pdf-ebookys Chapter 496 Bird Paying Homage to the Phoenix
Chapter 496 Bird Paying Homage to the Phoenix
As soon as the silver silk silkworm brocade from the first cloth shop in Bianjing was spread out, people's exclamations of admiration rang out one after another.
The material was as light as flowing clouds, and the dark patterns looked like floating silver in the candlelight. The examiners nodded frequently, and Director Zhang even commented on the ingenuity on the spot.
The embroiderer from Jinxiu Cloth Shop walked slowly forward holding a sandalwood box.
The embroiderer first took out the first piece of cloth, and as soon as it was unfolded, the whole room was filled with a faint light.
The cloth is so thin that light can pass through it. It feels light in the hand and feels like touching a soft cloud.
A closer look revealed that the fabric was interwoven with glowing silk threads, and the dark areas were dotted with stars, as if the night sky had been woven into it.
When it was held up to the light again, the cloth emitted a pearl-like luster, so dazzling that people could not open their eyes.
As soon as the second piece of cloth appeared, a faint fragrance wafted out.
Looking at the plain plain cloth, the embroiderer poured some water on it, and everyone immediately exclaimed.
The originally grayish-white cloth gradually showed color, first light pink, then turning into deep red, like spring flowers blooming on the cloth.
The embroiderer explained:
“The silk for this cloth was first soaked in more than twenty kinds of medicinal herbs, including agarwood and saffron, for 49 days.
Then, using the lost glaze weaving method, the true appearance is revealed when it comes into contact with water, and there is a faint medicinal fragrance.
The key is that this medicinal fragrance is very good for the human body."
When the last piece of cloth was unfolded, the metallic luster made people squint.
It looks heavy, but it is actually light enough to be blown by the wind.
A brave guy brought a tinder closer, and the flame went out as soon as it touched the edge of the cloth. He then poured a bowl of water on the cloth, and the water droplets rolled down the surface of the cloth without soaking it at all.
The embroiderer introduced loudly:
“This cloth is made of special material and is fireproof and waterproof!
If there's a big fire, wrap it around yourself and it'll definitely keep you out for a while!"
The examiners were whispering to each other, the third-rank minister stroked his beard and nodded slightly, but suddenly a loud shout was heard in the hall.
The manager of the number one cloth shop in Bianjing shouted, "This is ridiculous! How can such a magical object exist in the world? This is clearly a lie to deceive the public!"
The examiners immediately asked someone to invite Doctor Liu from the Imperial Hospital.
Doctor Liu first leaned close to the cloth and smelled it carefully, then took out a silver needle and pricked the cloth a few times, and then rubbed the cloth repeatedly in the palm of his hand.
After struggling for a while, he finally straightened up and said:
"This cloth is truly special! The silk is soaked in pure medicinal scent, containing herbs like agarwood and saffron, which are all great for calming the mind and replenishing qi.
Wearing clothes made of this cloth for a long time can indeed calm your mind.
It can be especially helpful for common problems among women, such as insomnia and insufficient Qi and blood. "
Zheng Xiuxiu then smiled and said, "It seems that the fabric we developed does have this effect!"
Doctor Liu quickly nodded and said, "Indeed, putting some medicinal herbs in the sachet will also be helpful to the human body. It's the same principle."
The examiners discussed it for a while, and the chief examiner loudly announced, "This round, Jinxiu Villa wins!"
At the start of the second round, the embroiderers sat in front of tables covered with plain silk and needlework. This time, they were asked to embroider a peacock with its tail spread out, within a time limit of one hour.
Qing Yu looked at Madam Bai across from him, her tone filled with pride: "This round is a test of true skill. The craftsmanship we have cultivated since childhood in our embroidery workshop is not something that anyone can match!"
The sound of a needle threading echoed through the room. Zheng Xiuxiu's fingers flew, and her stitches were fine and neat, but compared to the embroiderers in the best villages in Bianjing, her movements were still a little slow.
By the time she finished her last stitch, sweating profusely, the embroiderer from the best cloth shop in Bianjing had already spread out her work and even joked, "I thought I was so amazing, but it turns out you're so slow."
In this round, the No. 1 cloth dealer in Bian Jing easily won the game.
In a blink of an eye, it was time for the third and most crucial stage - displaying the tribute embroidery.
Although the scores of the first two rounds also count, this final round is the highlight that determines the outcome.
Each embroidery workshop brought out its signature skills, hoping to make a comeback at this last moment. No one knew who would take home the top spot.
At the beginning of the third stage, each embroidery workshop put its most proud embroidery works on the table.
The No. 1 cloth shop in Bianjing was the last to appear on the stage. The embroidery it unfolded was actually a double-sided embroidery, one side was a graceful peony picture, and the other side was a phoenix picture with its wings spread out, ready to fly.
As soon as the embroidery was revealed, the onlookers went wild.
Someone tiptoed in for a closer look, muttering, "The stitching is so dense! The lines on the peony petals look so real!"
Some people couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh: "Double-sided embroidery is difficult in itself, but you can embroider different patterns on each side. This skill is amazing!"
"That's right! This one, if you take it to the market, you won't be able to buy it no matter how much money you spend!"
Everyone was talking at once, and everyone felt that the outcome of this game was already decided.
The examiner came over and looked over the embroidery again and again. He first felt the flatness of the embroidery surface, then looked at the symmetry of the patterns on both sides against the light. Finally, he nodded repeatedly:
“I never thought that double-sided embroidery could be done to this extent!
The colors are natural and the patterns are lifelike; the quality is truly top-notch.”
The examiner held the double-sided embroidery and looked at it again and again, his eyes full of amazement:
"The needlework is so smooth and flowing, and the double-sided pattern is flawless. This level of ingenuity is truly astonishing!
In my opinion, there is no need to look at the rest of the embroidery; the winner is already clear."
Zheng Xiuxiu suddenly stood up and said loudly:
"Chief Examiner, an embroidery competition should be based on skill.
If the winner is determined solely by one piece of embroidery, it would be unfair to the other contestants."
Qingyu's almond-shaped eyes widened, and there was contempt in his sneer:
"Oh! Jinxiu Villa really won't cry until they see the coffin!
Just with those crooked stitches of yours, do you think you are qualified to compete with the number one cloth shop in Bianjing?
Open your eyes and see, this is what we call the work of nature! If you know what’s good for you, just admit defeat and don’t embarrass yourself here!
People around began to whisper, and someone pointed at Zheng Xiuxiu and whispered, "The people in Jinxiu Villa are really stubborn. They still want to turn the tables after such a long time."
Another person curled his lips: "You are just unwilling to give up. You are obviously unable to win but you still insist on doing it."
The examiner raised his hand and gestured, "Well, since someone is dissatisfied, please present the remaining tributes! I want to see if there are any more surprises."
The embroidery from Jinxiu Villa was carefully brought up by several maids. As the red silk was slowly unfolded, everyone present gasped.
The entire embroidery was decorated with a pattern of birds paying homage to the phoenix, which was different from the double-sided embroidery in the Bian Jing cloth shop.
This embroidery seems to be alive. The feathers of the phoenix are clearly visible, and the peacocks and cranes surrounding it are so fine that even the texture on the wings is clearly visible.
The most amazing thing is that when the sunlight shines through the window onto the embroidery, the originally colorful silk threads slowly change into different colors.
The phoenix's tail feathers turned from golden red to crimson purple, and the birds' feathers also followed suit, emitting a halo of rosy clouds.
The crowd erupted in excitement. Some rubbed their eyes in disbelief: "How...how did they do that? How can it change color?"
"This isn't embroidery at all! It's so shocking!"