Chapter 30: Splendid Voice (Part 9) "Because you're a beast?"

Wen Gu originally wanted to intervene, but after hearing Yun Ying's words, he retracted his Yin Sha.

Ye Qingzhan, who had been worried for Yun Ying, now slowly calmed down. Seeing her support herself on the ground, wiping the tears from her face, and standing up.

"Chu Mozhi" tilted her head slightly, playing with the embroidery in her hands, her eyes still filled with provocation, as if she hadn't heard what she said. She said, "What are you talking about, sister? I am Chu Mozhi." As she spoke, her face replaced with an innocent expression, but she spoke cruelly, "I know, sister must be too stupid, unwilling to admit that the skills she has practiced so hard are not as good as mine, who has only learned for a few days."

"Sister is as stupid as a pig, with no talent or aptitude. I understand that you are angry with me. I am magnanimous and will not be angry with you."

Yun Ying suddenly sneered and looked at her with an icy gaze: "Are you talking about yourself? "

It's Mozhi who has the talent, what does it have to do with you?"

"What does it have to do with a fool like you who pretends to be ignorant?"

As if a mask had been ripped off, the smile on Chu Mozhi's lips vanished in an instant. Her eyes suddenly turned fierce. She tore the embroidery in her hands to pieces and said viciously, "Don't refuse a toast and then drink a forfeit. Submit yourself to me, and I promise to make you the most skilled embroiderer in the world."

Yun Ying ignored her words and approached her step by step, speaking loudly, "I admit that my talent is not as bad as you say. You are just a foolish demon who dares to play tricks in people's dreams. Do you understand embroidery?"

As if struck by a painful blow, Chu Mozhi's eyes suddenly evaded.

"I asked you if you understand?" Yun Ying's words became increasingly fierce. "You know nothing. Why do you trample on the true wishes of others? Why do you insult the consistent efforts of ordinary people?" "

"Because you are a beast?"

As soon as the words fell, Ye Mei's evil face was revealed, his painted skin was torn into pieces, and hatred and resentment poured out. His voice turned into a sharp blade, slashing towards Yun Ying.

"You can't compare with her.

" "Stupid as a pig.

" "No talent, just a mediocre.

" Yun Ying did not dodge, but laughed: "So what, I just like embroidery, not like to compare with others, let alone fame." She stopped laughing, and in the midst of hatred and resentment, her voice was loud, "Not to mention, you are just a stupid thing who knows nothing, what qualifications do you have to comment on me!"

"You..."

Ye Mei's voice suddenly became as soft as a mosquito, as if she had died, and disappeared.

The dream became quiet, Wen Gu withdrew his hand, and turned into Yin Sha with a long sword and turned around. He said lightly: "Noisy. "

Ye Qingzhan hid behind him, stretched out his hand in front of him, and raised his

thumb. Mo Zhi clapped his hands silently a few times.

Without the ghostly voice that confused people's minds, Yun Ying's body softened, and she fell to the ground again, and suddenly burst into tears: "I'm not stupid, I'm the smartest! You know shit!"

"Yingying is the smartest."

The familiar and gentle voice brought Yun Ying back to consciousness, and she woke up from her dream with tears. Before she was awakened by Yun Tianpiao, Ye Qingzhan set up an invisible barrier, and the two of them and the ghost left the dream before her and hid behind the cabinet.

Yun Ying opened her eyes with tears on her face, and hugged the neck of the person in front of her, crying: "Sister, I saw an evil spirit. It was so noisy, it didn't understand anything and said I was stupid. I scolded it back, who is it? Does it know embroidery? It scolded me!"

Yun Tianpiao patted her on the back, and Chu Mozhi also waited quietly on the side, whispering to comfort her: "Sister, it's all a dream, don't be afraid, don't be afraid. "

Before she finished speaking, Yun Ying's body suddenly stiffened. The head buried in Yun Tianpiao's neck turned to her, sniffed, tears in her eyes, and said aggrievedly: "Mozhi, remember, no matter how good your embroidery skills are in the future, you are not allowed to say I'm stupid."

Chu Mozhi blinked, confused.

Yun Tianpiao understood, looked at her, and said softly: "Mozhi, just promise her."

Chu Mozhi nodded hurriedly, but felt that it was not serious enough. She raised her hand and said seriously: "I swear, I will never say a bad word about Sister Ying."

