I Became a Medical Genius in the 80s

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Embroidery Woman in Name Only (Bonus Chapter)

”Little Tian’er!” Zhang Baoli stood up, almost believing that Beisitian had been poached by another workshop!

”You’re finally here. I thought you weren’t coming!” Zhang Baoli invited Beisitian inside to sit, waving Chun Ni to continue watching the front desk.

Seeing the eagerness on Zhang Baoli’s face, the smile on Beisitian’s lips remained unchanged as she smoothly walked in and sat down.

The more eager Zhang Baoli was, the better the market for Double-sided Embroidery seemed to be. Her short-term income could easily rely on this.

This batch of embroidery should fetch a high price!

”Sister, this time I must ask where you live, otherwise when you disappear for ten days to half a month, you make me terribly anxious!” Zhang Baoli half-jokingly said.

She was genuinely worried, regretting having given Beisitian such low prices for her work. Even though the quality of the handkerchief material was poor, it was Double-sided Embroidery, a rare skill. Even in Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop’s main store in Beijing, not many can do it!

Those who could were as rare as phoenix feathers, each proud as a peacock.

Of course, Beisitian wouldn’t tell her where she lived, but Kao Village wasn’t that big. If Zhang Baoli really wanted to find her, she could.

”Sorry to worry you, Sister Bao Li.” Beisitian smiled, steering the conversation away.

Seeing that Beisitian avoided mentioning her address, Zhang Baoli also let it go, smiling, ”Sister, what’ve you brought this time? Let me see!”

Beisitian took out five handkerchiefs and three pillow covers, each with a different design. Five fabrics, five patterns, none of them simple!

Not just unsimple: Zhang Baoli looked at these handkerchiefs and pillow covers over and over, judging their quality at a glance.

Last time, the quality of the handkerchief material lowered their value. This time, with high-quality materials, the grade skyrocketed several levels!

”Beautiful! Truly beautiful! The fish’s swinging tail looks so real, and the pillow cover with `Blissful Union with Flowers under the Full Moon` is exquisite. Sleeping with such embroidery under one’s head would definitely bring good dreams!”

As Zhang Baoli spoke, her eyes sparkled, lingering among the embroideries, filled with astonishment!

”Little Tian’er, your skill is truly exceptional! I’m just curious; you look about sixteen or seventeen, how did you become so good at embroidering?”

Zhang Baoli wanted to ask how someone so young could master Double-sided Embroidery and do it so well!

However, skills like these are usually private matters, so most people wouldn’t openly share. Thus, Zhang Baoli didn’t dare to ask further.

”Sister Bao Li, you’re sweet-talking. I’m already nineteen! I suffered a lot while growing up. Back then, I was forced to work a lot, getting scolded if I didn’t do well.” Beisitian laughed.

What she said was true. In the women’s quarters, she was pushed daily. But as she grew, she realized the importance of these skills. Double-sided Embroidery wasn’t common in her world. Even among noblewomen or palace embroiderers, few could do it.

Diving deeper might not get Zhang Baoli the answers, as Beisitian, despite her young age, showed no excitement or hubris from the compliments, appearing composed, signaling either she didn’t see it as a big deal or she was truly deep.

But for a rural girl in her teens, it shouldn’t be that her depths ran so deep.

If Beisitian knew what Zhang Baoli thought, she’d surely laugh. Without some cunning, how could she travel with her master across the country, manage food and shelter, or amass some Silver Tael without being stripped bare by ’wolves’ along the way?

As soon as she saw the embroideries, Zhang Baoli started estimating their value in her mind. A businesswoman, after all, she considered how to both win over Beisitian and maximize her earnings.

”I wouldn’t have guessed you’d look so young, hehe.” Zhang Baoli felt a bit embarrassed as Beisitian appeared scrawny, without much flesh. Despite looking better than last time, she still looked too thin, appearing just sixteen or seventeen.

Of course, she couldn’t bluntly say that, as nobody was foolish.

”Sister, how about this: four coins for each handkerchief, six for each pillow cover.” Zhang Baoli, shifting the topic, guided the conversation to the crucial point.

Beisitian’s face showed surprise as she glanced at the embroideries in Zhang Baoli’s hand, remaining silent.

Zhang Baoli noticed the dissatisfaction in her expression; clearly, the price wasn’t enticing. Determined to keep Beisitian, she thought to herself that earning a bit less was worth it for the long term.

Convincing herself not to be short-sighted, she gritted her teeth and said, ”Five coins for each handkerchief, seven for each pillow cover! I can’t go higher! You have to let me earn a bit too, right?”

Beisitian smiled, ”Five coins for the handkerchief is fine, but eight for the pillow cover. I know these aren’t sold to common folk. The Double-sided Embroidery is meant for wealthy appreciators who aren’t afraid to spend.”

Zhang Baoli gave a wry smile. With other embroiderers, she’d show hesitation or flatly reject, but in front of Beisitian and her Double-sided Embroidery, she dared not!

Especially since they indeed weren’t sold to ordinary folks. These sold to traders would definitely turn a profit; those people marked up the price themselves, so quality goods sell easily.

Gazing at the embroideries, a brief internal debate led to her decision. Missing this chance meant she might never again find someone who could do Double-sided Embroidery to help her return to the city.

”Alright, it’s settled then! From now on, I’ll never offer you less than this price, but I hope you’ll prioritize Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop for your pieces!”

Polite as Zhang Baoli was, she wished to tie Beisitian to Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop. Though unlikely, she expressed it, hoping to firmly draw Beisitian in.

After all, no embroidery workshop, not in Qingzhou Town nor even Qingzhou City, matched the size of Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop!

Her concern wasn’t other workshops but the others within Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop. Should they discover Beisitian, they’d undoubtedly try to poach her!

Thinking this, all her hesitation vanished as she gladly gave out several fabric scraps, each top-quality.

This time, Beisitian earned a total of 49, feeling very pleased.

”Sister Bao Li, I have a favor to ask.” Beisitian said.

Zhang Baoli nodded immediately, ”Tell me. If it’s within my power, I’ll definitely help.”

”It’s nothing major, just that I’d like to hold the title of embroidery woman at your place, for the credibility it brings. Rest assured, my embroidery work will always prioritize Sister Bao Li.”

Hearing this, Zhang Baoli was overjoyed. Beisitian specified she’d prioritize her, not Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop, temporarily acknowledging her alone. This presented her a chance to possibly return to the city!