Chapter One Hundred and Twelve Skirt

  The north wind had blown all night, and the snow was falling heavily. The next day, before Chao Sheng went to look for Man Er, Man Er came looking for her instead, his face pale, his eyes staring blankly ahead, and a bundle tightly clutched in his arms.

  "Tide is born, you, save me"

  The tide was shocked by her appearance: "What's wrong with you?"

  Meng'er let out a loud wail and handed over the bundle in her arms: "I, I've made a big mistake."

  Chao Sheng took over the package and weighed it in her hands, thinking it should be a skirt.

  Open the package and take a look, inside is a skirt.

  Chao Sheng took one look and was shocked out of his wits.

  "What's going on?"

  The fabric of this skirt is the most expensive tribute satin that Chao Sheng can recognize. The bright red color, with exquisite flower patterns embroidered on it, is Wen Shi's skirt. Moreover, Chao Sheng knows that this is Wen Shi's attire for attending the banquet in the palace during the New Year.

  But now on this dress that should be resplendent with brocade, a big hole has been burnt in the middle. Cao Sheng had waited for a long time in the Washing Lane and had seen countless major and minor events, so he naturally recognized that this was a case of scorching clothes during ironing. In the past when he was in the Washing Lane, there were people who were really sleepy, and they would leave the iron on the clothes for half a day without moving it, the clothes would make a hissing sound, and in just a moment, smoke would rise from the middle and burn badly.

  But at that time, no one had ever ruined such precious and important clothes.

  "How did this happen? Don't cry first, talk about it."

  Man'er choked back tears and stuttered: "It... it was me who ruined it."

  Man Er's words didn't match what he meant, but Chao Sheng understood anyway.

  Man'er, because she used to work in the laundry alley, was still ridiculed by some people in the main house. Man'er again thought of currying favor with her superiors and took on the task of ironing a skirt that had just been embroidered and delivered, which had become wrinkled from being packed. She found an opportunity to take on this task in front of Qin He and even guaranteed it would be done well. Who would have thought that while she was ironing, the brazier suddenly leaked charcoal, the skirt caught fire, and although she quickly patted out the flames, a hole had already been burned into it.

  "How could I have missed it? I...I clearly saw it, how could I have missed it..."

  Huǒ Dòu Cháo Shēng is also used, the copper bottom is very thick and even. If you say this will leak, then it's really not Man Er's fault - who could have thought of that?

  Even if I had expected it, I wouldn't have thought that the bottom of the stove would leak.

  "This skirt is so important, what am I going to do..."

  Chao Sheng first comforted her and then poured a cup of tea for her.

  But at that time, I couldn't think of anything.

  This skirt is torn too badly, and the edges of the tear are charred. This fabric can't withstand heat well, and the unburned parts have also shrunk and deformed from the heat, so it's impossible to restore it.

  If it's just a small hole, you can still think of ways to mend it.

  Such a big hole, even Chao Sheng can't handle it.

  This is not modern times, if the clothes in the clothing store are damaged, just buy another one to compensate. This dress must have been embroidered by the most skilled embroiderer for a month or two, where can I find someone to do it in such a short time? The Spring Festival is just around the corner.

  Besides, even if there was a place to buy it, the satin used for this skirt is a tribute, and the embroidery is priceless. Even if they sold her and Man'er together, they still couldn't afford this skirt.

  "Does anyone else know about this?"

  Man Er shook his head.

  "Is it you who doesn't know, or others who don't know?"

  Man'er hesitated for a moment: "Probably no one knows, I was ironing in the house myself, as soon as it went wrong, I didn't think of anything and ran to find you..."

  Find her

  Tidal birth straight thought bitter smile.

  She was powerless to change her fate.

  She had no way of restoring the skirt, nor was it possible for her to conjure up a new one in just a few days to hand over to Man Er.

  "It's already come to this... The queen will find out sooner or later."

