Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 9

Tao Shi hurriedly dressed and went to open the door.

“What happened?” she asked in a low voice when she saw that the visitor was from the embroidery workshop.

The morning drum had just sounded, and the embroidery workshop had already sent someone to find her. Could it be something urgent?

As the worker explained the situation, Tao Shi’s frown deepened.

“I’ve taken on similar work before, but this deadline is too tight. Besides, the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau is full of skilled artisans. Why would they need me for repairs?”

The worker was helpless. “Please, Aunt Tao, help us out. Your embroidery was once highly regarded even in the palace.”

Hearing this, Tao Shi pulled him into the courtyard, her expression instantly turning cold.

“Who told you that?”

The worker swallowed nervously. Aunt Tao’s stern gaze sent chills down his spine.

“Our shopkeeper said so. He told us that if you refused, mentioning this would convince you to take the job.”

A shadow flickered in Tao Shi’s eyes, but the worker did not notice as he kept his head lowered.

“Fine. Bring the materials over as soon as possible.”

The worker was overjoyed. He rushed to the carriage outside, retrieved a box, and handed it to Tao Shi.

Tao Shi looked at the box and scoffed inwardly. How calculating.

After taking the box and sending the worker away, she returned to her usual warm and approachable demeanor.

“Who was it, Nanny?” Zhang Xiaolan asked.

“Nothing important, just an urgent embroidery job from the workshop.”

Although Tao Shi’s face showed concern, she didn’t seem overly worried.

Now that her leg injury had mostly healed, Zhang Xiaolan wanted to find something to do. The money she had brought from her parental home was likely running out.

“If you need help, I can do some embroidery as well.”

Tao Shi hesitated. “Your skills are excellent, my dear, but I don’t want you to overexert yourself.”

“It’s fine. I have nothing else to do anyway. Besides, helping you is a good thing.”

Seeing her insistence, Tao Shi smiled and helped Zhang Xiaolan into the wheelchair they had brought home the previous night. After a simple wash, she wheeled her out into the courtyard.

By now, the streets were bustling with people, and the Tao family’s kitchen was already filled with the aroma of breakfast.

After eating, Tao Shi took out the embroidery piece—a screen embroidered with Buddhist scriptures.

Several spots were damaged and needed floral patterns to cover them.

If it were just one or two spots, it wouldn’t be too difficult. However, there were eight or nine places to fix, and the original artwork was done using yunxiu (cloud embroidery), an intricate technique.

Zhang Xiaolan furrowed her brows. The numerous repairs would require careful design, which would take a long time.

Moreover… this fabric…

“This is tribute satin?” Zhang Xiaolan looked up at Tao Shi.

Tao Shi nodded, her expression troubled. “That’s what makes it difficult. If the embroidery workshop owner hadn’t insisted, I wouldn’t have taken this job.”

“When does he want it finished?”

“It needs to be delivered before the Longevity Festival. The mounting process will also take time, so we have about two months to complete it.”

Zhang Xiaolan took a deep breath. “If we work together, we should be able to finish in time.”

Tao Shi nodded and prepared paper and ink. They needed to plan the design before making any changes.

Originally, since Zhang Xiaolan was recovering well, she had planned to let Aunt Tao and Aunt Xiuying return home to save money.

But with this urgent task at hand, they still needed help with cooking and cleaning, so she asked them to continue coming over at the same wages as before.

The two women were delighted. An extra source of income meant better meals for their families.

Once the entire design was sketched out, Zhang Xiaolan suddenly thought of something.

“Nanny, do you always sell your embroidery to this workshop?”

Tao Shi nodded.

Zhang Xiaolan grew uneasy.

“Did they mention how much they would pay for this repair job?”

Tao Shi thought for a moment. “They didn’t name a price yet because it’s urgent. But the shopkeeper is fair and always pays reasonably.”

Fair? Zhang Xiaolan had never met a businessman who was truly fair. A kindhearted boss often meant lower profits.

“Where is this embroidery workshop located?” she asked. “We should visit tomorrow. It’s best to agree on a price beforehand, so we can work without worry.”

Tao Shi agreed that this was the safest approach, so they carefully stored the materials.

The embroidery was placed back in its original box, but Zhang Xiaolan hid her sketches elsewhere.

Since the price hadn’t been settled, they couldn’t let the workshop see their design ideas yet.

That Evening

Tao Yi Ming was returning home.

Normally, he came back once every ten days for a day off. Because of the recent fire, he had missed two days, so this time he had been away for nearly a month.

Since her son was coming home, Tao Shi prepared a special meal. Besides, having him join them at the embroidery workshop tomorrow would be helpful.

As the hours passed, Tao Yi Ming arrived. Dishes were placed on the table, and the family enjoyed a warm and lively dinner, filled with laughter and anticipation for the future.

The Next Morning

When Zhang Xiaolan got dressed, she felt completely different from the first day she had arrived at Nanny Tao’s house.

Her leg was still injured, but her heart felt lighter than ever before.

She sometimes wondered why neither her parental family nor the Zhou family had come looking for her.

But she quickly pushed the thought aside.

Who cares? Living well and finding her daughter were her top priorities.

If trouble comes, I’ll deal with it when it happens.

With that, she set off with Tao Shi and Tao Yi Ming.

The streets were bustling, and when Zhang Xiaolan looked up at the signboard, she saw the name:

“Xiu Meng Xuan” (Dream Embroidery Pavilion).

Zhang Xiaolan silently praised the owner’s refined taste.

Thinking about the embroidery piece they were repairing, she felt a little more confident.

The shop was crowded with customers. Their small group stood out, especially Zhang Xiaolan in her wheelchair.

Though her injuries had made her pale and fragile, her simple attire gave her an air of delicate beauty that drew people’s attention.

A shop assistant spotted Tao Shi and hurried off to inform the shopkeeper.

While waiting, they wandered around.

Dream Embroidery Pavilion had two main sections.

One was a public area where everyday customers could browse embroidered goods displayed in elegant cases. Assistants and maidservants introduced the designs, meanings, and prices.

The second section was a private area for exclusive, high-end items.

Only familiar noble ladies and wealthy patrons were led inside.

Their embroidery was clearly meant for this exclusive section.

So, Zhang Xiaolan did not bother looking at the general merchandise. Instead, she waited between the two sections.

Even in the bustling shop, their presence drew many glances.

Then, a delicate and sugary voice rang out from behind.

“Zhang Jie, what happened to you?”

Every nerve in Zhang Xiaolan’s body tensed.

Fake kindness. Forced gentleness. Disgusting hypocrisy.

She slowly turned her wheelchair.

As expected, it was her.

A delicate face, an embroidered fan pressed lightly to her forehead, eyes brimming with crocodile tears.

A mixture of pity, mockery, and smug satisfaction.