CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: I WANT TO EXHIBIT

During the market day, Beisitian would buy some fish and chicken to make soup to nourish the body. Just like that, Luo Anping completely recovered, without leaving any aftereffects. He didn’t lose any energy; instead, he was full of spirit, looking even more vigorous than before, and had gained quite a bit of weight!

Beisitian’s attention was also on Mrs. Qin’s eyes. After this period of conditioning, they should try to start treatment.

Mrs. Qin had been blind for several years. If she could be conditioned further, it would be ideal. Recently, however, her spirit was gradually filling up, giving Beisitian some confidence in the Xuan Talisman.

At least now, one dose of talismanic water could restore Zhuangzhuang, and one dose of talismanic water could stop the bleeding from Luo Anping’s abdominal wound.

Even though there was still a significant gap from the peak condition, over four months of conditioning for this depleted body has already made rapid progress.

On this day, Beisitian went to the town again, and upon arriving, she heard some not-so-good news.

Zhang Baoli sat in the embroidery room with a worried face, sighing to Beisitian.

"Actually, I have always been wary of her. This person quibbles over every detail, relying on her branch of the family to run the household without scruples, unrestrained and favored by the elders, so she acts without any reservations," Zhang Baoli said.

She was referring to Zhang Baoxia.

The last time in town, Zhang Baoxia wanted to poach Beisitian to work under her, but Beisitian refused, so she held a grudge and threatened her before leaving.

This person turned her words into action. The next day, she began to block Beisitian. As long as it was Beisitian’s work, the sales were all sluggish.

"She’s not completely incompetent. Being able to run the household in Anma Town for so many years means she has some skills and has accumulated quite a network. Actually, I came to this small town because I offended her."

"So, no one is buying my embroidery anymore, even if it’s good?" Beisitian asked.

"Not exactly. The main thing is that Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop is very reputable in the industry. I’m not bragging; it’s true. Especially in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the sales are quite impressive. If Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop doesn’t accept your embroidery, even if other embroidery workshops do, there’s no market for it," Zhang Baoli said, rather apologetically.

What Zhang Baoxia did was essentially to crush her within the Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop first, and then use the embroidery workshop’s influence to make her embroidery unsellable.

Beisitian remained silent. Things must not be as simple as Zhang Baoli said. Even if Zhang Baoxia is a direct line in the family, she’s just a shop owner in town. No matter how big the town is, she couldn’t possibly influence the entire Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop.

"There must be something else going on," Beisitian looked at Zhang Baoli.

Zhang Baoli had actually been suspicious for a while, but her branch of the family was just a sideline, had no power, and was not well-informed.

"I’ll go check it out again," Zhang Baoli said.

Embroidery women who can do Double-sided Embroidery are rare. The family couldn’t possibly abandon such a talented embroidery woman because of Zhang Baoxia. Zhang Baoli thought that Zhang Baoxia must have used some trick. However, being not well-informed, she couldn’t figure out what method Zhang Baoxia used to make the entire Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop give up on Beisitian.

After the two talked for a while, Beisitian was about to go to the Jishi Pharmacy to see if Zhou Jiren had any news.

As she was about to leave, a man in his fifties hurriedly walked in from outside.

"Uncle, any news?" Zhang Baoli asked him as soon as she saw him.

The man’s name was Zhang Ziquan. His skin was rough, with many wrinkles on his face, clearly left by years of hard work. He glanced at Beisitian.

"It’s fine. This is the embroidery woman with Double-sided Embroidery skills I told you about," Zhang Baoli indicated that there was no need to avoid saying something since they were all in the same boat.

Zhang Ziquan nodded and signaled to speak inside.

The three of them were in the embroidery room, and Zhang Ziquan said, "Just as you expected, Zhang Baoxia indeed played a dirty trick. She found another embroidery woman who can also do Double-sided Embroidery and claimed that we were selling and submitting stolen works from that woman, but used her relative to impersonate. Now, because she found a real embroidery woman who can do Double-sided Embroidery, the family is praising her!"

Beisitian raised her eyebrow, meaning to say that Zhang Baoxia found someone to replace her, and her previous embroidery works became someone else’s ’masterpiece’!

Zhang Baoli angrily slapped the chair, "This troublemaker full of bad ideas! She came up with such a plan! Now, the family will definitely blame us!"

Not only did they not gain any fame, but they also got themselves into trouble, making Zhang Baoli feel utterly disgusted.

Zhang Ziquan, who was part of the same branch as Zhang Baoli, also sighed. Originally, their branch was thrilled to find an embroidery woman with Double-sided Embroidery skills, intending to win her over, but Zhang Baoxia thwarted their efforts.

"Let’s go directly to Grandpa Zhang and have Little Tian’er embroider in front of everyone, so they can see who’s lying!" Zhang Baoli stood up, ready to drag the two with her.

Zhang Ziquan shook his head, "Going there is useless."

"Why not? Should we just let Zhang Baoxia have her way?"

Zhang Ziquan just shook his head. Otherwise, what could they do? Last time, because he opposed her, Baoli was sent to such an unprofitable place. Throughout the year, there was no benefit to speak of.

Beisitian gestured for her to stay calm, "The reason Zhang Baoxia got away with it is that someone in the family must be helping her, and their position is not low. If you go there rashly, even if I embroider in front of everyone, I would inevitably be accused of plagiarism."

Compared to the furious Zhang Baoli and the nearly resigned Zhang Ziquan, Beisitian seemed to be listening to someone else’s story, with no emotional fluctuation.

Her calmness and composure forced Zhang Baoli to suppress her anger and sit back down.

"Little Tian’er, aren’t you angry?" Zhang Baoli saw her demeanor and felt as if she was angry for her as well.

"What’s the use of being angry? It’s better to think of a solution," Beisitian said.

"Besides going directly to Grandpa Zhang, I can’t think of any other way!" Zhang Baoli turned her head, feeling extremely stifled.

Beisitian smiled slightly, "I have an idea."

Zhang Baoli suddenly turned her head, grabbing her hand, "What idea?"

The hand she held was very soft, not like one used for rough work, but Beisitian must have done a lot of work at home.

Zhang Ziquan also looked up, staring intently at Beisitian, wondering if she really had a solution.

"I remember you mentioned there’s an embroidery exhibition in Shanghai, right?"

Zhang Baoli nodded, "There is indeed one. Do you plan to participate?"

Beisitian nodded, "Yes, I want to participate."