CMWKSD -Chapter 37 How to Layer?

Ji Shan finally managed to stand steadily and let out a sigh of relief.

Hu Chunhua, on the other hand, collapsed to the ground, and no one dared to help her up.

“From now on, I’ll be in charge of this household.”

With a loud bang, Ji Shan also fell to the ground. This… this was an attempt to seize the position of head of the family! A little girl actually dared—dared to blatantly try to take his place as head of the family!

But he didn’t dare to say a word.

If Jiu Yue knew what he was thinking, she would definitely say, Seize? This is outright robbery.

And besides, your whole family of misfits—what position as head of the family?

Jiu Yue simply didn’t like these people constantly coming to her and causing trouble. She was too lazy to deal with them repeatedly. If they provoked her, she’d just… snap.

Everyone would be dead!

“The things I bought are for the household to use.”

Shen Mei and Li Xiaocao hadn’t expected Jiu Yue to be so generous. They knew that the rice and refined flour she bought were top quality—each bite practically tasted like silver.

But Jiu Yue insisted she would let everyone use them.

That was fine—after all, no matter who was in charge, it wouldn’t fall to them anyway.

“Of course, only those who are useful can eat. Those who work will get to eat. Those who just sit and talk without working will go hungry.”

Ji Dahu and Ji Dahai exchanged glances, surprised that Jiu Yue suddenly became so reasonable, nodding repeatedly: “Of course, of course.”

“All food and supplies can be shared. As long as you work, I won’t shortchange anyone.”

Everyone nodded: “Of course, of course.”

Hu Chunhua was left speechless.

When she had been in charge, they couldn’t afford such luxuries, let alone so much fabric.

“Everyone, behave. I don’t want the household in chaos all the time.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Good. No one dared speak. Jiu Yue grinned—now that she was happy, everyone could be happy too.

Jiu Yue stood up and remembered something: “Father, Mother, clear a room for me. I want to set up a pharmacy, with a medicine cabinet, just like a small clinic.”

Ji Dahai quickly agreed: “Alright!” Thinking of Ji Chaomian’s leg and Ji Yiqing’s face, he had no objections.

Jiu Yue took out the remaining silver from her pocket, about forty taels, and handed it to Ji Dahai: “Is this enough?”

Ji Dahai’s hands trembled as he held so much silver: “Enough! Enough!”

Ji Dahu and Shen Mei stared in amazement. Jiu Yue had only been here a few days, and she could just take out tens of taels of silver. Who knew how much more she had in her pockets?

With business settled, Jiu Yue turned to leave.

Then she remembered her plan to flaunt her power—actually, to show off her might.

She looked coldly at Ji Dahu and Li Xiaocao: “The academy’s break is coming soon, right?”

Everyone froze, breaking into cold sweat. Ji Dahu knew about his two children; Li Xiaocao opened her mouth to say something, but in the end, she didn’t dare.

Jiu Yue laughed: “Why be afraid? I’ll pay for their schooling from now on.”

“As long as they behave.”

“Of course, if they fail the next imperial exam, that’s another matter.”

Ji Dahu’s legs went weak, and Shen Mei gripped his hand tightly.

This… what did this mean? They had to pass the imperial exams? Jiu Yue hadn’t said, and they didn’t dare guess recklessly.

But Jiu Yue said she was willing to pay. That was enough.

If they could pass, they’d benefit as well. Once in the capital, under the emperor’s gaze, even Jiu Yue wouldn’t dare do anything rash!

Jiu Yue left the house and said to Su Ruo: “Mother, Ji Yiqing said you’re skilled with making clothes and shoes. Will you make my clothes and shoes?”

Su Ruo nodded repeatedly: “Of course.”

“I’ll keep some cloth, and you can divide the rest to make clothes for everyone.”

Shen Mei and Li Xiaocao exchanged excited glances. The cloth Jiu Yue bought was top quality, not to mention the gifts from the Wang family. Jiu Yue was a little ruthless, but there was plenty left for them to use.

“Alright, I’ll make you several beautiful outfits and make sure you look stunning.”

Jiu Yue was picking fabric, and Su Ruo noticed that all the cloth she chose were dark colors—deep blue, deep green, dark gray—almost black. The bright yellows, greens, and pinks were ignored.

Jiu Yue piled up seven or eight bolts: “I want these. You distribute the rest for Big Brother, Little Sister, Ji Yiqing, and you two parents. The remaining go to Second and Third Aunt and Granny.”

Su Ruo was stunned. It wasn’t that the fabric was bad—it was just too dark for Jiu Yue’s bright face.

But Jiu Yue didn’t care. She walked over to show Su Ruo the styles she wanted to wear. Seeing this, she thought it might be hard to explain clearly.

“Mother, should I draw a pattern for you?”

Su Ruo wanted to suggest using brighter colors, but Jiu Yue had already left.

Oh well. She didn’t dare argue and quickly took the chosen fabric to the room, reserving some for the household.

She handed the rest to Shen Mei, Li Xiaocao, and Hu Chunhua.

Jiu Yue’s drawings were average.

But she drew human anatomy—bones, muscles, veins—extremely well. After all, one specializes in one’s field.

Once ready, Jiu Yue handed several drawings to Su Ruo skeptically: “Can you make these?”

Su Ruo had learned from the professional embroiderers trained by Su Nian back in the day. Su Nian had been a top embroiderer, otherwise the Ji family wouldn’t have such a large property.

But Su Nian died early, and the resources were limited. No one had taught her thoroughly—she only learned a small fraction. Still, she could make clothes.

So seeing Jiu Yue’s designs, Su Ruo nodded: “I can make these.” But holding the drawings, she wondered why Jiu Yue liked such styles.

No wide sleeves, nothing like the traditional upper-class ladies’ clothing. The outfits were light, practical, almost like men’s clothes.

Su Ruo didn’t dare speak or ask.

Jiu Yue made further demands: “And shoes. The soles are too thin. Mother, make thick-soled shoes.”

Su Ruo was horrified. Thick soles? They’d be so uncomfortable! (They hadn’t yet used glued multi-layered soles.)

She truly didn’t know how to do that.

“Jiu Yue, I don’t know how to make thick-soled shoes.” If the shoes were too hard, it would hurt her.

Jiu Yue suddenly slapped her head: “Not real thick soles—just… use old and unwanted clothes to layer the bottom, make several layers, don’t make it so thin.”

Su Ruo’s eyes lit up. That actually made sense: “How should I layer them?”