Chapter 234 The Domineering Grand Princess!
Yongfu was startled by her sudden fierceness and took a half step back, but then straightened his back: "You...you are simply unreasonable! I'm going to see my aunt!"
Seeing her back down, Yunxiu sneered triumphantly, "Go ahead! 'Assist' properly! We'll see!"
After saying that, she glared at Yongfu, turned around abruptly, her skirt billowing in the wind, and got into the car and left without looking back.
Inside the carriage, Lady Yunxiu suddenly leaned against the carriage wall and closed her eyes tightly.
Although she had vaguely sensed that Xiao Yeming treated Lu Zhaoruo differently, she had never taken the merchant girl seriously.
The day after the celebration banquet, Madam He from the Xiao family came to "visit" and, seemingly unintentionally, revealed a lot of "insider information" in her words.
She was shocked and furious to learn that Xiao Yeming had been protecting that divorced woman in Jizhou City, and that the two had been having an affair!
No wonder!
No wonder he's been back in Beijing for so long and has never visited me once!
No wonder he became increasingly indifferent to me, even deliberately distancing himself at Xiangguo Temple and publicly refuting me at the victory celebration banquet!
No wonder she sent people to "invite" Lu Zhaoruo time and time again, but each time they were stopped outside the Lu residence by his personal guards!
It turns out that all this neglect, alienation, and embarrassment was all because of that bitch!
She had naively thought he was cold and unromantic by nature...
How ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!
It wasn't that Xiao Yeming lacked tenderness or didn't know how to protect her; it was just that he didn't spare a single bit of his affection and responsibility for Yunxiu, but gave it all to that abandoned merchant woman, Lu Zhaoruo!
He even... he was willing to cut off a finger to save her!
Yunxiu had admired him since childhood, a fact known to everyone in the capital.
Why should a lowly merchant's wife, who has been abandoned by her husband, be worthy of his blood and flesh protection?
What right does Lu Zhaoruo have?!
Yongfu stood there, watching the carriage disappear into the distance, his heart pounding with shock and anger. He muttered to himself, "A madman... he's a real madman!"
She took a few deep breaths to calm herself before turning and walking into the temple.
The quiet room of the Zen temple is filled with the fragrance of incense.
When Yongfu was led in, the Grand Princess was sitting upright on a prayer mat with her eyes closed, her fingertips twirling the ebony prayer beads one by one.
She did not open her eyes upon Yongfu's arrival, and the sandalwood incense in the room seemed unable to suppress the innate, breathtaking pressure emanating from him.
Yongfu performed the family greetings respectfully, lowering his voice slightly: "Yongfu greets Aunt. I have come today regarding the Jinghua Fashion Festival and would like to inquire about Aunt's clothing preferences..."
Before she could finish speaking, the Grand Princess abruptly stopped fiddling with her prayer beads.
Her eyes were still closed, but the corners of her lips curled up, and her voice was calm but cold: "Oh? It's that 'Rainbow Robe Gathering' hosted by Madam Lu, the one that made your sister Yunxiu suffer such a great injustice at the Xiao family banquet? I thought you had long since forgotten about your aunt and your good-for-nothing daughter."
After speaking, she slowly opened her eyelids, her gaze as sharp as an icy blade, sweeping straight at Yongfu.
Yongfu's heart tightened, and he dared not meet his gaze, hurriedly lowering his eyelashes.
In that instant when she lowered her eyes, she secretly caught a glimpse of her aunt's eyebrows and the straight lines of her nose, and her heart skipped a beat.
The silhouette of that figure bears an uncanny resemblance to Sister Lu!
However, Sister Lu's expression was always aloof and composed, while Aunt's imposing presence carried a sharp and compelling edge.
Yongfu suppressed his unease and quickly said, "Aunt, you flatter me! I have always respected you. This matter was approved by my brother, the Emperor, and is intended to enhance the splendor of the palace. Lady Lu was merely following orders..."
"Never mind."
The Grand Princess coldly interrupted her, closing her eyes again. "Since it's 'following orders,' then proceed according to protocol. As for colors, I have no patience for those frivolous patterns. As for designs... since Lu Zhaoruo has the ability to impress people, she must have her own ideas. Why should she ask me, an 'outsider'?"
Yongfu inwardly groaned, knowing that saying more would be pointless. He could only write down the rule "not tolerating frivolous tricks," and then forced himself to say a few more casual words before hastily taking his leave.
She only breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the Zen temple, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on her back.
Leave Xiangguo Temple.
Yongfu practically ran into the Lu residence, lifting her skirt as she did so. Upon seeing Lu Zhaoruo, she grabbed her hand and cried out urgently, "Sister Lu! Something terrible has happened! Aunt...she's furious!"
She recounted in one breath how the Grand Princess had mocked and ridiculed Yunxiu, pointed out the grievances she had suffered, and made things difficult for her. Finally, she said with great concern, "What should we do? With my aunt's attitude, how can we make these clothes? No matter how well we make them, if she is determined to find fault, it will all be in vain!"
Lu Zhaoruo listened quietly, her face showing none of the panic Yongfu had expected.
She even poured Yongfu a cup of hot tea and said softly, "Your Highness, please don't be anxious. Have some tea to calm your nerves."
Once Yongfu had calmed down a bit, Lu Zhaoruo pondered and said, "Your Highness, the Grand Princess's words, though seemingly difficult, actually revealed several key points."
"oh?"
Yongfu's eyes widened.
“Firstly,” Lu Zhaoruo analyzed, “Her Highness said she ‘dislikes frivolous and fancy things’ and emphasized ‘following the rules,’ which clearly tells us her preferences—dignity, composure, and adherence to etiquette. This is much clearer than letting us guess blindly.”
"Secondly," she continued, "Your Highness pointed out Yunxiu's grievances to her face, instead of hiding them in your heart and secretly sabotaging her. This shows that she is at least willing to put the conflict in the open. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. For us, this may not be a bad thing."
Yongfu listened intently: "Then... what should we do?"
Lu Zhaoruo's eyes were clear: "We not only have to do it for her, but we have to do it better than anyone can imagine! She needs to be dignified and composed, so we will use the finest materials and the most exquisite craftsmanship to tailor a set of clothes for her that are completely in line with the rank of the Grand Princess. We must adhere to the etiquette and also show her extraordinary status in terms of patterns and demeanor."
She walked to the desk, spread out paper and pen, and began sketching as she spoke: "The pattern doesn't need to be complicated, but it must be imposing. The color scheme should avoid being bright, but the texture must be incomparably luxurious. We want her to become the focus of attention at the fashion party, a place that even the Empress Dowager and the Empress cannot help but admire!"
Lu Zhaoruo raised her head: "Your Highness, when a work of art is so perfect that it is impeccable and can even bring the wearer unparalleled glory, any personal resentment will seem pale and powerless. We must use this dress to make Her Highness the Grand Princess understand that my value as Lu Zhaoruo is far greater than the petty sentiments of her daughter."
Yongfu was deeply impressed by Lu Zhaoruo's calmness and courage, and nodded vigorously: "Sister is right! Let's make a set of clothes that she can't find fault with at all!"
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