Chapter 239 Praise from the Entire Audience
The ladies of noble rank either sat or stood.
Because of her high rank, the wife of the Duke of Di had a sandalwood stool placed to the left of the main seat.
She did not sit down comfortably, but stood at the back and spoke quietly with Madam Xiao.
His wife was quite old, with silver hair and a kind and gentle face.
Today, she wore a deep purple gown with a "Abundant Harvest" pattern. The fabric was a thick and warm brocade, woven with gold and autumn-colored threads to depict grains such as rice, millet, sorghum, wheat, and beans, symbolizing good fortune and abundance. The stitches were fine and even, and the colors were calm and dignified, perfectly complementing her gentle and composed demeanor.
She gently stroked the full wheat ear pattern on her cuffs, her eyes filled with a tender smile.
Madam Xiao, on the other hand, was quite different.
Although she is over forty, she still stands tall and straight, with a clear and heroic air about her, as if she has been through many battles.
Today, she was not wearing the wide-sleeved ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) that women usually wear, but instead was dressed in a hunting outfit specially made by Lu Zhaoruo, inspired by the "Autumn Hunting Scene".
The garment is predominantly ochre and camel in color, with crisp fabric and clean tailoring. The body of the garment is decorated with gold thread embroidery and nail thread embroidery depicting hunting scenes of galloping horses and eagles soaring in the sky. The cuffs and edges of the garment are adorned with continuous scrolling grass patterns, revealing a touch of refinement amidst its heroic spirit.
This outfit stood out among the many elegant clothes in the garden, attracting the attention of many noblewomen.
"Madam Xiao looks truly dashing and impressive in her hunting attire."
Lady Di praised with a smile, her voice gentle.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao laughed heartily and patted her robe: "To be honest, at first I thought the pattern was too harsh and inappropriate. But Zhaoruo's ingenuity in using the gold thread and camel color to create a sense of elegance and sophistication makes it easy to wear! She said, 'Madam, you once fought on the battlefield, why hide your heroic spirit?' Those words really resonated with me!"
Lady Di smiled and nodded, her gaze sweeping over the galloping horse on Lady Xiao's robe before returning to the plump ears of grain on her own dress. She said gently, "Yes, that's the beauty of Lady Lu. When she makes clothes for people, she doesn't force them to change their nature, but rather follows their temperament and highlights their strengths. The clothes she designs for you and me may seem different, but the thoughtful consideration of 'tailor-made' is the same."
"The old lady is right!"
Madam Xiao wholeheartedly agreed, "This child truly understands people."
Consort Rong and Princess Li were sitting and talking peacefully.
Consort Rong gently stroked the bat and vine pattern on her long-sleeved ceremonial robe with the inscription "May you enjoy long life and happiness" and exclaimed, "Your Highness, your 'Golden Chrysanthemum in Frost' robe is truly stunning. The gold thread used here is so exquisite that it's as if the autumn sun has been embroidered onto the robe. It is so elegant and noble."
Upon hearing this, Princess Li did not immediately offer any pleasantries, but merely smiled slightly.
She nodded gracefully, her gaze slowly sweeping over the folds of Consort Rong's clothes. Her voice was not loud, but it carried a composure and certainty that came with the passage of time: "The elegance of the chrysanthemum lies not only in its form, but even more so in its spirit. Lady Lu's ability to capture this spirit is truly a sign of discerning eyes."
She paused briefly, her eyes revealing genuine admiration, and continued, "The 'Longevity and Prosperity' pattern on the Dowager's robe, with its bat wings embroidered so rounded and full, and the stitches so fine and even, further demonstrates its profound inner meaning and auspiciousness, which is truly rare."
