Chapter 35: Red Luan
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The Splendid Embroidery Pavilion, the most prestigious tailoring shop in the Sheng Capital, catered exclusively to the nobility.
Its success among the elite wasn’t just due to the extraordinary skills of its embroideresses. A major reason was the innovative marketing strategies employed by the owner. For instance, every month, the shop launched a new collection and hosted a lavish viewing banquet to showcase it.
Invitations to these events were sent to the city’s dignitaries, who rarely refused such a gesture. The banquets weren’t merely dry presentations; they featured performances by renowned actors and storytellers of the time. The shop’s embroideresses would also model the new designs, allowing guests to see the attire in motion.
As the most celebrated tailoring shop in Sheng Capital, the Pavilion’s embroideresses were undoubtedly talented. To earn the title of a fully-fledged embroideress here, one had to possess not only exceptional skills but also a knack for attracting business. Each embroideress generated considerable wealth for the shop monthly, a feat achievable only after years of experience.
Yet, Red Luan had achieved this in just a year, rising to prominence as a name in her own right.
Ever since Yu Zhi Yi had worn Red Luan’s red dress during her ceremonial home visit, the latter’s fame had skyrocketed. That month, many clients requested her by name, earning the Pavilion tens of thousands of taels from her creations alone. She didn’t disappoint her patrons—her designs were both innovative and elegant, earning widespread acclaim. Moreover, as her pieces were custom-made, there was no risk of clients encountering someone wearing the same attire. Her reputation soared rapidly.
Yu Zhi Yi was genuinely happy for her.
Today’s viewing banquet featured three dresses by Red Luan. Despite her usual disdain for crowded events, Yu Zhi Yi would not miss this one for the world.
The carriage rumbled forward and soon halted outside The Splendid Embroidery Pavilion. As soon as Yu Zhi Yi alighted, Red Luan greeted her enthusiastically.
At seventeen, Red Luan, unmarried and childless, exuded a vitality uncommon among women of her age in this era. She naturally linked arms with Yu Zhi Yi. “I knew you’d come to support me,” she said, her tone cheerful.
Yu Zhi Yi smiled faintly. “I never turn down profitable ventures.”
Red Luan gave her a playful scowl. “Must you ruin my fantasy? Can’t you let me savor the feeling of sisterly love for once?”
Although Red Luan’s father was devoted to his sole wife and had only one daughter, she had many ambitious cousins. Some schemed to either inherit his wealth or be adopted as his heir. This had led to numerous attempts on her well-being in her childhood. Red Luan often spoke of these incidents with a sense of disdain.
The two had met by chance years ago when Yu Zhi Yi, sneaking out to perform a divination for the Marquis of Wu’an’s Wife, encountered some street ruffians on her way home. Though there were plenty of onlookers, none dared intervene. It was a yet-to-be-adult Red Luan, clad in a fiery red outfit, who stormed in with her servants. Ignoring their help, she personally kicked the scoundrels into submission, leaving them begging for mercy.
Red Luan later called their bond one of “revolutionary comradeship forged in the face of adversity.” Though Yu Zhi Yi had no idea what “revolution” meant, she began visiting Red Luan whenever she snuck out of the Yu Mansion.
Having grown up surrounded by cold indifference and calculating faces, Yu Zhi Yi had little faith in deep friendships. Thus, she treated Red Luan’s enthusiasm with a cool reserve. However, Red Luan, with her naturally outgoing personality, persistently drew closer to her. After several failed attempts to push her away, Yu Zhi Yi eventually gave up.
“I’ve prepared three dresses this time,” Red Luan said, her eyes sparkling as she described her designs. “One is called ‘Golden Autumn’, inspired by the golden hues of corn. It’s layered to retain warmth during chilly mornings and evenings. The shawl has a dual-purpose design: folded, it serves as a short cloak; unfolded, it extends into a skirt overlay—practical and stylish.”
She chattered away about her creative inspirations, then leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. “Guess what? Auntie Red told me that if I perform well today, I’ll be promoted to Gold-Ranked Embroideress.”
The embroideresses of the Pavilion were ranked, with Copper being the lowest and Gold the highest. Above Gold was the rank of steward, held by figures like Auntie Red. The Pavilion only had five Gold-Ranked Embroideresses, all of whom had been with the shop since its inception.
For Red Luan to rise to this level within a year and with just one banquet underscored her exceptional talent. However, excellence often invited jealousy.
Watching the radiant smile on Red Luan’s face, Yu Zhi Yi hesitated to dampen her spirits but eventually remarked, “Today’s event may not go smoothly.”
“Huh?” Red Luan blinked in confusion.
Though they’d known each other for years, Yu Zhi Yi rarely revealed her abilities in divination. On the few occasions she had subtly helped Red Luan avoid minor misfortunes, she had done so without explanation. The matters were trivial enough that Yu Zhi Yi could endure the minor backlash from the Heavenly Dao.
This time, however, felt different.
Unsure how to broach the subject, Yu Zhi Yi finally asked, “I didn’t bring enough reward money today. Could you lend me some?”
Red Luan looked surprised. Despite their years of friendship, Yu Zhi Yi had never asked for anything, let alone something so abrupt.
Yu Zhi Yi met her gaze steadily. If Red Luan refused or didn’t believe her, she would still resolve today’s crisis—but their friendship would end there. She could not repeatedly risk incurring the wrath of the Heavenly Dao.
After a brief pause, Red Luan pulled out a small purse from her sleeve. It was plump with silver, about twenty or thirty taels. “This is all I have on me. There’s more in my room. Let me know if you need it, and I’ll fetch it for you.”
For ordinary people, such a sum was a fortune beyond a lifetime’s earnings. Though born into wealth, Red Luan had ceased relying on her family, living solely on her Pavilion wages. Her fixed monthly salary was merely three taels, with bonuses depending on her performance. She’d endured several lean months on just her base pay.
Yu Zhi Yi’s lips curled into a faint smile. “This will suffice.”