Episode 12 recap: Shopkeeper Huang happily presents his golden embroidery
Meng Wan found Shopkeeper Huang three years ago. Shopkeeper Huang encountered several women who were fleeing and in a pitiful state while he was collecting silkworms in the countryside. Moved by their plight, he hid them in the silkworm frames and brought them back to the city to take care of them. At that time, Shopkeeper Huang had some savings from his silk thread business and discovered that these women were skilled in Jinxiu embroidery. With this realization, Huang's Embroidery Shop and Huaijin Embroidery were established. Shopkeeper Huang wanted Meng Wan to help deliver embroidery samples to the Duke's residence. As the Misty Rain Brothel was now abandoned, Meng Wan saw this as an opportunity for Shopkeeper Huang to take on a new responsibility.
Seven years later, Lin Ru Lan's grievances spread throughout the streets and alleys. This time, it was Chen Mo Mo's turn to visit Huang's Embroidery Shop and speak highly of Shopkeeper Huang. In three years, the scale had grown to match that of the Misty Rain Brothel. Chen Mo Mo came to request silk threads from Huang's shop for embroidering the "White Crane Soaring in the Clouds" design. Unfortunately, the plant used for dyeing had been exhausted at the plantations. Shopkeeper Huang claimed that he could help by going to the mountains to gather more, but Chen Mo Mo, seeing his mocking expression, left without another word.
Yun Niang showed Shopkeeper Huang the written complaint, bringing up the old matter once again. Despite this, Shopkeeper Huang still didn't want to get involved and focused on his own business. He took Yun Niang into a secret chamber where four women were working on embroidery. Shopkeeper Huang instructed them not to wander outside recently.
The wife of the Duke of Ningguo was fascinated and impressed by the embroidery of the "White Crane Soaring in the Clouds," but she couldn't understand why the wings of the crane were embroidered with golden thread. Wu Lian explained that due to time constraints, he couldn't find the best quality purple thread, so he used golden thread as a substitute. The wife of the Duke of Ningguo reminded Wu Lian to remember this lesson.
The next day, the wife of the Duke of Ningguo presented the embroidered sample of "White Crane Soaring in the Clouds" to Mrs. Lou. Mrs. Lou deeply admired it, and after some initial refusal, she eventually accepted it. Fu Ren of the Duke's residence invited Mrs. Lou to have a drink at the Drunken Immortal Tower. Mrs. Lou changed into the Misty Rain Brothel's embroidered attire and happily spun around in front of Lou Ming Zhang. However, upon learning that it was sent by Fu Ren of the Duke's residence, Lou Ming Zhang's expression darkened and demanded Fu Ren to leave immediately. Mrs. Lou, unwilling to return the attire, decided to accompany Lou Ming Zhang to meet the wife of the Duke of Ningguo.
On the evening of the banquet, the wife of the Duke of Ningguo attended in her finest attire. After a few pleasantries, they took their seats, while Meng Wan was busy serving tea and water. During their conversation, they brought up Xiao Niang Zi from years ago, and the wife of the Duke of Ningguo shared the rumors she had heard from the streets. Before long, the door opened, and a group of dancers dressed in red robes appeared in the room. The wife of the Duke of Ningguo panicked for a moment and wondered if Meng Wan had arranged this, but she received a denial.
The dancers gracefully performed, and in an instant, the red robes fell away, revealing the Misty Rain Brothel's embroidered attire, identical to that of Mrs. Lou. In the blink of an eye, the entire room was surrounded by the embroidered designs of the Misty Rain Brothel. The wife of the Duke of Ningguo was left dumbfounded. Meng Wan's lips curled slightly as she recalled the talented artist she had hired to paint the Misty Rain embroidery designs on the clothes. Before the dance could continue, Liu San Niang rushed in, claiming to have come to the wrong place, and hurriedly took away her companions, including Mrs. Lou wearing the Misty Rain Brothel's embroidered attire. This embarrassed Mrs. Lou, who had lost face in front of the wife of the Duke of Ningguo.
Wu Lian waited outside the Drunken Immortal Tower in a carriage, expecting to receive praise. However, to his surprise, the one who arrived was The wife of the Duke of Ningguo, who no longer wanted to see him. Perplexed, Wu Lian wanted to inquire further, but Duke Fu Ren had already boarded the carriage and left.
