Chapter 64: Contrary to Usual

  He Dainiang was different from other mothers in the Qin family. She wasn't a concubine of any master, nor was she bought with money to be a servant. She was a proper daughter-in-law who had been widowed at a young age and only had one daughter who had already married and given birth to children.

  In a typical household like the Qin's, there would be two chief stewards. One was in charge of the outer courtyard and managed the reception room, study, watchtower, stable, as well as the family's shops and estates. The other was in charge of the inner courtyard and managed the storeroom, kitchen, sewing room, and laundry.

  This He Dangniang was the head of the needlework room, managing three needlework girls and twenty or so needlework maids. All the clothes for the masters and mistresses of the Qin family throughout the four seasons were made by the needlework room. This He Dangniang not only had good skills but also taught people well. The maids under her were all skilled in needlework, some were good at embroidery, some were good at cutting, and others were particularly good at drawing some unique flower patterns to enrich the clothing designs.

  Of course, all of these were things that Qin Daiyu only found out later. At the moment, although she didn't know about them yet, Ruyi's tone and attitude had already given her a very good hint, knowing how to distinguish between treating this He Dama and other mothers differently.

  Before the two finished speaking, Qin Dai Xin had already stood up. Ruyi also felt that it was time, so she quietly took a step to the side and left the position for Qin Dai Xin.

  Qin Dai Xin now had a gentle and elegant appearance of a young lady, her usual sharp and fierce aura was nowhere to be seen, instead she had a soft and beautiful temperament.

  "I've long heard that there's a Mrs. He in the mansion who is exceptionally skilled at embroidery, but I've never had the chance to meet her until today." Qin Dai Xin then gave Mrs. He a slight bow.

  It sounds good, He Dainiang's heart is naturally comfortable, but this gift, she absolutely cannot accept. Although it is said that she is more dignified than any mother in the mansion, after all, she is also eating Qin family's food, who dares to let the master show her courtesy? So she cleverly stepped aside and hurriedly said: "A humble woman like me doesn't dare to receive Third Miss's gift, I don't deserve it."

  Neither arrogant nor servile, well-behaved and courteous, one can tell at a glance that he has been brought up in a big family.

  "Madam is being polite." Qin Dai Xin was the first to sit down on a chair, and then invited He Da Niang to sit down. He Da Niang refused, so Qin Dai Xin had Ruyi bring over a three-legged stool for her.

  "Big Auntie came today is..." The polite words had already been said, even if she didn't mention it, He Danni would still steer the conversation back to the main topic.

  "Today, the little woman came to take Three Miss's measurements, preparing to make some clothes for her to wear during the New Year. She spoke cleanly and efficiently, a very refreshing person."

  Ru Yi knew in her heart that it was time for the annual measurement, but why did Madam He come to measure herself this year?

  Qin Dai Xin curiously said: "Is it mother who let you come?"

  "It's settled." After saying that, she stood up and said to Qin Daihe, "Trouble Miss Third to stand up, I'll take your measurements now." Then she went over to the needlework girl and brought back a red thread.

  Qin Dai Xin only then discovered that the needlework girl had entered with a tray, and on the tray there was nothing except for that red rope. She stood up according to her words, letting He Da Niang measure her all over from head to toe.

  He Danni's craftsmanship was well-known to everyone, with a pair of eyes sharper than a ruler. She could make clothes that fit perfectly just by looking at someone. Since it was her first time taking Qin Dai's measurements, she didn't want to appear arrogant in front of others, so she brought a red string and roughly measured her instead.

  After bustling about for half a day, He Dainiang finally finished measuring and handed the red string to Needlework Nangzi beside her. She then turned to Qin Daihe and said: "Miss, do you have any favorite colors or fabrics? The mistress has ordered eight new sets of clothes for the young ladies, inside and out, and I don't dare to be slow about it. I think it's better to ask your opinion."

