Red Wedding Dress
Xia Ting brought Wan Yu and Lu Wei to the main hall, where a middle-aged woman with extraordinary attire stood upright in the center of the hall, waiting. Behind her stood two young women.
Xia Ting Cong walked in and sat down on the upper seat in the hall. The elegant middle-aged woman politely bowed to Xia Ting Cong, "Miss Xia."
Xia Ting smiled slightly and said, "Master Zhang, please get up and sit down for a cup of tea."
A middle-aged woman stood up elegantly and walked to a nearby seat, her face wearing a perfect smile from head to toe. This was Zhang Xiuniang, who was quite famous in Kyoto.
At this time, a clever maid had already come in with a tray to serve tea. Xia Tingjing took the teacup from the maid's hand and asked, "I don't know what brings Master Zhang here today, is there something important?"
She was already surprised when she heard Qingwu's report. Previously, in order to enter the fabric industry, she had done a lot of preparatory work and knew that the most famous fabric store in Kyoto was "Yunxiang Pavilion", which happened to be opened by Zhang Xiuniang in front of her.
According to her understanding, this embroidery girl was originally a palace-used embroidery girl. Embroidery and sewing were her specialties. After leaving the palace, she opened 'Yún Shàng Gé' in Kyoto. Due to her exceptional skills, many officials and nobles in Kyoto wanted her to personally sew their clothes.
Why, this Embroiderer Zhang rarely agreed to personally embroider clothes, and as time went on, the clothes she sewed became increasingly precious. Those noblewomen and young ladies even took pride in wearing clothes made by Embroiderer Zhang.
She didn't know this Zhang Xiuniang at all, but today she came to her door in person, which made her feel very surprised.
Zhang Xiu Niang sat down and quietly sized up Xia Ting Ying. She had heard various rumors about the capital, among which the legend of this second lady of the Xia family was the most legendary. Not only was she a daughter of a fourth-grade official who could not be promoted to the position of princess, but also as the wife of the prince of Jing, she was said to have been extremely favored by him, and the betrothal gifts alone were as many as 248 sedan chairs.
She had only smiled and dismissed it when she first heard, not believing it at all, thinking it was just a rumor. But then today, a maid from the Jing Wang Fu came to visit, asking her to go to the Jing Wang Fu for a walk. At first, she didn't think much of it, assuming that perhaps the Jing Wang Fei wanted to ask her to sew a few clothes, and since the Jing Wang Fu was powerful, she couldn't afford to pretend to be aloof and refuse, so she followed the maid there.
Unexpectedly, after entering the Jing Wang Fu, the one who met her was not the current Empress's younger sister, the Jing Wang Fei, but rather the rarely seen Jing Wang Shizi. The task he assigned to her was to personally go to the Xia Fu to take measurements and sew a wedding dress for the second young lady of the manor, which led to her visit today.
Zhang Xiu Niang withdrew her gaze and replied, "Today, I have come at the behest of Prince Feng Jing to take your measurements, Miss Xia, in order to sew a wedding dress for you."
She was not pleased when she heard the request of Jing Wang's son. As a royal seamstress, there were many noble ladies and young misses in the capital who wanted her to make clothes for them, but she rarely agreed. Now, she had to go personally to take measurements and make clothes for the daughter of a fourth-rank official, wasn't this a loss of her own value?
Who would have thought that she had just slightly revealed a hint of dissatisfaction, and Jing Wang Shizi had already noticed it. The other party only coldly threw her a sentence: 'If Cong'er is not satisfied with the wedding dress you made, then Ben Shizi will close the Yunxiang Pavilion on a grand scale.'
This ruthless remark made her break out in a cold sweat. The quiet prince had always been someone who got what he wanted, and if he really wanted the Cloud Robe Pavilion to close down, it would be as simple as saying so. She was just an embroiderer, no matter how famous she was, she was nothing in front of this prince who was highly favored by the emperor.
Under threat, she didn't dare to slack off the second miss of Xiafu who was about to marry into Jingwangfu, so she packed her things and hurried over with two embroiderers.
Xia Ting listened and felt a little surprised, "Rong Jin asked you to come?" She didn't expect him to care about this too. When a woman is about to get married, the wedding dress is usually prepared by her own family. She had already drawn the design early on and was just waiting to send it to Xue Duan's workshop for the tailor to make it. But she didn't think Rong Jin would be so thoughtful as to take care of this too.
Zhang Xiu Niang solemnly nodded and said "Yes, the young master said that the wedding dress must be made to satisfy Miss Xia."
As soon as Miss Xia spoke, it was clear how much favor King Jing's son had for her, to the point where he allowed her to address him by name. It seems that this wedding dress must be made to the other party's satisfaction, otherwise Yunxiang Pavilion would really have to wait for its grand opening.
Xia Ting smiled lightly and said that this embroidery girl is very difficult to invite, he was afraid that she had not spent less thought on herself.
Zhang Xiu Niang stood up again and said, "Miss Xia, it's getting late, may I take your measurements for you?"
Xia Ting nodded slightly and stood up calmly, as the embroidery girl was specially invited by Rong Jin, it didn't matter if she made the wedding dress, anyway, whoever made it would be the same.
Zhang Xiangniang turned around and took the soft ruler handed over by the seamstress behind her, walked a few steps forward to Xia Ting's side, and personally measured his size, with an unusually serious expression.
Xia Ting Bian stretched out her hand to cooperate with the other party, while ordering Wan Yu to bring the pattern of the wedding dress from her room, and also asked Lü Wei to take the bright red fabric sent by Xue Duanzhen a few days ago. She still preferred to use her own prepared things, thinking it would be better that way.
