Chapter 10 - Context (2/2)
”I knew Jiejie would understand.” Lady Lian said with a wry smile.
”So what do you plan to draw tomorrow?”
...why? so you'll do that too? -_-)...
Lei Xing scrutinized her for a while and then said, ”I was thinking of drawing the heavenly mountains, with a lake situated in between them, with heavenly immortals dancing above the lake, with mortals swimming beneath, oblivious that they are heavenly territory. With dragons and phoenixes flying in the sky to represent a changing dynasty.” The other people around them all glanced at Lei Xing with raised brows.
...I'd like to see you do that...it's either she's a green tea b**ch or just a simple copy cat with no mind of her own...and whichever is annoying...if she really does that, then she's a fool...
Lady Lian's eyes widened as she listened to Lei Xing's words and after a while said, ”That sounds difficult...”
”Well, I thought I should do something more impressive.” Lei Xing said with a smile.
At this point, there were only four of them left with their maids, Lady Lian, Lady Jin, Lady Yu and Lei Xing. Lei Xing glanced at their group and sighed.
...I guess you can say this is the collection of the top three and the last from this test...LOL is this the universe telling me to be better?...
***
The defense minister and his son both went home perplexed and pondering over the events of the selection all day during their work. They both knew Lei Xing's embroidery skills are exquisite and among the best, yet she came out with such subpar obscure work, although her words were very profound and very meaningful, no matter how you look at it, it's still way below the standard. The pair of father and son had left the hall and returned home in silence both perplexed.
When they arrived home and where seated for dinner, the rest of the family inquired about Lei Xing's progress.
The defense minister furrowed his brows and asked, ”How is Xing Er's embroidery skills?”
”Embroidery? Excellent, she's even much more skilled than I am.” Replied Madame Lei, perplexed at the question.
”That's what I thought...” The defense minister said and frowned and stopped moving his chopsticks, ”Hmm...”
”Why? What happened?” Madame Lei pressed. Her husband seemed to be deep in thought and was not responding so she turned to her son, ”Yong'er, what happened?”
Lei Yong sighed, ”Well, I'm not exactly sure...her work was...interesting...” he finished with an uncertain look, he wasn't sure how to describe it.
”Interesting? What do you mean by that? What did she do?” Madame Lei inquired.
”A circle, a wheel...a weird wheel, a bunch of them...four! four of them...then lines inside the wheels, colored lines...yes, that's it...” Lei Yong haphazardly explained.
”A wheel? Lines? Not a garden?” Madame Lei was taken aback. ”She had said she was going to embroider a garden of flowers and she had even been practicing that for so long. Why would she -? ”
The family fell into silence and not eating, each with their own thoughts. Madame Lei suddenly perked up, ”Xiao Ting, did she say anything to you?”
Xiao Ting had been quiet and had been cold sweating once her father mentioned her sister's embroidery when her mother singled her out, she nervously looked at her and shrunk a bit, ”Ah...that...”
The others on the table also looked her way expectantly, Xiao Ting became even more nervous.
”Say it.” Lei Yong said while narrowing his eyes at her. Xiao Ting flinched and looked at her parents and saw them seriously waiting for her answer.
...should I or should I not?...Jiejie will be angry...
”Um...Um...Jiejie, she...she forgot...” She quietly said and looked down.
”Forgot what?” Her mother pressed.
”Forgot...forgot...how to...embroider...” She said while timidly glancing at her mother.
Madam Lei's eyes widened and her mouth hung open, Lei Yong had on stunned expression, the defense minister raised an eyebrow and solemnly nodded, ”Ah, that explains it.”
”Why didn't you tell us?!” Madame Lei roared.
Xiao Ting flinched again and quickly explained, ”I only found out yesterday...she...jiejie didn't want to en-... worry anyone...”
...I am sure if mention that, jiejie would really kill me...
”Hah, this child...” Madam Lei sighed.
”It's okay, she was able to sort her way through and didn't put the family to shame. Frankly, given her disadvantage, you could say she did brilliantly.” The defense minister said with a smile, trying to comfort his wife.
”Yes, mother...although the embroidery was...she explained it brilliantly, very profound and deep.” Lei Yong said nodding his head.
The father and son pair went on to explain the significance of Lei Xing's work to ensure that the Madame of the house could let go of her worries.
”Xing'er is a great artist and magnificent on the qin, I am sure she can make up whatever loss she this has caused.” The defense minister said reassuringly.
”As long as she didn't forget those too...” Lei Yong said absentmindedly, his father shot him a glare, ”Ah, I'm sure she didn't forget, right?” Lei Yong quickly corrected and looked to Xiao TIng for confirmation.
”Ah, ah I'm not sure...I don't think she does...” Xiao Ting hesitantly said
The faces of the rest of the family fell and they sighed heavily. Xiao Ting covertly hid her smile.
...Jiejie with this I have made amends, right? Now they won't expect much and you don't have to explain anything when you come back...