Traveling wearily all the way, we finally returned to Li Hen City.
As soon as they entered Lin’s General Store, Mrs. Qiao ca up to them: "Mr. Lin, Miss, that Miss Baili has been waiting for you in the back courtyard living room for quite so ti."
She has been waiting here, afraid that Lin Miao wouldn’t return?
"Miaoxue, Mr. Lin."
Baili Yuyao was still as elegant and beautiful as ever. It seems that the environnt cannot easily influence a person; true refinent cos from within.
"Miss Baili, you and Miaoxue chat for a bit. I must excuse myself to go change clothes." Rushing back on horseback all the way, I was soaked with sweat and reeked. It wouldn’t be appropriate to et guests like this.
Baili Yuyao didn’t quite understand why Lin Miao was like this, but Si Miaoxue laughed lightly: "Yuyao, it’s fine. He’s just like that, a bit of a neat freak."
"Oh..."
"Yuyao, has your mother agreed?" Si Miaoxue imdiately spoke out Yuyao’s thoughts.
"Yes, after my persuasion, she finally agreed to let Mr. Lin diagnose her." Baili Yuyao nodded.
"What’s your plan?"
"After dark, I will arrange for my mother to quietly co out of the embroidery house..."
"Your mother is paralyzed, how can she co out without being noticed by the people in the embroidery house?" Si Miaoxue frowned slightly. What if sothing happened outside?
"Today, a batch of goods will be transported out from the embroidery house. My mother can hide in the cart and co out."
"Why not let Mr. Lin directly go into the embroidery house with you? With your ability, taking one person in shouldn’t be a big problem?" Si Miaoxue questioned. The head of the embroidery house needing to hide in a cart? That was quite humiliating.
She wouldn’t be willing either.
"The embroidery house mainly has won; Mr. Lin being a man, if he goes in and is seen, it will definitely cause a huge stir." Baili Yuyao explained.
"Yuyao, I have an idea..."
"Miaoxue, will this work?" Baili Yuyao, hearing Si Miaoxue’s suggestion, paused montarily.
"Doesn’t hurt to try, right?"
"I an, will Mr. Lin agree?" Baili Yuyao asked.
"Well, when she cos, I’ll speak to her first, don’t say anything." Si Miaoxue thought briefly and agreed softly.
...
"What, you want to dress as a woman to enter the embroidery house?" Lin Miao couldn’t believe Si Miaoxue would propose such a lousy idea.
"Mr. Lin, Yuyao’s mother is paralyzed and finds it difficult to move; the embroidery house is full of won. If you, a man, go in, it will certainly attract attention. But if you go as a woman, you won’t be noticed." Si Miaoxue patiently explained.
"For this, you want to humiliate ?" Lin Miao exclaid angrily, "Besides, as soon as I open my mouth, won’t it be obvious?"
"How is it humiliating? As long as you don’t speak in front of outsiders, you’ll be fine..."
"No, absolutely not!" Just the thought of himself in won’s clothing sent shivers down Lin Miao’s spine.
"Mr. Lin, you know that Yuyao’s mother is the head of the embroidery house. If you can cure her, it’ll significantly benefit us in Li Hen City and secure our position in Longchuan Canyon. Sacrifice a little for this!" Si Miaoxue pulled Lin Miao aside and whispered.
"But I’ve never dressed as a woman before!" Lin Miao knew this was the best solution, but he couldn’t stand the idea of dressing like a woman.
"You’ve never done it, but we are all won, we can help you."
"Do I really have to do this?" Lin Miao muttered with a pained expression.
"Mr. Lin, make a small sacrifice, and when you return, I’ll serve you well, alright?" Si Miaoxue softly pleaded in his ear, cheeks flushed. Just to get him to cross-dress?
"Will my face work?" Lin Miao started to soften.
"Yes!"
"Alright, if the disguise doesn’t look like a woman, I won’t go!" Lin Miao found himself a loophole; he knew once he agreed, Si Miaoxue would make sure he went.
Quickly, the two won decided that Lin Miao would accompany Si Miaoxue to the embroidery house as her personal maid.
This would further reduce the sensitivity of Lin Miao’s identity; everyone would focus on Si Miaoxue.
Who would pay attention to her personal maid?
It must be said, the won planned ticulously with almost no room for outsiders.
The narrow sleeves and wet skirt, only the chest was a bit flat. Lin Miao was not short, but he was still growing, so he appeared about the sa height as Si Miaoxue. Once he lowered his head, it was indistinguishable.
As for the appearance!
Lin Miao’s face dressed as a woman wasn’t ugly, but it wasn’t pretty either. Fortunately, his Adam’s apple wasn’t very noticeable; a casual glance wouldn’t reveal he’s a man.
The conditions for cross-dressing were quite favorable.
"Don’t apply too much powder, I’m just a maid. My skin should be a bit yellow and darker, that would be normal. If I look like you, it wouldn’t fit the role..."
