Now, Chunqi was much more energetic than before.
The mistress had just entered the palace, and she was already able to personally sew nightwear for His Majesty, it seemed that she truly had the Emperor’s deep favor.
However, after opening the cabinet and carefully searching, she ended up pouting.
"Mistress, we didn’t bring any material into the palace, and what’s been sent are all fabrics used by women. What should we do?"
Lin Wanyi thought for a moment, then called Xiao Luzi to ask.
"Is the Inner Court Department responsible for fabrics and sewing in this palace?"
Xiao Luzi nodded, then respectfully answered.
"Within the Inner Court Department, there are six repositories and seven workshops in two divisions. Fabrics are managed by the satin warehouse, and embroideresses are managed by the embroidery workshop. If there are any areas needing mending, they are taken to the sewing room."
"The palace truly is, even a single piece of nightwear can involve so many people."
"That’s natural, in the palace, whether it’s the masters or the Palace Attendants, new clothes have to be ordered every spring, summer, autumn, and winter. If there are rewards, even more so, they cannot be delayed. So, what seems to be just a piece of clothing actually involves a lot of people."
"Back in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, there were also embroideresses, but their skills were not as good as the madam’s."
After speaking, she deliberately took the pomegranate-colored sachet hanging on her and showed it off to Xia An and Xiao Luzi.
"Look, this is what the madam rewarded me with."
Xia An had seen it many times, so she was accustomed to it, but Xiao Luzi took a closer look and his eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"The madam’s craftsmanship is truly exquisite, I dare say it’s even better than the embroideresses in the palace."
Hearing others praise the madam, Chunqi was also quite delighted.
"So, if I want to make nightwear for His Majesty, I should go to the satin warehouse to look for material, right?"
"That’s right, Mistress. However, I have never handled such a task before, so I’m not entirely sure."
He originally wanted to suggest asking Mr. Qin, but he swallowed the words back, fearing to trouble the mistress further.
Lin Wanyi had an idea, it seemed she still needed to invite the treasurer of the satin warehouse.
So she instructed Xiao Luzi.
"You’re quick-footed and familiar with the faces there. Run to the satin warehouse now, if the treasurer is there, invite him over. If not, inquire if there’s any Shui Guang Jin sent from Jiangnan."
"Yes, that fabric is made from the special water silk of Jiangnan, comfortable and with a subtle color, most suitable for making nightwear."
"I’ll remember that, and I’ll go look for it now."
Speaking as he jogged off, Chunqi curiously asked Lin Wanyi.
"Mistress, aren’t you afraid he’ll go to the Inner Court Department and inform Mr. Qin?"
Lin Wanyi smiled, unconcerned, and said.
"He is originally Mr. Qin’s apprentice, it’s normal for him to have contact with Mr. Qin. I just don’t like him spreading my words elsewhere. If he can keep his mouth shut, he’s indeed not bad."
These days, she has been observing closely, and this Xiao Luzi was indeed not bad.
Though young, he was already considered a "veteran" in the palace, yet he hadn’t picked up any sycophantic bullying habits.
It seemed Mr. Qin indeed treated him well.
Which is why, in the palace, he had preserved a bit of his original heart.
But did Mr. Qin really think so highly of her?
Sending his long-nurtured apprentice over to her, this bit surprised Lin Wanyi.
With Xiao Luzi around, dealings with the Inner Court were somewhat more convenient, so although she scolded, she wouldn’t really abandon Xiao Luzi.
Chunqi showed an expression of realization, while Xia An vaguely felt that the Mistress seemed a bit different from before through this incident.
If it were in the past, she wouldn’t have cared about these things.
Why, after coming out of Linzi Palace today, did she seem more thoughtful about the Emperor’s matters?
Recalling the pregnancy matter she mentioned some time ago, Xia An felt a bit uneasy.
But seeing Lin Wanyi as calm as ever, she said nothing more.
Soon, Xiao Luzi returned from the Inner Court Department.
Following behind him was an elderly nanny, neatly cleaned up, and even her clothes were ironed to perfection; she was obviously a person of status.
"Nanny Fan, Chief of the Satin Repository from the Inner Court Department, pays her respects to the Mistress, wishing the Mistress peace and well-being."
The Satin Repository Chief, it was no wonder she was dressed so.
One does not hit a smiling face; Lin Wanyi needed a favor, so naturally, she wouldn’t put on airs.
So, she gently and warmly smiled and said.
"Please rise, Nanny Fan. Chunqi, serve tea to the nanny." f\ree webn ovel(.)com
That Nanny Fan seemed somewhat surprised, intending to refuse, but Lin Wanyi continued.
"I’m new to the palace, and there are still many things I’m not familiar with, so I still need to have a word or two with the nanny."
"The Mistress is being polite. In that case, I shall accept the offer with gratitude."
Taking the tea Chunqi offered, she sat on a round stool and chatted with Lin Wanyi, who was sitting on the Bright Window Couch.
"I heard from Xiao Luzi that the Mistress wants Shui Guang Jin?"
"Yes, His Majesty ordered me to make a piece of nightwear. After much thought, I found that material quite suitable, so I asked Xiao Luzi to look for it."
"Unfortunately, last year only six bolts of Shui Guang Jin were tributed, and they were all rewarded by His Majesty. This year’s hasn’t arrived yet, so the satin warehouse doesn’t have this material."
She then raised her hand, and the palace maids waiting outside came in, each holding different materials.
"Since it’s for making nightwear for His Majesty, I boldly selected some, the materials are soft and smooth, and the colors are elegant, thinking they’re not much inferior to Shui Guang Jin."
The materials brought before Lin Wanyi were indeed eye-catching.
There’s no denying, the goods in the palace were indeed better than those outside.
If taken outside to sell, each bolt would probably be priceless, some even rarer than Shui Guang Jin, but Lin Wanyi looked at them and didn’t choose any.
Finally, she pointed to a simple silk brocade and said.
"Let’s keep this bolt."
Everyone else didn’t understand, clearly, there were better and more expensive ones, why choose this most ordinary one.
However, this Nanny Fan from the satin warehouse couldn’t help but look at Lin Wanyi with admiration, with a bit more respect.
"The Mistress has a keen eye. This silk brocade looks ordinary, but it’s the coolest and most sweat-absorbent. Seeing that summer is coming, if made into nightwear for His Majesty, it’ll surely be comfortable."
She had managed the satin warehouse for many years and knew the use of each material best.
Originally, she didn’t intend to bring it, because when the embroidery workshop made nightwear for His Majesty, they never chose this silk brocade. But thinking that since Lin Daying would choose Shui Guang Jin, perhaps she would be interested in this silk brocade too.
Unexpectedly, they both thought alike.
When Lin Wanyi was at her maternal grandfather’s house, she had seen this kind of silk brocade.
Her grandmother was also skilled in knitting and embroidery, and said this silk brocade could serve as a substitute for Shui Guang Jin.
Ordinary families couldn’t afford Shui Guang Jin, so they would use this silk brocade instead. The effect wasn’t as good as Shui Guang Jin, but it wasn’t far off.