Before long, Zhang Xiuniang had finished taking the measurements and carefully recorded them before putting away the tape measure.
After being in close proximity to Xia Ting, she couldn't help but secretly admire her: this Miss Xia was indeed a stunning beauty who could topple cities and kingdoms, and what's more, she possessed an elegance and noble aura that was in no way inferior to those aristocratic young ladies. No wonder the Crown Prince of Jing was so enamored with her.
After handing the soft ruler back to the embroiderer behind her, Zhang Xiangniang carefully asked, "Miss Xia, do you have any special requirements for the wedding dress?"
It's better for her to ask clearly first, so as not to redo it after finishing if it doesn't meet the other party's requirements.
At this time, Wan Yu and Lu Wei who went to fetch the drawings and fabrics had just returned.
Xia Ting handed the drawing to Zhang Xiuniang and said, "I've already drawn the style of the wedding dress. Please ask Master Zhang to make it according to this drawing."
Zhang Xiu Niang was shocked by the words, and suddenly felt very dissatisfied. She, a former imperial tailor, had personally come to take measurements, wanting to make her wedding dress. But she didn't expect that the other party wouldn't want the style she made, but instead wanted to use their own drawings.
Heaven knows what style she has drawn, and whether it can be considered elegant or not.
Although she was filled with resentment, Zhang Xiangniang still suppressed her emotions and didn't reveal them, somewhat carelessly opening the drawings.
In an instant, her eyes narrowed.
"This..." Zhang Xiangniang's eyes were filled with incredulity, the style on this drawing was something she had never seen before, not only novel and beautiful, but also, based on her many years of experience in making clothes, if this wedding dress were to be made, it would definitely be even more magnificent than what was drawn on the paper.
It's really unbelievable that the second young lady of Xia Fu can actually draw such a style. Zhang Xiuniang looked at Xia Tingcong's eyes, which were full of shock.
Xia Ting smiled faintly and asked, "What does Master Zhang think of this style?"
This is a style she painted with modern elements, even if the embroidery girl's experience in making clothes is rich and has seen many luxurious clothes. It is not comparable to the works created by modern scattered thinking.
Zhang Xiu Niang tightly grasped the blueprint in her hand, exclaiming "This is simply beautiful! Miss Xia, did you really draw this?"
A young woman who was raised in a boudoir could actually paint such beautiful clothes, it really made her feel unbelievable.
Xia Ting raised her eyes and smiled "If not, who does Master Zhang think painted it?"
Zhang Xiu Niang heard this and suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Miss Xia. I was just momentarily agitated and spoke wrongly."
Xia Ting's smile was still faint as she said, "It doesn't matter, Master Zhang. Are you willing to sew this wedding dress?"
She didn't forget the hint of reluctance that flashed across his face when she mentioned letting him create a design based on her own drawing. He probably thought he couldn't come up with anything good.
"Of course I'm willing," Zhang Xiangniang hastily nodded and said, "Don't worry, Miss Xia. After returning, I will rush to make this wedding dress and deliver it to you as soon as possible."
Although she is a bit arrogant, it's because she thinks she has the capital for it. As an embroiderer, when seeing such beautiful clothing designs, if they can personally sew them out, it's a great honor for these embroiderers. The satisfaction of watching a magnificent garment take shape in one's own hands is something that outsiders don't understand.
So she was determined to devote all her life's energy to making this wedding dress, and she had to sew it well.
Xia Ting looked at the fervor in Zhang Xiuniang's eyes and nodded, "Then I'll trouble Master Zhang. Also, the fabric needed for this wedding dress has been brought over by someone. Master Zhang, please take a look."
Lu Weng took the fabric he was holding in his hands and put it on the table for the other party to examine.
Zhang Xiangniang's eyes were fixed on the bright red fabric, and she couldn't move her gaze away. She reached out to gently stroke the astonishingly red fabric.
The silk fabric was smooth to the touch, and this piece of red cloth was as vibrant as flowing water. The edges of the fabric had some intricate and complex dark patterns, and the entire fabric shone with a dazzling light. Her Yunxiang Pavilion also sold various fabrics, but none could compare to this one in front of her, not only in color, but even the texture of the fabric was far inferior.
With such a style and such fabric, this wedding dress will surely be the most outstanding one she has ever made in her life.
Xia Ting looked at Zhang Xiangniang's expression and knew that this fabric was also very much to her liking.
After handing over the fabric, tell them which day it will be finished and ask them to send over the wedding dress as soon as possible.
Zhang Xiangniang readily agreed and returned to Yunxiang Pavilion with the drawings and fabrics, her face filled with excitement.
After settling the matter of the wedding dress, Xia Ting Cong returned to her room and lazily lay down on the couch. It was already past noon, she thought she'd take a short nap now, as there were still other things waiting for her to do in the afternoon.
Digression
Friends, the computer is finally fixed, I'm frantically typing away. Today's exam, so didn't write last night. Wrote 3,000 words after getting home. Posting this as a appetizer for everyone, tonight there's another chapter but it'll be very late, around 12 o'clock before it's done, friends don't stay up all night waiting for the post. Today's two chapters were from yesterday, today's will have to wait until tomorrow to be posted. Tomorrow is a holiday, can stay home and write. Tomorrow there are two chapters in total, one makes up for today's and another is tomorrow's own. Oh right, because of time constraints, tomorrow's chapter won't be able to be updated daily, let's wait until next week?