Yun Ying cried "Wow" and hugged her. She cried for a long time before humming: "Coax me to sleep. "

Yun Tianpiao and Chu Mozhi looked at each other, patted her back gently, and coaxed her to sleep.

After a long time, the two people and the ghost behind the cabinet were too sleepy to open their eyes, and the three people in the room stopped talking and fell asleep.

Wen Gu quietly took Ye Qingzhan and Mo Zhi, who had turned into embroidered handkerchiefs again, out of the house, found a secluded place, and talked to Ye Qingzhan.

Ye Qingzhan leaned on his arms and whispered, "Wen Gu, will what you did just now make Dr. Fox suspicious?"

"No." Wen Gu said affirmatively, "The night spirit is bound by resentment and will only be broken up. The Yin Sha is similar and will not leave any traces of it."

Ye Qingzhan said "Oh", and then said, "Yun Ying told Yun Tianpiao a few days ago that she envied Chu Mozhi's talent in embroidery, and she was taken advantage of tonight. I think I know how this night spirit can deceive people. It catches the little distracting thoughts and resentments in people's hearts, and controls people's minds when they are wavering. "

Wen Gu nodded, looked at Mo Zhi and asked, "Do you have any memory of it?"

Mo Zhi shook his head.

***

The next day, Yun Ying complained to Aunt Yun with swollen eyes, hiding the content of her dream and only telling the girls in the villa not to believe anything she said if they met her in a dream.

The girls were skeptical about her words, because according to rumors, no one could remain safe and sound after encountering that ghostly voice. But Yun Ying's words were sincere, so they had to believe it. It is

better to be safe than sorry.

For several days in a row, the girls had trouble sleeping at night. After a few days of peace and quiet, the embroiderers were too busy preparing for the competition to bear it, and gradually forgot about the ghostly voice that disturbed their minds and ambitions.

Ye Qingzhan also spent a few peaceful days in Jinxiu Villa. Wen Gu apologized to the villa, saying that it was his negligence that allowed the evil spirit to sneak in, and then he stood on the tree trunk all night to protect the villa.

Mo Zhi lived with the embroiderers and was impressed by Chu Mozhi's cooking skills.

The exiled immortal has not returned.

The time in the illusion has accelerated a lot. When he came, It was a sea of green, and now it was deep autumn. Ye Qingzhan guessed that it was an important moment for Mo Zhi again.

On the day of Frost's Descent, a painter came to the villa. It was invited by Aunt Yun, who said that she wanted to paint a reunion painting before the New Year, and asked the painter to make a sample first. The girls changed into new clothes and walked together in the courtyard, adding a touch of warmth in the bleak autumn wind.

Ye Qingzhan was placed in an exquisite wooden box, which was not covered. She stood up and looked at the scene in the courtyard through the window, thinking of when she came here with Wen Gu, Mo Zhi and the exiled immortal. What

they brought in were the embroidery works completed by the embroiderers.

But -

she looked at the girl standing under the crabapple tree, Mo Zhi, who still looked like she didn't remember anything, and couldn't help but worry.

She didn't know how many days had passed in the ghost gate.

After finishing the painting, Aunt Yun said again: "In half a month, it will be the annual embroidery competition of Yunzhi Valley. At that time, embroiderers from neighboring counties will come to participate. The girls can't embarrass Jinxiu Villa. ”

The embroiderers replied, "We'll do our best."

Aunt Yun smiled, looked at Chu Mozhi, and said, "Mozhi, you can participate too." Although Yunyan is a demon, she loves mortal weaving and embroidery. She has devoted years of painstaking research and has achieved remarkable embroidery skills, naturally recognizing her natural talent. She has also seen Mozhi's new work, which is full of spirit and talent.

Chu Mozhi's eyes are filled with joy, and she asks, "Can I, can I really do it?"

Aunt Yun smiled and nodded.

Ye Qingzhan, who was in the room, was happy for Chu Mozhi and also saw the envy and loneliness that flashed across Yun Ying's face.

***

After half a month without incident, the embroidery competition was held as scheduled.

Wen Gu and Mo Zhi were invited to watch. Fenghua County's Yunzhi Valley is already famous for its weaving and embroidery. The people in the valley are skilled in silk dyeing, weaving, and embroidery, and they also love it. Naturally, they don't want to miss an event like the embroidery competition.

A total of eight embroidery shops were invited this time. There are three houses in Yunzhi Valley, namely Jinxiu Villa, Shuiyunfang and Qiansi Pavilion. Five houses came from other counties, all of which are world-famous embroidery houses. They gathered here this time, which can be said to be a gathering of masters and heroes.

