Chapter 233 Yongfu is afraid of Yunxiu
When Lady Yunxiu received the reply, which was respectfully worded yet contained an iron fist, her gaze was fixed on the words "important palace duties" and "dared not be negligent."
She could no longer bear it, crumpled the letter into a ball, and threw it on the ground!
She could arbitrarily make things difficult for a merchant girl with no connections, but she would never dare to openly challenge the imperial authority represented by the words "palace affairs".
She could only swallow her anger.
When the news reached the Imperial Uncle's residence, the Imperial Uncle tapped his knuckles lightly on the table. After a long while, he let out a cold, sinister laugh.
To harm someone who is favored by the emperor and serves the royal family?
The risk is too great, and the losses outweigh the gains.
In addition, he had promised the Empress Dowager that he would keep quiet for a while.
However, he became increasingly interested in Lu Zhaoruo...
Only the Empress Dowager Han, the brother-in-law of the emperor, secretly breathed a sigh of relief when no one was around.
If Lu Zhaoruo obtains this protective charm, at least for the time being, she will no longer need to go through the trouble of being caught in the middle.
The Lu residence.
Eunuch Li from the palace personally came to the Lu residence to deliver the imperial decree.
He meticulously unrolled the bright yellow scroll, his voice steady and calm, as he read aloud the decree for assisting in the "Jinghua Neon Fashion Club" with every word carrying immense weight.
After announcing the decree, he stepped forward steadily and solemnly handed it to Lu Zhaoruo.
Just as she bowed her head to express her gratitude, she heard a barely audible, gentle sigh from above.
Lu Zhaoruo subconsciously looked up and met Eunuch Li's gaze.
His solemn face remained stern, but his eyes revealed the kindness and understanding of an elder.
He lowered his voice so that only she could hear: "Madam Lu, duty is important, but your health is even more important. I have seen my share of storms in the palace. Your composure is commendable, and His Majesty agrees."
Lu Zhaoruo felt a warmth in her heart and bowed deeply: "Zhaoruo will remember your teachings, Father-in-law, and will do her utmost to live up to your kindness."
Eunuch Li nodded, a hint of a smile flashing across his lips before he regained his dignified demeanor, turned, and led his men away.
Three days later.
Lu Zhaoruo, carrying her meticulously drawn first draft, traveled by carriage to the residence of Princess Yongfu.
As soon as they arrived at the flower hall, Yongfu eagerly came to greet them: "Sister Lu, did you bring the blueprints? Let me take a look!"
Lu Zhaoruo smiled and agreed, slowly spreading out the scrolls of plain white paper on the long table.
Yongfu bent down to examine it closely, his eyes gleaming with interest.
The "Pine and Crane for Longevity" designed for the Empress Dowager is solemn and elegant; the "Peony and Phoenix" designed for the Empress is luxurious and graceful; the "Long Life and Prosperity" conceived for Consort Rong is calm and dignified; and the "Golden Chrysanthemums Defying Frost" painted for Princess Li is pure and refined.
Even the magnolia pattern favored by a newly favored imperial concubine was considered in great detail.
Naturally, the "Butterfly and Flower" intertwined branch pattern that Yongfu designed for her is the most lively and dynamic.
Next to each pattern, the key points of the fabric, color matching, and embroidery are carefully marked in neat small characters.
Yongfu examined the design closely, her expression growing increasingly delighted. She looked up at Lu Zhaoruo, her voice filled with genuine admiration: "Sister, your mind is so ingenious! Not only is the drawing beautiful, but it's also remarkably fitting! The pine and crane symbolize honor and longevity for the Empress Dowager; the peony and phoenix represent the Empress Dowager's virtue and grace; and the chrysanthemum symbolizes the noble character of the late-life for Aunt Wang. You've not just made clothes, you've captured the essence of each person! This insight surpasses even the best ladies-in-waiting in the palace!"
"And my Butterfly Love Flower!"
Yongfu held his design, delighted, his eyes crinkling with joy. "I love it so much! Just looking at it makes me happy!"
Pointing to the butterfly wings on the drawing, which seemed ready to take flight, she said with a sweet and expectant tone, "Sister Lu, could you make the colors of these butterfly wings a little brighter? Like the most dazzling swallowtail butterfly in the Imperial Garden!"
"Your Highness, rest assured, Zhaoruo has remembered it."
