She sighed, "In a lifetime as fleeting as the autumn leaves, it’s what’s before us that truly matters."
Lu Tong’s eyes brightened, "So, you..."
Yin Zheng smiled and shook her head, "I haven’t really made up my mind yet, Miss. We’re not quite there yet. I don’t think Shopkeeper Du actually wants to spend his life with me, and likewise, I’m not fond of him to the point of no return. At most, I feel he’s a decent person."
"It’s good as it stands now. As for the future, whether we become family, friends, or lovers, that is for the future to decide. One thing is certain, the West Street Benevolent Heart Medical Hall will not dissolve."
Lu Tong fell silent for a moment, and before she could speak, she was already being pulled to her feet by Yin Zheng, who then pressed Lu Tong’s shoulders, guiding her to sit before the mirror.
"Let’s not talk about that now. What’s urgent is to think about the bridal hairdo for the wedding day. I’ve never worn a bridal bun before."
Yin Zheng chatteringly started to sort through the jewelry in her makeup box, arranging them in Lu Tong’s hair. Watching for a while, Lu Tong shook her head internally.
Forget it, Yin Zheng does have a point. Loves and hates of this world are as fleeting as clouds, everyone has their destiny - there’s no need to force it.
To seek kindness and receive it is the best.
...
The embroideress’s wedding dress was delivered to West Street, and the Pei Mansion was busy day and night.
The furniture and utensils in the house had been replaced from the inside out, and Pei Yunshu was taking great care in managing Pei Yunmeng’s marital affairs.
With the overwhelming duties of the Palace Front Office and the absence of parents or relatives in the Pei Family, Pei Yunshu, who was usually calm and composed, became anxious over Pei Yunmeng’s wedding preparations.
The six betrothal rites were complicated, and sometimes overwhelmed her. When Pei Yunmeng was not available in the palace, Pei Yunshu had to go to the Palace Front Office and ask someone to relay messages.
Duan Xiaoyan was often absent, but Xiao Zhufeng could regularly be found, and since he was close to Pei Yunmeng, he would help, despite being reserved, by delivering things to the mansion, and today was no exception.
As Pei Yunmeng was on duty inside the palace and couldn’t leave while his Betrothal Wine order had arrived, he asked Xiao Zhufeng to help deliver it to the mansion. The heavy load of Betrothal Wine, each bottle adorned with silk tassels and embellished with Silver Victory decorations, was wrapped in red satin, looking very elegant, known colloquially as "Silver Wrapped Red."
When Pei Yunshu saw him arrive, she hurriedly had someone take the wine burden and offered him tea from the table.
Xiao Zhufeng thanked her, drank the tea, and was about to take his leave,
"Deputy Envoy Xiao," Pei Yunshu called out to him.
Xiao Zhufeng turned back, Pei Yunshu looked at him with a slight dilemma on her face, "There’s a favor I’d like to ask of you."
He stopped in his tracks and turned around, "Please speak freely, Miss Pei."
"It’s about the guest list for the marriage ceremony," Pei Yunshu said. "Ah Ying’s wedding is approaching, and he had previously made a list of guests from the Palace Front Office. These days, as I’m drafting the menu, I’m not sure if it’s appropriate, and since you’re from the Palace Front Office, you might help look it over."
At this point, she appeared somewhat embarrassed, "Actually, the steward is supposed to handle these matters, but I just can’t help worrying... am I troubling you too much?"
It was not Xiao Zhufeng’s first time helping out at the mansion.
Even though he was a friend of Pei Yunmeng, Pei Yunshu still felt a bit sorry for inconveniencing him each time; knowing how busy the Palace Front Office was from seeing Pei Yunmeng, she realized the Deputy Commander must be under a lot of pressure as well. Yet every time she asked, he came, which led Pei Yunshu to believe that despite Deputy Envoy Xiao’s seemingly aloof demeanor, he was actually a heartwarmingly obliging person.
"It’s no trouble, just a small matter," said Xiao Zhufeng.
Pei Yunshu then relaxed and handed him the prepared menu.
Each dish for the wedding banquet had been carefully considered, it was only a matter of ensuring no inappropriate ingredients that could cause allergies. Pei Yunshu was unfamiliar with most of the Palace Front Office people; the only ones she knew well were Xiao Zhufeng and Duan Xiaoyan.
As she thought this, Xiao Zhufeng reached out, hesitated for a moment, and pointed to one of the dish names, "This one should be removed."
"Hundred Flavor Charm Soup?" Pei Yunshu asked, puzzled. "What’s wrong with it?"
"It contains clams," Xiao Zhufeng finished, then added, "Someone in the Palace Front Office has clam allergies."
Pei Yunshu laughed, "I see. Speaking of which, I can’t have clams either; they make me break out in hives."
Xiao Zhufeng grunted in acknowledgment.
He pointed out dragonfish with shrimp, hand-washing crab, and a few other selections that Pei Yunshu couldn’t consume; her gaze gradually changed.
One dish could be a coincidence, but two, three dishes, all picked to suit her dietary restrictions, might seem a bit strange.
After Xiao Zhufeng selected several dishes in a row, he noticed Pei Yunshu’s look, paused for a moment, suddenly stopped speaking, and casually handed back the menu to Pei Yunshu as if nothing had happened: "That will be all."
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