Chapter 242 The Rainbow Dress Gathering Concludes Successfully
Upon hearing this, Linglang did not answer immediately. Instead, she glanced at Lu Zhaoruo, who stood with her head bowed, before speaking slowly and indifferently: "Your Majesty, I dare not refuse to answer your question."
She paused briefly, her fingertips brushing over the flowing dark gold phoenix pattern on her sleeve: "The craftsmanship is extremely skillful, and there is not a single flaw in the needlework. This Lady Lu, whom the Empress and the Emperor have gone to great lengths to find, is indeed quite capable."
Just when everyone thought this was a rare affirmation and breathed a sigh of relief, she suddenly changed the subject: "It's a pity that it has more craftsmanship than spirit. Such a work, though exquisitely crafted, has lost its natural charm and is ultimately inferior. Wearing it is really incompatible with my sister's usual state of mind."
"Not in my mood."
The four characters fell to the ground like ice, leaving the entire garden deathly silent.
All eyes immediately focused on Lu Zhaoruo, and everyone held their breath.
The Empress Dowager also watched quietly, wanting to see how she would respond to this attack on her conscience.
Lu Zhaoruo did not back down. Instead, she stepped forward, bowed deeply in accordance with etiquette, and was extremely humble: "This humble woman humbly accepts Your Highness's teachings."
She slowly raised her head, her gaze clear and unwavering, meeting the icy gaze head-on: "Your Highness's insight is profound and your wisdom subtle, I bow in reverence. Clothing is the outward appearance, but the heart is the inner essence. It is my shallow learning that has prevented me from truly understanding Your Highness's profound and authoritative spirit, and my actions have been merely superficial, failing to resonate with the divine. This is not the fault of my attire, but rather the fault of my failure to truly enter into Your Highness's inner sanctum."
At this point, she slowed her pace and spoke clearly: "Your Highness's words today are like a bright lamp in a dark room. In the past, all I knew was the skill of needle and thread; today I realize that the soul of clothing lies in the cultivation of one's mind and spirit. This lesson is etched in my heart."
A cold glint flashed in Shu Linglang's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
These words, seemingly full of admiration, actually placed her on a pedestal, making her previous criticisms seem more like a "disagreement" stemming from an overly high level of understanding.
If I were to persist in this, I would appear petty and lose my composure.
The chill in Linglang's eyes was almost tangible, but she only slightly curled the corners of her lips, her voice still steady but tinged with sarcasm: "Oh? You do know how to talk."
The Empress Dowager clearly saw the undercurrents between the two.
She spoke slowly and deliberately at the right moment: "Alright."
Her gaze first gently fell on Lu Zhaoruo: "Madam Lu's ability to gain enlightenment from this shows her sincerity. The cultivation of skills lies in the accumulation of knowledge over time. It is good that you can think this way."
Then she turned to Linglang and said, "Linglang, you have high standards, so it's normal that you can't appreciate ordinary things. On this festive day, don't be too demanding."
Finally, she smiled and looked around the room, saying loudly, "The purpose of this grand fashion event is to appreciate the autumn colors and ingenious designs. Ladies, please feel free to enjoy yourselves and do not feel constrained."
Linglang remained expressionless and said nothing more.
Lu Zhaoruo bowed respectfully again, then lowered her head and stepped aside.
As the Empress Dowager spoke, the atmosphere in the garden gradually warmed up. The sounds of string and wind instruments resumed, and the noblewomen began to talk in hushed tones again. However, their laughter was tinged with a hint of caution.
Lu Zhaoruo stood obediently to the side, her face calm and expressionless, but the fingertips in her sleeve loosened slightly, and she then realized that her palms were covered with a thin layer of sweat.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
We finally got through that ordeal, albeit with great difficulty.
The Grand Princess's icy, sharp gaze and the Empress Dowager's seemingly gentle yet profound scrutiny made her feel as if she were walking on thin ice.
It was fortunate that he was able to regain his composure with his quick wit and avoid making a scene.
However, just as he was beginning to breathe a sigh of relief, another, deeper worry weighed heavily on him.
This incident has likely severed the "royal merchant" path that Princess Yongfu had previously planned for her, in which she would assist in the procurement of court costumes.