"These eight families each have their own strengths and are all world-renowned. I wonder who will take the crown?"

"I'm optimistic about Jinxiu Villa. The embroiderers under Madam Yun have smooth and tight needlework, and each one is very spiritual! Especially Yun Ying and Yun Tianpiao. One is boisterous and the other is quiet. The objects they embroider are similar to them. One embroiders the birds, beasts, fish, shrimps, turtles and crabs with magic, and the other embroiders the trees, stones, flowers, grass, mountains, rivers, sun and moon with emotion. It's wonderful!" "

They are the 'Yunzhi Shuangxiu' of our Fenghua County, the best among the young generation of embroiderers."

The people around nodded, and someone continued: "Besides Jinxiu Villa, I think the Huajinlou family from the capital also has a chance of winning the crown. Although their embroidery is not as spiritual as Jinxiu Villa, it is more graceful and elegant." "

Yes, yes, Huajinlou is at the feet of the emperor," the people beside him echoed, "I heard that the current queen is an excellent embroidery artist and likes to collect famous works from all over the world. She often summons the embroiderers from Huajinlou to the palace to compete with the embroiderers from Jinxiuyuan in the palace, and selects the winners to embroider clothes for the princesses and princes."

"Yes, I heard that too, the queen..."

The people beside him wanted to say more, but were stopped by the sound of the gong. Everyone looked at the stage together. Fenghua County Magistrate Xun An and... Sui'an County Magistrate Jin Xiao came on stage together. Ye

Qingzhan, who was secretly placed in Jin Xiao's arms by the news, picked at his clothes through the handkerchief, and looked at Dr. Fox behind Jin Xiao, who was also regarded as a guest of honor and sat next to him. The heads of each embroidery shop took their seats next to him, who were the examiners of this competition.

Ye Qingzhan stared at the smiling fox and whispered to Wen Gu, "You think he won't be suspicious of us?"

Wen Gu tucked her into his arms and said calmly, "No."

They were now the demon-exorcists hired by Yunyan. The night spirits released by the fox weren't demons, but rather the product of resentment. They usually roamed freely, only responding to his commands when they were 'hungry.' Ordinary alchemists wouldn't be able to sense them.

That night, he deliberately released the night spirits into Jinxiu Villa, fearing that if he initially used Yin Sha to counter them, the night spirits would be helpless, and returning sooner or later would arouse his suspicions. He would then suspect them of the people he had invited to protect him, believing they were not his equals, and would become wary.

However, that night, the night spirits entered Yunying's dreams, but they didn't erode her resolve. The Yin Sha he had cast out left no trace. Though the night spirits cried out innumerable times, they didn't respond to anyone. The foxes would surely believe that Yunying's tenacity had triumphed over them.

Sure enough, as Wen Gu finished speaking, the fox man's smiling eyes passed over Yun Ying, and then looked at Chu Mozhi. He didn't even look at them.

Ye Qingzhan stared at those two crescent-shaped black eyes, always feeling creepy. He was looking at Chu Mozhi when he was eating in the tavern, and he was looking at her now as well.

It was like a hunter locking his eyes on the coveted prey.

She leaned over and asked the girl who was standing on tiptoe beside her: "Mo Zhi, do you still remember what this smiling fox did to you, and other things?"

When she first met him, Mo Zhi was so scared that she trembled with fear. Later, the exiled immortal asked Mo Zhi to "confide in her heart" and sent a letter to her through Ginkgo. Mo Zhi said in the snow book: "He seems to have taken something from me."

"...but I can't remember what it was?"

Seeing this Dr. Fox again today, Mo Zhi didn't seem so scared anymore, but just shook his head at Ye Qingzhan.

Ye Qingzhan stopped asking and looked at the stage again.

The embroiderers appeared one by one, greeted the audience, and bowed to the examiner on stage before taking their seats behind the table, awaiting the competition's start.

Xun An presided over the competition, explaining the rules. He said, "This embroidery competition is no different from previous ones. The first round tests basic skills, focusing on threading and weaving, training your hands and eyes. The second round will test reproduction and speed embroidery, testing the coordination of hand, eye, and brain. The third round will be a presentation. Present your works prepared for this competition to the examiner and the audience on stage."

Each embroidery workshop had three embroiderers participating, divided into three groups. The eight seated on stage nodded, "Understood."

