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Her gesture was obvious, but Shen Lantang refused to take the hint, making the atmosphere a little awkward. Fortunately, Madam Xie quickly stepped in. "That dangling hairpin is lovely. It suits Wanru very well."

"Really? Thank you for the compliment, Madam!"

Madam Xie smiled faintly and said no more. Even Madam Zheng's smile was subdued as she turned to Zheng Wanru.

"Madam Xie and I are going to discuss making winter clothes for Hongwen. Would you like to stay and learn?"

Zheng Wanru hurriedly said, "Mother, spare me! You know needlework is what I dread most."

Madam Zheng smiled. "In that case, go and enjoy yourself."

Zheng Wanru was unhappy that her hairpin had received such a lukewarm response, but she truly had no desire to make clothes. She could only say, "Very well. Mother, Madam, Young Madam, I shall take my leave."

Zheng Wanru's arrival and departure made no difference at all. The others began preparing to make the clothes.

The measurements had been taken the day before, so they started directly with the designs.

Who said there were no fashion designers in ancient times? Choosing fabrics, deciding the length and width of the cuffs, designing fur collars, even determining whether a hood was needed—how was any of that not design?

As for weaving, Shen Lantang had no interest whatsoever. She thought a loom offered better value for money. Clothing design, however, did pique her curiosity. After all, she counted as a designer herself.

Shen Lantang watched from the sidelines with keen interest, occasionally chiming in. Her remarks were not particularly constructive, but they were enough to delight the two ladies.

Whenever they could not settle on something, they let Xie Hongwen choose for himself. Everyone was brimming with enthusiasm.

The morning quickly passed. When lunchtime arrived, everyone moved