  Is this asking for my opinion? Eight sets of clothes? Isn't that a bit too much? Qin Dai's eyes swept over Ruyi, who understood her implicit meaning and asked aloud: "Isn't it usually the case that the mistress of the house is in charge of making clothes? Why is it different today... Moreover, every year during Chinese New Year, each courtyard's master would make four sets of clothes. How come there are suddenly four more sets this year? I don't know if everyone has them or..." Ruyi was a bit puzzled. He Dainiang's eyes were extremely poisonous, not only could she measure and look at people accurately, but her skill in choosing fabrics was also unmatched. As long as she took one glance at someone, she could pick out the most suitable fabric for that person and make clothes that fit them perfectly. In the Qin household over the years, there had never been any mistakes, and even Fang Shi praised her craftsmanship without end. Every time they changed seasons and made new clothes, it was always He Dainiang who took charge. Even if someone had a special preference for certain colors or patterns, it would be secretly passed on to her through private messages. Apart from Fang Shi and Fang Wanru, there wasn't anyone else in the Qin household who could say such a thing to He Dainiang. Moreover, every year each courtyard's young ladies and masters would make four sets of clothes. How come this year suddenly had four more sets?

  "What the lady said is true," replied the old woman, "Last winter, all the young masters and misses in the mansion had new clothes made for them. By rights, Third Miss should have had some too, but at that time there were so many things to attend to, and the lady was away from home, so she didn't get around to it. Now that we're going to make New Year's clothes, the lady wants me to finish up last winter's clothes for her as well, so Third Miss won't be left out."

  It was like this all along.

  Qin Dai's mouth curled up, silently mocking with a smile, where was it that there were too many things and she hadn't taken care of it because she was far away? Could she not know about Fang Wanru's little thoughts? Even if there weren't many things, and even if they weren't far apart, what then?

  "Madam has a heart, it's a pity that we didn't do it earlier. Our young lady's figure has grown quite a bit, and even if she had done it, it would have been a waste of Madam's good material." After saying this, he gave Qin Dai Xin a look.

  "I prefer clothes with light and elegant colors, as for patterns, I don't have any particular preference. It's up to you, madam, your craftsmanship is naturally trustworthy." Qin Dai'er thought for a moment before speaking out her preferences.

  It's always a pleasure to be trusted, and He Danni's normally stern face also flashed a hint of a smile as she said: "I've taken note of Third Miss's matter, I'll send the clothes over once they're done. If there's anything not to your liking, this humble woman will make adjustments." These words were merely a polite formality, how could Qin Daiyu not hear the underlying meaning?

  "What's wrong with what Auntie said? I've also seen Grandma and Mother's clothes, which one isn't exquisite? How could they not be pleasing to the eye?" Qin Dai Xin spoke from her heart this time. Fang Wan Ru was someone who loved dressing up, and every piece of clothing and accessory was elegant and refined.

  He Daigne listened and naturally felt pleased in her heart, but on the surface she still maintained a respectful demeanor. The two of them exchanged a few more pleasantries before He Daigne stood up to take her leave.

  Qin Dai Xin inquired about Ruyi's mother, and the evaluation she got was "she is a decent person with excellent craftsmanship", except for going to Fang Shi and Fang Wanru's place to receive orders, she rarely goes around the various courtyards.

  Isn't it revealing that someone who normally keeps a distance from me has suddenly come to me? Is it not suspicious that Ruo Xi, who is usually instructed by Fang Ruojin, has changed her usual demeanor and become enthusiastic towards me all of a sudden?

  Qin Dai's slender and delicate fingers tapped rhythmically on the desktop, her expression thoughtful.

  Ru Yi had already gotten used to Qin Dai's appearance when she fell into deep thought, seeing Missus fall into thought again, knowing that she also felt that He Dama came with ulterior motives, she couldn't bear to interrupt her train of thought, and worried that she would overthink, after thinking about it, she didn't make a sound, and quietly went down.

  Fang Wanru has always secretly made things difficult for herself because of the Jia family's influence. When Qin Fengge was dealing with her, although she didn't help much, she also tacitly agreed by turning a blind eye. She has always been suppressing herself in secret, so why would she suddenly change her usual behavior and make such a grand gesture of goodwill?

  Did something happen during this time that I don't know about?

  "Alright." Qin Dai's heart called out to Ruyi and said: "Follow me to thank Mother."

  Qin Dai's heart was cold as she sneered, I'd like to see what kind of tricks this Mrs. Fang is playing.

  PS: Collecting is pitiful, adding and subtracting are always wandering around, come on, everyone!