Chapter Eleven: Flowing Cloud Pavilion

  "Yes, ma'am. Don't worry, I will take good care of the young lady as you have entrusted me." Yuanyang replied calmly and firmly to Junshi's gaze.

  "This is good, Madam believes in your loyalty. Qingjin you rest well, I will leave first." After getting Yuanyang's guarantee, Junshi said one last sentence to Qingjin and left with the maid beside her.

  Qing Jin watched as Jun Shi left, and suddenly felt a deep sense of defeat. She thought about how Jun Shi had doubted her and suspected that she was possessed by an evil spirit just because she wanted to change, and felt a small pang of sadness.

  She had always been in Jun's care, although less than her brother, but in ancient times where mothers were valued for their sons, Jun's preference for his son was not wrong. It was she who was dissatisfied, thinking that Jun should have given her 100% love just because she gave birth to her, and must pay full attention to her, even though she was a transmigrator with memories of her past life, and couldn't treat Jun like a real daughter would treat her mother.

  It's better for me to let the world down than for the world to let me down. She clings tightly to her own heart, unwilling to give in, yet cannot tolerate even a slight neglect from Jun Shi, so much so that when Jun Shi neglects her because of his brother, she resents Jun Shi's preference for sons over daughters and also dislikes her own younger brother who is born of the same mother.

  Fortunately, she can start again now. This time, she must not be selfish like in her previous life. Her relationship with her mother can gradually improve, and so can her relationship with her younger brother, who is only six or seven years old now. She has plenty of time to change the course of events from her past life.

  Two days later, after Gu Qingjin felt that his body had fully recovered, he got up early in the morning and, under the service of Yuanyang, dressed up and left the room with Yuanyang.

  She is going to visit her grandmother Shen today, and she should also mention her idea of going to the temple to pray for blessings. She hopes to get her grandmother's consent, so that she can go to the temple to thank the Buddha and give herself another chance.

  Walking in the gentle breeze of a sunny March morning, the cheerful and crisp bird calls are heard by my ears, the fragrance of flowers and grass is all along the way, occasionally warm winds come, blowing up Gu Qingjin's wide sleeves, the sleeves fluttering like scattered clouds.

  Behind her, a voice of admiration came from the Mandarin ducks, "The clothes that come out of the Flowing Cloud Pavilion are really different from others. Not only are they elegant and atmospheric, but also have many patterns and an inexplicable beauty. No wonder even the young ladies from the noble families in the capital love to come to our Flowing Cloud Pavilion to order custom-made clothes!"

  Liuyun Pavilion was created by Gu Qingjin in his sixth year after crossing over from his previous life. Gu Qingjin had a fondness for traditional Chinese clothing, especially the loose and flowing Han-style robes, even before he crossed over. After arriving in this new era and seeing the rigid and formal attire of the time, he suddenly remembered his past love and decided to open an ancient clothing store. At first, he didn't think about making money, but rather wanted to recreate the beautiful and elegant traditional Chinese clothes from history in this new era, mainly for his own convenience so that he could wear the clothes he liked whenever he wanted.

  At the age of six, a child wanted to open a store. Whether in ancient times or now, most adults' reactions would probably be to laugh it off. Fortunately, Qingjin had been intentionally showing her uniqueness since childhood. Moreover, at that time, Junshi was completely focused on his newborn son and unintentionally neglected Qingjin, making him eager to make up for something. So when he heard people around him say that his daughter Gu Qingjin wanted to open a clothing store, he immediately took out one of the good storefronts in Beijing from his dowry and gave it to Qingjin without hesitation.

  Under the unintentional cooperation of Mr. Jun, after a renovation and preparation, a finished clothing store named Liuyun Pavilion appeared on the streets of Beijing. At first, Gu Qingjin's purpose was just to wear his favorite clothes himself. Liuyun Pavilion didn't attract much attention at first, but unexpectedly, after Gu Qingjin designed Hanfu came out, one day a young lady from Beijing unintentionally entered Liuyun Pavilion and saw the clothes on display in the store, she immediately took out silver coins and bought that piece of clothing.

  Later, the young lady wearing that dress attended a banquet, and Flowing Clouds Pavilion suddenly became bustling with customers, and business was booming. Flowing Clouds Pavilion began to become the first choice for bespoke clothes among the upper-class ladies in the capital city. From then on, the monthly income of Flowing Clouds Pavilion was enough to cover one-third of the expenses of the Anji Marquis's household, and it kept getting better. When this matter was known by Jun Shi, it was unintentionally mentioned by Jun Shi during a family banquet, which earned her grandmother's astonished gaze and her father's satisfied smile. From then on, Qing Jin's status in the Anji Marquis's household became unshakeable, even her grandmother, who had always thought Qing Jin was not steady enough, rarely praised Qing Jin with two sentences.

  After recalling those old things, thinking of the swan that had just spoken, Qing Jin turned around and faced Yan with a tone of admiration, "Really? If you like this dress, I'll ask Master Flowing Cloud to take your measurements next time I make clothes, and he can also make a few for you!" Qing Jin said sincerely to Yan, who had been by her side in her previous life.

  Yuan Yang heard Qing Jin's words and suddenly became honest and fearful, "Thank you so much, Miss, but I'm just a humble maid. The clothes in the Flowing Cloud Pavilion are not something that someone of my status can wear. You're being too kind to me, Miss, but I mustn't forget my own identity. Please don't spoil me, Miss."

  Qing Jin nodded after a moment of contemplation, "Alright, I won't make it for you now. When you get married, I'll ask Flowing Clouds Pavilion to add a few more sets to your dowry."

  "Miss, Mandarin Duck doesn't want to get married. Mandarin Duck wants to spend her whole life by Miss's side, serving Miss and attending to Miss. Mandarin Duck doesn't want to leave Miss." Upon hearing Qingjin's words, Yuanyang's face turned bright red, but her tone was firm, her eyes seriously fixed on Qingjin.

  Qing Jin saw the serious expression on Yuanyang's face, and she felt a little dazed. She didn't know that Qing Jin had already made up her mind to follow her and not marry at such an early age. Thinking back to their past life in the San Wang Fu, where they lost the favor of Long Han, and the dry and dangerous days they spent there, Yuanyang always stayed by her side, accompanying her, and running errands for her. Qing Jin suddenly fell silent, only she knew that what this maid said was all true from the heart. There was an inexplicable feeling in her heart. If it were in their previous life, Qing Jin would have thought it was natural for Yuanyang to be like this. But now, Qing Jin turned around and took a step forward.