vrcanaries Chapter 211: The Banquet
Chapter 211: The Banquet
Chapter 211: The Banquet
Ji Meiqing didn't refute any of his points, nor did she have anything to say in response. Everything he said was right, and everything she did was wrong.
"If you don't want to, you might as well attend a cocktail party. Sometimes, a heated negotiation at the dinner table is really no match for a gentle whisper in your ear."
He got up, and the bed felt lighter. Then he heard a creak, and Ji Meiqing knew he had gone out.
Once the room was empty, she turned over and stared blankly at the mosquito net above her head.
Lu Yu is right; a negotiation is no match for a pillow talk. If you use the right pillow talk, everything will be resolved.
So, is she going to take a different path?
My mind is still a bit of a mess, and I can't fall asleep no matter how much I toss and turn in bed.
To gain their favor, she needed their approval. Unable to sleep, she got up, turned on the lamp, and sat at her desk to begin drafting a letter.
If you need someone's help, you should act like you're asking for it. So, at daybreak, someone delivered the letter to the Prince's residence.
When she came out of the room again, she suddenly felt a sense of relief. It was as if something had been swept away; breakfast was already prepared, but she was eating it alone.
Lu Yu had disappeared without a trace; the entire house was empty.
After finishing their meal, they strolled around for a while before returning to their room. In the afternoon, a reply from the Prince's residence arrived.
The tiny seal script characters above are quite delicate.
Ji Meiqing watched, a slight smile playing on her lips. Since Lu Yu wouldn't let her meddle in public affairs, she'd just secretly stir up trouble.
After tidying up a bit, I left the residence. I hadn't had a proper chance to see it properly during my last visit to the capital. But now that I was here, I was determined to appreciate it fully.
The clothing store had received many new arrivals, and Ji Meiqing was carefully selecting clothes. The shop assistant came over as soon as he saw her.
"You're from out of town, aren't you, Madam?" he said bluntly without much hesitation.
Ji Meiqing looked at him suspiciously, "How did you know?"
“Look at the style of your clothes, Madam. These were fashionable a few years ago. Now, the popular material is woven satin, and the brocade you are wearing is no longer in fashion.”
The waiter's bluntness was somewhat embarrassing, so Ji Meiqing chuckled twice and continued looking at the items in the shop.
"Judging by your figure, Madam, I recommend a dress that I guarantee you'll like," he said. To save face for himself and Ji Meiqing, he immediately ran to the back and came out a while later with a pure white dress.
The white color is not monotonous, with silver thread trim and some inconspicuous peony flowers on the dress. The collar is wide open, and the waistband is wide, with silver thread trim and outline on both sides.
"If Madam wears this dress, she will surely look dashing and heroic, no less so than the ladies and young women of the famous families in the city."
"Really?" Looking at his fawning expression, Ji Meiqing took the clothes and went inside to change, still somewhat doubtful. When she came out again, she saw herself through the bronze mirror.
The neckline was wide open, but underneath was a strappy long dress, so it didn't reveal too much. The off-the-shoulder dress had a waist belt as wide as a hand, which perfectly outlined her figure.
The skirt hem below the waist was not connected; instead, it spread out separately, directly revealing the girdle underneath.
The waiter came over, and before he could even speak, Ji Meiqing asked directly, "How much?"
"I'll give you a discount, madam, and charge you only fifty taels. This fabric is something only the imperial concubines in the palace could afford, and this is the only one of its kind in the shop."
"Alright, I'll buy it." She pulled a silver note from her old clothes and placed it in his hand, then went back to change back into her old clothes. When she came out again, the waiter handed her a brocade box.
Ji Meiqing was puzzled. "What's going on?"
"Our boss gave it to us; it's a hairpin that matches this outfit. Take a look."
"Really?" She took it and opened it. The hairpin resembled a jade crown for men, exquisitely crafted. The patterns on it were incredibly lifelike. Ji Meiqing accepted it and thanked her.
After leaving the clothing store, I browsed around elsewhere. I enjoyed a performance and tea, having a wonderful day. Back home, I had dinner and then rested.
The next day, she woke up early. She changed into that outfit and styled her hair up. She looked capable and efficient.
She rarely wore makeup, but today was a special occasion. Ji Meiqing had no choice but to take out her long-suppressed makeup, and after washing her face and getting ready, she got busy.
I put on some light makeup to make myself look more energetic and rosy-cheeked.
After I finished getting ready, I went straight out the door without having breakfast with them.
The sleeves and trouser legs had drawstrings, which made them lighter. After having breakfast on the street, they went straight to the Prince's Mansion.
Xunhua had just returned from paying respects to the ancestors, and upon seeing her, he invited her to have breakfast together.
"I have already sent out invitations for what you mentioned yesterday. However, the time was too short to prepare them elaborately, so please make do with what you have."
She maintained her relaxed and lazy tone, and after finishing her meal, she sat down in front of the embroidery frame and began to embroider diligently.
Ji Meiqing considered herself a sensible person, so she said, "I'll trouble you for help, Princess."
"You know that before I get married, you'd better be richer than a country, otherwise my dowry will be the least and least valuable among all the noble ladies in the capital."
She embroidered, stitch by stitch, talking to her as she went. Her hand speed wasn't affected at all. Halfway through, she suddenly raised her eyelids to look at her and said, in a compliment, "Your dress is nice."
"Thank you for your kind words, Princess."
"Hmm." She nodded and didn't say anything more. Ji Meiqing looked at the layout of the place with curiosity, but before she could finish looking, there was a commotion outside.
Xunhua yawned and continued with her work. The steward of the courtyard immediately came in and said helplessly, "Princess, the Madam and the others are making a scene again."
“Tell them that if they cause any more trouble, they’ll lose three months’ salary. If they disagree, throw them out and give them a divorce certificate, or send them to the building.”
"Yes." The steward hurriedly left, not forgetting to glance at Ji Meiqing before he left.
"Don't mind them," Xun Hua suddenly said. "They're all spoiled and arrogant, sent here by various adults."
"Yes."
After some more time, there was finally some movement outside.
The area for snacks had already been set up. Xunhua put down her needlework, straightened her clothes, and got up. Ji Meiqing followed suit.