Seventh Mistress and Qing Luo tidied up themselves and slowly headed to the hall for the meeting. They guessed that the topic for discussion would be about Qing Lei becoming the Crown Princess.
When they entered the hall, the entire family was present. Qing Luo sat next to Seventh Mistress on the last chair on the right side and listened to the Master. Li Xiang cleared his throat twice, “The Empress has invited the female family members of imperial officials of the third rank and higher to view the moon on the fifteenth of the eighth month. She specifically stated that she wanted to see the talents of the young ladies of each family. Ah Lei, Ah Fei, Ah Luo, what do you think?”
Ah Luo was stunned and thought, why did it matter what they thought, wasn’t the Master’s word final? His title was the Right Minister and he had no son to inherit his position. He was only too eager for each of his daughters to marry into a rich family and had planned this since they were young. He need only announce it, so what did his words mean? For a moment, she was unsure of what Father Li was really planning.
She heard Qing Lei say casually, “Father wouldn’t want me to play the zither again, right? The majority of girls in wealthy families would know how to play the zither, and I believe my zither skills are on par with the Young Miss of the Gu Family. These days, the Crown Prince has been showing me his favor and I have been in his good graces, so it would be fine without playing the zither.”
There was a smile in Li Xiang’s eyes and it seemed like he had not intended on making Qin Lei playing the zither. It was obvious that the Crown Prince’s mind was on Qing Lei, but the Empress was upset that her niece, Wang Yan Hui, was already PK’d before she could make an appearance. Li Xiang smiled slightly and said, “During the moon viewing this time, the Empress intends to have Miss Yan Hui make a comeback. The plan must be more than just playing the zither.”
Ah Luo understood now, Father Li had thought of this ages ago. The purpose of today’s meeting was simply to discuss how Qing Lei would beat Wang Yan Hui and enter the East Palace properly.
Eldest Mistress unhurriedly opened her mouth, “I have seen Wang Yan Hui when she was little. She followed her father, Imperial Lieutenant Wang, around and grew up in the military camp. She has read many military books and understands military tactics. Back then, I went to the Wang residence with my father and ran into the garden alone to view the flowers but became lost and couldn’t find my way out. At this moment, a three year old girl smiled and came out from behind a flowering tree. She clapped and laughed, “The maze array from the book really had such good results.” I asked her curiously, there was an array set up in this garden? She smiled and said that she had set it up after reading about it in a book to try it out. I found it hard to believe, she was only three years old and already had such formidable moves.”
Li Xiang added, “Now, Wang Yan Hui is 17 years old, 14 years have passed. Rumours have it that her astuteness has surpassed others, her cleverness is no farce.”
After hearing this, silence fell in the hall. If the Empress was using Wang Yan Hui’s strategy for this banquet, then this would not be a good banquet. Perhaps Emperor Ning was curious about whether the future Crown Princess would be brainless or not. After all, if the Crown Prince reigned in the future, the Crown Princess would become the mother of the empire. It would not be difficult for the Crown Prince to have concubines if he were to like another. The mother of the empire would need the ability to command the back palace.
Li Xiang spoke again, “Ah Lei, your zither skills are excellent and your poetry is also good. Right now, we are unsure of what will happen at the banquet. Father is just giving you a reminder today to be more mindful when you go there and be careful.” His gaze flickered over to Qing Lei and Qing Luo, “The purpose of you two going is to ensure your Eldest Sister’s trip goes smoothly. Follow your Eldest Sister closely, if you need to act, then act, just keep it a secret and don’t let anyone discover it! You must know, honour one and you honour all, injure one and you injure all! Father is old, all the hope of the Li Family lies on your Eldest Sister, understand?”
Everyone replied, “Yes, Master.”
Li Xiang told Qing Fei, “Ah Fei, Minister Cheng has asked his people to propose an engagement, however, your Eldest Sister has yet to marry and it wouldn’t be good for you to marry first. Father wants to wait for your Eldest Sister to be engaged first.”
Fourth Mistress hurriedly replied, “Master is right, we are generations of scholars and we will not do such rude things.”
Ah Luo saw Qing Fei’s eyes brightened for a moment and then dimmed. She knew that Father Li had taken this opportunity to threaten them.
Li Xiang laughed and said, “Minister Cheng has said that it would be great to become relatives with the Li Family and seemed very excited. It would help his future if he were to have ties with the Crown Prince.”
Ah Luo thought, he had spoken very clearly. Even if Qing Lei married the Crown Prince, and Qing Fei and Cheng Si Yue ended up together, destiny still depended on how well the Crown Prince treated Eldest Sister.
Li Xiang smiled lightly at Qing Luo and said, “Ah Luo, your thirteenth birthday is next month, and you can also find a family. It’s good for you to go and take a look, you will need to marry a good family sooner or later.”
Ah Luo said in shock, “I am still young, and want to spend a few more years with father and mother.”
Li Xiang smiled and said, “Father is also unable to bear parting with you. You can be engaged first and then marry two years later when you are fifteen.”
Ah Luo lowered her head and could only agree.
Ah Luo no longer played the flute in the bamboo forest. For several consecutive days, she heard the sound of the xiao. She thought about it for a while, yet still didn’t play the flute in the end. The sound of the xiao gradually became more and more depressing. One day, she couldn’t help it and climbed over the wall, watching as she stayed hidden. From a distance, she saw a somewhat lonely figure under the willow tree. Ah Luo felt pity but didn’t go over.
A few more days passed and the xiao sound also disappeared. Ah Luo left the residence again, although she didn’t go towards the river. Even the jade pendant that Zi Li had given her had been put away.
