Chapter 47 Is it really worth me "dressing up" for you? ...

The brocade boxes were opened one by one, revealing whole boxes of bird's nest, several high-quality ginseng roots, boxes of donkey-hide gelatin, and several small jade bottles that looked like they belonged to the imperial court...

Madam Zhong pulled out a piece of paper, which detailed how to use the wound medicine and scar removal ointment in the jade bottle.

She remained silent for a few moments, then said, "...Yaoyao, I remember you accidentally pricked your hand with a thorn, but you didn't lose any limbs, did you?"

"..."

Meng Lingyao opened her palm. She found it troublesome and hadn't covered her hand with gauze today. There were only a few slightly darker red spots on her palm, and she didn't even feel much pain anymore.

"It'll be almost done."

Madam Zhong's gaze swept over the whole wild ginseng, the neatly arranged blocks of donkey-hide gelatin, and finally settled on her daughter's face, which was more beautiful than a hibiscus. "Lord Pei's return gift is truly alarming. Our family only had ordinary dishes yesterday, not some grand feast. How can we accept such a return gift?"

"What's there to be ashamed of?" Meng Lingyao examined the obviously extraordinary ointment and casually said, "Lord Pei comes from a prominent family and has always been known for his propriety and integrity. He came in a hurry yesterday, empty-handed, so what's so strange about returning the favor today?"

"Polite?" Madam Zhong's eyebrows shot up. "Even if someone is polite, they would never return a greeting like this!"

“His family is very wealthy and powerful; these things are nothing special to him.” Meng Lingyao pushed the wooden box containing the donkey-hide gelatin toward her mother. “I heard Mother cough a few times this morning. Donkey-hide gelatin is best for nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness. Tell the kitchen to get some almonds to boil together…”

Madam Zhong chuckled and poked her forehead, "You little rascal! Using Lord Pei's gift as a favor? Tell your mother the truth—"

“Everything my daughter said is true.” Meng Lingyao blinked innocently, looking completely innocent and even somewhat intimidating.

She had always been close to her mother, but as children grow up, some things become insignificant.

Moreover, she didn't really know what Pei Xu was up to this time. A few days ago, she thought he had no interest in her anymore, but recently he had let her act recklessly several times. But if he was interested... he had never said it.

No, let alone being told clearly, she often doubted that even those slightly unusual messages were her own imagination.

“Since they are all ordinary,” Madam Zhong changed the subject, “then let’s choose a suitable time to meet with Young Master Jian.”

Meng Lingyao was lost in thought and didn't hear what her mother said, so she subconsciously hummed in response.

"Alright, it's settled then." Madam Zhong nodded in satisfaction. "I've already made an appointment with Madam Shi, and your father has also calculated it. The day after tomorrow is an auspicious day, suitable for travel."

Meng Lingyao snapped back to reality. "What?"

"Now that things have come to this, are you going to back out?" Madam Zhong asked casually.

Meng Lingyao immediately pursed her lips and smiled, "It's alright, Mother can decide."

After all, they met, and of the two, she wouldn't be the one who suffered more.

Early in the morning, Meng Lingyao applied the last bit of rouge to her face in front of the mirror. Madam Zhong inserted a kingfisher feather hairpin into her hair, the fluttering butterfly wings adorned with tiny pearls trembling slightly. She suddenly sighed, "I wonder what Young Master Jian looks like, how could he be worthy of my daughter's elaborate makeup?"

The mirror reflected her full lips, and Meng Lingyao smoothed her lips with her pinky finger. "Whether Young Master Jian is worthy of her is another matter," she said, tilting her head, her gemstone earrings swaying lightly against her fair cheek. "Your beauty is known throughout the capital."

She wouldn't deliberately neglect her appearance just because she's indifferent to Jian Su. After all, is he even worthy of her?

One sentence made Madam Zhong's melancholy vanish: "You really don't know how to write the word 'humility'."

Once inside the carriage, Meng Lingyao asked, "Where are we going today?"

Madam Zhong shook her head, her smile mysterious. "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

The carriage continued its journey, and Meng Lingyao lifted the curtain a crack. The scenery along the way was familiar; the area was dotted with shops, and for a moment she couldn't tell where her destination was. When the carriage stopped, she saw the plaque with the words "Linlang Pavilion" in gold on a black background, and her steps faltered slightly.

"The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, and I'd like to buy a new set of jewelry. Could you take a look and give me your opinion?" Madam Zhong said casually.

Normally, Meng Lingyao would have acted coquettishly to get her mother to buy her some new jewelry, but now, a strange unease slowly crept into her heart.

When Manager Wei saw Meng Lingyao enter, he concealed his surprise very well, his eyes only pausing for a moment before he greeted Madam Zhong, "Greetings, Madam. What would you like to see today? Our shop has just received some new jewelry."

While instructing the shopkeeper, Madam Zhong subtly kept an eye on the doorway. A short while later, the curtain was lifted again.

“Sister Zhong, Lingyao, what a coincidence to meet you here today.” Madam Shi’s laughter was like a spring breeze caressing the willows, and her light apricot-colored brocade jacket made her look like warm jade. As soon as she entered the door, she affectionately took Meng Lingyao’s arm, and then turned her head slightly behind her, “Su’er, haven’t you greeted Madam Zhong yet?” This soft tone was like a hook, immediately drawing in a young man in black robes from outside the door.

Jian Su followed his mother in. He was handsome and tall. He bowed respectfully to Madam Zhong, then glanced at the closed wooden door at the top of the stairs on the second floor and pursed his lips imperceptibly.

“Nephew, there’s no need for such formalities.” Madam Zhong nodded with a smile, secretly appraising the young man’s appearance and demeanor.

