On the day of the hunt, Lanqin was woken up early by her maids. Today she was going to go to the Western Hills hunting grounds with Fourth Master. The Western hunting clothes prepared for her were already laid out in front of Lanqin.
"Master, here are three outfits. Which one would you like to wear?" Cui Niang led three maids, Si Hua, Shui Ling, and Jin Ju, each carrying a set of clothes, all of which were Western-style hunting attire.
These clothes were all bought by Fourth Master when he took Lanqin to a famous Western clothing "boutique" in Beijing. At the time, Lanqin said she only wanted to buy one set, but Fourth Master insisted on choosing three sets for her, saying that she could wear them when hunting in the future. These clothes were much more convenient to wear than the Manchu-style dress.
"Master, you should wear this outfit. The lace trim is so beautiful." Shui Ling was carrying a champagne-colored English-style dress, especially the hat, which was very Western. It had a white feather headdress and a layer of mesh gauze covering the brim, making it quite unique. The maids had never seen such clothes before and were all very curious.
"No, this outfit is too ladylike and not suitable for hunting." Lanqin glanced at the clothes and felt a pang of unease: Did Sisi like this kind of demure, feminine style?
“My lady, this outfit is quite nice. Shorts and a short top, very convenient for mounting and dismounting,” Jinju said. She was carrying a khaki-red American-style ladylike suit.
"Too red, the color isn't very good." Lan Qin shook her head, her gaze immediately falling on the fake men's clothing in Si Hua's hand. It consisted of a well-tailored suit jacket and trousers. Of course, this outfit was quite different from modern clothes; it was a women's suit from over three hundred years ago.
"Master, that dress is really ugly. Why do you like it?" Shui Ling glanced at the dress and said with disdain.
“This one is very convenient. Let’s take it. Si Hua, just style my hair into a ponytail. No other hairstyle matches this outfit,” Lan Qin said.
"What is a ponytail?" Si Hua clearly had no idea what a ponytail was.
"I'll tell you in a bit. Come on, change into this outfit with me." Lanqin felt a surge of excitement, after all, it had been a very long time since she had tried on modern clothes.
After Lanqin changed into that outfit, the group of maids were completely stunned. They couldn't describe how she looked, but it didn't seem out of place at all; in fact, she even looked quite dashing today.
"It would look even better if you changed your hair to a ponytail," Lanqin said with satisfaction after looking around at everyone's reactions.
After some effort, the first ponytail was born under the tutelage of the painter.
"Master, what kind of hairstyle is this? It's practically no hairstyle at all!" Shui Ling exclaimed in surprise when she saw Lan Qin's strange hairstyle.
“I think it looks very nice. Si Hua, tie some silk threads on it, otherwise it looks a bit monotonous.” Lan Qin looked at herself in the ancient mirror and suddenly felt as if she had traveled through time.
“Your Majesty’s hairstyle and clothes are absolutely unique among those concubines. They’ve never seen clothes like this before,” said Cui Niang.
“Perhaps some people wear Western hunting attire, just to make riding more comfortable,” Lanqin said.
“But, mistress, I have seen this kind of clothing on the street before, and it looks like it was worn by a man,” Jinju said.
“Jinju, this is a women’s suit, a standard riding suit in Western society,” Lanqin said.
Several maids lingered around Lanqin, staring at her for a long time, feeling something was off, yet unable to resist looking. This was probably the unique sexiness of a woman in a Western suit. When the Fourth Master arrived and saw Lanqin, his gaze immediately stopped. He hadn't looked at Lanqin for so long in a long time, but the charm emanating from the young woman made him unable to look away. The Fourth Master had seen Western suits before, but seeing Lanqin in a modified women's Western-style suit, she possessed a truly unique allure.
"Master, is it beautiful?" Lanqin asked. She stood gracefully, with a long ponytail hanging down her back, making her look very dashing and playful.
"Hmm. Very beautiful. I didn't expect a woman to look so extraordinary in such clothes," said Fourth Master.
So, we see Lanqin, dressed in a Western-style women's suit, standing next to Fourth Master, dressed in a blue robe and mandarin jacket. It looks a bit strange, like people from two different time periods, yet there is a sense of harmony between them.
When Lady Nian saw Lanqin's attire, a hint of surprise flashed across her face. The Fourth Prince's wife did not go; she had asked the Fourth Prince for leave.
Lanqin and Madam Nian each boarded a carriage, accompanied by several maids. Fourth Master, on the other hand, rode a horse, accompanied by Su Peisheng and several servants and guards.
"See that? Niohuru is wearing a Western riding outfit," said Madam Nian with a jealous look. The Fourth Prince hadn't told her to buy her a few.
"My lady, I think that outfit looks a bit strange. It's not as nice as yours," Cui Ling flattered at just the right moment.
“But the master’s eyes were all on her,” said Madam Nian.
"Master, you really showed off your horsemanship in front of the master today. Even the General praised your horse. You rode it very well," Cui Ling said.
A hint of pride flashed across Nian's face; she was quite pleased with herself.
Meanwhile, Lanqin was accompanied by Sihua and Shuiling. The two maids were serving Lanqin her favorite snacks. Lanqin ate melon seeds while admiring the scenery along the way.
After nearly two hours of bumpy travel, the Fourth Prince's carriage finally arrived at the Western Hills Royal Hunting Grounds west of Beijing. Kangxi's troops had arrived earlier and had already set up camp. The foreign delegations, who had come with Kangxi, had also settled into their respective tents.
The Fourth Prince quickly led his men to set up camp at the designated location before going to see Kangxi at his main tent. Lanqin, Lady Nian, and the other women were not required to go to the main tent; they were ordered to rest in their own tents.
Lanqin directed Sihua to start tidying up. She had just seen the scenery of Xishan Hunting Ground from outside. It was indeed a royal hunting ground, and its grandeur was extraordinary.
"Is Consort Niu here?" A woman's voice suddenly rang out from outside. Lanqin recognized the voice, but couldn't quite place it.
Immediately afterwards, the tent curtain was lifted, and a woman in a qipao (traditional Chinese dress) walked in.
"Consort Li!" Lanqin exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the newcomer.
"Consort Niu, it's been a long time since I've seen you." Lady Li was still as gentle as ever.
"Yes, that's why I came to check on you as soon as I got here. How is it? Is the tent all set up?" Li asked as she walked over to Lanqin.
"Not yet. Didn't the Crown Prince not come?" Lanqin said, slightly puzzled.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
