A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Exquisite Makeup, Simple Elegance

Seeing Master Qing, Old Madam Wen couldn’t help but marvel to herself, there was actually such a woman in the world!

Steward Liu went over and whispered a few words. Master Qing listened quietly, then said with a smile, “Just now, Steward Liu recommended the materials to Old Madam and the young ladies. Is there anything else you need me to introduce?”

Old Madam Wen laughed and said, “I just saw some Song brocade, it’s really beautiful. I want to ask Master Qing what kind of clothes it’s suitable for?”

“Old Madam, you have a good eye. Those pieces of Song brocade are indeed outstanding!” Master Qing first complimented Old Madam Wen, then said, “The characteristics of Song brocade are its gorgeous colors and exquisite patterns. Yet it’s luxurious without being flashy, expensive without being ostentatious. Due to the complicated craftsmanship and limited output, it has become an extremely precious fabric!”

After hearing this, the Wen family members’ eyes all lit up.

“Its price is also quite expensive. So it’s generally worn by people like Old Madam, who have a certain status and age. The ones with brighter and more prominent colors are also suitable for young noble ladies. As for young misses, wearing a whole outfit of Song brocade might seem too heavy and not very suitable. But making a small jacket, patchwork skirt, belt, pouch, or even shoes would be very good choices.”

After Master Qing finished speaking, she glanced at everyone.

Old Madam Wen was lost in thought, while Wen Yu agreed very much and nodded slightly.

Wen Jiao disagreed and muttered silently: That’s not necessarily true! I would look good in a whole outfit!

She had taken a fancy to the orange-red one with the double fish pattern… Wen Huan had worn a skirt of this color a few days ago, and it looked good.

If I make one out of Song brocade, I will definitely outshine her! Since her uncle got promoted, she had been secretly competing with Wen Huan…

Old Madam Wen nodded, “What Master Qing said makes a lot of sense! I didn’t know before, so it takes that long to make a garment at Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion?” She was stunned when Steward Liu said that it would take at least four months to make the Wen family’s clothes.

“The embroiderers at Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion are extremely hard to find, and there are really not many of them. Moreover, a garment needs to be measured, patterned, cut, initially made, tried on, and shaped. Then it’s initially embroidered, finely embroidered, and finally accessories are added. The time really can’t be shortened. If it’s fully embroidered, it’s not uncommon for it to take a year or two to make a garment!”

“A year or two? Oh my, my head hurts just listening to it. When I was a young lady in seclusion, my family hired masters to teach us, and I also made clothes, but it wasn’t this complicated. No wonder your garments are so beautiful!” Old Madam Wen gave her affirmation.

Master Qing smiled modestly and did not say much, “I wonder what occasions do Old Madam and the young ladies want to make clothes for?”

Occasions? You have to consider the occasion for clothes?

“The Wen family will be moving to the capital city in half a year. I’m afraid we’ll have to visit some families and also receive guests at home. We originally planned to make two outfits for each person for all four seasons… but it seems like there isn’t enough time.”

“Master Qing, do you have any ready-made clothes in your shop?” Wen Jiao asked.

“We do have ready-made clothes! Like the few displayed in the front, and also…” She turned her head, and Steward Liu led some people, bringing out a few sets and displaying them in front of the young ladies.

“Like these, they’re ready-made. They can be modified according to the customer’s figure, such as the width, length, etc. In this case, they can be made in a few days! If the fit is right, you can take them away immediately!” Master Qing secretly observed Wen Jiao, these words were directed at her.

“I want this one! Eh, this one also looks good!” Wen Jiao pointed at each one back and forth, her eyes couldn’t get enough of them!

She almost shouted: I want one of each style, in every color!

“Grandmother…” Although Wen Jiao was anxious, she knew she couldn’t be too excessive. “Grandmother, why don’t we make a few sets and buy a few ready-made ones, okay? Look, these ready-made ones are so beautiful! Just in time, we can wear them to Cousin Song’s birthday banquet!” Thinking of this, she was extremely excited!

She had brought her own little treasury with her today, just in case she encountered something beautiful and her grandmother didn’t speak up, she would pay for it herself first and go back to her mother to settle the bill later!

Old Madam Wen looked at her, shook her head helplessly, knowing that this girl would lose control once she got here.

She simply ignored her, “Master Qing, do you have any good suggestions for my clothes?”

Master Qing looked at Old Madam Wen carefully, “Generally speaking, Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion will have the styles available in the capital city within a month. Moreover, the products of Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion will be further improved. So, you don’t have to worry about them being outdated when you arrive in the capital! Based on your temperament… please come with me.”

Old Madam Wen stood up involuntarily and followed her.

Master Qing took out some fabrics from the counter, “It will be the New Year’s time when you arrive in the capital city in half a year. But after you’ve settled in, it will be spring. So, my suggestion…” She whispered to Old Madam Wen.

Wen Yu felt that Master Qing didn’t look like a tailor or shopkeeper at all, but more like a female friend, discussing the current trends…

After a long time, everyone finally chose the styles and fabrics. As expected, Wen Jiao wanted the most.

Wen Wan was unhappy, but she didn’t dare to compete with her legitimate elder sister.

Wen Su was still young and had a lot of growing to do, so they didn’t choose expensive fabrics for her. Although she was unhappy, she didn’t say anything.

Cousin Hui felt like she was just here to freeload on clothes, and they were all quite expensive! So she declined a few times when Old Madam asked her to make some.

