Chapter 228: The Truth Comes to Light

Grandpa Chun paused, then glared at Zhu Yanyi. "You girl, can’t you say something nice to comfort your grandma?"

Zhu Yanyi giggled. "Grandpa Chun, do you really need comforting?" She emphasized the word comforting, dragging out the tone. The meaning shifted completely.

Grandpa Chun was stunned, then laughed and scolded, "Five years gone, and you’ve become a little monkey. Where did you learn this sarcastic tone? Don’t pick up bad habits."

"What did I say? I said nothing," Zhu Yanyi said, looking innocent. It made Grandpa Chun both angry and amused.

After dinner, Zhu Yanyi walked with Grandpa Chun in the yard. She wanted to rest, but unexpectedly, Grandpa Li arrived. In the capital, few earned the respectful title "Old." Yet, Grandpa Li, a woman, held this honor.

"Grandma Li!" Zhu Yanyi saw her and rushed over.

Grandpa Li wore a qipao, radiating elegance. Seeing Zhu Yanyi, she smiled kindly. "Good that you’re here. Come, play at Grandma’s house." The elders lived in one large compound.

Grandpa Chun objected. "You just arrived and are stealing my apprentice? I’m not happy."

Grandpa Li snorted. "Didn’t I call you yesterday to strike first? Otherwise, little Ani would have come to me."

Grandpa Chun argued, "Who said she must go to you? Can’t my apprentice visit me?"

"She is my apprentice too. Besides, I want to test her embroidery skills. Can you do that here?" Grandpa Li stated directly.

Grandpa Chun had no choice. Even if he claimed he could, there were no tools here. He rubbed his nose, unwillingly letting Zhu Yanyi follow Grandpa Li. Before leaving, he reminded her, "Cook more snacks for wine tonight." Grandpa Li looked like she wanted to hit him.

Grandpa Li’s courtyard was smaller but elegant. Since she practiced embroidery, the decor leaned toward ancient styles. Zhu Yanyi looked around. Grandpa Li got straight to the point. "Ani, come here. Embroider something. Let me see if your skills have improved."

Zhu Yanyi sat down. She didn’t choose a difficult pattern, just a peach blossom. Though simple, she used double-sided embroidery. Two peach blossoms looked identical in shape and color, but the stitches differed. One side used Su embroidery, the other Shu embroidery. The techniques involved over thirty different stitches.

Most importantly, Zhu Yanyi stitched very fast. She didn’t need to plan each needle; her hands moved naturally.

Grandpa Li’s eyes lit up. When Zhu Yanyi finished, she smiled. "Ani, you haven’t wasted these five years."

Zhu Yanyi smiled back. She wouldn’t tell Grandpa Li she learned much in the Ruyi Space. In reality, only five years passed, but time flowed faster inside. "It’s okay. I treat acupuncture needles and embroidery needles as the same category. When I embroider, I feel like I’m healing a patient. That’s why I’m fast."

Grandpa Li studied the pattern closely. She felt her mood brighten. Surprised, she asked, "Ani, what were you thinking about while embroidering?"