Chapter 34 Choosing a Dress
With the old lady and Cheng present, all arrangements for the trip on Laba Day were quickly finalized, except for the clothes for the two girls, which had not yet been finalized.
"Many years ago, my cousin from the old Duke Zhenguo Mansion was also chosen. I remember that year, she wore a dress with dark-patterned cloud brocade."
Cheng's eyes flashed with the envy she felt when she first saw her cousin in her gorgeous dress. "The material of that dress isn't golden at first glance, nor is it plain without a single pattern. Fine, dark patterns are pressed into the base of the fabric. In dim light, nothing can be seen. But when standing in the sun, the beautiful lotus pattern becomes faintly translucent. It's so beautiful!"
Cheng was once a branch of the former Zhenguogong Mansion. Due to her blood relationship, she enjoyed the privilege of being a legitimate branch and attended private school with her cousin. When her cousin's copied scriptures were selected, the wife of the Zhenguogong Mansion kindly took her along, and she had the honor of witnessing the annual Scripture Offering Ceremony at the Bodhi Temple, the highest honor for unmarried women in the capital.
She still remembered her cousin wearing a moon-white cloak with dark patterns, the same texture, the hem embroidered with intricate dark silver lotus flowers. As her cousin climbed the stone steps, the lotus patterns shimmered and reflected the light. Only then did she understand what it meant to be radiant with light, to have lotus flowers bloom at every step.
However, times have changed.
She had never imagined that her daughter would now possess the same respectability as her cousin. She couldn't help but feel proud, and she wanted her daughter to wear the same clothes her cousin had worn back then. It seemed that by doing so, she could feel at ease and realize that she and her cousin were no different.
Unexpectedly, her idea was rejected by the old lady: "You also know that it was the matter of the old Duke's Mansion? How did your cousin end up?"
With just one sentence, Cheng was choked back.
"Although it's a great honor, it's ultimately for the sake of respecting the Buddha. Since you've been chosen, your attire should prioritize respect. Simplicity is essential, but proper attire is paramount. Don't focus on being flashy. Even if others do, we shouldn't. Heaven is watching, and the Buddha will know."
The old lady was right. That year, amidst the grand celebrations, the Duke's residence was practically packed with people. I had thought my cousin would at least marry into a noble family. But before they could even get married, the old Duke of Zhenguo was disliked by the new emperor due to factional strife. The emperor found a pretext to strip him of his title, and my cousin married far away in Fujian, never to return to the capital again.
Her family was spared because they were a side branch and had never been involved.
Seeing that Cheng had acquiesced to her words, the old lady didn't want to offend Cheng, the head of the household, in front of everyone, so she said softly, "You usually make decisions with confidence, but this time when it comes to your daughters, you're overthinking and overthinking. How about this: let the two children go back and look through the selection first, and let them pick out something they like."
"After noon, the children will all come to my yard and we'll pick out some together. You'll have finished your affairs at the mansion by then, so I'll let you make the final decision, okay?"
The mother-in-law's words were both convincing and comforting, and Cheng felt relieved. Thinking about it carefully, she realized that her mother-in-law was right. Compared with her cousin, she had already been much better than her since marrying into the Du family. Why compare the past now?
Cheng nodded and said, "Mother is right. I do have some matters to attend to in the mansion. As you said, let's discuss this here first. After noon, we will go to your main courtyard to make a decision."
Then, the old lady stood up with the help of Zhaoxia. After Rong and Su Ying paid their respects to Cheng, they also left behind the old lady.
Cheng gave Wanyi a few more instructions before letting her go back to her room to choose clothes. She herself stayed in the main room, waiting for the housekeeper and the maid, and began to take care of the daily affairs of the house.
After Rong left the east courtyard, she walked to the other side of the old lady and helped her mother-in-law up.
The old lady knew Rong was always measured and aware that she had just stolen Cheng's limelight, so she kept silent. She patted Rong's hand and said, "I have no objection to your taste. If you don't find any clothes or jewelry that suits your taste after you return, just come to me and ask for them."
Rong was moved and responded, "I know, thank you, mother."
Then Rong waved to Su Ying and said, "Hurry up and thank grandma."
The old lady stopped and looked at Su Ying with a smile as she walked forward and bowed to her respectfully.
The old lady accepted Su Ying's gift with a smile, her eyes full of kindness as she said, "I taught Wanyi calligraphy. She copied sutras every year and sent them to Bodhi Temple every year, but she was chosen this year. Last time I told you to take the female teacher's class with Wanyi, and it seems I was right. With you as her companion, Wanyi has indeed improved a lot."
The old lady's words were just to the point, but Su Ying understood them clearly.
Ever since her aunt asked her to copy the sutras well, she knew she would definitely make the list. When she was in Yandang Mountain, she often played tricks on her grandfather by mixing her own calligraphy and writing with his students' homework. Once, she was actually awarded an A by her grandfather.
During her time at the Du residence, she felt she had a rough idea of the Old Madam and Cheng's temperaments. As long as she didn't overshadow them and avoided their taboos, they wouldn't actively embarrass her. Since her aunt hoped she would excel in scripture copying, she naturally couldn't just focus on herself.
Wanyi's calligraphy was actually quite good, but since most girls in the boudoir copied regular script, it was difficult for her to stand out. This was why she took a different approach, copying sutras in Weibei script. However, since Wanyi only knew how to write regular script in the style of a hairpin flower, she had to correct her flaws and add a touch of elegance not found in boudoir calligraphy, so she could be instantly distinguished from others.
Of course, this also required Wanyi's intelligence. Even a good cook cannot cook without rice, so she naturally did not dare to claim credit for the achievement. She simply lowered her head and said, "Ying'er was just accompanying Sister Wanyi. The rest is all due to Sister Wanyi's own intelligence."
The old lady was pleased and laughed, "Good children, you are all good children. Let your aunt pick out clothes. If you need anything, just ask grandma."
Everything went smoothly at the academy today, but after lunch, the students' attention shifted to the sutra offering ceremony at the Bodhi Temple. Du Heng, not wanting his two younger sisters to be scrutinized, excused himself and left early.
After returning home and changing into casual clothes, he was about to pay his respects to his grandmother and mother when he heard Qingquan report that his mother, second aunt, Wanyi and Suying were all at his grandmother's place.
After a moment's thought, he decided that since he had returned home, he must pay his respects first. So, he straightened his clothes and headed straight for his grandmother's main courtyard.
Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the main courtyard, I heard Wanyi's laughter: "Sister Ying'er's outfit is so pleasing to the eye. Why don't I pick out a similar outfit so that others can tell we are sisters at first sight."
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