"Mr. Lin is right, we really overlooked that."
"Mr. Lin, won walk with smaller strides. When following their master, they naturally slow down, and when walking alone, they take quick little steps..."
...
Baili Yuyao’s observations of life are truly ticulous. Such a woman must have a keen mind.
This made him think his cross-dressing idea might have long been part of her plans, yet she didn’t openly say it and instead ntioned it through Si Miaoxue.
Indeed, she’s a wise woman; no wonder she’s been established as a third-generation embroideress so young. However, she still needs ti to grow and isn’t quite ready to take on significant responsibilities yet.
"It’s about ti; I should head back and prepare, Miaoxue."
"Alright, I’ll see you off."
...
Si Miaoxue saw Baili Yuyao off and returned.
"Miaoxue, what realm are you at now?" Lin Miao asked. Since he returned from Yingfeng Valley, he hadn’t had a chance to ask.
What realm Si Miaoxue had reached after consuming the Zhu Fruit.
"Upper Grade ridian Passage Realm." Si Miaoxue replied with a smile, never having imagined she’d break through to the ridian Passage Realm before thirty.
And now, not only did she break through, but she also advanced to Upper Grade ridian Passage Realm. Perhaps in a few years, she could reach the level of her master, Long Po.
It’s truly incredible; surely choice is greater than effort. Without that seemingly crazy choice, today’s her wouldn’t exist.
Lin Miao brought her so much.
This man is a treasure, but such a man is destined to be extraordinary; he will surely shine brightly.
To be his woman, she feels lucky. In contrast, besides exploiting her, what could the Moon Worship Sect offer?
"I’ve also advanced to Upper Grade Blood Fusion Realm." Lin Miao said with a slight smile, "It seems the Zhu Fruit’s effect is good. It’s just unclear when the next Zhu Fruit will mature."
"We need to check back; I don’t know how many years it takes for Zhu Fruit to mature again." Si Miaoxue replied.
"Did you bring my dical kit back?"
"Yes, I did."
"Later, disguise it and mix it among the visiting gifts, so no one sees it. Since we must act the part, we should perfect all the details and not let anything slip..."
"Mr. Lin, how confident are you in treating those impaired by demonic possession during cultivation?" Si Miaoxue asked.
"I haven’t seen such a demonic possession case, where’s the confidence? We’ll see how it goes, give it a try; if it doesn’t work, I have no solution either. I’m no immortal, I can’t cure all." Lin Miao said.
"Then let’s try it; if it doesn’t work, there’s no choice." Si Miaoxue nodded, though in her mind, she couldn’t recall anything that troubled Lin Miao, but it’s just that he hasn’t encountered it yet.
"Is the gift prepared?"
"It’s been ready for long, do you want to check the inventory list?"
"No need, don’t I trust you?" Lin Miao chuckled.
"I estimate the madams won’t return today; you’ll have to stay another day or two before heading back." Si Miaoxue said.
"No problem, there’s no urgent matter at ho; I’m not in a hurry." Lin Miao said.
"That’s good then."
...
The lanterns were lit.
A simple carriage stopped at the entrance of the embroidery house.
Baili Yuyao personally ca out to greet, escorting Si Miaoxue and Lin Miao through the side entrance into the embroidery house; the main gate typically opens only for significant events and important figures.
Regular personnel at the embroidery house enter and exit through the side entrance.
The embroidery house is large, occupying four to five hundred mu, ho to over a thousand embroiderers and other personnel associated with the embroidery craft.
Established here, it can avoid many taxes. If situated in Dongshan City, the taxes paid to the governnt annually would be considerable.
The embroidery house’s products are renowned in Da Li, not only designing and producing independently but also processing custom materials and patterns.
Most embroiderers here are orphans, so trapped within the house their entire lives, endlessly embroidering, creating value that ultimately isn’t their own...
Few can leave to build families and bear children, not because the embroidery house restricts their freedom.
But once they master the house’s inherited embroidery techniques, they must bind to it. Marriages and funerals, unless related to the house, offer little opportunity, and these people, working daily, struggle to et the opposite sex.
Most signed a lifeti contract or were bought as female slaves from elsewhere.
The embroidery technique is mastered through instruction; once taught, if you leave, the technique leaks out. Naturally, the house won’t allow these won to leave.
Even if offered fair compensation, ensuring food and drink, no matter how much money they receive, they can’t spend it within the house. In the end, do they not remain?
There are solutions, but existing beneficiaries likely wouldn’t agree.
Baili Yuyao had Mrs. i accompany Si Miaoxue to tour the embroidery house, while she excused herself to change clothes, escorting the cross-dressed Lin Miao to her mother Baili Bingyun’s secluded courtyard.
Plans had been arranged in advance, so naturally, there were no barriers.
User Comments
0 comments from readers