bookcurios Chapter 167 My Favorite Auntie
Chapter 167 My Favorite Auntie
"Nobody's bullying me!"
Yu Xiaoxiang quickly explained to everyone, then buried her head in her third aunt's arms and said sadly, "Third aunt, everyone here is so kind to me, I'm so happy..."
Yu Wanran raised an eyebrow, sat down in the flower hall, placed Yu Xiaoxiang on her lap, and looked at everyone.
Xiao Juan, being Xiao Xiang's close companion, quickly realized the reason for her niece's sadness.
"My lord, Granny Wu said that my niece's hands are too rough and she's not suited to learning embroidery. Perhaps she's unhappy about that?"
Wu Guidi, standing behind the crowd, broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing these words.
She was just telling the truth, not wanting such a young child to do something pointless. But it made the child unhappy instead.
I heard that the owner values his little niece very much. If the child can't learn embroidery, then the embroidery teacher is probably useless.
However, after calming down, she didn't regret it. Things should be done as they are; why let such a young child miss out on study time and suffer for nothing just to stay for two more months?
Upon hearing this, Yu Wanran looked at her niece: "Xiao Xiang, is that so? Are you sad because you can't learn embroidery?"
Xiao Xiang lowered her head, her eyes glistening with a misty haze.
"I'm sorry, Third Aunt..."
Yu Wanran chuckled and tapped her niece's upturned nose with her finger: "Silly girl, what did I think it was? There's nothing to be sorry about!"
"Your third aunt just wants you to learn more skills; it's never a bad thing to have more skills! With your third aunt around, how could you possibly end up making a living by embroidery?"
She used to think that embroidery was easier than farming, at least she could stay at home and not be exposed to wind and rain, and she could still earn money.
But Wu Guidi's appearance overturned her idea.
If Xiao Xiang were to actually learn embroidery skills, wouldn't she become a tool for exploitation and extortion by a bad family? That's definitely not what she wants to see.
"If you can't learn embroidery, then you don't have to; it doesn't matter at all!"
She gently patted Xiao Xiang's little head.
"But you must learn to read, manage the household, and run the shop well from Aunt Zhong and the others. Only when you have money and ability will you have the confidence to stand tall in your husband's family in the future."
She kissed the little girl whose eyes were sparkling with innocent light.
"Don't worry about your future. With your third aunt around, I guarantee that our little Xiang will have a grand wedding and a smooth life!"
Xiao Juan looked at Yu Xiaoxiang with envy. She didn't have such a good aunt. All she had were bloodsucking family members who would even push her into a fire pit for a pittance!
Yu Xiaoxiang didn't quite understand what her third aunt was saying, but looking into her aunt's gentle eyes, she believed it was good advice!
She wrapped her arms around her third aunt's neck, shyly planted a kiss on her cheek, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Thank you, Third Aunt! Xiao Xiang loves Third Aunt the most..."
Yu Wanran patted her head and smiled as she put her down on the ground.
"Your third aunt brought you a gift, it's still in your Uncle Shunzi's car. Want to go outside and take a look?"
Xiao Juan hurriedly stepped forward and took Yu Xiaoxiang's hand: "Master, shall I take my niece with me?"
Seeing Yu Wanran nod with a smile, she then led Yu Xiaoxiang out. With the rest of the people remaining in the flower hall, Yu Wanran finally had time to handle household chores.
Wu Guidi realized that the moment to decide her fate had arrived, and she steeled herself and took a step forward.
"Master, it's not that I'm unwilling to teach my niece, it's just that her hands..."
Yu Wanran waved her hand, indicating that she understood and no explanation was needed. However, Wu Guidi's future was indeed a problem. Originally, they had planned to find a female tutor for Xiao Xiang to teach her reading etiquette, needlework, and housekeeping.
Unfortunately, Xiao Xiang had worked since childhood, which made her hands rough and unable to learn delicate needlework, so Granny Wu lost her value in staying.
Considering the other party's desperate situation, she pondered for a moment and came up with an idea.
"How has the embroidery skill progressed in the past two months that you've been teaching Pinglu and the others?"
When asked about the key points, Wu Guidi felt a glimmer of hope and looked back at Pinglu and the others.
"Master, I have taught them basic stitches and simple tailoring. They can now independently make relatively simple undergarments and embroider simple patterns?"
Two months of teaching, and you can reach this level? Yu Wanran's interest was immediately piqued: "Are there any finished products? Let me see them!"
Pinglu and Xiuer learned accounting and household management from Qiu Cui, but they struggled quite a bit. This was because Qiu Cui herself wasn't very proficient. On the other hand, Granny Wu taught them diligently, and the two clever girls learned needlework with ease.
I recently started learning how to make clothes and I'm really interested in it. Who doesn't want to look beautiful? The sense of accomplishment from making a well-fitting garment for yourself is unparalleled.
Upon hearing their master's question, they immediately brought out their finished products and presented them to him. Xiao Juan, who had been unwrapping gifts with Xiao Xiang, also took a moment to run back and present a handkerchief.
Yu Wanran took the embroidery patterns from the three people and looked at them.
Xiuer and Xiaojuan both made handkerchiefs. Xiuer embroidered orchids, while Xiaojuan embroidered lotus flowers. Although their stitches and lines were still somewhat immature, it was clear that they had put in a lot of effort and care, and it was also possible to identify what kind of flowers they were.
As for Pinglu, she was exceptionally skillful. The undergarments she made were well-fitting, with simple and refreshing plum blossom patterns embroidered on the neckline and hem.
Yu Wanran was pleasantly surprised, not expecting Pinglu to have this talent, and looked at the undergarment again and again.
Pinglu said shyly, "This servant originally wanted to make a beautiful undergarment for my master, but I have only been learning from Granny Wu for a short time. I have tried my best, and this is all I can do. I hope my master will not find it distasteful."
"Was this made for me?"
Yu Wanran was overjoyed and beckoned Pinglu to come forward, touching her several wrapped fingers: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness! This undergarment is very beautiful, I like it very much. Thank you, Pinglu."
Pinglu smiled sheepishly.
She gets to eat and drink for free here, learns skills, isn't beaten, and doesn't worry about the future—she feels like she's in a paradise. What's a little effort to make a garment for her master?
She wanted to study hard so that one day she could make all the clothes for her master. Only then would she not have failed her master's kindness in saving her from that hell!
Yu Wanran looked at the three embroidered pieces for a while, then asked the three girls, "Pinglu, Xiaojuan, Xiuer, would you like to continue learning needlework in the future?"
Pinglu and the other two answered crisply, "We're willing!"
Learning a skill would be far more practical for ordinary girls like them. Sister Zhong and Sister Qiu have the guts to manage a household, people, and accounts; they know they don't.
Besides, how many positions are there around the master? Wouldn't everyone have to compete for them? Instead of hoping for something unrealistic, it's better to learn something yourself. If the master values you, you'll feel just as at ease.
Yu Wanran nodded, made her decision, and turned to Wu Guidi, who looked on with hope and awaited the final decision.
“Granny Wu, since my niece can’t learn embroidery, I don’t plan to hire a needlework teacher. However, you are skilled, and I’d like to set up a new embroidery workshop at home. Would you be willing to lead the teaching of these girls who are willing to do needlework?”