Qing Luo’s thirteenth birthday passed in the blink of an eye. She secretly stole out of the residence and bought two houses southeast of the city. Only a wall separated the two houses and she secretly hired someone to create a hidden connecting door. In the larger house, she hired a housekeeper, bought a few servants, and occasionally visited as the young master. She only told them that they were traders who stayed in Feng City to do business. For the smaller house, she hired a trustworthy couple to watch over it and asked Madam Zhang to tell them that a relative from the south would return soon, so she had bought it in advance.
Another month passed and the autumn air was invigorating. The Empress’ Mid-Autumn Festival had arrived.
Everyone in the Li residence fussed over Qing Lei and her outfit, her jewellery, and what makeup she would wear. Li Xiang ordered that this was no normal banquet, so they couldn’t attend in plain clothes nor be dressed garishly. In advance, he had invited the most famous tailor in Feng City from the Yu Jin Fang to make a custom outfit. However, he heard that many wealthy ladies had also sought out Yu Jin Fang for clothes, but had discarded their outfits. In a hurry, Second Mistress, Fifth Mistress, and Sixth Mistress beamed and brought out a fancy garment, saying that it was a token of their regard.
Opening it up, the muslin fabric was embroidered with Qing Lei’s favourite plum blossoms, with a ruby at the centre of each flower. It wasn’t a particularly dazzling piece, although it sparkled and glowed when the light shone on it. After putting it on, Qing Lei looked graceful and elegant, incomparably beautiful. Li Xiang was so happy that he went to the courtyards of the Second Mistress, Fifth Mistress, and Sixth Mistress to show his appreciation.
Eldest Mistress took out her family’s heirloom jewellery. For fear of falling behind, Fourth Mistress drew several hairstyles for Qing Luo to consider. Seventh Mistress smiled and asked Ah Luo, “San’er, do you want to look more beautiful than your Eldest Sister?”
Ah Luo waved her hand dismissively, “I can’t wait to be a maid again and tend to her. Mother, we should do something too or else Father and the other mistresses will be upset.”
Seventh Mistress said with a smile, “Naturally, Mother will do what needs to be done.”
So, Seventh Mistress personally combed Qing Lei’s hair into the selected hairstyle and applied makeup with her skilled hands. When Qing Lei walked out, everyone in the Li residence gasped at the sight of her. The ideal Crown Princess should look exactly like Qing Lei, dignified and noble, yet still graceful and gentle. Qing Lei’s small melon seed shaped face glowed radiantly. Ah Luo thought that like this, Qing Lei would be able to match up to the Crown Prince’s imposing status. What would Gu Tian Lin and Wang Yan Hui look like when dressed up? She was very curious.
In order to fulfil their supporting role, Qing Fei and Qing Luo didn’t dress very extravagantly. In order to match up to their status, they put on newly-made outfits and jewellery. Ah Luo sat in front of the mirror and said to Seventh Mistress, “Mother, don’t pin up my fringe, just leave it as they usually are.”
Seventh Mistress sighed and said, “San’er, I really want to dress you up well.”
Ah Luo smiled and said, “There will be opportunities in the future, but not today. I also really want to see what I would look like when I’m fully dressed up, however, thinking of how beautiful Mother is, Ah Luo surely wouldn’t look too bad.”
Seventh Mistress playfully said, “How about Mother dresses you up for now and you can change back later? Let’s see it.”
Ah Luo laughed and said, “Let Xiao Yu go and guard the door so that nobody can come in.” The two of them smiled at each other.
Ah Luo remembered the first time she went to a dance party with her classmates in university. Her entire dormitory had been in complete chaos, helping each other with their outfits and doing each other’s makeup. It had been very lively and fun. Now, those who had wanted to go overseas had probably gone, those who wanted to marry were probably married, everyone should be enjoying their lives. She suddenly thought of her parents. It had been seven years and it was likely that they had become accustomed to their lives without her. Thinking about this, her tears fell. She heard Seventh Mistress breath in and say, “San’er, are you crying?”
Ah Luo hastily wiped away her tears and said, “It’s nothing, it’s just that I don’t want to go to the banquet but I still have to.” Saying this, she looked at the mirror and froze in shock. After her bangs had been combed back, her bright and clear forehead was exposed and her peach-shaped face was incomparably charming, her eyes were large and glittering. Her eyebrows still held a hint of childlike youth and was very attractive. She couldn’t help but reach out to touch the person in the mirror.
Seventh Mistress sighed and said, “San’er, it’s already difficult for people to look away from you now. In another two years, what will you do? It’s not good to be too beautiful.”
Ah Luo said with a smile, “That’s why I said to leave my bangs down to cover half my face. I don’t want my beauty to be dangerous, it’s such a bitter life.” When she finished saying this, she stuck out her tongue. The person in the mirror became lively. Ah Luo gave it one more look then turned her head and said to Seventh Mistress, “Mother, let’s change back.”
Seventh Mistress combed her hair again and asked her, “San’er, what kind of husband do you want in the future?”
Ah Luo thought for a moment and said, “At the very least, I don’t want him to just like my face. After that, he should protect me, have eyes only for me, and not have too many rules. Alas, there’s too many requirements and I guess it would be impossible to meet someone like that here. However, I haven’t thought that far. Right now, all I think about everyday is that it would be good if nobody threatens me. I’m most afraid of dying and being beheaded at the drop of the hat in a diabolic feudal society.”
Seventh Mistress asked doubtfully, “Feudal society? What’s that?”
Ah Lu laughed, “It’s this country and everything around us. That’s roughly what it means.” She smiled secretly. It was too troublesome to explain and she couldn’t use modern phrases.
After she had gotten ready, Ah Luo ate quite a lot of snacks and saw that it was almost time to go. Then she climbed into the carriage with Eldest Mistress, Qing Lei, and Qing Fei and headed towards the Imperial City for the banquet.
