The white embroidered cloth displayed a scene of gray cliff rocks. Gray is usually a heavy, dull color, but this rock featured a welcoming pine tree. Behind the rock, a streak of rosy clouds glowed. The golden light from the clouds gave life to the gray. These two colors, which normally do not match, combined to create a vibrant pattern that made people feel happy just by looking at it.
"This is Mood Embroidery," one of the judges said, his eyes full of surprise.
Old Master Li smiled slightly. "Old Master Zhou has a good eye. This is indeed Mood Embroidery." A sense of relief washed over her. She then addressed the other judges. "Everyone, please give your scores."
"Does this even need scoring? A piece of Mood Embroidery is worth its weight in gold. If this cannot win the championship, I cannot imagine what other work could." Old Master Zhou spoke directly.
"Of course, we need to score. How else can we determine who is better?" The speaker was a judge from Japan. Shock was in his eyes, but he was unwilling to admit defeat.
"Oh? Then how many points do you plan to give?" Old Master Zhou asked directly.
"This embroidery is not bad, but it still has flaws," the Japanese judge said, putting on a righteous face.
Zhu Yanyi nodded, looking very humble. "Then please, judge, tell us what the flaws are. Do not say the base cloth is too white; you judges provided it. Do not say the embroidery threads are not authentic; the judges' group provided those too. I just wonder, is there a problem with my embroidery technique? Or is there a problem with this Mood Embroidery itself?"
Zhu Yanyi blinked her eyes. She did not like to argue, but she did not allow anyone to question anything she did. Whether it was medicine, embroidery, or anything else she learned, she did not allow others to doubt her. This was especially true for doubts from Japanese people.
Zhu Yanyi had always held a hidden sense of anger toward Japan. This was a habit formed in her past life, likely because she had studied the history of the Nanjing Massacre. She particularly disliked Japanese people. In her previous life, she traveled alone all over the world, both domestically and abroad, but she never visited Japan. She did not eat Japanese-style pastries, nor did she use Japanese electronic products or cosmetics. She refused anything connected to Japan.
So, when this Japanese judge spoke up, it made Zhu Yanyi angry. However, she smiled and faced the judge. Her attitude was very good, as if she were seeking advice. If the Japanese judge truly had the ability to guide her, there would be no problem. However, although this judge was considered skilled in embroidery in Japan, compared to Chinese embroiderers, she was only at an above-average level. She could critique ordinary work, but critiquing a masterpiece like Mood Embroidery was a joke.
Zhu Yanyi did not know her background, but she happened to use the right method. She made a gesture inviting her to speak. "My master told me that asking questions without shame is very good. Especially for us who learn embroidery, we must never miss the chance to improve. Therefore, this judge, please give your guidance."
The judge held the needle and thread, facing Zhu Yanyi's embroidery. For a moment, she did not know where to start. But the arrow was on the string; she had to shoot. She could not admit she was wrong. Her purpose in coming to China was to make Chinese people admit that Japan was the origin of embroidery civilization. She looked at the embroidery, trying to figure out where to place a needle to show a flaw. She looked left, right, up, and down. She looked countless times, but she could not find a single place to insert her needle.