Even the newly appointed imperial concubine, dressed in a magnolia-patterned ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with the inscription "Jade Hall of Wealth and Prosperity," couldn't help but lean over and whisper to the concubine sitting next to her, her voice tinged with undisguised admiration: "Lady Lu's mind is truly exquisite... Look at these magnolia petals, subtly tinged with light purple. When the light shines on them, they seem to shimmer and move gently as you walk. They maintain a sense of propriety while also possessing a unique elegance; truly rare indeed."
The Empress Dowager and the Empress sat at the head of the table, taking in the soft praises from everyone in the garden.
The Empress turned slightly to the side, moving a little closer to the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, look at Lady Lu's skillful hands, they truly have the magic touch to turn stone into gold. The temperament and bearing of each lady have been incorporated into these threads, transforming them into a garden full of autumn colors, vibrant and fragrant."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled and nodded.
Her gaze slowly swept over the garden filled with elegant women and dazzling costumes, finally settling on the clear, high autumn sky. Her tone was calm and composed, tinged with a hint of sigh: "Indeed. When people can give full play to their talents, and things can display their beauty, such a magnificent scene is worthy of a peaceful and prosperous era."
At this moment.
The female official led Lu Zhaoruo into the Imperial Garden.
In an instant, all eyes in the garden—admiring, curious, scrutinizing, and calculating—subtly converged on this spot.
Lu Zhaoruo lowered her eyes slightly, her steps were calm and composed. The light blue female official's dress she wore, under the bright lights of the garden, made her look even more like a clear spring reflecting the moon, with an otherworldly temperament.
The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, her gaze calmly fixed on her, deep and unfathomable.
The Empress's gaze, however, was much gentler, carrying undisguised admiration and consideration.
She knew this woman was talented and was planning how to bestow favors upon her and bring her under her wing.
At the lower end, the Duchess of Di's eyes were filled with pure affection and satisfaction, and she nodded slightly.
Madam Xiao, standing beside her, almost broke into a hearty smile, her eyes shining with pride.
Princess Yongfu was the most unable to hide her emotions. Her eyes crinkled as she almost rose to greet him, but Yuyao, who was beside her, quietly tugged at her sleeve, which barely allowed her to maintain her composure.
The venerable and virtuous Consort Rong swept her gaze across the room with keen insight, taking in everyone's reactions. She cast a glance at Lu Zhaoruo with a neutral and purely appreciative look.
Princess Li, who was meeting Lu Zhaoruo for the first time, maintained her aloof demeanor, but she was also involuntarily attracted by her calm and composed temperament, and glanced at her slightly.
Many other concubines, such as the newly promoted Imperial Concubine, were simply curious and observing, exchanging impressions in hushed tones.
At the very back of the crowd, Lady Qi, the Marquis of Anguo Pavilion, silently watched Lu Zhaoruo, thinking to herself: "My concubine's daughter, Zhanfu, is on good terms with her. I must visit her more often in the future. This Lady Lu has clearly won the favor of the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Her future is limitless."
Lu Zhaoruo walked to the emperor's side, followed the proper etiquette, and bowed gracefully. Her voice was clear and respectful: "This commoner, Lu Zhaoruo, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress. May Your Majesty live a long and peaceful life."
The Empress Dowager's gaze sharpened slightly, and she said calmly, "Rise."
Then he added, "Madam Lu."
"I am here."
Lu Zhaoruo bowed again, her demeanor calm and composed.
"The clothes worn by all the ladies today are all made by you. Your ingenuity and skill have been witnessed by the Empress and I."
The Empress Dowager spoke calmly, yet each word carried immense weight: “Start with the ‘longevity of pine and crane’ on my body, and let me hear what kind of thoughts are hidden in your scheme.”
After these words were spoken, the garden became even quieter.
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo did not immediately look at the Empress Dowager's magnificent robes. Instead, she lowered her gaze respectfully to the pine needle pattern on the hem of the Empress Dowager's skirt. After a moment, she raised her head and spoke in a clear, gentle, and neither humble nor arrogant voice: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has inquired, and I humbly offer my humble opinion."
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