With less than two months until the Empress Dowager's birthday, the Ministry of Rites' letters constantly urged them. Despite Duke Fu Ren's clear instructions, they couldn't escape the fate of being constantly reminded. Now that the Misty Rain embroidery was abandoned, The wife of the Duke of Ningguo sought Meng Wan's help for ideas. Upon hearing that Meng Wan had suitable candidates, The wife of the Duke of Ningguo instantly became interested.
The next day, Meng Wan went to various embroidery shops to collect embroidery samples. The news quickly reached Shopkeeper Huang's ears, and he decided to prepare the most exquisite embroidery samples and visit the Xu family. At the Xu family's gate, many embroidery shop owners had already gathered, each with their own embroidered samples, awaiting summons. However, they received the message that no visitors were allowed today, and they could only leave with disappointment. Watching the departing guests, Shopkeeper Huang presented his own embroidery samples and expressed his gratitude to the maidservant.
The maidservant led Shopkeeper Huang to Meng Wan. He intended to show his own embroidery samples, but Meng Wan stopped him and asked to be taken to the embroidery shop. Shopkeeper Huang agreed and introduced his embroidery shop along the way. The unique Huaijin embroidery of the Huang family combined a stitching technique called Jinxiu with the embroidery skills of Huaizhou, resulting in a complex yet orderly and intricate embroidery style. Directly getting to the point, Meng Wan asked Shopkeeper Huang to meet their unseen friend.
Shopkeeper Huang marveled at Meng Wan's meticulous and extraordinary intelligence as he led her into a secret room. Three years ago, while Huang was collecting silkworms in the countryside, he encountered several women who were fleeing. Out of pity, he hid them in the silkworm baskets and brought them back to the city to care for them. Later, he discovered that they were skilled in Jinxiu embroidery. With careful consideration, the Huang Embroidery Workshop and Huaijin embroidery business were established. Despite the abandonment of Yanyu embroidery, Meng Wan wanted Huang Embroidery Workshop to take its place. After weighing the pros and cons, Huang the shopkeeper accepted the task, seeking wealth and fortune amidst the risks.
However, time was running out, and Huang the shopkeeper began to worry again. But Meng Wan remained calm and composed. Three months ago, Huang had already received an order for a birthday celebration, which Meng Wan had prepared in advance. With the embroidery samples in hand, Huang followed Meng Wan to meet The wife of the Duke of Ningguo. However, this time The wife of the Duke of Ningguo didn't give Meng Wan a warm reception. Looking at the presented embroidery samples, she saw through Meng Wan's intention of promoting Huang Embroidery Workshop. Before Meng Wan could explain anything, The wife of the Duke of Ningguo called out Meng Wan's name, indicating that Wu Lian had already recognized her. With her true identity exposed, Meng Wan no longer pretended or concealed, warning The wife of the Duke of Ningguo that she couldn't protect Wu Lian. Furious, The wife of the Duke of Ningguo wanted to execute Meng Wan on the spot, but she realized that she couldn't do it alone and that Meng Wan had to make Wu Lian pay a price.
In a fit of anger, The wife of the Duke of Ningguo pulled a hairpin from her head and threw it, cutting Meng Wan's cheek but failing to silence her. Now, a wager lay before The wife of the Duke of Ningguo. She had to decide whether to bet on Wu Lian or on Meng Wan. With that, The wife of the Duke of Ningguo ordered Meng Wan not to set foot in the Duke's mansion again.
On the way back, Huang the shopkeeper volunteered the information that she had seen a lawyer entering and leaving the Yanyu Embroidery Tower years ago. This time, she wanted to stand on the side of justice. As soon as the door opened, Wu Lian, who had been waiting outside, saw through Meng Wan's schemes. Wu Lian looked down on her from a position of advantage, but the matter was not yet concluded. Meng Wan refused to admit defeat and vowed to make Wu Lian pay a price.
Late at night, Shopkeeper Huang visited with news that everything had worked out. The Duke's mansion had brought a hundred guan as payment and ordered Huang Embroidery Workshop's Huaijin embroidery. This time, The wife of the Duke of Ningguo chose Meng Wan.
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