on everyone that indeed, Sheng Xueqin’s cranes were flying high with their heads facing west, while Mu Lan’s cranes were facing east.
The crane, west and east, flying and resting states…
Flying westward on a crane! The auspicious purple qi coming from the east!
Sheng Xueqin was the first to react, her face turning pale. One image was meant for deceased elders, while the other was a symbol of good luck.
Just earlier, Sheng Xueqian was boasting about how thoughtful Sheng Xueqin’s garment was, but to have made such an error in the symbolism was like a slap in the face.
“Grandfather Huo, I really didn’t know… I…”
“Today is a great day for grandfather. Of course, I know Miss Sheng didn’t do it intentionally, which is why I proposed not bringing it out in public to avoid embarrassment.
But since Miss Sheng insisted, I didn’t want to refuse and make the situation any worse, making it difficult for everyone present.
In the end, it’s all my fault. Grandfather, if I had insisted more earlier, none of this would have happened.
Grandfather, I apologize for disrupting the good intentions, and if you’re unhappy, please reprimand me to vent your frustration.”
Mu Lan had a face full of remorse and acted quite convincingly, but the Sheng sisters knew all too well that it was all an act.
The elder Master Huo, upon seeing this, was naturally very satisfied with his granddaughter-in-law’s reaction on the spot: magnanimous and tolerant, neither arrogant nor impatient.
“What are you talking about? Grandpa knows you’re a good kid.”
Seeing the elder Master Huo’s attitude, those who had previously looked down on Mu Lan also turned with the wind and followed suit in comforting her.
“Exactly, today is a day of great joy. You’ve put so much heart into this, ‘purple air coming from the east’; how wonderful. Elder Master, please put it on and give it a try.”
“Just look at the care that has been poured into it; such a considerate granddaughter-in-law indeed.”
“Yes, indeed.”
Sheng Xueqin watched as the crowd followed in praising Mu Lan, and as the elder Master Huo tried on the garment then and there, an action that was not just about saving face but also a declaration to everyone of Mu Lan’s status in the Huo Family.
“The material is really nice, and the craftsmanship is meticulous. Whose work is this?”
When Huo Qiyuan asked this, Mu Lan was somewhat embarrassed.
“Third Aunt, you flatter me too much. I sought out Teacher Yao for the embroidery, and I selected the fabric myself. The garment… I also made it by myself.”
Upon hearing this, the elder Master Huo’s eyes lit up.
“Girl, did you make this for me with your own hands?”
Mu Lan nodded shyly.
“Hmm, my hands are clumsy, and it can’t compare to the work of a master tailor, but it is all my heartfelt intention. I hope that Grandpa won’t disdain it.”
“My child, how could I ever disdain it? Look at this workmanship, so meticulous! Grandpa is very happy.”
Mu Lan smiled and sneaked a glance at Sheng Xueqin. The other woman’s face had turned extremely sour as being outmaneuvered this way naturally left her feeling outdone.
But it was her own fault for trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice; she only thought about outdoing the birthday gift she had prepared herself but ended up with a semi-competent master who couldn’t even spot a problem in the pattern. She deserved to be outshone.
At that moment, Huo Qitang, who had been vocally supportive just a moment ago, also had an embarrassed and unpleasant expression on her face. Standing there at a loss for words, she simply went out to the courtyard to greet the guests instead.
“Grandpa, you go ahead and talk with the elders. I’ll go check on the kitchen and get lunch ready.”
“Very well, Lanlan is so sensible.”
The elder Master Huo’s eyes nearly disappeared into his smile, feeling that his granddaughter-in-law was indeed something to be proud of.
However, the faces of the Sheng sisters were not so pleasant. Despite the Huo family members ostensibly not taking the recent incident to heart, it was indeed a very real loss of face.
Sheng Xueqin watched the direction in which Mu Lan left, seething silently. What a Mu Lan, she thought, to be so deeply cunning.
But to think that such a small matter would make her back down was to seriously underestimate Sheng Xueqin.
Mu Lan came out of the main hall and was about to cross the path to check the kitchen when she encountered Huo Qitang’s sour and frosty remarks.
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“Things really are different now. Used to be a character in the Huo Family that no one cared for, and now you’ve become the new favorite.”
Mu Lan stopped in her tracks, looking at the aunt in front of her who couldn’t seem to keep from badmouthing others, and she smiled faintly.
“Auntie, what are you saying? Even if I am favored, it’s all because of Tingxiao’s light. After all, everyone is just looking out for his face, aren’t they? I’m well aware of that much.”
She deliberately adopted such a modest pose, but when Huo Qitang saw the smile on Mu Lan’s face, she became furious, thinking of her son far away in Africa.
“Are you flaunting your victory in front of me?”
