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"I heard she’s also from Jiangnan, seems like her last name is Wu."

Lin Yuan looked at her appreciatively and nodded, "That’s right.

In previous years, the Chen family of Jiangnan always claimed the title of Imperial Merchant, but this year, it was abruptly snatched away by the Wu Family.

If it were you, could you swallow that pride?

Besides, I heard that the Family Head of the Chen family of Jiangnan, Chen Haigang, is as his name suggests—very staunch.

Naturally, he wouldn’t admit defeat easily. "

Xiao He suddenly pursed her lips, "Since he lost, there must be some aspect where he was outskilled. If he’s not convinced, he should just compete again next year.

Why open a shop in the Capital city all of a sudden?

Could it be that he wants to show everyone in the Capital city that his materials are better than the Wu Family’s? "

Lin Yuan chuckled and poked her forehead, "You, you’re still too naive.

Have you not considered that every year the winner of the Imperial Merchant competition has always been the Chen family, but this year, with a change in the person in charge, it ended up being the Wu Family?

Moreover, this person in charge is the Second Prince.

Given the nature of the Second Prince, whether the competition was fair and just is really debatable. "

As she spoke, Lin Yuan deliberately lowered her voice, hoping to cause less trouble while out with her younger sisters.

Hearing their eldest sister speak this way, Lin Wei and the others all understood.

They finally grasped why Old Master Chen did not return to Jiangnan after the Imperial Merchant competition but chose to stay in the Capital city to open a shop instead.

Just as Xiao He said, his heart was discontented, and he wanted to prove that his goods were superior to the Wu Family’s in this manner.

It must be said that Chen Haigang truly lives up to the strength implied by his name. Isn’t he afraid that Zhao Hongsheng, in a fit of rage and embarrassment, would secretly take care of the Chen family once and for all?

Lin Yuan pressed her lips together; although she greatly respected Old Master Chen, she did not agree with his approach. Such a method might work against gentlemen, but against a scoundrel like Zhao Hongsheng, it was akin to a moth flying into the flame, seeking its own suffering.

The logic was clear even to a young girl like her, and others were surely even more aware. Picking a fight with the Second Prince was really not a wise move.

Lin Yuan looked thoughtfully at the luminous brocade on the wall and shook her head as she walked back.

Now that the Chen family had openly set up a shop, and the Wu Family, having won the title of Imperial Merchant, would certainly not just wait around, she could see that the Wu Family’s shop would also be opening soon.

Once both of their shops were up and running, she wondered what kind of covert rivalry awaited them.

Fortunately, both were opening fabric stores, not restaurants. Otherwise, her planned restaurant would surely be affected.

The fabric store they had just visited was not far from the Chen family’s shop, and in a short while, the group had returned to the store to continue selecting materials.

However, this time, Lin Wei clearly lacked her previous enthusiasm.

Approaching Lin Yuan, Lin Wei asked curiously, "Big sister, which one do you think is better between the Chen and Wu families?"

Gazing at her younger sister’s sparkling eyes, Lin Yuan smiled, took her hand, and sat down on the chair for guests, patiently explaining, "I almost forgot, you’ll be opening an embroidery workshop in the future, so it’s naturally good for you to know more about these matters."

Lin Wei glanced at her sister somewhat shyly, "Big sister, I was just curious. Why are you suddenly bringing up the embroidery workshop? Your restaurant hasn’t even opened yet. Right now, the most important thing is your restaurant, not my embroidery workshop."

"Alright, alright. We’ll talk about your embroidery workshop another time.

" Lin Yuan’s lips curled up as she continued to discuss the matter of the Chen and Wu families, "In my opinion, I’m more inclined towards the Chen family.

I haven’t inquired about the Head of the Wu Family, but the Chen family’s head is famously upright.

Plus, his wife, Lady Jiang, is no pushover herself.

They really aren’t the type to seek shortcuts by currying favor with the powerful. "

Lin Wei pondered, "Is Madam Chen really that impressive?"

Lin Wei’s voice was soft, and Lin Yuan didn’t quite catch it.

But when she asked again, Lin Wei had already lifted her head and smiled, "It’s nothing.

I was just curious about when we could meet Old Master Chen.

If we could use their fabric for embroidery, the finished products would surely look exceptionally beautiful. "

"Of course!" Xiao He sat down close to Lin Wei, wrapping an arm around hers and laughed, "Our Lin Wei’s embroidery skills are unmatched by any ordinary embroidery lady. Let alone using Chen family’s fine fabrics, even if it were rough hemp cloth, once it’s in Lin Wei’s hands, I guarantee she would embroider a peerless masterpiece! "

"It’s not as good as you’re saying!" Lin Wei, feeling flustered by Xiao He’s praise, blushed and looked down after giving her a glare.

Seeing her younger sister like this, Lin Yuan also smiled and encouraged her, "I actually agree with Xiao He. Your skills are definitely beyond reproach, and with your intelligence and diligence, you’re sure to master exquisite embroidery."

At this point, Lin Yuan suddenly remembered something she had mentioned to her a few days ago and asked, "Right, didn’t I mention double-sided embroidery to you the other day? How is that coming along?"

Double-sided embroidery might sound simple, but it’s tricky. Lin Yuan had heard from Xia Zheng before that someone in Jiangnan had managed to do it, but they could only embroider simple designs. If it was something more complex, it became difficult.

That’s why she had brought it up with Lin Wei, hoping she would explore it on her own. She’d mentioned it offhand—without guidance, mastering such a skill is difficult.

But Lin Wei didn’t disappoint.

"Double-sided embroidery really isn’t simple," Lin Wei said, furrowing her brows lightly, "I can only embroider some simple designs so far, ensuring there are no messy threads on either side. But the kind you described, one side being a peony and the other a begonia, I haven’t figured it out yet."

One can’t rush these things, and Lin Yuan naturally understood.

She patted her sister’s shoulder to comfort her, "Don’t lose heart.

You’re already amazing. Xia Zheng said that those in Jiangnan barely achieved embroidery without thread ends on both sides.

I believe in you. You’ll definitely manage to perfect double-sided embroidery. "

The words from her big sister always carried a sort of magic. Lin Wei nodded confidently, promising to never let her big sister down.