The Second Master of the Red Chamber

When Jia Lian accompanied the emperor back to the city, it was already quite late in the afternoon.

Just after leaving the imperial city, Jia Yun somehow blended into the personal guards and told him that Zhang's embroidery workshop had sent someone early that morning to inform him that the wedding dresses for the two mothers were ready and they could pick them up at any time.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian glanced at the sky and decided to go check on the situation immediately.

If you are not satisfied, you can still demand improvements while there is still time.

So he rode his horse towards the Zhang family's house in the east of the city.

The Zhang family's embroidery workshop was one of the most famous in the capital.

Branch stores have spread across several northern provinces.

Given their excellent craftsmanship and reputation, Jia Lian designated their family to make Xue Lin's wedding dress.

When the head of the Zhang family heard that Jia Lian had come to pick up the goods in person, he couldn't care less about embracing his concubine who was drinking, and hurriedly tidied himself up and rushed to the workshop.

After dismounting, he walked into the workshop while asking the steward, "Where is Lord Rongguo?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Duke of Rongguo has now arrived at Embroidery Room No. 1, and Liu Gong is attending to him."

"So, is he satisfied?"

"We don't know yet. Apart from the embroiderers, we dare not get close."

However, I imagine they must be satisfied, since it was personally spearheaded by the master and mistress, who mobilized the best embroiderers from several provinces in the Zhang family, and Liu Gong personally took charge, and it took nearly a month to complete.

To be honest, I have never seen such a beautiful and luxurious wedding dress in my life.

I'm afraid only celestial maidens are worthy of wearing such a wedding dress on their wedding day.

If even this doesn't satisfy the Duke of Rong, then there's no justice in the world.

Although the Zhang family patriarch agreed with this, the person he was cooperating with this time was, after all, the renowned Duke Rongguo.

Moreover, the other party gave far too much.

If the other party is not satisfied, not only will this lucrative deal fall through, but the Zhang family's future will also face unprecedented difficulties.

However, in contrast...

Once this deal is done, the two concubines of the Duke of Rongguo will appear before the noble ladies of the capital in dazzling wedding gowns made by the Zhang family...

With confidence in these two wedding gowns that cost a fortune to make, the head of the Zhang family was quite certain that if there were similar orders in the future, the first family that nobles and dignitaries would think of would definitely be the Zhang family.

This is why, ever since they received Jia Lian's commission, the entire Zhang family has devoted all their energy to these two wedding dresses.

The embroiderers of No. 1 Embroidery Workshop, who were responsible for making these two wedding dresses, didn't even get a holiday during the Chinese New Year.

It was only through such a rush that he was able to bring these two wedding dresses, the most beautiful and luxurious he had ever seen, to life ahead of schedule.

When he arrived at the embroidery room, he indeed saw Liu Mei, the most outstanding embroiderer in the Zhang family, explaining the design concept and production details of the two wedding dresses to Jia Lian.

To his delight, judging from Jia Lian's reaction, the old man seemed quite satisfied.

He didn't rush forward to strike up a conversation, but waited until Liu Mei had finished her introduction before stepping into Jia Lian's field of vision.

"This humble servant is Zhang Zaifeng, greetings to Lord Rong."

Seeing Jia Lian nod at him, he dared to ask with a smile, "I wonder, Lord Rong, are you satisfied with the wedding dresses for the two ladies...?"

Jia Lian said, "Very good. The Zhang family truly lives up to its reputation as a family of embroidery artisans. Both the design and the details are excellent. I am very satisfied."

"By the way, have you prepared anything to carry it? Surely I can't just take it all back like this?"

Jia Lian pointed to the two bright red wedding robes that were solemnly displayed and hung on the rack in front of him.

One is a hibiscus design, and the other is a peony design.

They were all perfectly replicated according to his original requirements.

Zhang Zaifeng quickly replied, "Of course not, we were prepared long ago."

Without him even having to say a word, Liu Mei had two enormous wooden boxes, each two feet wide and nearly ten feet long, brought out.

Then, with Jia Lian's nod, seven or eight young embroiderers worked together to carefully and solemnly transfer the two wedding dresses into a wooden box lined with red silk.

The matching phoenix crown and several accessories were then placed into the box one by one.

Throughout the entire process, Zhang Zaifeng simply stood by and directed, without ever touching any of the items.

As someone who is worldly-wise in this industry, he understands the psychology of these important people all too well, and he certainly wouldn't displease them in these details.

