A Good Country Wife
Chapter 360 - 354_1

Chapter 360: 354_1

"Then just watch and see," Jiang Ziqi said, his innate pride still intact despite his realization sparked by Lin Yue’s thoughtless remark. He had no fondness for those with little skill who liked to ingratiate themselves with others, nor did he deign to pay them any heed. With a cold snort, he dismissed the matter and paid it no more attention.

Zhang Zhiheng saw Jiang Ziqi’s attitude and, though he felt aggrieved, he knew that to mock Jiang Ziqi even a few times was already an accomplishment. After all, the young man had achieved a status beyond his reach. Not only was Jiang Ziqi a Divine Doctor, but he was also favored by the Emperor. Zhang dared not push things too far, for fear that if the Emperor found out he had troubled Jiang Ziqi at the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, he might be displeased. It would also be laughable for someone of his age to trouble someone younger. Moreover, he understood that he was only still competing with the Jiang Family for the position at the Imperial Medical Academy because Jiang Ziqi did not wish to take up an official post. Despite this, the Emperor had granted Jiang Ziqi the privilege to come and go from the court as he pleased, which showed the Emperor’s particular favor.

The Emperor sat silently, watching his ministers present their gifts to the Empress Dowager. His expression revealed nothing of his thoughts—only occasionally did a flash of boredom appear in his eyes. However, when it was Jiang Ziqi’s turn to present his gift, the Emperor perked up, showing a hint of interest.

"I would like to know what kind of birthday gift Ziqi has prepared for the Empress Dowager. It must be something extraordinary," the Emperor said, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.

He and Jiang Ziqi had grown up together, so he knew exactly what kind of person Jiang Ziqi was—free-spirited and fond of independence. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have turned down the high positions and wealth offered to him to roam the world. It was a pity that the Jiang Family line depended solely on Jiang Ziqi’s shoulders, and the burdens of the family head were his whether he wished them or not. Despite his desire for freedom, he couldn’t escape, and now he was caught and brought back to take on the position of Family Head.

In the past, the Emperor often envied Jiang Ziqi for being carefree and unburdened by the responsibilities of governance, a contrast to his own position. Although he had sought the throne by his own designs, he couldn’t help feeling jealous, wishing to drag Jiang Ziqi down with him. Yet the slippery fellow had always managed to evade him. Now, seeing Jiang Ziqi forced to stay dutifully within the Jiang Family, busy with various affairs just like himself, the Emperor felt quite pleased. Seeing Jiang Ziqi maintaining his stern expression even enhanced the Emperor’s mood.

"Your Majesty, knowing the Empress Dowager’s fondness for collecting embroidery, I have prepared an Embroidered Picture as a gift, and I hope it will bring her joy," Jiang Ziqi said, not missing the schadenfreude flashing across the Emperor’s face and feeling somewhat annoyed at the Emperor’s thoughts.

Zhang Zhiheng, seeing the Emperor’s high regard for Jiang Ziqi, snorted silently to himself. He didn’t dare let others hear; the accusation of disrespecting the Emperor was not something he could afford. When he heard that Jiang Ziqi’s gift was merely an Embroidered Picture, he felt somewhat disdainful. The Empress was celebrating her fiftieth birthday, and yet to offer just an Embroidered Picture seemed insufficient. Many shared Zhang’s view, thinking that even if the Embroidered Picture was of the utmost value, how valuable could it be? Only a few who knew the truth were expectant, curious to see what extraordinary Embroidered Picture was worthy of being given to the Empress Dowager as a birthday gift.

Jiang Ziqi clapped his hands, and a few eunuchs carefully lifted a framed screen covered with red silk onto the stage. At the Empress Dowager’s gesture, they uncovered it, revealing a lifelike Longevity Picture that seemed as alive as any real creature.

At first, nobody thought much of it, thinking that whoever had embroidered the picture must be highly skilled. But in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, it was possible to find several such skilled embroiderers—nothing too rare. It was only when the screen was turned around at Jiang Ziqi’s signal that everyone realized it wasn’t just a double-sided embroidery, but that the patterns on each side were different. It was the later-known Double-sided Three Unique Embroidery. Astonishment took hold as the attendees realized they had never seen such an incredible technique before, one that Jiang Ziqi had apparently discovered.

"Incredible, truly incredible, this old man has never seen such exquisite embroidery before."

"The embroidery technique is secondary; the main marvel is that the patterns on both sides of the embroidered picture are different. I only know of double-sided embroidery, where the pattern on both sides of an embroidered picture is the same, which is a unique skill exclusive to the embroiderers of Jiangnan. A good piece of double-sided embroidery is worth a fortune, yet I have never heard of one where the patterns on both sides are different. Master Lin, have you ever heard of such a skill?"

Master Lin shook his head. "Perhaps it’s due to my limited experience, but I have truly never heard of such a skill, and I wonder from where the Jiang youth has found such an expert. After the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, I’ll have to inquire with the Jiang lad. My old lady is also quite fond of exquisite embroidery."

While most people were marveling at the embroideress’s work, there were those who noticed the Empress on the embroidered picture, who looked quite akin to the Empress Dowager, except that the Empress on the picture possessed an additional ethereal quality, making her even more graceful and beautiful.

The Empress Dowager, who was fond of collecting embroidered pictures, was presented with such a peerless treasure by Jiang Ziqi. She could no longer sit still in her seat and along with the Emperor, came up to the embroidery to look at it closely. Naturally, she also noticed the ingenious details in the picture and her gaze fixed tightly upon it, reluctant to look away.

Seeing the smile deepening on the Emperor’s lips as he looked at the Empress on the embroidered picture, he cast a meaningful glance towards Jiang Ziqi. "Ziqi’s thoughtfulness is truly clever, managing to delight the Empress Dowager in such a way. It’s a loss for the Court to not have such a talent serving as an official. Now that Ziqi has also taken up the position of Family Head of the Jiang Family, perhaps..."

"Your Majesty, you have promised me, a gentleman’s word is his bond, let alone the Emperor’s golden words. What you say cannot be taken back." The Emperor hadn’t even finished his thought when he was interrupted by Jiang Ziqi. Taking over the family business was already troublesome enough for Jiang Ziqi, not to mention that the old man was still robust and in good health. He could remain in the Imperial Medical Academy for a few more years, or even a decade without a problem. With someone from the family in the Imperial Medical Academy, they didn’t need another, and if a time came when they really needed him, he would naturally not refuse.

"Very well, if you are unwilling, I cannot force you. However, today’s birthday gift was excellent, winning the Empress Dowager’s favor. I will give you a significant reward later," the Emperor said, without specifying what the reward would be, which led everyone to speculate.

"It is my duty," Jiang Ziqi replied respectfully, yet he did not refuse the Emperor’s reward. Had this been in the past, he truly would have declined, but now he had been enlightened by Lin Yue. After spending so much time with this money-loving girl, he had even picked up a bit of her fondness for wealth. Besides, with a large family relying on him, the Emperor was wealthy, and it would be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Since his last return, Ziqi has indeed changed a lot and no longer holds his previous disdain for money, no longer seeing it as muck."