Chapter 113: Getting up in the morning to put on makeup and look forward to the blooming season, a clever plan to hide the sisterhood
The morning light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows across Ziwei's room. A few sprigs of freshly picked jasmine were placed in a celadon vase on the table. Their delicate fragrance drifted with the morning breeze, blending with the gentle aroma of the charcoal fire in the warm stove.
Ziwei was sitting at her dressing table, gently stroking the cover of "Shu Yu Ci." Every time her fingertips brushed over the three characters, she was reminded of the lotus leaf jade pendant Xiaoyanzi had given her last night. She wore the pendant close to her skin, and even through her thin undergarment, she could feel the warmth of the jade.
"Miss, it's time to comb your hair." Jinsuo walked in carrying a copper basin. Seeing Ziwei lost in thought again, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "You've been reading all morning. If you keep reading, your eyes will be glued to it."
Ziwei was amused by her, closed the book and turned around. "I just think fate is really amazing. If I hadn't met Xiaoyanzi, how could I have received so many motherly thoughts?" She looked at her slightly shy face in the bronze mirror and said softly, "When I think about going to the palace in a few days, my heart is in turmoil."
Jinsuo put down the copper basin and picked up a mahogany comb to comb her hair. "Don't worry, Miss. You have Miss Fang with you. Besides, you are so talented, the Emperor will definitely like you." She suddenly lowered her voice and said, "Yesterday I heard from Aunt Zhang in the kitchen that the Fang family received the first-class invitation from the palace. Even the wife praised Miss Fang for her good fortune."
Ziwei pursed her lips and smiled. Just as she was about to say something, the door was pushed open with a bang. Xiaoyanzi rushed in like a whirlwind, still wearing a lilac dressing gown and her hair was casually tied up. "Ziwei Ziwei! Come and see what goodies I brought you!"
She held a gilded lacquer box in her hand and ran to the dressing table to open it. Several exquisite pieces of jewelry immediately appeared inside: a hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls, a pair of pearl earrings, and a jade bracelet, which shone with warm light in the morning light.
"Wow, so beautiful!" Jinsuo couldn't help but exclaim.
Ziwei also opened her eyes wide in surprise: "This is too expensive..."
"It's better if it's expensive!" Xiaoyanzi picked up the hairpin and held it to her hair, nodding with satisfaction. "It goes perfectly with your aquamarine dress! This is one of my mother's most treasured jewels, and she asked me to bring it to you." She winked. "When you move, the beads on the hairpin will jingle, which is sure to attract the Emperor's attention!"
Ziwei's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gently took off her hairpin: "Wouldn't this be too conspicuous?"
"It's better to show off!" Xiaoyanzi slammed the table. "You're going to recognize your relatives, not to play hide-and-seek! You have to look beautiful so the emperor will remember you at first sight!" She suddenly lowered her voice and leaned close to Ziwei's ear. "I'm telling you, the emperor loves the lotus flowers in Jinan the most. When you get there, stand by the lotus pond, hold your aunt's poem in your hand, and pretend to recite it..."
As she spoke, she gestured, imitating Ziwei's frown and reciting poetry, which made Ziwei and Jinsuo laugh.
"You've planned everything." Ziwei smiled and shook her head, her eyes full of gratitude. "But I'm still worried about being clumsy and saying something wrong."
"Don't worry!" Xiaoyanzi patted her chest. "I've made up a story for you. I guarantee it's foolproof!" She cleared her throat and imitated Ziwei's tone. "'My father once taught me to recite poetry, saying that the lotus flowers in Jinan are the most spiritual. I wonder if the emperor likes them too?' - Look, how natural it is!"
Ziwei's cheeks flushed with amusement, and she punched her lightly: "You are so clever."
Just then, a maid arrived to announce the arrival of the tailor. Fang's mother asked Ziwei to go to the front hall to be measured. Xiaoyanzi immediately grabbed Ziwei's hand and said, "Let's go! Let the tailor make you the most beautiful skirt. I want it to be wide, so you can walk like a butterfly!"
Ziwei was pulled out by her, still clutching the hairpin in her hand. The morning light shone on the two of them, stretching their shadows long. Ziwei looked at Xiaoyanzi's lively profile, and her heart suddenly felt at ease. With such a sister by her side, she had the courage to move forward, no matter how difficult the road ahead.
In the front hall, the old tailor was waiting with a tape measure. He quickly stood up and saluted when they entered. Fang's mother sat on a royal chair, holding a few pieces of fabric. "Ziwei, come and take a look. How do you like this aqua-green Hangzhou silk? And this moon-white gauze skirt? It really sets off your fair skin."
Little Swallow spoke first, "Aqua! Aqua looks great! It goes perfectly with the lotus pond!"
Ziwei walked over to Fang's mother, looked at the soft materials, and said softly, "Auntie, thank you for your trouble."
"Silly child, why are you being so polite to me?" Fang's mother took her hand and asked the tailor to measure her size. "We have to finish it before the flower viewing banquet. We also need to embroider a few lotus flowers to make it more unique."
Xiao Jian came in from outside, holding a small booklet in his hand. "I've found out that on the day of the flower viewing banquet, the emperor will go to the lotus pond to enjoy the scenery at 9:00 pm. I will arrange for someone to lead you there." He handed the booklet to Xiao Yanzi, "Here is a map of the palace. Memorize the route around the lotus pond."
Xiaoyanzi took the map and immediately pulled Ziwei to study it. "Look, to walk from here to the lotus pond, we have to cross three bridges. We'll 'accidentally' run into the emperor at the second bridge..."
Ziwei's eyes suddenly warmed as she watched her family bustling about, worrying about her. She looked down at the jade pendant on her wrist, then touched the manuscript of poetry in her arms. She made a secret resolution: This time, she must be brave, not only for herself, but also for her mother's last wish and for the people around her who truly cared about her.
The sunlight outside the window grew warmer, illuminating the courtyard of the Fang Mansion. Even the air seemed to be filled with anticipation. Three days until the flower viewing banquet, a fateful encounter was quietly brewing.
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