After arranging for several laborers to carry the box out and place it on the carriage, he trotted over to Jia Lian again and asked, "We still have a lot of expensive fabric and gold thread left over from making wedding robes for the two ladies. What should we do with these things..."

Jia Lian waved his hand dismissively and said, "Once the finished product is ready, that's fine. As for the remaining materials, Mr. Zhang can keep them."

and……"

Jia Lian glanced at the embroiderers who kept peeking at him and said, "This project is completed so many days ahead of schedule, which must be thanks to your hard work."

I am grateful for your kindness, so I will double the payment as originally agreed.

However, I came in a hurry today and did not bring enough silver with me, so I will trouble Boss Zhang to send someone to my residence to retrieve it.

Zhang Zaifeng quickly replied, "No, no, the agreed-upon fee was already the highest standard in the industry. How could I dare to take advantage of you, sir..."

Jia Lian waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "Mr. Zhang, there's no need to be so polite. We may have many more opportunities to cooperate in the future. Consider this my advance deposit."

Even Zhang Zaifeng, a cunning old fox, couldn't think of a reply for a moment.

After all, in his mind, most people only make one wedding dress in their lifetime.

Even if there are special ones, two or three are the most you can have.

However, seeing that Jia Lian was not being polite, he naturally wouldn't argue with a nobleman, so he politely agreed and personally escorted Jia Lian out of the embroidery shop.

……

After the Lantern Festival, Daiyu moved back to the Lin family's villa.

Therefore, this place is no longer as deserted as before, but has become very lively.

With Granny Wang and Lin Youquan taking the lead, they managed to gather all the remaining servants of the Lin family here to bolster Daiyu's prestige.

The master is gone, but the girl is still here.

The Xue family is said to be a century-old family, so we can't let them look down on the girl.

Therefore, this small Lin family villa was now filled with dozens of Lin family servants, plus a dozen or so maids and servants that Daiyu had brought back, as well as more than ten personal guards arranged by Jia Lian.

The entire Lin family villa was bustling with activity, both inside and out.

Everyone wore smiles as they swept the entrance and decorated the courtyard under the butler's instructions.

Daiyu sat by the window, looking through the openwork courtyard wall at the figures moving around outside, listening to their idle chatter. She felt a little at ease, but also a little sad.

I feel at ease because I'm back in my own home, and I feel a peace I've never felt before.

The sadness stems from the fact that the Lin family still exists, but both the mother and father are no longer here.

Now, she is all alone in the entire Lin family.

Moreover, she was getting married.

If my mother and father were still alive, they would be very happy.

"Second Master is back!"

The noise outside the courtyard startled Daiyu awake. She instinctively stood up, but quickly stopped herself from running outside. She turned to the dressing table, glanced at her makeup and, finding nothing wrong, returned to sit down by the window.

"Sister Lin."

When the familiar voice rang in her ears, Daiyu finally couldn't help but turn around and look at the man who walked in. Her face was slightly red as she said, "What are you doing here so late?"

"I came out of town today and stopped by to see you."

Seeing Jia Lian sit down in front of her, but Zijuan and the others didn't come in to pour tea.

Daiyu had no choice but to get up and walk to the side, where she poured half a cup of tea from the thermos.

Seeing that Jia Lian's gaze was fixed on her, she felt a little embarrassed and glared at him, saying, "What are you looking at?"

Jia Lian shook his head and smiled: "My Yu'er is getting more and more beautiful."

Daiyu turned her head away shyly, thinking to herself that Jia Lian would surely take advantage of her again.

Every time he compliments his appearance, he tries to touch him inappropriately, which is so annoying.

However, this time, before Jia Lian could make a move, Granny Wang led her maids in carrying a long wooden box into the room.

Daiyu immediately looked over, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "I brought a gift for my sister. Why don't you go and open it and take a look?"

Daiyu pouted and said, "What's with all the mystery about this gift? If you want to give it to me, just give it to me. Why do I have to open it?"

Daiyu was also spoiled by Jia Lian.

I'm already numb to receiving small gifts.

Although the item looked rather large, it still didn't pique her interest much.

Upon seeing this, Granny Wang, who knew what was inside, smiled and said, "Miss, I advise you to open it and see for yourself. Don't let the Second Master's efforts go to waste."

Daiyu frowned slightly.

Although she wasn't particularly close to Granny Wang, she still listened to her quite a bit.

