CHAPTER 362: CHAPTER 362

In the evening, Qu Fulan had dinner at her aunt’s house.

Hao Qiancheng and Jinxiu were there too, along with He Hua, Qu Fulan, a real family gathering.

Hao Qiancheng and Jinxiu were thrilled to learn that the real cousin had been found, and it was this Miss He.

No wonder they felt so close to her when they first met; after all, she’s family.

He Hua decided to give Jinxiu a pouch as a return gift but couldn’t find it despite searching her waist several times, "It might have fallen off."

Jinxiu quickly said, "It’s fine, the thought is what counts, and besides, I don’t lack pouches now, no need to be formal, Second Cousin."

Well, finding the real cousin doesn’t mean losing Qu Fulan as a cousin; to differentiate, one is called Big Cousin and the other Second Cousin.

He Hua sighed, "It’s not about being formal, just a pity I spent so much effort but couldn’t give it to you."

She’s probably been so busy lately that she didn’t know when it fell off.

"What pouch, why does a cousin need to give you a pouch?" Hao Qiancheng asked, not knowing.

Jinxiu recounted the story of sending the pouch to Second Cousin last time.

"Embroidering a pouch takes a lot of effort, we’re family, there’s no need to fuss over these things," Hao Qiancheng comforted.

That’s all they could do, even though He Hua still felt regretful, since she spent many days embroidering her masterpiece.

Seeing this, Qu Fulan added, "Giving something else in return is just the same. Cousin Qiancheng is right, embroidering pouches is indeed taxing. When Cousin sent me a pouch, I gave something else in return because embroidering is too difficult for me."

Before He Hua could say anything, Jinxiu covered her mouth with a smile, "Big Cousin, don’t be modest. I’ve seen your embroidery before, it’s as good as mine if not better. Seeing your pouch back then gave me the determination for needlework, or else I wouldn’t have reached my current level. I wasn’t fond of it before."

Aunt also laughed, "Indeed, that year when I took her to the Li Family, and she saw your pouch, she changed her playful ways, focusing entirely on needlework. Fortunately, otherwise, she wouldn’t have even a skill to rely on today."

Aunt and Jinxiu’s words made the others laugh, He Hua even looked at Qu Fulan, "I’ve seen Cousin Jinxiu’s exquisite embroidery, and didn’t expect yours to be even better. Can I see it someday?"

He Hua used to be mediocre at embroidery, then improved after a fall, surpassing her peers. She was secretly proud, having never seen anyone of her age doing better embroidery. Jinxiu’s work is good, but upon closer comparison, she felt superior. Hearing Jinxiu’s words made her eager to see Young Lady Pei’s embroidery.

Young people tend to be competitive, it’s natural.

Yet, Qu Fulan couldn’t respond honestly, though the original was skilled at embroidery, she has long since changed inside, and she has no skill in this area at all.

She jokingly said.

"Don’t flatter me, Cousin Jinxiu, those days are over. It’s been so long since I last did needlework; my skills are gone. Now, apart from an abacus, I can’t handle anything else."

While joking, Qu Fulan was alarmed internally. Was the original proficient in embroidery? How good?

Luckily, she didn’t give a pouch as a return gift back then, otherwise, she’d have exposed herself.

Seems she needs to pay more attention and refrain from all needlework henceforth.

He Hua admired Qu Fulan’s business acumen and agreed with her, "Indeed, your speed with the abacus is impressive, even I envy you."

Relieved that the topic shifted, Qu Fulan discreetly breathed a sigh of relief, "Practice makes perfect."

Talking about the abacus led to the topic of business. Previously, as a princess, He Hua couldn’t manage business; now she can, so she wanted advice from Qu Fulan.

"If you’re really interested, choose a venture that intrigues you, learn about it first, and see how it goes, it’s easier to get started this way," suggested Qu Fulan.

Not everyone wants to get into business, like Cousin Jinxiu, who has no plans and is only interested in embroidery and is skilled enough to handle managerial tasks in the future.

He Hua’s interest in business did not mind being guided by Qu Fulan.

After dining at Aunt’s house, it was nearly dark, Qu Fulan bid farewell to everyone and returned to Pei Mansion.

However, on her way home, she kept pondering about the original’s embroidery. Was it that good?

Did she leave any flaws in that area?

Thinking hard but coming up with nothing, just as she was about to relax, she suddenly remembered during winter hunting, Xiao Shiqing seemed to have seen her pouch and returned it to her...

Qu Fulan felt a chill, did Xiao Shiqing notice something?

He must have; otherwise, why would he take her for exorcism without reason? Fortunately, she survived, which might have dispelled some of his doubts as well?

Until now, he hasn’t troubled her, she feels safe.

But in terms of embroidery, she must stay clear of it moving forward.

It’s also the fault of the original story, not clarifying such a big problem, causing her to overlook.

Once back at Pei Mansion, she suddenly remembered the pouch she embroidered for Pei Ji’an; oh god, did Xiao Shiqing see that?

He probably hasn’t, otherwise, given Xiao Shiqing’s nature, he would have caused trouble by now.

Damn it, if she hadn’t had dinner with Aunt’s family today, she wouldn’t have discovered this loophole.

She must have Pei Ji’an change that pouch once she’s back!

But when he finally returned, before she could speak, he pulled her close for a kiss.

"No... mm... I have something to... say..."

"Talk later."

This ’later’ was an hour later.

"The pouch you have now, let the maids make a better one to replace it."

Afterward.

Qu Fulan leaned against his chest, wet hair stuck to her forehead, not wanting to move a finger.

Pei Ji’an raised his hand to fix her hair, and in a low voice said, "Why change when it’s perfectly fine?"

Qu Fulan didn’t want to lift her eyelids, weakly replied, "It’s such a lousy pouch, not presentable at all, if people see it they’ll laugh, besides, they can easily tell it’s made by me, isn’t that public humiliation?"

Although it’s an excuse, flaunting an inferior work is indeed public humiliation.

Pei Ji’an gently combed her hair with his fingers, it was very smooth and pleasant to the touch, "But I don’t want a pouch made by others."

Qu Fulan sighed, thinking he really was a troublemaker for giving her more work.

"What kind of talk is that? When we weren’t together, didn’t you use pouches made by others?"

"That was then, who said you wouldn’t make them before?"

"You never asked me to make any for you."

Speaking of which, it’s strange, even when she was his servant before, he never requested anything from her needlework, so even pouches, she never made one for him.