The prefectural examination is in April, and it is only the beginning of February, and there is still more than a month left.
The cross-stitch peony screen can be embroidered in just two or three days.
After Shen Xiu got Qu Huan's approval, she painted more than a dozen oil paintings of peonies, and then gave them to Huaihua and Sister Qu to make them.
The wages of the three of them are the same. For every cross-stitch screen made, there will be a commission of one tael of silver.
When Shen Xiu proposed to pay wages based on commission, the three of them were a little confused. Until Shen Xiu explained it to them in detail and emphasized that the more they did, the more wages they would get.
In this way, the enthusiasm of the three people was fully mobilized.
Shen Xiu only gave some instructions from the side. After giving instructions to the three of them, she began to embroider the orchid book Luo Gong had ordered.
After the 16th day of the first lunar month, the embroidery shop began to receive guests.
Shen Xiu felt that the current orders were a bit too much, so she told Lonicera that if any customers placed orders, they should inform them in advance that these orders would be scheduled two months later.
The spring sunshine shines through the window paper and onto the embroidered fabric in front of me.
The base is made of white plain satin, with moxa-green orchid leaves embroidered on it, as slender as jasper.
Shen Xiu chose lavender embroidery thread and was about to embroider petals when she saw Wei Yan lift the curtain and walk in.
"Ms. sir, are you going out?" Shen Xiu looked up and saw that Wei Yan was wearing a 70% new jacket, so she asked.
Wei Yan nodded: "Master Li sent someone to send me a message yesterday, saying that he would have a day off today and wanted me to go over and talk for a while."
Shen Xiu put down the needle and thread in her hand, "Since Master Li invites you to go, you can't go empty-handed. I remember that I still have some tangerines at home, so I will bring some snacks."
Don’t forget the well digger when you are drinking water.
Master Li helped Wei Yan a lot when he was able to enter the academy, and later taught Wei Yan with all his heart. Master Li must have half of the credit for Wei Yan being the first to win the case.
Shen Xiu was grateful for Master Li's kindness and filled a basket full of things for Wei Yan.
Wei Yan wanted to say that he had actually prepared a thank-you gift for Master Li, which was an ancient book that he had repaired.
But seeing that Shen Xiu was more enthusiastic than him, he swallowed his words and took the basket with a smile: "My wife is still attentive. I remember that I like to eat snacks. I must be very happy when I see these things."
Shen Xiu smiled and said: "As long as Master is happy, please remember to drink less, my husband, and go back early."
Ever since Wei Yan was caught in the case, the house has been much more lively than usual, and guests come to the door from time to time. However, Wei Yan doesn't like to socialize, so he always makes excuses when he can.
If Master Li hadn't sent someone to invite him this time, Wei Yan would have wanted to continue studying at home.
Wei Yan has been to Master Li's house several times and is very familiar with the route.
He originally thought that Master Li only invited him, but as soon as he entered Master Li's house, Master Li asked: "I also invited Yuan Ziwen, why didn't he come with you?" Then he asked, "Are you at odds with each other?"
Wei Yan said: "I just didn't know that Master Dao also invited Ziwen. If I had known, I should have come with him."
"Don't hide it from me." Master Li said, "If you two have been seeing each other every day for the past two days, how could you not know that I asked you two to come over? You haven't seen each other since the results were released!"
Everything was right by Master Li, so Wei Yan stopped arguing and said with a smile: "Ziwen has always been competitive, and this time he has succumbed to me. It is human nature to feel a little uncomfortable."
Master Li said: "There is nothing wrong with being competitive. It's just a matter of ranking. In the end, it's better to leave it alone." When he said this, he couldn't help but glance at Wei Yan. If Yuan Ziwen was the one who was at the top of the case this time,
Wei Yan would not be as uncomfortable as Yuan Ziwen.
When it comes to talent, Yuan Ziwen is only slightly inferior to Wei Yan. But when it comes to mind, Yuan Ziwen is far behind Wei Yan.