As for Wen Yu, she saw that Old Madam didn’t intend to take care of her, the legitimate eldest granddaughter, at all. She didn’t mind, just let it be like her younger sisters. She secretly made up her mind: When my business is up and running, I’ll make as many clothes as I want! I’ll blind you all… cough cough…

Master Qing took Old Madam to the second floor for measurements. As soon as Old Madam finished, Wen Jiao went straight upstairs.

After she finished her measurements and came down, she pestered Old Madam again, “Grandmother, Cousin’s jewelry shop is just at the street corner, why don’t we go there and have a look? It’s only two or three shops away…”

Old Madam Wen said, “Wait for your sisters to finish their measurements and we’ll go together!”

“Grandmother, they can go there themselves after they’re done! It’s only a few steps away! We can go there first and let them send a clerk to pick them up!” She pulled on Old Madam’s arm.

Old Madam Wen’s head was spinning, “Alright, alright! I really can’t stand you!” She turned to the other girls and said, “After you’re done, turn left outside, Golden Joy Jewelry, you’ve been there before, don’t go the wrong way… I’ll send a clerk to pick you up once I get there, and make sure your maids follow you. Go straight there, don’t wander around! If you don’t listen, I’ll punish you!”

✿✿✿

The girls agreed, and Old Madam left with Wen Jiao.

At this point, Wen Yu had made up her mind to get Master Qing on her side! First, get to know her better, then find an opportunity. So, she let her sisters get measured first.

Cousin Hui wanted to wait for her, but she didn’t let her.

Going up to the second floor, she had never been here in her previous life…

She originally thought that with Master Qing’s taste, this place would also be in a minimalist style, with a high-class atmosphere. But she didn’t expect…

My goodness, it was such a mess… The entire room was full of things!

Only the large table for measuring clothes had some empty space. The rest of the place, even the floor, was covered with bundles…

Wen Yu was speechless, but upon closer inspection, her eyes couldn’t get enough. There were all kinds of small paintings, fabrics, embroidery, embroidered pieces… tassels, jade buttons, etc., each with countless styles. Styles she had never seen before!

She picked up one, looked at it intently, then picked up another after she finished… Unconsciously, she became immersed in it.

After who knows how long, Master Qing laughed and coughed lightly, “Miss Wen?”

Wen Yu came back to her senses and sat down unceremoniously on a stool amidst the bundles, “Oh my, being here makes me feel like a mouse that has fallen into a rice jar, I simply don’t know where to start!”

“Hehe, you also like these?” Master Qing looked at Wen Yu’s dress and there was a hint of surprise in her eyes.

“Yes. I like interesting things!”

“I wonder what kind of clothes does Miss usually like to wear?”

“When I was young, I liked to wear bright colors. Later, I liked simple and plain ones. It seems a bit extreme! Now, I want to ask Master Qing for your opinion.”

Master Qing smiled, “Miss has a natural figure for clothes, you can pull off many styles. You have good skin tone, so you’re not picky about colors! And you’re beautiful, so you look good in both bright and light colors. As the saying goes, ‘Exquisite makeup, simple elegance, you always look beautiful!'”

Wen Yu was actually a little blushed by Master Qing’s compliments.

“You flatter me, Master Qing.”

“Seeing Miss’s age… I apologize for asking, but are you engaged?” Usually, even if she had some thoughts, she wouldn’t ask too many questions. But today, this girl… inexplicably made her feel a sense of goodwill. If she wasn’t engaged, she had to consider what kind of family she would marry into, what her future mother-in-law would think of her, what impression she would give to her future husband…

“Not yet.” Wen Yu said frankly.

“Oh!” Master Qing wanted to say more but stopped. After all, they weren’t familiar with each other, it would be too presumptuous to say more. “The flowers on Miss’s dress…” She changed the topic.

“This? I drew it myself. My childhood friend who grew up with me loves embroidery, so she embroidered it on for me. Compared to what you have here… it’s far inferior, you must be laughing at me.” Wen Yu looked around the room.

“What are you saying, Miss?! This flower is beautifully drawn, with natural colors, it’s quite outstanding. The embroidery is delicate and shows great confidence. The girl who embroidered it must have a very clever mind! It looks, quite a bit…” She almost blurted it out, then swallowed it back, “similar to my embroidery skills, just lacking a little trick. But it’s already quite good!”

“Hehe, a little trick is worth a thousand gold!”

“These things now… are just skills for survival.” Master Qing felt a bit emotional for no reason. “Oh, look at me… being sentimental again. Miss Wen, let me take your measurements!”

After the measurements were done, Wen Yu said, “My friend couldn’t come with me today, she’s angry with me! I want to buy something nice to coax her, Master Qing, please recommend something.”

Master Qing was a little surprised, “It’s a blessing to be friends with Miss.”

“Yes, if we are to be friends, let’s be lifelong good friends!” Wen Yu was also emotional.

“This…” Master Qing reached out and took out a small bag from a pile of random things, “When I was young, I wasn’t as busy as I am now, and I embroidered some small samples… Miss, take this back and give it to your friend, I believe she will like it.”

Wen Yu opened it and saw two small embroidered pieces. “Hmm, this seems a bit different from what you have in your shop…”

“It is… Miss, take it back and have a look!” Master Qing glanced outside.

Wen Yu understood and put it away discreetly.

At this moment, footsteps approached, “Master Qing? Are you done with Miss Wen’s measurements? The clerk from Golden Joy is asking.” The voice sounded like Steward Liu.