Chapter 393
392, His Gift (5 more)
The people in the county town were still watching eagerly. The Lord County Magistrate’s family had also sold quite a few clothes, from the master’s to the servants’ and errand boys’, and even the Lord County Magistrate made a statement. Other families inevitably began to rummage through their wardrobes, bringing out clothes they no longer wanted or found cumbersome, and delivering them to Xie Zhinuan’s newly purchased residence.
With people weighing the clothes and then paying for them, the actual amount of money was really not much; the fact that people were willing to sell was not for the money.
It was more about establishing a good relationship with Xie Zhinuan, hoping she would not open another restaurant.
Since “Kechanglai” started its business, restaurants and noodle shops in Fengping County had been unable to continue. However, shops selling spices, rice, and vendors of vegetables, chickens, ducks, fish, and meat had made money.
They were eager for Xie Zhinuan to open more food establishments so they could sell her more grains, spices, and condiments.
Ordinary people also started selling old clothes from their homes, those they could no longer wear, didn’t like, or were worn out.
After Xie Zhinuan collected these items, they were all piled up together, untouched for the time being because the New Year was approaching. She planned to deal with them after the holidays.
When she received the New Year’s gift hurriedly sent by envoys from Li Hengyi, Xie Zhinuan was surprised, and even more so when she opened the box.
“This…”
Even without much experience, she knew it was fox fur.
Pure white without a single stray hair.
“This looks so beautiful!” exclaimed Duobao, amazed.
But she didn’t dare to touch it.
A few maids also found it very beautiful.
Xie Zhinuan took out a piece of fur, which felt especially soft and would look pretty used as a collar, sleeve or hat brim for clothing.
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Thinking that she had not sewn for a long time, Xie Zhinuan considered making a hat and clothes for Xie Yi and thought that since Li Hengyi had sent her the furs, she should return a gift.Now it was definitely too late to send anything back for the New Year, but it would be just as well after, for the Frontier was still cold then.
She had someone fetch some drawn and boiled silk, and she took black damask from the space. Xie Zhinuan planned to make a cloak for Li Hengyi.
Calling some people over, they spread out the silk wadding layer by layer on the table until it was thick enough, then they lined it with a layer of cotton cloth, first sewing around the edges then cutting off the excess and neatly rolling the hem.
This was the lining, and it generally couldn’t be washed; silk wadding would shrink once washed, and if it needed cleaning in the future, it was only the outer layer that should be washed.
Xie Zhinuan visited every fabric shop in Fengping County and eventually chose a piece of black mink to roll around the edge of the cloak’s hood.
As for the cloak’s outer layer, she did not add any designs; the fabric alone was rare and exquisite, and adding any embroidery might diminish its beauty.
Once it was cleaned, Xie Zhinuan inserted the lined interior, tying it off discreetly at the edges, folding it neatly, wrapping it in cloth, and then in rice paper. She covered the outer layer with oilcloth, fearing that rain might spoil it before it reached Li Hengyi at the Frontier.
When the item was handed to the envoy, Xie Zhinuan asked him, “Is the Frontier stable now?”
“Reporting to Miss Xie, all is stable, everyone is well, and we’re all in good order!” Li Xi immediately replied.
After a few days of rest, good food, and comfortable sleep, Xie Zhinuan gave him a cup of pure Spiritual Spring Water, which left him feeling revitalized.
Xie Zhinuan laughed softly, “This time you came alone, so I won’t offer anything else. By the way, is there any news of Duobao?”
Li Xi shook his head.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan was silent for a while, then asked again, “Are the cotton clothes and quilts ready?”
“All ready, everything’s there!”
Chapter 394