Qin Yuan focused her gaze and saw that the handkerchief seemed to be embroidered with a flower.
Nanny Rong, standing nearby, exclaimed, "Oh my, did I see this right? The Seventh Miss actually embroidered a flower! Old Madam, have a look how well this peony is done, a double-petaled one at that, so big and beautiful."
Gu Baoshu, feeling proud, glanced sideways at Qin Yuan, who was also somewhat surprised.
Hong Ye couldn’t help but purse her lips.
It’s merely a peony, and the embroidery is just ordinary, is it really worth such praise?
Qin Yuan picked her words carefully.
"Seventh Sister is progressing swiftly and has put in considerable effort. It’s truly commendable and worthy of celebration."
"Haha," Old Madam Gu laughed heartily, "Yuan’er, our Baoshu is indeed obedient and well-behaved, isn’t she? It’s just that she was too indulged when she was little. Look, with effort, what can’t she do well?"
Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but hand the handkerchief to Qin Yuan for a look.
Gu Baoshu felt even more pleased.
Hong Ye also took a closer look, further scornful. Such craftsmanship, and it was taught by the top Feng Niang of the embroidery workshop, even Cui Ming’s haphazard stitches would surpass this.
But Old Madam Gu, Nanny Rong, and others spoke of it as if it were marvelous.
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but echo a few words.
Gu Baoshu couldn’t handle too much praise and ended up taking back the handkerchief to admire it repeatedly, unwilling to let it go and give it to Old Madam Gu.
Seeing this, Qin Yuan quietly chuckled, covering her mouth with a round fan, and complimented, "Mother, if Seventh Sister continues to embroider like this, maybe by the end of the year, she can make you a headband and a small screen."
Although these are things daughters from ordinary families can do before the age of ten, for Gu Baoshu, they are extremely difficult.
Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but glance at Gu Baoshu and hesitated, "Isn’t this a bit too difficult?"
In high spirits, Gu Baoshu puffed her chest arrogantly and boasted, "Why would it be hard? Mother, just wait and see. I’ve already decided, once my embroidery skills are perfected, Third Brother and Sixth Brother will each get a fan case, Mother will get a headband... Third Sister-in-law and Sixth Sister-in-law will each get a small sachet."
Then she looked annoyed, "My teacher said, if I hadn’t started learning so late, I might’ve brought some glory to the Marquis Mansion at the Qixi Festival. Third Brother, his expectations for me are a bit too high, let them be. It’s just a bit late now."
Qin Yuan and Hong Ye looked at Gu Baoshu in shock.
One dares to boast, the other dares to believe.
The Qixi Festival is a place where young ladies from the entire Capital City compete in skills. To win in embroidery, one must at least match the embroideresses from Jixiu Pavilion.
Yet Gu Baoshu seemed sincere, genuinely believing so.
Old Madam Gu looked at the confident Gu Baoshu with mixed feelings, twitched her lips, and eventually encouraged her, "Well, study hard then, Mother looks forward to seeing the headband you embroider. If your Third Brother receives your fan case, imagine how thrilled he’d be; he’d surely cherish you more."
Gu Baoshu responded.
Qin Yuan hadn’t yet managed to speak.
Then Old Madam Gu quickly changed the subject, "Baoshu, seeing how adept you are at learning, Mother is more at ease letting you study household management with Yuan’er. Start by accompanying her while socializing with the ladies and attending to the girls about your age. This time, since the gathering is at our mansion, you are the host; ensure the guests are well-treated, and don’t say anything to upset your Third Brother, okay?"
She even added, "Your Third Sister-in-law hasn’t been in the family long; she’s unfamiliar with many here. Be attentive and help her out more."
Qin Yuan then said with a smile, "Then I’ll rely on Seventh Sister to guide me more."
Facing the earnest looks from both, although Gu Baoshu felt reluctant, she was pulled by the nearby nanny and reluctantly said, "Okay, I’ll follow behind Third Sister-in-law. If there’s anything you need me to do, just let me know."
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but press her lips into a smile.
Only in the Gu Family could a temperament like Gu Baoshu’s be nurtured.
Old Madam Gu laughed, "Good Baoshu, if you help your Third Sister-in-law well, your Third Brother will be grateful to you."
Gu Baoshu seemed to understand, or perhaps didn’t.
After leaving the room, Qin Yuan said to Gu Baoshu, "Seventh Sister, soon I’ll have someone send you the guest list for you to see if you recognize their preferences and taboos, so I can prepare accordingly."
Gu Baoshu asked in surprise, "Why is it so troublesome?"
The nearby nanny tugged at her sleeve again, so Gu Baoshu hurriedly said, "Third Sister-in-law, I’m not questioning this. I just don’t know why it’s necessary since Sixth Sister-in-law never told me about this before."
Qin Yuan smiled, "Because back then you were still young, and the Marquis spends most of his time at the Northern Border, so there were few gatherings at home. You were always the guest elsewhere, with others arranging for your comfort. Now, being the host, naturally, requires more consideration."