Since Wang Huiping's unseen masterpiece appeared in the Embroidery Bureau, the atmosphere within the bureau became subtle, mainly manifesting as the members splitting into two factions: one advocating for the Embroidery Bureau to forcefully acquire the artwork, and the other arguing for a more reasonable approach.
The current confrontation between Bai Jing and the other three individuals was a clash of these two viewpoints.
Quan Jiu only stepped forward when the disputes inside the room had concluded.
Upon seeing Quan Jiu, Bai Jing's dejected expression vanished instantly. She quickly and warmly greeted her, "Miss Quan, long time no see. I was just about to call and ask if you were at the scene. Let's have lunch together. I've been so overwhelmed today that I haven't had a moment to entertain you."
Quan Jiu smiled. Although they hadn't met many times, Bai Jing's sincerity was palpable to her, and she genuinely liked and admired Bai Jing.
"Someone's cooking lunch, seafood in broth. If you don't mind, join us."
Bai Jing laughed heartily and didn't stand on ceremony, "Then I'll gratefully accept."
One of the three standing nearby said with a stern face, "We all consider the Embroidery Bureau our home. When there's anything good, we think of the Embroidery Bureau. I don't understand why you're so opposed, unless you don't consider the Embroidery Bureau your home at all."
Another chimed in, "Exactly. If you don't consider the Embroidery Bureau your home, we won't consider you family either."
The three left with expressions of dissatisfaction. Of course, before leaving, they couldn't help but scrutinize Quan Jiu from head to toe.
After the three had left, Quan Jiu asked, "What were you arguing about just now?"
Bai Jing didn't treat Quan Jiu as an outsider and sighed helplessly, "You must have heard of Senior Wang Huiping, the only embroidery master in modern times who was conferred the title of 'divine-level.' Her embroidery is so exquisite that it defies description. To those who understand the craft, each of her pieces is worth over a hundred million, and to insiders, her works are priceless treasures."
Quan Jiu listened quietly, a gentle smile on her face. Hearing her grandmother praised in such a manner, she felt a sense of pride and honor.
Bai Jing paused and continued, "Recently, the head of Yun Lan Pavilion provided a masterpiece by Senior Wang, a massive two-meter piece. Its value cannot be measured in monetary terms. That work is currently displayed in Exhibition Area A. Have you seen it?"
Quan Jiu nodded slightly, "I have. It was breathtaking."
"I believe this embroidered piece is definitely a private collection of the head of Yun Lan Pavilion. In fact, I've always suspected she is Senior Wang's disciple, as their needlework is very similar. And that piece must have been left to her by Senior Wang. Given that, how could I possibly let it be coveted by many?"
"So, those three people just now wanted the head of Yun Lan Pavilion to give Senior Wang's masterpiece to them?"
Bai Jing responded with a speechless "Mm," "What kind of behavior is this? When someone displays something, it's clearly their cherished possession. They actually want to snatch that masterpiece. Furthermore, many people in the Embroidery Bureau agree with this viewpoint. I tried to reason with them, and these people came to cause trouble for me."
Quan Jiu thought for a moment and then said, "If it's just one piece of work, even if they truly want it, it shouldn't be such a unified opposition to you. Perhaps there are other matters intertwined behind this incident."
Bai Jing couldn't help but nod in admiration, "You guessed correctly. Actually, I know that the masterpiece is just a pretext for them to stir up trouble. What they truly want is the director of the Embroidery Bureau."
"Oh?" Quan Jiu was slightly surprised, "Isn't the director of the Embroidery Bureau designated by the previous one? Can the employees have the final say?"
Bai Jing explained, "The Embroidery Bureau has ten elders, all of whom are highly respected individuals in this field. The director is elected by these ten elders."
"There should be at least two candidates, one being you and the other your competitor," Quan Jiu stated with certainty.
"That's right. Actually, it's not that I'm determined to be the director. If Che Fengqiong hadn't been dissatisfied with the rules set by my late master, I wouldn't have wanted to compete."
Bai Jing sighed, "If the Embroidery Bureau truly falls into her hands, then the Embroidery Bureau will no longer be the Embroidery Bureau. Everything that our predecessors worked hard to build will be destroyed. If she could only inherit the wishes left by the late master and our predecessors, I wouldn't be competing."
Quan Jiu nodded in understanding, "Then this incident must have been instigated by Che Fengqiong, and the opportunity they seized was Senior Wang's masterpiece."
"No matter what they do, I know their ultimate goal is to aim for the position of director of the Embroidery Bureau," Bai Jing said.
"Then they probably won't give up," Quan Jiu said with concern, "Have you thought about how to deal with them, or rather, how to get the position of director of the Embroidery Bureau?"
Bai Jing gave a wry smile, "All I can do is my own job. I focus on my embroidery skills and truly dislike all this scheming. I'm not good at it. I can only hope that justice will prevail."
Quan Jiu, however, retorted, "You can't think like that. If you truly approach it with such a Buddhist indifference, then Che Fengqiong will definitely snatch the director's position. Open attacks are easy to evade, but hidden arrows are difficult to guard against."
Bai Jing looked troubled, "But I don't know what to do. If I go canvassing for votes, I might end up lowering myself."
Quan Jiu pondered for a moment and then said, "Why don't you first think about how you would operate the Embroidery Bureau if you were to take over? The Embroidery Bureau is a traditional embroidery bureau, very orthodox, and holds a high status in this field. However, in the current social environment, the biggest predicament for traditional companies is their decline."
Bai Jing couldn't help but be startled, "What you said is very true. Che Fengqiong's concept is actually similar. She wants reform, and I agree that the Embroidery Bureau should reform. But her methods are too crude; she completely abandons tradition, which I don't agree with. As a benchmark in this industry, the Embroidery Bureau should not just pursue fame and profit."
Just as Quan Jiu was about to say more, a sharp voice from the doorway interrupted her.
"Bai Jing, you're actually telling the affairs of the Embroidery Bureau to an outsider. I must report this to Elder Guo."
The speaker was one of the three who had left earlier; they were still together at that time.
Quan Jiu didn't know if they had returned or had never left far. However, she was not afraid and smiled as she diffused the situation for Bai Jing, "I want to join the Embroidery Bureau, so I've been learning more about its internal affairs."
Shi Yan acted as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world and scoffed openly, "Save you? You want to join the Embroidery Bureau too? Do you think the Embroidery Bureau is a restaurant? Anyone can enter."
Bai Jing's brows furrowed, "Shi Yan, this is my guest. Watch your words."
Shi Yan's attitude, however, was extremely arrogant, "Bai Jing, not only did you leak information about the Embroidery Bureau without authorization, but now you even want to recruit some stray cats and dogs into the Embroidery Bureau. Are you intentionally trying to shut down the Embroidery Bureau?"
Bai Jing's anger flared instantly, "Shi Yan, I'll say it again, this is my guest. If you haven't taken a civics class, I suggest you go back and study for a few more years."
"Did I say something wrong? What kind of place is the Embroidery Bureau, and you want to recruit this kind of person? If you're not trying to ruin the Embroidery Bureau, what are you doing? This person looks spoiled and pampered. How much money did they give you to make you go against the rules of the Embroidery Bureau?"
"Don't slander me," Bai Jing said, standing up in anger and pointing at Shi Yan.
Shi Yan, however, said triumphantly, "Anyway, the three of us have seen and heard it. I'll go tell the elders now."
A cold smile flickered across Quan Jiu's lips, "Since you sincerely object, then today, I am determined to join the Embroidery Bureau."