Lady Li was reluctant. “Understood.”
Not only did Fu Rou want the ledger, she also wanted to check all the records. She found out that the Seamstress Department often procrastinated. She intended to make use of three rotational shifts to rush out the embroidery pieces that were already delayed and get rid of this bad habit. Expectedly, her subordinates were not pleased and wanted Fu Rou to speak to Lady Li before doing so.
Fu Rou naturally did not discuss this with Lady Li but instead called Lady Li’s subordinate, Attendant Yuan. On the surface, she called Attendant Yuan to go through the accounts with her. In actuality, Fu Rou wanted to find out the truth. “The numbers don’t match. The amount of gold sheets used for embroidery is different from the amount of gold sheets stated.” Fu Rou flipped the ledger.
“The accounts are very complicated. Head Seamstress Fu, could it be that you missed out something? It definitely won’t be less.” Attendant Yuan was surprised. She was similar to Lady Li and thought that Fu Rou only knew how to embroider and would not be able to detect any foul play.
Fu Rou replied with an oh sound as she instructed Shu’er to bring an abacus over. Using the abacus, she did the calculations in front of Attendant Yuan.
“From the start of the year until the last record, there are five less bundles of gold sheets, twelve missing bundles of gold curls, two pairs of first grade brocades and…”
Attendant Yuan kneeled on the ground as her face was anxious. “Head Seamstress Fu, there are many people in the Seamstress Department. You cannot blame me for the missing items in the account book.”
Fu Rou smiled. “You are saying this but the words are written by you. Could it be my fault then?”
“This…Lady Li ordered me to do it.” When trouble comes, even couples separate. Why would she care about someone else when she herself was in danger?
“Are you trying to put the blame on your superior after you made a mistake?” Fu Rou was determined to take her down.
“No, no! I am really not trying to push the blame. The items that are missing on the account book were really taken by Lady Li.” Attendant Yuan’s mouth loosened. “A portion of it was given to the attendants and palace maids in the Seamstress Department in order to win them over. The rest was used by Lady Li to make clothes for herself. All the clothes she made are in her trunk. Head Seamstress Fu, if you bring someone to check, you will definitely find it. It is evidence that Lady Li stole the Ministry of Work’s materials.”
“Every year, everyone in the Ministry of Works will have clothes given to them. Why would Lady Li want to risk getting caught to make other clothes for herself?” Fu Rou could not understand.
“Head Seamstress Fu may not know but Lady Li has always wished to gain the Emperor’s favour and propel her status. That is why she has been preparing luxurious clothes for herself in secret. She wants to find an opportunity to seduce the Emperor. She is very ambitious.” Attendant Yuan spilled everything.
Fu Rou smiled. Her intuition was correct. It would be easier to handle if Lady Li was not in the Seamstress Department. After all, one wanted to reach for the skies while the other wanted to stay on the ground. They should not clash to begin with.
Chapter 12.1: Lotus
When Lady Li entered her room, she was startled to see Fu Rou waiting for her. The lid to her clothes trunk was wide open. Numerous sets of beautiful gowns, glimmered under the candlelight blinding her.
Lady Li’s face paled. “Head Seamstress Fu, what a good strategy. I had looked down on you since you were new. However, schemes and tricks are common in the Royal Palace. Although I have lost, I will not beg you for forgiveness. You can dream on.”
Fu Rou lightly caressed one of the gowns next to her. “Your skills are pretty good. But when will you ever have the chance to wear them? As someone from the Ministry of Works, we have a fixed uniform. Even if you made more for yourself, wearing them will be going against the rule. What a waste of effort. Moreover, the harem is filled with ladies in elaborate gowns, what have the Emperor not seen before? Displaying your own originality might be the only way to move the Emperor. Lady Li, you have chosen wrongly.”
Lady Li frowned. She could not sense any mockery from Fu Rou’s tone. It seemed as if Fu Rou was trying to tell her to use a different approach. What was the meaning of this?
Fu Rou carried on. “Although embroidery is a small skill, it cannot be overlooked. Let’s take the colour gold as an example. Initially, threads were dyed gold to brighten up embroideries. Soon, people thought that the colour was not bright enough and threads made out of gold were introduced. After that, gold sheets and gold curls started to come up. From two different shades of gold to four different shades of gold. They were combined to form colourful sheets. This is how the golden brocades eventually became stunning.”
Lady Li had second thoughts. “Head Seamstress Fu, your knowledge in embroidery far surpasses me. But so what? There is a difference between a winner and a loser. Even if you are magnanimous and forgive me, I cannot remain in the Seamstress Department and continue working under you.”
“Lady Li, you are right. After this, your time in the Seamstress Department is limited. Hence, so that we won’t have to continue meeting each other awkwardly, you should hurry and find the correct path.” Fu Rou stood up and walked towards the door. When she passed Lady Li, she said, “Other than colour, light rays can also attract someone’s attention. If incorporated seamlessly, it can reflect elegant and clear waves. That will have greater certainty.”
Deep in thought, Lady Li turned her head and looked out. The small lamp that Fu Rou held outlined her figure, making her look slim and supple. In that moment, Lady Li understood.
After a few days, Fu Rou purposely brought Lady Li along when she went to deliver a spice pouch to the Emperor. Two of them went but only one returned. Lady Li wore a robe that was identical to every other palace lady. However, when the light shone on her robe, light rays reflected off it delicately, attracting the Emperor’s attention. The Emperor then requested for her to stay behind. The following day, Lady Li returned in a sedan. She had received the Emperor’s favour and was conferred the title Baolin.
Everyone except Fu Rou was extremely shocked.
When everyone else left, Lady Li entered Fu Rou’s residence and bowed to her deeply. “It is only because of you, Head Seamstress Fu, that I got to where I am today. You are straightforward, generous and considerate. I admire you.”
Fu Rou rushed to help her stand. “Now that you are Baolin, I cannot accept your greeting. It is not like we have a lot of animosity between us to begin with. Isn’t this much better?” The truth was that Fu Rou actually admired her as well. Lady Li knew how to handle accounts as well as embroidery. She also knew how to win over the masses.
Lady Li smiled as well. “We both got what we wanted. It is indeed better.” Her tone changed to one filled with guilt. “Do you remember me giving you a book when you first came? I was muddled then and gave you a fake book. If you follow the book to try and please the Concubines and Princesses, you will definitely get in trouble. However, I have another book here. I no longer have any use for it. On the other hand, this might help you.”
Fu Rou thanked her.
“Is this the water lily that Concubine Yan requested for?” Lady Li noticed Fu Rou’s embroidery rack. There was a half completed, elaborate pink water lily. Although the embroidery was clearly skilled, it made her frown.