The Grand Princess's attitude was so clear, almost an open expression of her dislike.
Even if the Empress Dowager appreciated her skills, she would never, at this time and in this matter, embarrass her powerful sister-in-law for the sake of a commoner woman with no background.
Hope is fading.
Shu Linglang sat upright at the table, her fingertips caressing the warm porcelain cup, her eyes occasionally glancing at her figure out of the corner of her eye.
Seeing Lu Zhaoruo's calm demeanor and quick adjustment of her mindset.
She admitted that the woman was indeed extraordinary.
This quick wit and composure are far beyond what ordinary craftsmen can match.
The response just now was flawless.
If... if she hadn't offended Yunxiu, if she hadn't been so ungrateful... perhaps, I might actually have developed some appreciation for her, even...
The moment this thought crossed her mind, Shu Linglang abruptly cut it off.
A deeper layer of frost instantly settled over her eyes.
impossible.
Yunxiu was the apple of her eye, and also her Achilles' heel.
Anyone who causes Yunxiu to suffer injustice, no matter how talented, will never be of any use to her.
What inexplicably irritated her even more was that face, so strikingly similar to her own when she was young…
She withdrew her gaze, no longer looking at Lu Zhaoruo, and drank the slightly cool tea in her cup in one gulp.
As the sun sets in the west, the autumnal atmosphere in the Imperial Garden is tinged with a warm twilight.
The "Jinghua Neon Fashion Party" was drawing to a close in what seemed like a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
The Empress Dowager and the Empress were the first to depart for the palace. After the noblewomen and concubines respectfully saw off the imperial carriage according to their ranks, they also took their leave in an orderly manner under the guidance of the palace servants.
In an instant, the garden transformed from a place of elegant attire, bustling laughter and chatter to a tranquil scene as the music ended and the crowd dispersed.
Only the pale white gauze hanging in the corridor still flutters slightly in the autumn wind, and a few petals scattered on the lush lawn silently tell the story of the grand occasion just now.
Lu Zhaoruo stood respectfully to one side with her head bowed until all the dignitaries had left.
Her face was calm and composed, but her heart was like a garden in the twilight, where the clamor had subsided and only clarity remained.
Although she has not yet earned the title of Imperial Merchant, the name "Lu Zhaoruo" has already been etched into the hearts of the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and all the ladies of the court.
This impression of "commendable sincerity" is a seed; whether it can sprout depends on how it is nurtured in the future.
Princess Yongfu ran over excitedly and grabbed her hand, her eyes filled with pride and lingering excitement: "Sister Lu! Today was truly wonderful! Mother and sister-in-law must be extremely pleased with you!"
Linglang was one of the last to leave.
She paused slightly at the garden gate, without turning around, and simply gave a curt instruction to the maidservant accompanying her: "Return to the mansion."
The magnificent gown had been changed out and carefully stored away by the servants.
No one knew, and no one dared to ask, whether the Grand Princess liked or disliked that dress.
The glamorous fashion show has ended.
When Lu Zhaoruo returned to the Lu residence, it was already late at night.
In the stillness of the night, only the occasional low chirping of autumn insects could be heard.
She waved away Dongrou and Qiulu, who came to serve her, and went into the inner room alone.
The clash of swords and the boisterous laughter that filled the Imperial Garden today have all vanished, leaving only a wave of exhaustion washing over me.
Instead of changing her clothes and going to bed immediately, she went to the window and opened the hinged window.
The cool night breeze caressed her face, allowing her chaotic thoughts to settle down slightly.
On the desk, there were still piles of paintings prepared for the Fashion Club, but which were not selected.
She picked up a piece of paper at random, and the "pine and crane longevity" pattern on it was exactly the same as the one worn by the Empress Dowager today.
Today's events are flashing through my mind like a revolving lantern.
The Empress Dowager's scrutiny, the Empress's praise, the Grand Princess's cold disdain, and Yongfu's unconditional trust...
She gently put down the sketch, a slight smile appearing on her lips.
We've finally made it through this hurdle.
She blew out the candles, letting the moonlight fill the room.
Tomorrow will bring its own troubles, but tonight, she can finally let down her guard and get a good night's rest.
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