Qi Zhenzhen demonstrated and explained, "Sew the two pieces together, stitch them in a circle, leave this part open, and they'll be warm to wear on your hands. The leather I chose is very soft, so it won't affect your grip on the reins. These ropes at the top and bottom can be used for fastening. Tie them to your knees, and they'll keep your knees from getting cold during long rides."
Seeing that they looked rather crude but had such great utility, Er Xi felt her young lady was truly remarkable for coming up with such an item.
"Er Xi, how cold is it in the borderlands during winter?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
Er Xi pondered for a moment. "How to describe it? Let's put it this way: in the capital, wearing a thick padded jacket is sufficient for winter. In the borderlands, not only do you need the thickest padded jackets, but you also have to wear fur coats over them and fur hats. I heard that if you go out without covering your ears, after a short while, your ears will fall off when you go back inside."
Qi Zhenzhen clicked her tongue. Wasn't this just like Northeast China in her previous life?
It was indeed cold. She had been to the Northeast for a mission and was so frozen that she vowed never to accept another mission there again.
After some thought, Qi Zhenzhen decided to add a thick layer of cotton to the gloves and knee pads to enhance their warmth.
The few people in her courtyard weren't enough. Moreover, Xiao Niu would also be going along. Ming Yue wasn't familiar with the borderlands, so his preparations might not be adequate. She couldn't ask him to come out for this.
With that in mind, Qi Zhenzhen made another trip to Zhaohui Hall, greeted the Old Madam, selected a few skilled seamstresses from the needlework room, and brought them back to Longxiang Yuan. She carefully instructed them on how to make the gloves and knee pads.
They were all experienced hands and understood immediately, so it didn't take much effort.
Meanwhile, Fei Xu and the others had already cut the fabric for three sets of inner garments and neatly stacked them aside.
Qi Zhenzhen really didn't want to do it, but since she had promised, she braced herself and got to work.
After a whole day of effort, her eyes were sore, her neck ached, and her fingers had been pricked several times. Finally, one set of clothes was sewn. Qi Zhenzhen stretched her arms and legs, looking at the garment spread out on the couch, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.
Although the stitches weren't very fine, they were at least presentable. Since they were for wearing close to the skin, no one else would see them and laugh at her.
At this pace, she could finish three sets of clothes in three days, then spend a day and a half sewing socks, and half a day sewing underpants. In her spare time, she would still need to figure out how to make some delicious and portable food.
Time was pressing.
When it was time to sleep that night, Fei Xu reminded Qi Zhenzhen that the date set on the invitation from Prince Rui's manor was tomorrow.
"Tomorrow morning, remind me to write a letter, and you can send someone to Prince Rui's manor. I'll find time to visit Rui Ning later," Qi Zhenzhen said after some thought.
Fei Xu nodded while gently combing Qi Zhenzhen's hair. This ritual before sleep helped her fall asleep.
Soon, five days passed. The clothes promised to Gu Sinian were all done. In addition, ten pairs of leather gloves and ten pairs of knee pads were made. She also crafted two pairs of leather shoe covers from leather, which would protect against snow and keep feet warm. Besides making flatbreads, she also smoked seventy to eighty catties of dried meat, in thumb-thick strips, all seasoned with spicy flavors, perfect for accompanying meals.
Furthermore, she stir-fried some meat sauce and, for ease of transport, stored it in bamboo tubes.
Before leaving, Gu Sinian came to bid farewell and pick up the items Qi Zhenzhen had prepared for him.
Li Nuan also sent a small box of scented pills, which were invigorating when worn. If one felt sleepy, burning a pill directly was very effective in dispelling drowsiness.
Zhang Xiao Niu also came along, meticulously informing Qi Zhenzhen about his family's residence and asking her to look after Song Ming Yue. As she was new to the capital and unfamiliar with the surroundings, he worried she might be taken advantage of.