The main reason is that Granny Wang is not a talkative person, and she rarely asks her to do anything.

Not wanting Jia Lian to think she was disrespectful to her elders, she walked to the wooden box placed on the cool couch, looked it over, and still couldn't guess what was inside.

When I reached out and lifted it, the lid was quite heavy.

Daiyu secretly exerted her strength and struggled to open the box.

The first thing that catches the eye is naturally the bright red color.

Secondly, there was that glittering golden phoenix crown...

The equally curious maids had already gathered around, and upon seeing the scene inside the box, they couldn't help but exclaim in unison:
"Wow……"

"What beautiful clothes!"

Daiyu immediately realized what it was.

My curiosity about the full view of the wedding dress overshadowed my slight shyness.

Unfortunately, the box was large enough to fit two of her comfortably, making the lid quite heavy for her. She struggled to push it up twice but didn't have time to see what was inside.

Fortunately, Zijuan and other maids came to her aid in time, allowing her to focus all her attention on the wooden box.

Inside, lying quietly, was a bright red wedding robe embroidered with hibiscus flowers.

Upon closer inspection, all the threads and even the patterns are made of gold thread.

At first glance, it exudes extreme luxury and solemnity.

In the middle of the wedding robe, a beautifully carved, gleaming phoenix crown sat quietly.

There were several small wooden boxes in the area not covered by the wedding robes, and it was unknown what they contained.

At this moment, Jia Lian also came over and took the initiative to introduce, "This is a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe specially made for you by the best embroidery workshop in the city."

The phoenix crown is made of pure gold and weighs a total of 168 taels.

The embroidered robe was made by dozens of embroiderers over a period of twenty-six days.

How about it, do you like it? "

Daiyu snapped out of her daze and, seeing everyone staring at her, felt a little shy.

Forcibly averting her gaze from the box, she feigned a complaint and said to Jia Lian, "You're wasting money again. I already told you, we didn't need to do this extra thing..."

Daiyu's face grew redder and redder as she spoke.

The main point is that she actually made her own wedding dress.

She had secretly started this project even before her marriage to Jia Lian was arranged.

The main people in charge were her and Zijuan.

But she had to admit that even though she thought the wedding dress she and Zijuan had made was good enough and luxurious enough, compared to the one in front of her...

It's definitely not good enough.

In terms of style, size, and even that prestigious and dazzling look, nothing can compare.

The main question is, who is the kind person who made two garments, with a budget of ten thousand gold pieces?
Although Daiyu had never seen the Empress's phoenix robe, the moment she saw the wedding robe in the box, she knew that it was probably even more magnificent than the Empress's phoenix robe.

Seeing Daiyu's shyness, Jia Lian took her small hand and said, "You made this yourself, keep it as a souvenir. Wear this on your wedding day, it will look beautiful."

Sensing Jia Lian's sincerity (and the generous gifts), Daiyu showed no sign of rebellion, simply nodding and humming in agreement.

Seeing how well-behaved Daiyu was, Jia Lian suddenly suggested, "Quickly, while it's still early, Lin sister, why don't you change and take a look?"

If it doesn't fit, it can be altered.

"What's the point of saying it fits or doesn't fit..."

Although Daiyu had already made up her mind that she would personally come and see him as soon as Jia Lian left.

But now that Jia Lian has said this, it's obvious he wants her to wear it for him, which makes her feel so embarrassed.

However, Jia Lian's words were reasonable, and with Wang Mama and others also persuading and urging her, she had no choice but to nod in agreement.

So the maids worked together to carry the box into the inner room and prepared to help Daiyu change it.

Jia Lian wanted to follow, but Zijuan knew her young lady was shy, so she deliberately blocked the doorway to the inner room and shook her head reproachfully at Jia Lian who wanted to go in.

Seeing this, Jia Lian didn't insist any further. He walked back to the window, drinking the tea that Daiyu had poured for him, while waiting.

They waited for a long time, and as it grew dark outside, Jia Lian couldn't help but urge them on. Only then did the maids file out of the room.

Immediately, a shy yet incredibly noble and beautiful figure emerged from the doorway.

She wore a phoenix crown and had a graceful figure.

A bright red wedding robe embroidered with hibiscus and gold patterns was draped over her body, trailing a long tail behind her.

This is the epitome of beauty and nobility, a combination of purity and solemnity.

Jia Lian's eyes were immediately fixed on it.

He felt that nothing in the world was more beautiful than Daiyu at this moment. (End of Chapter)