With the sound of a gong, the competition officially began.

The first round lasted one incense stick. The embroiderers began by weaving a thin thread into several strands as best they could, then threading the thread through the needle. Weaving the threads took half an incense stick, leaving the remaining time for threading.

The embroiderers twisted the thread with one hand and weaved the threads with the other.

The young spectator in the audience asked, "Mom, what are you sisters doing?"

The girl asked the question that Ye Qingzhan had in mind. She looked at Yun Tianpiao, the first group to appear, with a smile on her lips, slowly dividing a thread, skilled and calm.

Without waiting for the girl to answer, the man next to her said, "A good embroiderer can divide a thread of only one centimeter into twelve strands, each of which is only one millimeter. After the thread is divided, the more it is divided, the thinner it becomes, and the more difficult it will be to thread the needle in the second half of the incense stick. This tests the basic skills of the embroiderer, the control of the thread and the force of the needle."

The girl nodded, and Ye Qingzhan followed suit.

After an incense stick of time had passed, County Magistrate Xun announced the results. Yun Tianpiao divided the thread into sixteen strands and threaded sixteen strands, temporarily ranking first.

Among the embroiderers in the second group, there was Yun Ying. Her hands were very dexterous. She divided the thread into seventeen strands, but only threaded fifteen. Ye Qingzhan felt that she was a little anxious.

Chu Mozhi was participating in the competition for the first time. Perhaps because she had only studied embroidery for a short time, she only passed the test in threading and weaving the silk. But Ye Qingzhan saw that Aunt Yun nodded at her, her eyes full of satisfaction.

In the second competition, the county magistrate brought three paintings. Each painting contained still lifes, animals, and figures. The embroiderers had to look at them for a quarter of an hour and then reproduce them on the embroidery frame from memory. This was a great test of eyesight, memory, and hand coordination.

Yun Ying always had a good memory, and she performed the best in this competition. Yun Tianpiao was second, and Chu Mozhi unexpectedly won third place. She had never received any special training before.

Ye Qingzhan was very happy to see Yun Ying take the lead in this competition, but his smile faded after hearing Chu Mozhi's results.

Yun Tianpiao gently tugged at her sleeve.

During the third round of embroidery display, Chu Mozhi stood out to the astonished crowd.

She embroidered a scene from an everyday life.

Aunt Yun lowered her eyes to watch Yun Ying weaving brocade. Yun Tianpiao held a chubby, snow-white, short-eared rabbit in her arms, smiling. Behind them, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and a tree of crabapples filled the window with crimson.

Crabapples don't have fragrance, but this embroidery, imbued with a subtle, delicate fragrance, was refreshing and delightful.

The examiners scrutinized her needlework, observing its initial naivety and subsequent mastery. The work depicted figures, still scenes, and moving objects, all embroidered with vividness and natural grace.

Madam Yun asked, "When did you start embroidering?"

Chu Mozhi replied, "Since the day I officially started learning the art."

That night, Yun Ying taught her, and the next day, she brought Madam Yun over. The three of them met in the room, taking turns teaching her the basics. She remembered that day, the fiery red crabapple blossoms outside the window, as full as her heart at that moment.

The masters of the various embroidery shops on the stage had never seen Mozhi before, and their eyes were filled with admiration. They asked Madam Yun, "Is this young lady new to the villa? How long has she been learning?"

Madam Yun smiled and replied, "New, three months at most."

The owners were astonished, saying, "Master Yun, you've stumbled upon a treasure." The owner of Huajinlou, who had come from Beijing, looked at Chu Mozhi and nodded repeatedly.

The audience on the stage were amazed, and someone who knew embroidery in the audience said: "All the moving and still objects are embroidered with great charm and lifelikeness - Jinxiu Villa has a talented embroiderer, and the reputation of 'Shuangxiu' may have to make way for the newcomer!"

The person's voice was not loud, but it was close to the stage. It fell into Yunying's ears neither lightly nor heavily.

Wen Gu, who was at the side of the stage, looked at the person who spoke coldly. The person met his gaze and shut up awkwardly.

Ye Qingzhan had good hearing, so he naturally heard it clearly. He grabbed Wen Gu's collar and leaned over to see Yunying's reaction.

Yunying's hands were hanging down, tightly grasping the corner of her clothes.

Dr. Fox, who stood up to congratulate, looked past her and stared at Chu Mozhi who was surrounded in the center.