"Yaoyao, come and greet Aunt Shi and Young Master Jian."

"Greetings, Aunt Shi." Meng Lingyao stepped forward to greet her, then turned her gaze to Jian Su, her lips slightly parted, "Young Master Jian."

Jian Su kept a straight face and nodded slightly.

Manager Wei took in everything in the shop, his gaze subtly sweeping over the second floor before beckoning a waiter and whispering a few instructions.

"Meeting Lingyao today has put my mind at ease." Madam Shi took Meng Lingyao's hand. "Your aunt was just having a headache. She wanted to pick out some exquisite jewelry to give to the ladies and young ladies of some old friends in Sichuan. You have the best eye, so why don't you help your aunt choose?" Her gaze was gentle and her words were sincere, making it hard for anyone to refuse.

Madam Zhong smiled and replied, "What does a child like her know? I hope she doesn't interfere with your important business."

“Sister, you’re too kind. Your daughter is so clever; I couldn’t be happier. Unlike my son, who doesn’t know anything, except how to settle the bill later.” She half-pulled, half-led Meng Lingyao to the long table. The shop assistants hurriedly brought out several heavy ebony trays for her to choose from.

Several people gathered around the table. Madam Shi picked up a red gold filigree hairpin inlaid with rubies and asked Meng Lingyao for her opinion. Meng Lingyao's fingertips lightly touched several hairpins, and she analyzed the style, the ingenuity of the gemstone matching, and the complexity of the craftsmanship, her points clear and concise. Madam Shi nodded repeatedly.

Jian Su had no interest in jewelry. He waited to the side, sipping his tea absentmindedly. Occasionally, he would hear the laughter of the women over there, and when he looked up, his gaze would involuntarily fall on the rosy lips of the girl in the middle. He would only glance at her before looking away.

Suddenly, a warm breeze blew in through the half-open lattice window, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance. Madam Zhong put down her jewelry, took a deep breath, covered her lips with her sleeve, and whispered to Madam Shi with a smile, "It's Lao Shun Ji's jujube paste pastry... It really smells delicious right now."

"Yaoyao, go and buy some tea. We're tired of choosing, so we can have some tea."

Meng Lingyao was about to agree when Madam Shi stopped her, "How can we let Lingyao go?"

Before she could finish speaking, Jian Su had already stood up on his own. Madam Shi smiled, pleased with his tact, and said, "Su'er, you may go."

Madam Zhong declined, saying, "How can this be! The sun is too strong outside; it wouldn't be good to trouble Young Master Jian..."

"Not at all," Madam Shi's eyes flashed quickly, then she clapped her hands and said with a gentle smile, "Why don't the two of you go together? Go out for some fresh air, instead of both of you being so constrained by staying in the shop."

Madam Zhong feigned hesitation and said, "Very well."

The two elders took turns explaining and arranging things properly.

Meng Lingyao understood perfectly well that this was a deliberate arrangement, but she felt a bit tired from talking too much and wanted to go out for a break, so she casually replied, "Yes."

Jian Su's lips tightened almost imperceptibly, and he finally spoke with a blank expression, "Miss Meng, please."

Meng Lingyao turned and walked towards the door. Jian Su followed behind her, keeping a respectful distance. Reaching the threshold, he instinctively quickened his pace, reaching out to lift the beaded curtain. Meng Lingyao nodded demurely, her skirt swaying, and stepped out.

Jian Su stared at his extra hand, wishing he could chop it off and be done with it.

As soon as the curtain fell, the bustling street scene rushed towards us.

Jian Su lagged half a step behind, his gaze fixed on her jeweled headdress. As if he had thought of something, his voice was cold and hard, "Miss Meng is dressed so beautifully today," he said, a mocking smile playing on his lips, "Could it be that Zhao Xu and Lord Pei... are not enough to satisfy Miss Meng's heart, so that you must trouble yourself to appease me this time?"

Meng Lingyao did not stop walking, but only glanced at him sideways, her eyes clear and bright like the moon reflected in a cold pool, "The Left Chancellor is overestimating himself."

"Even children who have just begun their education can recite 'The beginning of propriety lies in proper conduct,' so how come the Left Chancellor doesn't know it?"

"Or do you think you are more valiant than General Zhao, and more refined than Lord Pei?" She chuckled briefly, her voice trailing off softly yet sharply, "and therefore worthy of my special 'dressing up'?"

Jian Su's breath caught in his throat. He felt as if countless tiny needles had pierced his chest. In an instant, all his contempt, resentment, and even that uncontrollable, shameful, and hidden concern were laid bare in broad daylight. His face flushed, his earlobes turned a deep red, and his previously aggressive demeanor was crushed into dust by the barrage of questions. He couldn't utter a single word.

Meng Lingyao's long eyelashes fluttered gently. No longer looking at his embarrassed expression as he stood there, she turned around gracefully, pointed forward, and a flawless smile returned to her lips. "Judging by the steam, it must be fresh out of the oven. Young Master Jian, please."

In the pastry shop, Zhao Ruxuan held up a steaming hot jujube blossom pastry and brought it to her brother's mouth, saying, "Second brother, have a taste! Just one bite, see if it's too sweet? His Highness the Third Prince doesn't like overly sweet pastries."

Zhao Xu frowned and leaned back, dodging his sister's enthusiastic feeding, "Try it yourself..."

He raised his hand to block his sister's hand, and inadvertently turned his head. Before his slightly disgusted expression had completely disappeared, his gaze met the scene at the shop entrance.

The blue cloth curtain had not yet been completely drawn down, because his friend had raised his hand to block it.

I was just about to make a joke when I realized I had never seen him so elegant.

The next moment, his beloved lowered her head slightly and calmly stepped in from behind the curtain.