  "Impossible, I won't let her know that this skirt is so valuable... No way, no way, don't say it's worth a fortune, you have to save me, you must save me!"

  Yes, this skirt is really too expensive and it's also the ceremonial attire that Madame Wen will wear when she enters the palace for the New Year.

  If it's just ordinary clothes, ironing them wrong and paying a month's wages would be enough.

  But this...

  Chao Sheng hesitated for a moment: "Okay, I'll think of another way. Qiu, you put the skirt away first..."

  "No, no, I can't take it back. There are too many people in that house and someone will definitely find out. Please keep it here for now, please, Chao Sheng, you have to save me."

  Chao Sheng could only nod his head.

  It's snowing outside, and Man'er looks lost when she arrives and leaves. When she walks out, Chao Sheng sees her walking recklessly and hurries to hold her back, handing her an umbrella.

  Man'er took a step back and looked back three times. Chao Sheng An comforted her with a gentle nod, and only then did Man'er slowly walk away.

  This is quite a difficult problem.

  Chao Sheng shook out the skirt to take a closer look, what a good skirt - but there was a hole the size of a bowl mouth burned in it. On top were embroidered auspicious peony clusters.

  The front width of the flower has been burned, but the back width is fine. Fortunately, when Man'er ironed the skirt, the front and back widths were not stacked together, otherwise the back width would have been damaged too. It's also fortunate that the style of this skirt is symmetrical, so Cao Sheng can infer the front from the appearance of the back width.

  The rear fender is still intact... it can still be used.

  If I can get hold of the same material and embroider it according to the back piece, then change the back piece to the front, maybe I can pass it off.

  Chao Sheng made up his mind and went to find Xiao Shun first.

  "Li Hong Jin?" Xiao Shun thought for a moment: "I don't know if there is one in the mansion... why are you asking this?"

  Chao Sheng certainly trusted Xiao Shun, so he told him about the skirt.

  Xiao Shun was also shocked: "How could such a thing happen? How can the fire be leaking?"

  "It's too late to think about these things now, let's just get through this hurdle in front of us first."

  Chao Sheng also thought about it, was Huo Dou being framed? Was someone trying to harm Man Er?

  It's not impossible.

  The fight between the maids in the main hall was also very intense and did not lose out to those in the palace.

  But it's one thing to fight in private, now this matter has affected the dignity of the Wen family banquet, and if things go wrong, the Fourth Prince will also lose face.

  Will anyone move their hands and feet up here?

  "You too, how did you get involved in this? If things go wrong, be careful or you'll get dragged down together."

  "Man Er used to be with me..."

  Man'er had once helped her in times of trouble, bringing her soup and medicine... how could Chao Sheng abandon her at this time?

  Xiao Shun shook his head: "You're just..."

  Those who have been in the palace for a long time will learn to avoid disaster and keep themselves safe, even if they are foolish.

  Chao Sheng did this, Xiao Shun naturally thought she was really foolish.

  But think about it another way, if you were in trouble yourself, having someone who is willing to treat you selflessly...

  Yes, people are unwilling to be the ones who suffer losses themselves, but once something happens, they always hope there is someone willing to suffer losses to help them.

  If I'm in trouble, Cao Sheng will definitely do the same thing.

  Xiao Shun thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands: "There's a notebook in the study room, everything in the warehouse is recorded on it, let's go take a look."

  "Is this okay......"

  "What's wrong with that?" Little Shun said: "The king treats us well, how can we bear to part with a few feet of brocade? If our mansion doesn't have it, I'll ask my old acquaintances in the palace to help, but it may not arrive on time."

  Yes.

  The two of them flipped through that booklet.

  Chao Sheng felt somewhat guilty.

  This list is left here for your reference, and the fourth prince didn't think of hiding it from them either.

  But they just did it...... and it's really a bit arrogant.

  The tide turns very quickly.

  This booklet is easy to check, the things on it are categorized, porcelain, gold and silver utensils, silk and satin, etc. are all recorded separately, with clear names and quantities.