Lu Zhaoruo smiled and nodded, calmly picked up her pen, and carefully noted next to the drawing, "Butterfly wing color, to add three points of brightness."
Once all the drawings were confirmed, Yongfu was satisfied and then brought up the important matter: "By the way, the Inner Court will fully cooperate. As for the remaining princesses, duchesses, and several marquis ladies... I'll trouble you to go out of your way to reach out to them again."
She paused slightly, then lowered her voice and said, "My sister-in-law specifically instructed that the families of those below the rank of marquis would not participate this time, but Madam Xiao has made outstanding contributions and is close to you, so she is specially allowed to be included in the list."
In recent days, Lu Zhaoruo has been visiting the noble ladies on the list one by one during the day, carrying Yongfu's name card, and carefully inquiring about their preferences.
At night, the lights are adjusted, and the results are incorporated into the design, striving for perfection.
Late that night, she returned from the Prime Minister's residence, the Empress's maternal home.
Dongrou handed over hot tea, her face showing concern as she softly reminded her, "My lady, on the list... only the Grand Princess's residence remains. I heard that His Highness is still in seclusion at Xiangguo Temple and has not yet returned. In addition, considering the matter of Lady Yunxiu, should we avoid suspicion?"
Lu Zhaoruo took the teacup, the rising steam blurring her serene face.
She took a small sip, put down her teacup, and smiled, "Precisely because His Highness has not yet returned and the matter of Yunxiu is still fresh in our minds, we cannot overlook this place. Otherwise, it would make us seem guilty."
Her bright eyes flickered as she looked at Dongrou: "Tomorrow, you will go to Prince Yongfu's residence as usual to give your report. You only need to tell her privately: 'Her Highness the Grand Princess is in seclusion, and due to my status, I dare not disturb her with worldly affairs. In addition, I have some past grievances with Lady Yunxiu, and if I were to intervene now, it might only create embarrassment. Would Your Highness please personally go to Xiangguo Temple and ask the Grand Princess on my behalf about the clothing preferences of the Ni Chang Society? Your Highness and the Grand Princess are close relatives, so it would be most appropriate for you to speak on her behalf.'"
The next day.
Yongfu took Lu Zhaoruo's instructions to heart.
He personally went to Xiangguo Temple to ask the Grand Princess about the Ni Chang Association on behalf of Lu Zhaoruo.
As the carriage arrived at the gate of Xiangguo Temple, Yongfu had just alighted from the imperial carriage when he saw a familiar figure walking out of the temple with an unfriendly expression.
She thought to herself, "He must have run into a snag with his aunt again or failed to get his way with his complaints."
Yunxiu also saw Yongfu.
Instead of stopping to give way, she walked straight into the middle of the road, crossed her arms, raised her chin slightly, and waited arrogantly for Yongfu to approach.
When Yongfu came to her, Yunxiu spoke in a tone full of sarcasm: "Oh, I wondered who had such a grand entrance, it's just my sister Yongfu. What, you, a princess, are willing to step into this sacred Buddhist sanctuary?"
Yongfu was displeased to see her blocking his way and speaking rudely, but he still maintained basic courtesy: "Sister Yunxiu, I have come to pay my respects to my aunt."
"To see your mother?"
Yunxiu sneered, making no attempt to hide the malice in her eyes. "Is it because of that merchant girl's 'Rainbow Gathering'? What, does Lu Zhaoruo lack legs or thick skin, so she sends you to act as a spy and find out my mother's preferences?"
Yongfu, being young, was so angered by her blatant insult that his cheeks flushed red. He immediately retorted, "Sister Yunxiu! The Ni Chang Society is a legitimate court affair, ordered by the Emperor and approved by the Emperor's wife! My role in assisting with palace affairs is perfectly justified! Don't spout nonsense here!"
"Is it official court business? Assisting with palace affairs?"
Yunxiu took a step closer, her eyes fierce, and her voice suddenly rose, "Don't try to intimidate me with your imperial brother! Do you think I don't know your filthy thoughts? Aren't you just trying to use the 'Rainbow Robe Society' as a fig leaf to keep that bitch firmly under your wing?"
“Yongfu, listen to this! You can protect her for a day, a month, but do you think you can protect her every step of the way for the rest of your life? As long as she is still in the capital, as long as she has to live on this land... Hmph, we have a long way to go!”
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