This is also where Master Li valued Wei Yan more.
Talent is of course very important, but mind is the criterion for measuring a person.
Master Li thought of this and looked at Wei Yan with more and more satisfaction, "You can win the case this time. Not only is the chief officer proud, but I, the Master, are also honored.
Your wife is also very happy. Yesterday we dug a jar of wine from under the grape trellis. This wine was brewed by your wife herself and has been buried under the grape trellis for five years. When Yuan Ziwen comes, we three teachers and students
But I won’t come back until I’m drunk.”
However, Yuan Ziwen came two quarters of an hour later.
When he saw Wei Yan was there, a very complicated expression appeared on his face.
Wei Yan knew that he was still concerned about his ranking, so he took the initiative to greet him: "Ziwen, Master has been waiting for you for a long time."
Yuan Ziwen temporarily put aside the complicated emotions in his heart and paid his respects to Master Li first.
Master Li smiled and said: "You two are the most proud students of my life. I called you here today, firstly to celebrate that you passed the county examination, and secondly to give you a few words of advice."
Wei Yan and Yuan Ziwen both said: "Students, please listen carefully to your instructions."
Master Li smiled and said: "This is not in the school, so there is no need to be so formal. I only have a few words to say. The government examination is not as good as the county examination. Although you two are already confirmed scholars, you must guard against arrogance and impetuosity.
.Especially there are many officials and officials in the city. It’s best if you can make friends with them. If you can’t make friends with them, don’t provoke them easily.”
Wei Yan and Yuan Ziwen both responded respectfully.
When Yuan Ziwen saw Wei Yan, he felt a little awkward, but when Master Li mentioned the imperial examination, he became competitive again.
In the county examination, he has never been able to compete with Wei Yan. But in the future government examination, that may not be the case.
Next, when Yuan Ziwen faced Wei Yan, his attitude became much calmer and he no longer worried about gains and losses.
Wei Yan and Master Li thought he had thought about it, so they couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
Two proud students gathered around him. Master Li was so happy that he drank a few more drinks for the first time.
When the master's wife arrived, Master Li was already drunk.
The mistress had to take care of the drunk Master Li, so Wei Yan and Yuan Ziwen couldn't stay any longer. After helping the mistress to carry Master Li to the bedroom, they both said goodbye.
After coming out of Master Li's house, it was Yuan Ziwen who said, "Brother Wei, it's still early, why don't we find a teahouse to rest for a while."
Naturally, Wei Yan would not refuse, so the two of them quickly found a nearby teahouse to sit down.
The waiter brought a pot of hot tea and two plates of snacks.
Yuan Ziwen picked up the teapot and poured Wei Yan a cup first, "Brother Wei, do you know what I admire most about you?"
Wei Yan picked up the tea cup and took a sip, "I don't know, but it probably isn't my talent."
Yuan Ziwen smiled and said, "Brother Wei, you are so honest."
Wei Yan said: "It seems I was right. You are very proud of your talents, so you have never felt that you should be inferior to me."
"You are absolutely right," Yuan Ziwen said, "I am very proud of my talents, but one thing I have to admit is that your talents are indeed above mine."
Wei Yan smiled lightly: "If I can understand your words from Ziwen, I will offer you a cup of tea instead of wine."
Yuan Ziwen picked up the tea cup and clinked it with him. After finishing the drink, he said again: "Brother Wei, what I admire most about you is that no matter what situation you are in, you can always act calm and calm.
I don't know if you really don't care, or if you hide it too deeply. Anyway, I admire you for this."
Wei Yan was slightly startled. He didn't expect that Yuan Ziwen was talking about this.
Before he thought deeply about these words, Yuan Ziwen had already changed the subject: "I lost to you in the county examination, but there is still a government examination. I don't believe that I can never surpass you."
"Brother Wei, we will have another showdown during the imperial examination."