Early in the morning, Gu Yaoniang was woken up again by Bitao and followed Master Lin to practice standing meditation.
I have been practicing my exercises every morning without fail for seven or eight days now.
She has now adapted to Master Lin's training methods and is no longer as trembling as she was on the first day, needing Bitao's help to walk a few steps before she can gradually recover.
After the initial few painful days, the soreness in my body has improved a lot.
Her figure no longer looks as delicate as before, but rather has a more dashing and heroic air.
Master Lin taught Yao Niang a boxing move today. After demonstrating it, he let Yao Niang practice it on her own before dismissing her.
After washing and tidying up, Yao Niang took Bi Tao and went out.
They went not to Jinyulou, but to Zuiyuelou.
The day before, Princess Ruining sent a messenger to the Gu family, saying that the person who could make porcelain for Jinyulou was scheduled to meet today at Zuiyuelou, and that Yaoniang should attend on time.
Gu Xingzhi had prepared the carriage for Yao Niang on her birthday, and today was her first time going out.
This carriage, naturally, could not escape the fate of being named by Gu Xingzhi.
From the outside, the carriage looks nothing special; it's the kind of carriage that ordinary wealthy families usually use. But a closer look reveals its secrets.
The entire structure is made of sandalwood, with the car body made of the finest sandalwood, and a faint sandalwood fragrance wafts through the air when you are inside.
The interior is still quite empty, leaving enough space for the young lady to decorate according to her own preferences.
The curtains were double-layered; the inner layer was made of ordinary satin to block the view, while the outer layer was made of rare and priceless silk gauze.
Silk gauze is impervious to water and fire, and is light and breathable. It is mostly used as an outer garment for summer clothes. It is light, thin and transparent, and graceful like a goddess descending to earth.
Normally, even a piece of tailored clothing would be a precious and carefully crafted building material, but Gu Xingzhi used it for window curtains.
In summer, silk gauze can shield you from mosquitoes and rain. Because of the silk gauze, if you want to see the scenery outside, you only need to lift the inner curtain of the window, without having to open the entire carriage.
From the moment the carriage was handed over to Yao Niang, Gu Xingzhi urged her to name it. Although the carriage was made of exquisite materials, it was ultimately not like Ta Yu and Xie Xiang, each with its own unique characteristics.
Naming the carriage was ultimately a difficult task for Yao Niang.
Gu Xingzhi, who most wanted the carriage to have a name, was unwilling to name it himself. He said firmly, "Whoever owns the carriage should name it. Your carriage is yours to name."
Yao Niang was really struggling with the idea of naming the carriage. Finally, a brilliant idea struck her: the carriage was so luxurious, she could surely make money by riding it when she went out to do business.
Gu Yaoniang received a fierce glare from Gu Xingzhi: "Those who know better will think Zhaocai is a car, but those who don't will think it's a dog guarding the Gu family's property!"
Gu Yaoniang put her hands on her hips and snorted, "If you don't like it, then come up with your own name! If you insist on me naming it, then it'll be 'Bringing Wealth'!"
Gu Xingzhi ultimately did not object: "Alright, alright, bringing wealth is good too. It brings wealth!"
So the carriage was named "Zhao Cai" (meaning "bringing wealth").
Zhao Cai drove through the streets of Shuojing City and arrived at the entrance of Tonghua Lane.
When Yao Niang got off the carriage, she inadvertently saw a figure in Tonghua Lane that looked very familiar, but upon closer inspection, it had disappeared.
She didn't take it to heart. A place like Tonghua Lane was unlikely to have anyone she knew walking around there.
I think I must have misread it.
Yao Niang followed the waiter into a private room at Zuiyue Tower and sat down to wait.
The room was quiet. Yao Niang did not close the door, but left it open while waiting for the other party to arrive.
Yao Niang set off early because she needed someone's help, so it was only natural for her to arrive at Zuiyue Tower in advance to wait for her; that was the proper way to get along with someone.
She was a little uneasy.
Princess Ruining said that this person did not usually do porcelain business, and the craftsmen he employed were only because he liked it, not because they made a living from it.
Being able to try to make the plates and cups she wanted was truly a great favor, and it couldn't be considered a business transaction.
Therefore, Yao Niang did not come empty-handed this time.
Someone passed by the private room, took a few steps, then turned back and walked straight toward Yao Niang.
Yao Niang heard footsteps and snapped out of her reverie, looking somewhat surprised to see who it was.
"Young Master Lu?"
The visitor turned out to be Lu Jing'an.
Could it be that Lu Jing'an is the person Princess Ruining entrusted to her this time?
Lu Jing'an remained as nonchalant as ever, waving his folding fan. Upon seeing Gu Yaoniang, he recalled the scene of being mocked by Yaoniang at the Princess's residence.
Although Gu Yaoniang later sent gifts to the Lu family to apologize, he had never been provoked by a woman like this before.
Seeing Yao Niang again today, he felt a surge of resentment. Feigning nonchalance, he glanced around the private room and asked, "Is Madam Gu waiting for someone?"
Yao Niang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, it wasn't Lu Jing'an. Otherwise, if I had asked him for help, there would probably have been chaos again.
She smiled politely at Lu Jing'an and replied, "I'm waiting for someone."
After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke up, "I... I offended Young Master Lu with my words before, please forgive me."
Having said that, he stood up and was about to curtsy.
Lu Jing'an was known for his domineering and arrogant ways. Most young women in Shuojing kept their distance from him, or gave him a cold shoulder.
He was also extremely arrogant, and when others avoided him, he became even more arrogant and unruly. He rarely had a proper conversation with anyone.
Normally, either others would reluctantly bow to him due to the Lu family's power, or he would be dragged along by Lu Zhao'an to apologize to everyone. When had a young lady like Gu Yaoniang ever apologized to him so softly and gently?
Lu Jing'an was momentarily flustered, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.
Seeing that Yao Niang was about to kneel, he quickly reached out to help her up.
His hand was about to touch Yao Niang, but then he remembered the difference between men and women, and besides, the summer clothes were thin, so he dared not touch her anywhere. As if avoiding a snake, he quickly withdrew his hand.
Although he withdrew his hand, he was still worried about not letting Gu Yaoniang kneel down, so he became a little anxious and shouted, "You stand there and don't move!"
The sudden shout startled both Yao Niang and Bi Tao, leaving them stunned and bewildered.
Seeing that Yao Niang did not move, Lu Jing'an felt slightly relieved and continued, "You! Stand up straight!"
Gu Yaoniang stood there, her face showing astonishment, not understanding what had happened.
Lu Jing'an finally regained his composure, opened his fan again, pulled out a chair and sat down, laughing, "Madam Gu! You should just talk properly, why apologize or perform any formalities!"
He started making inappropriate remarks again: "If I were to accept a young lady's gift, wouldn't I be doomed?"
Gu Yaoniang then realized that Lu Jing'an did not want to accept her gift, so she did not force him.
Just as I was about to speak, another person entered from outside the door; he was also someone I knew.
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