Chapter 25: Chang Family's orphans (2):
The first stop is the tailors. Outer disciples would wear a purple hanfu. For girls, it would be a white top and the bottom skirt with light purple with a pink sating ribbon belt for the waist. For boys it is also a white top with a darker purple robe and black belt, every disciple gets 2 sets of this for them to change during their time in Moon Valley. When they want to leave Moon Valley to visit family they would have to go to me to get permission, they could only leave twice a month in case it interrupts their training. Servants would wear a plain grey robe with a black belt for both genders.
" This servant Yun Tao greets the valley lord," greeted Yun Tao the head seamstress. "I come here today to get order some clothes for y new inner court disciples who I would announce of them in a few days but hey need some clothes in the meantime, I thought of some of them would you like to list them down and you can create it later," I commanded as she nodded, Yu Xuan and Shang Gu came over with me as I've ordered Shang Guan Tao to tell Brother Yu I've accepted his request. " So they need one for a formal event: all of them have to be the same colour and style. So white inner layer, the top is white and the bottom has clouds with cranes flying on it. The outer layer is black silk see-through satin," She scribed on some paper as I continued " 2. Is the one they would usually wear for training: so white robe but light blue outline on the collar of the neck, the sleeves and the bottom side of their robe with a white black tying it together, ah yes the sleeves for ladies have to be longer than the one for boys. Also, the outer disciple's training clothes are getting a little too shabby get the measurements for them and make one in the exact style but the colour outline makes it red," I paused to give her some time to write also repeating some words she asked me to. "The next is for outer disciples they need to change the style it's been a year already. The old clothes could be kept or donated but they are too shabby and some are wearing out of colour, for washing too much, not your fault," I added 3. red top with black bottom Hanfu, this one is for daily wear when not in training, in studying. With a red belt tying golden thread outlines on the sleeves and across the top. Make another set Chang Ling and Chang Xue using the same style but different colours, the top white with a dark blue outline and the bottom grey with mountain drawings. 4. Make another design of the same style but the top is white and the bottom is blue with a light blue belt and outline this one is for whoever wants it. 5. Another design with a green top and light blue bottom and a light green belt. With bamboo embroidery on the top left choice as well. 6. The last one white top and dark blue bottom with a light peach belt for the ladies same style but the colour is red bottom and outline with golden flower embroidery. I think that enough there's too, Just draw them all for me before the next week, 5 days and I'll check them before you begin sewing," I ended whilst she wrote down asking a question on the material in which I answer that it doesn't have to be the best material as long as it is comfortable.
Link for reference:
1. https://www.wholesaledancedress.com/children-ancient-hanfu-for-boy-childrenson-young-master-chivalrous-scholar-traditional-chinese-costume-disciple-gui-chinese-style-performance-costume-626920822084
2. https://www.wholesaledancedress.com/boys-chinese-hanfu-chinese-style-ancient-costume-wide-sleeve-girls-traditional-chinese-costume-childes-three-character-sutra-disciple-guis-performance-costume-627171755491
2.https://www.wholesaledancedress.com/boys-chinese-hanfu-chinese-style-ancient-costume-wide-sleeve-girls-traditional-chinese-costume-childes-three-character-sutra-disciple-guis-performance-costume-627171755491
3. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000414946324.html
3. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000414946324.html
4. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000414946324.html
5. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000414946324.html
6. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000832294821.html
Next stop the blacksmith:
" Gong Jue greets the Valley Lord," Gong Jue explained as he asked whilst pointing to Chang Ling and Chang Xue " To what honour do I've of you being here? OH I think I know is it for these new outer disciples?". " Right on one half and wrong on the other, yes I'm looking for a new sword for them as their weapon but its inner disciples not outer," I laughed " Sure do come in what are their names?" he asked as I shoved them a look telling them to introduce themselves " My name Chang Ling, 14 years old," Chang ling remarked " My name is Chang Xue, Chang Ling's mei, 12 years old this year," she added. "Miss, Mister Chang what cultivation do you guys practice?" Gong Jue asked. Their face blushed a bright pink as I smirk ' serves them right, how shameful of them. They only know how to play, eat and sleep not learn when they could. Sadly for them, this won't be the case here only thing they will be doing for the next months are train'. " Oh they haven't started cultivating yet," I replied hastily saving them from further embarrassment, Gong Jue's face shot me a confused look as I mouthed 'later'.
We ventured deeper into the workshop as another wave of hot air hit our face, it will be summer soon how would he survive in both the hot weather outside and inside? I wondered. I used to remember most kids would stay near here for it was quite cold in winter and I wasn't an exception watching the fire sparks when Gong Jue was making weapons was quite fun to a little child. " Woah mister what sword is that?" Chang Xue asked. " AH, that one. One of my fine works: its red base colour for the sword cover with golden drawings and a red handle with a red string attached to it, very swift and flexible. This sword has marked its name: Dong Jing. It doesn't have an owner yet though. Young Miss if you like it you can try it," replied Gong Jue. Chang Xue nodded whilst stepping towards the sword that was held on a sword standby. Its colour red reminds me of blood, while there likely won't be any blood stains, hehe. I stood on the side watching curiously at what would happen. Usually, it's the weapon that chose the owner not the other way around, if you use another person's weapon by force it would never listen to you it'll go back. If the sword excepts you a bright light would be shown out signalling it like the owner. The owner would drop a drip of their blood symbolizing its bond with the weapon from then on the weapon would listen to its master. ' So it doesn't depend on whether she likes the sword or not but if the sword excepts her, what would happen this time I wonder.
The link I used for reference:
https://www.amazon.com/longquan-sword-Two-handed-Damascus-fittings/dp/B013TCN3U4
The sword allowed her to touch it seem like it has a mild soul*(1) or maybe not as the sword began shaking, a bright light flashed out as she pulled off the cover. It has recognized her as its master, 'hmm that was quite unexpected, maybe they're good seedlings for learning martial arts just like her. Though I do want to check its properties before giving it to her, the only way to do that swing some strokes'. " Chang Xue swing some downward strokes," I commanded. Closing my eyes I blocked out the view focusing on the 'swish, swish' sound of the sword. Opening them again I signalled her to stop whilst deep in thought ' it is a good sword light and flexible thought its full power has not been shown maybe because she has no inner layer, Oh well until she masters that they will be no going on with her sword skills. grabbing the sword from her it began shaking also another sign it doesn't like me but I used my inner layer to suppress it, running my hand on the body of the sword. I was again fascinated with it a good sword, swift and quite agile, would be a suitable one for her. The sword started to shake again as suppressing it will only work for a moment might as well finish the weapon bonding. "Chang Xue comes over here," I commanded, grabbing her hand I drag it on the sword creating a cut and making the blood drip on the handle. The sword flashed blue as the blood dropped ' water element that's an interesting one, Chang Xue cried out " How now, sifu are you trying to kill me?". " A little blood yet you're crying as if I cut your organ out. Useless yet you dared to dream of being my inner disciples, goodness what nonsense am I accepting. Let me tell you both in 5 months there will be a friendly competition between the inner and outer court if you two don't get the first 10 places you can start up again as servants and then outer court disciples but if you guys do I will announce you two as my inner court disciples. Do you hear me?" I asked sternly " Yes we understand," they replied meekly, the colour had drained from their face. ' I know I sound mean right now but I do need to push them to work harder, for they've already passed the best stage for learning martial arts*(2).
Glossary:
1. In Dong Yue they all believe everything has its soul.
2. Usually they start at age 7.