I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Now that you're the owner of Jishetang, there's no reason for you to pay for the property yourself. This small amount of money will naturally be covered by the tang. Just consider it... just consider it a place the tang has provided for you to live."

She found a plausible excuse, but she had her own ulterior motives.

In this way, she could legitimately participate in Zhao Zi'an's life.

Zhao Zian did not insist further.

"Alright."

With the matter settled, Zhao Zian stood up to leave.

"Wait," Su Mei called out to him.

She took a wooden box from a cabinet behind her and handed it over.

"What is this?"

Zhao Zian asked.

"Last month's dividends."

Su Mei smiled charmingly.

"You, the big boss, are always elusive, and even the accountant can't find you to send money."

Zhao Zian opened the wooden box.

At a glance, it must be at least a thousand taels.

"Then I'll be leaving first."

"Where are you going? Aren't you going to have dinner here?"

Su Mei's tone was filled with anticipation.

Zhao Zian stopped in his tracks and turned around.

"Oh, right."

"What is it?"

Su Mei thought he had changed his mind.

"Which embroidery shop in town has the best work?"

Embroidery room?

Su Mei was stunned.

Why are you asking that?

"Does Master Zhao perhaps want to learn needlework and become a female bridal groom?"

Zhao Zian didn't take her joke to heart.

"It wasn't me who learned it. It was Hongyun. She wanted to learn a skill so she would have something to rely on in the future."

Su Mei silently repeated the name in her heart.

Li Suqin's younger sister.

He was actually so concerned about a little girl's future.

"So it was all for Sister Hongyun's sake."

"You've come to the right person."

She slightly raised her chin.

"When it comes to embroidery in Liuxi Town, Qin Niangzi of Ruyi Embroidery Workshop has the best skills. She has made wedding dresses for wealthy families in the county town, and her double-sided embroidery is superb."

"but……"

"Mrs. Qin has a rather eccentric temperament, and her standards for accepting apprentices are very high. It's not something you can just get in with money; she has to personally see if someone has the potential before she'll accept them."

"Moreover, tuition fees are not cheap."

The implication is that this place is difficult to enter, and even if you do get in, it will cost a lot.

This is both a reminder and a small test.

She wanted to see just how much Zhao Zi'an cared about that girl named Hongyun.

After listening, Zhao Zian simply nodded.

"Thank you. I understand."

He turned and walked towards the door.

"Ugh, dinner..."

Su Mei called out again.

"No, I have family waiting for me."

The door closed gently.

The smile on Su Mei's face gradually faded.

Someone is waiting at home...

Is it that sister-in-law, or that little girl named Hongyun?

……

When Zhao Zian returned home, it was already dark.

Li Hongyun bent down to mend an old garment.

The stitches were crooked and uneven, and I pricked my finger several times.

Zhao Zian's footsteps were very light.

The little fox, however, raised its head immediately.

"Squeak!"

Startled, Li Hongyun looked up.

"Brother Zhao... Brother Zhao."

"Um."

Zhao Zian responded.

"Are you sewing?"

Li Hongyun blushed and lowered her head even further.

"I...I'm so stupid."

No one is born with that skill.

Zhao Zian's voice was very calm.

"Learn needlework, learn embroidery. There's a Ruyi Embroidery Workshop in town, the master craftsman is very skilled. I'll take you there to become an apprentice and learn a craft."

Li Hongyun was stunned.

Learn a trade? Become an apprentice?

No one ever asked her if she wanted to learn anything.

No one ever made any plans for her future.

"Can...can I?"

"Why not?"

Zhao Zian countered with a question.

"I...I'm clumsy, I definitely won't be able to learn it, and I'll...I'll just waste money."

Whether you can learn it or not, you'll only know after you try.

Zhao Zian's tone left no room for argument.

"You don't need to worry about the money. You just need to think about whether you're willing to learn."

Are you willing?

Of course I would!

I dream about it!

Li Hongyun nodded, but tears finally rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto the dry mud and leaving a small, dark stain.

"Then it's settled."

Zhao Zian made the decision.

"I'll take you there first thing tomorrow morning."

……

The next day.

Zhao Zian took Li Hongyun to Ruyi Embroidery Workshop.

Li Hongyun's palms were sweating with nervousness the whole way.

Zhao Zian noticed her unease.

"Head up, chest out."

"You didn't steal or rob, so there's nothing to be afraid of."

Li Hongyun straightened her back.

Ruyi Embroidery Workshop is located on South Street in Liuxi Town.

Zhao Zian led Li Hongyun inside.

There were only a few embroiderers in the workshop, engrossed in their work.

They heard the noise but only glanced up.

A woman dressed in a light blue dress came forward to greet them.

"Gentlemen, would you like to choose embroidered items or have something custom-made?"

"We are looking for Lady Qin, and we want to become her apprentices and learn martial arts."

Zhao Zian stated his purpose directly.

The woman in charge paused slightly in her smile.

"Excuse me, sir."

"Madam Qin is not receiving guests today. Moreover, our embroidery workshop hasn't taken on any new apprentices for a long time."

This is an obvious excuse.

Zhao Zian remained expressionless.

"It's Su Mei. Manager Su introduced me."

"So you're a friend of Manager Su."

Her attitude warmed up again.

"Please wait a moment while I go and inform them."

A short while later, the woman in charge returned, followed by a woman who looked to be around forty years old.

Qin Niangzi's gaze fell on Li Hongyun.

"So, she wants to learn embroidery?"

Li Hongyun felt uncomfortable under her gaze and shrank back behind Zhao Zian.

Qin Niangzi frowned.

"Timid and weak-willed, you're not cut out for embroidery. Our Ruyi Embroidery Workshop won't take you in."

Zhao Zian pulled Li Hongyun from behind to in front of him.

"Madam Qin, whether she's a good candidate or not, we'll only know after we try."

"try?"

Qin Niangzi gave a cold laugh.

"My time is precious. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry is qualified to let me try."

She told him to leave.

Several embroiderers nearby looked over.

They've seen this scenario countless times: people come to them seeking instruction, only to be turned away.

Zhao Zian was about to speak.

Li Hongyun stepped forward from behind him first.

"I...I wasn't born timid."

"From childhood to adulthood, at home, they told me that women should be submissive and not have their own thoughts. Saying the wrong thing is wrong, doing the wrong thing is even more wrong. I've just gotten used to being afraid."

"But I don't want to live like this anymore. Is a woman's life only about relying on men and living at their mercy? I want to learn a skill with my own hands, support myself honestly, and not have to depend on anyone else."

Li Hongyun's voice rose a few decibels.

"I'm standing here today not begging for your charity, but for a chance to stand on my own two feet. It's unfair of you to conclude I'm not cut out for this without even trying!"