  "True and False"

  Liang Hongjin, two horses.

  "Alright, let's go back to the king and ask for a pardon. We'll settle this matter once and for all." Xiaoshun couldn't help but worry: "This thing... just be more careful, okay? Don't end up not being able to save her, and also put yourself in danger."

  "I know, thank you."

  At night, Chao anxiously begged the Fourth Prince for a favor, wanting to ask for five feet of red brocade. The Fourth Prince's expression was as usual, his tone gentle: "It's perfectly fine, what do you want this for?"

  No wonder he asked, this thing is precious, those two in the warehouse should be the ones bestowed by the palace when the fourth prince got married.

  Chao Sheng was somewhat embarrassed and hesitated for a moment.

  The fourth prince raised an eyebrow: "What? Can't you speak to me?"

  "No..."

  Chao Sheng could only say out loud what a great disaster it was that Man Er had ironed her skirt.

  That wasn't her intention.

  But it can't be left unsaid at this point.

  The fourth prince nodded: "So that's how it is..." He said: "You go find Qi the manager, tell him it's my order, and have him open the warehouse door first. Take one of those two fine horses for you. But... can you really draw a portrait?"

  "This thing, can't let people know..."

  There are many people in the mansion who are skilled with needles and threads, but this matter must be kept from Man'er.

  The fourth prince glanced at her: "You're indeed loyal - alright, go quickly."

  Chao Sheng sincerely thanked the Fourth Prince and then hurriedly went to find Qi Zongguan to retrieve some items. In addition to the fabric, there was also gold thread. This was also a valuable item, and the warehouse calculated it by weight. Chao Sheng had previously retrieved some for use on the Fourth Prince's clothes and had not left any surplus.

  Chao Sheng still did not forget to entrust Qi Zhongguan to keep it confidential on his behalf.

  Alas, more and more people have come to know about this matter until now.

  Fortunately, all those who knew were trustworthy people of integrity.

  The fourth prince will definitely not say it out, Xiao Shun will not either. Qi Zongguan and Li Gugu get along well, but they don't get along with the people on Wang Fei's side, so he won't make a big deal about this matter either.

  The question now is, can she replicate the skirt?

  No matter how hard you try to keep it under wraps, even if no one makes a big deal about it, the truth will still come out.

  Chao Sheng had carefully measured the skirt, taken down the size, and then set to work dismantling the seams of the skirt. The burnt front panel was removed, and the intact back panel was placed in front of her for careful consideration.

  The pattern of the flower is very complicated, and Chao Sheng covers the embroidery with thin paper on the back, uses a fine charcoal pen to roughly outline, first prints out the outline, then takes off the paper, and draws the sepals, petals, and leaves together. The large peony gradually takes shape, and the outline becomes clear. This is a meticulous task, Chao Sheng has been working hard for a long time, his eyes are dry, his back hurts, and his waist aches, before he can finally finish the work.

  At that time, most of the flower patterns used by people were drawn by themselves. Chao Sheng had also drawn a lot before. However, this kind of flower pattern is the style of the needlework bureau, and there are none outside.

  Those people always think that their craftsmanship is exclusive and probably can't imagine that someone would copy the patterns from their clothes.

  Chao Sheng took the fabric she had picked up from the warehouse and cut it according to size, then stretched it on an embroidery frame.

  She took a step back, admiring the bright red fabric on the embroidery frame, then glanced at the half-finished skirt beside it, and let out a long sigh.

  No room for trial and error, must succeed at once.

  Otherwise, if Man Er gets into such trouble, even if he is not beaten to death by the board, his fate will be no better.

  Let's get past Mr. Wen's matter first.

  ——————————————

  My cold is so severe...... *sobs*.

  Tomorrow is my birthday, forget about going out for a stroll, can't make plans with friends to sing either, just stay home and be obedient.

  Comforting votes... Comforting replies