"I did with the help of personal maids"
"I didn't now that our First Miss was so gifted"
Ming Shu pretended to not understand her Aunt sarcasm.
"Answering Second Aunt, I bought a book that has many embroidery techniques. I did as the pictures showed. I know that it still unskilled but I hope Grandmother won't dislike it"
Actually, this gift was the same one that she intended to give on her first life. Two weeks before her grandmother's birthday, the young Ming Shu went to the market and to see if she could find anything suitable to gift her grandmother. She found a stall that had an Old Woman selling embroidery and as she stated what she wanted, the vendor suggested that instead of buying one made she should do one herself to show her filial piety. She then bought an old book from the granny that supposedly had to the most basic techniques to the most complex.
In her first life, Ming Shu could not do any technique at all, and ashamed of the result, she didn't gift the Old Lady anything, causing her Grandmother displeasure for weeks.
"How could that be Shu'er Grandma is really pleased with your present! You are truly gifted since this is your first piece as expected from someone of our family"
"Shu'er thanks Grandmother for the praise. Grandma, I have a request"
Because she was content with the talent show, Old Lady Ming decided if it was not something to scandalous she would grant the wish.
"What is it?"
"Shu'er wants to learn the four arts, don't know if Grandmother can get tutors for me?"
Old Lady Ming raised a brow. Does her tomboy granddaughter want to learn properly? She couldn't ask for a better present.
"Well, I know. By next week you will have tutors, meanwhile, you can learn with the tutors of your third sister and the fourth sister"
"Shu'er thanks Grandmother for her kindness. Shu'er promise to learn diligently and not embarrass the Ming name"
"I am tired now. You can all go back to your courtyards"
Ming Shu left the Old Lady's courtyard and intended leave for her room. The goal she set for today was easily achieved with her meeting with her Grandma. Now that she is pleased with the gift their relationship should develop in a good way different from her past life. As Ming Shu made her way out of the courtyard a cute little dumpling dressed in pink robes stopped her.
"Jiejie wait!"
The dumplings name was Ming Meili, the main daughter of the 3rd branch. She was the only meimei that Ming Shu really cared for in this household. In her past life after her meimei married a 3rd rank official they had little to no contact, but she heard rumours saying that her poor cousin's life was difficult in there. She tried to help but because of Zhao Song order, she couldn't touch the official.
"Be careful not to fall. What does meimei call me for?"
Supporting the pink dumpling, Ming Shu started to fix her meimei appearance that got messy because she was running to catch up with her.
"Are you better now? I wanted to visit but Mom said that I would be a bother to you"
"I'm fine now, thank you for your concern. Which class tomorrow?"
"Let me think... tomorrow is poem class with lady Murong in morning and calligraphy with Mister Nangong. Are you going to accompany me tomorrow"
"Yes I will, but you should ask your mom to deliver a letter to your tutors telling that I'll be there tomorrow"
"I'll do that. I have to go now cousin, you should rest today as well. See you tomorrow"
After finish talking Ming Meili sprint to her mother.
Shaking her head Ming Shu, thought that even big this kid was still like that.
"Is Father already back?"
"Answering Miss, yes, the royal court finished earlier than usual today"
"Let's go to the kitchen then"
"What are we going to do Miss?
"You will see"
Ming Shu entered the kitchen and ignored the servants that were there. Taking the ingredients that she needed she called one of the chefs and instructed him, step by step, how to prepare the soup. When it was done, she thanked him and gave two taels as a reward.
"Miss let me carry for you"
"Sure"
Ming Shu plan was to give her Dad the soup as a form of truce between them.
Knocking on the door, she wondered if like her first life he would ignore her.
"Father I brought something for you"
"Come in"
"Excuse me"
Sitting behind the chair was Ming Peizi. He has a medium build, thin mouth and small eyes. Although not handsome his face gave a strict feeling.
When she was younger, Ming Shu disliked her Father because of his face. Maybe this was the start point of their bad relationship.
"Father I made some soup for you. It helps you relax, I thought that you could be tired after the royal court"
Ming Peizi looked weirdly at his welder daughter. What does she want? Wasn't she always afraid of him? Waving his hand to her, he wanted to know what this tomboy wanted now, hopefully not a horse like last time.
"You can leave there. I'll drink later"
"It'll get cold Father you should drink now. I'll feed you"
Without waiting for his response Ming Shu skillfully climb to her Father's lap.
"Men and women shouldn't touch"
Ming Shu rolled her eyes to her Father
"I'm ten and you are my Father"
Picking up the spoon and blowing to put the soup in the right temperature, Ming Shu push the spoon to her Father's mouth.
"Now say aah"
Ming Peizi was so bewildered with his daughter behaviour, that he obediently followed her instructions.
Seeing that her Father accepted her soup a flash of happiness pass through her eyes.
'The first step was a success'