CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: LACKING IN ETIQUETTE (THIRD UPDATE)

On this day, Zhang Bao Li didn’t see Beisitian, but instead was met by several people from Uncle’s generation.

These included those from Fifth Uncle’s lineage, as well as Uncle Nine’s, which was her own lineage, with two other thriving branches following along.

In Uncle Nine’s lineage, Zhang Bao Li was merely a minor figure; when had she ever sat together with so many family elders?

"You’re Bao Li, right? You’ve truly been dedicated to remaining here in Qingzhou Town for so many years." The speaker was Zhang Baoguo, ranked third, mainly responsible for affairs at the Beijing Main Store, and also a close aide to Fifth Uncle, belonging to the same ’Bao’ generation.

"It’s not hard, not hard at all. For the family, this is what Bao Li should do!" Zhang Bao Li felt quite flattered, glancing down at Uncle Nine who sat nearby.

Uncle Nine’s name was Zhang Baoju, holding his tea with lowered eyes, silent, while Zhang Ziquan sat behind him.

Though they belonged to the uncle generation, they weren’t elderly men, being only in their forties or fifties. Their seniority was high, earning them casual respect.

"Bao Li, you’ve probably heard about the Shanghai embroidery exhibition incident. Though Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop, thanks to Baoxia, again won third place, it was completely overshadowed by that piece of Double-sided Three-different Embroidery. Third Uncle knows people at the exhibition hall and found out the embroidery woman who does this style is in your Qingzhou Town. How much do you know about this person?" Zhang Baoguo said.

Zhang Bao Li was youthful and overwhelmed, long suppressed by the aura of these family leaders, unable to grasp Zhang Baoguo’s implications.

But the others heard clearly, and Uncle Nine Zhang Baoju frowned and said, "Although Qingzhou Town is not as populous as the city, it has three to forty thousand people. We’ve only set up a small branch here, and Bao Li, just managing the store, can’t expect her to know everyone in Qingzhou Town, right, Third Brother?"

Zhang Baoguo chuckled, "Uncle Nine’s words make sense. Nonetheless, we’re in this business, and we ought to keep an eye on news within the trade. Though Qingzhou Town has three to forty thousand people, it’s not as if they’re all embroidery women. Look at Baoxia; her two formidable embroidery women, neither is from Anma Town, showing her dedication to the family."

His implication was clear: if Zhang Bao Li didn’t know, she wasn’t devoted to the family, and between the lines, he had high regard for Zhang Baoxia.

Zhang Bao Li’s excitement cooled rapidly with his few words. Her face turned pale upon hearing Third Uncle’s words, especially when compared to Zhang Baoxia, leaving her both unwilling and ashamed, momentarily speechless.

Old Nine Zhang Baoju was also stunted by these words, unable to respond. He was indeed a family leader, often out and about, with unmatched skill in verbal discourse!

Chun Ni, though ignorant of who had arrived, sensed they were significant figures from Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop, given the grandeur. Being a major brand, one could assume they were city-folk.

Thus, Chun Ni stood in the courtyard peering inside for quite some time, uncertain whether to notify, until Zhang Ziquan noticed her lingering outside and came up with a reason to step out.

"Has Beisitian come?" Zhang Ziquan asked as soon as he emerged.

These days, he had waited so long for Beisitian that his hair felt like a bird’s nest, even doubting whether Beisitian had been poached by competitors!

"Yes, yes, I saw city folks coming and didn’t dare let her in right away." Chun Ni, aware that Beisitian had won awards, wasn’t sure about the level of the Shanghai embroidery exhibition, thus not feeling it was significant.

Hearing this, Zhang Ziquan promptly called out to his aunt and raced outside.

He needed to advise Beisitian ahead of time about the situation to prevent her from being swayed by Fifth Uncle’s lineage.

But before he could reach the door, Beisitian had already entered.

Zhang Ziquan exclaimed "Oh no" to himself and hastily blinked at her.

Beisitian had waited for Chun Ni for quite a while but hadn’t seen her return. She decided to enter the backyard, as she had to wrap things up quickly to head back.

Upon entering, she saw Zhang Ziquan blinking furiously like he had muscle spasms, prompting her to ask curiously, "What’s wrong with your eyes?"

Zhang Ziquan covered his forehead, rendered speechless.

With the door ajar and only half covered by a curtain, her voice was audible to those inside.

"Someone’s come from Beijing; be very careful with what you say." Zhang Ziquan, upon realizing everyone inside heard, began his cautious advice next to Beisitian.

The advice carried two meanings: one, be wary of being led astray by their words; two, avoid offending the visitors.

Someone’s come from Beijing?

Beisitian recalled Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop’s main store was in Beijing and immediately understood. But for visitors from Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop’s main store, what did she need to be careful about!

Zhang Ziquan, seeing Beisitian’s indifferent reaction, grew anxious. Those were old foxes; once swayed by their words, regret would be too late, especially if Beisitian offended any of them...

While his thoughts jumped, Beisitian had already lifted the curtain and entered.

"Little Tian’er..." Zhang Bao Li was still quite excited to see Beisitian.

"Sister Bao Li, you have visitors. I wanted to inquire about the Phoenix Dance Dragon Plate. If it’s inconvenient, I can come another day." Beisitian, upon entering, addressed Zhang Bao Li without glancing at the others.

Everyone present, from Zhang Baoguo to Zhang Baoju, more or less guessed who she was, but upon hearing ’Phoenix Dance Dragon Plate’ spoken from her mouth, their faces showed slight reaction.

This visitor was the embroidery woman for ’Phoenix Dance Dragon Plate’! The one who mastered Double-sided Three-different Embroidery!

As Beisitian finished speaking, she felt all eyes turn sharp, sizing her up thoroughly!

Both Zhang Baoguo and Zhang Baoju saw Beisitian for the first time, noting her coarse cloth blouse, washed until certain areas had thinned and faded, deducing her modest background likely from surrounding villages.

Knowing she was from a village, Old Three Zhang Baoguo first breathed a sigh of relief. People from such places typically lack insight, and with some allure and pressure, might begin pleading to them!

Old Nine Zhang Baoju furrowed his brow; could such a village girl truly have embroidered the ’Phoenix Dance Dragon Plate’?

"Did you embroider the ’Phoenix Dance Dragon Plate’?" Old Nine Zhang Baoguo asked, sitting steadily with his tea.

Beisitian turned her head nonchalantly, glanced at him, then turned back to Zhang Bao Li and said, "I thought it was your family, but apparently not. Considering how great Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop is, it shouldn’t employ such impolite individuals."

Zhang Bao Li was embarrassed, as she indirectly said Third Uncle lacked manners! Though it was indeed true...