While teaching the two little ones, Meng Yao picked up the original skills of embroidery.
Indeed, she needed to support the family.
Zhao Dajiang only knew how to work in the fields, but one person couldn't do much, so the Zhao Family had very little land. Their daily output was simply not enough to sustain the family's livelihood.
In fact, it wasn't even enough to feed themselves.
There were six months of the year when they had to use Silver to exchange grain with the villagers or buy from the town's grain shop.
In this regard, the original owner was quite remarkable.
Based on bodily memory, Meng Yao quickly familiarized herself with embroidery and could successfully do it.
It was as if she was naturally talented in it.
The original owner embroidered round fans, a type of face-covering fan very popular among the wives and misses of wealthy families.
Coincidently, before the time travel, Meng Yao enjoyed collecting these classical small items, buying several fans that cost seven or eight hundred each. She even used her painting skills to draw various designs, which were recognized by the sellers and earned her a small profit.
The designs embroidered by the original owner were ordinary, but they stood out thanks to the original owner's excellent embroidery skills.
After finishing the embroidered round fans accumulated by the original owner, Meng Yao took the finished products and the designs she drew to the Hundred Embroidery House in town.
Embroidering one round fan paid five hundred coins, with the original owner able to make six fans a month, equating to three taels of silver.
No wonder she could afford Zhao Dahe's schooling while also supporting the family.
This ability to earn money was maximized.
The shopkeeper of Hundred Embroidery House was evidently well-acquainted with the original owner, as he greeted Meng Yao upon seeing her.
Meng Yao handed the round fans to the shopkeeper, who upon inspection smiled broadly, "Seems like sister Zhao's embroidery skills have improved!"
Of course, Meng Yao wouldn't miss the chance to bargain, "Shopkeeper Liu, does that mean the price can increase?"
This Shopkeeper Liu was a straightforward person, not getting upset by Meng Yao's words, he responded cheerfully, "Naturally, I said before, the better the quality, the higher the price; that's the rule set by our boss. Otherwise, who would hone their embroidery skills?"
Five hundred coins increased to five hundred and fifty coins.
In other words, an additional earning of three hundred coins.
One pound of pork costs fifteen coins, three hundred coins can buy twenty pounds.
After settling the silver, as Meng Yao was thinking of presenting her designs, Shopkeeper Liu moved past her, excitedly greeting someone.
Meng Yao turned her head, twitching the corner of her mouth; it was Tao Hua.
When she came, Tao Hua wasn't in the carriage.
"Aunt Zhao." Tao Hua exclaimed joyfully.
Meng Yao nodded, acknowledging the greeting.
Shopkeeper Liu was quite surprised, "You two know each other?"
"Aunt Zhao and I are both from Shanghua Village," Tao Hua replied.
"Your Shanghua Village is incredible, producing someone as skilled in embroidery as sister Zhao and someone as talented in painting as Miss Su," Shopkeeper Liu commented.
Meng Yao and Tao Hua exchanged glances.
At a glance, Meng Yao quickly blanked her mind, seemingly staring at Tao Hua but actually her eyes weren't focused; it was the way to avoid getting entranced by this strange young girl.
Tao Hua said nothing, but Shopkeeper Liu unfolded the designs Tao Hua brought in front of Meng Yao, "Sister Zhao, look, each design is so vivid."
They consisted of flowers, plants, small animals, and birds, which were more easily accepted.
It was undeniable that the term 'lifelike' was quite suitable.
It was as if the form of an orchid was directly imprinted onto the paper.
A small bird ready to take flight seemed to be sealed in the paper at that very moment.
Such painting skills matched those of a camera.
"Tao Hua, you're amazing," Meng Yao praised.
For the four designs, Shopkeeper Liu paid forty taels of silver.
Indeed, designs were more valuable.
Tao Hua collected the silver and did not linger in the Hundred Embroidery House, simply agreeing on another time to deliver designs with Shopkeeper Liu before leaving.
"Sister Zhao, can you embroider them?" Shopkeeper Liu asked.
Meng Yao decisively shook her head; she'd certainly be able to, but rationality told her to avoid anything related to Tao Hua.
Shopkeeper Liu sighed, "It seems these can't be used as designs."
Meng Yao was puzzled, "If they can't be used as designs, then why did Shopkeeper Liu accept them?"
"When Miss Su first delivered her designs, our boss happened to be present and was very fond of her painting skills. These will be given to our boss," Shopkeeper Liu explained.
Now it made sense.
Meng Yao took out her own designs, maintaining a calm demeanor, "I wonder what Shopkeeper Liu thinks of my designs?"
There were images of the four beauties, mythical stories, like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, and Chang'e Flying to the Moon.
Shopkeeper Liu's mouth opened wide in astonishment. From her years of experience in running the Hundred Embroidery House, she confirmed these designs could be used for round fans and screens. Moreover, they were designs that, as long as the embroidery skills were adequate, would surely be sought after once completed.
These were proper designs!
Each section's color scheme and stitching were clearly marked.
And whether it was people or animals, they were very lively. They might not be as realistic as Miss Su's, but the beautified figures were even more appealing.
With Miss Su's paintings looking so real, a rather unkind remark would suggest seeing the real thing was better.
Aesthetics were there, and so was storytelling.
If a series could be launched, the business for the Hundred Embroidery House would surely flourish.
Shopkeeper Liu cordially invited Meng Yao to the backyard for tea and had someone prepare exquisite snacks.
"Sister Zhao, how would you like to sell these designs?" Shopkeeper Liu asked straightforwardly.
"Shopkeeper Liu, what do you think they're worth?" Meng Yao bounced the ball back, confident that her designs were far more valuable than Tao Hua's paintings.
After all, this could generate continuous revenue.
Tao Hua's paintings, while possibly priceless for collection, required people with understanding.
Now this was business.
"Twenty taels per design," Shopkeeper Liu stated bluntly.
Fairly speaking, the price wasn't low.
But Meng Yao wanted to strive for more.
"These are just three series of drafts," Meng Yao said calmly.
"Sister Zhao, are you implying there are more?" Shopkeeper Liu felt her heart racing; initially, she had settled down to quietly manage the town's Hundred Embroidery House for retirement.
But what if she could elevate all the Hundred Embroidery Houses to a higher level? Not just one level, but several.
"Furthermore, I will still annotate the stitching methods. This means, the experienced embroidery girls at Hundred Embroidery House can easily handle them," Meng Yao added fuel to the fire.
"Also, if any guidance is needed, I can provide it," Meng Yao supplemented.
"Thirty taels," Shopkeeper Liu decided promptly.
Meng Yao beamed with joy; she thought the most it could reach was twenty-five taels. Instead, it far exceeded her expectations!
"Of course, there are conditions. These designs must solely belong to my Hundred Embroidery House. In other words, Sister Zhao can't sell them elsewhere. These embroidered pieces can only come from the Hundred Embroidery House," Shopkeeper Liu declared.