After they measured Yu Shu's figure, the tailor picked out two sets of dresses from the back of the wardrobe. She then led Yu Shu to the back of the wardrobe to comb her hair and change into a new one. Xue Rui was waiting at the front. The shopkeeper went to serve him hot tea and said in a low voice, "Master, have some tea."
Xue Rui took the cup and blew on the tea. He asked, "Is there any news from Peiren Hall today?" The shopkeeper replied, "I heard that the traders from the north and south are quieter than before. I think it is because Xia Jiang's family is small.
The truth of my sister's murder case has been investigated. The troublemakers can't find a reason and have settled down. " Xue Rui nodded and did not say anything. The shopkeeper did not stand in front of him either. He returned to the back of the counter and flipped through the account book. From time to time, he turned his head and secretly yawned.
About an hour later, Yu Shu came out from the back with the tailor. Xue Rui heard the noise and turned his head. His fingers paused and he took a sip of tea.
The first thing he saw was a refreshing green lake. Her black hair was tied into thousands of knots. Layers of makeup wrapped around her waist. Fresh lotus flowers bloomed at the waist of her dress, accentuating the girl's beauty. Her face was like the reflection of a lake and her cheeks were pink. She swept her eyebrows and brushed the willow branches. In the blink of an eye, she looked like a lotus.
"Hidden behind the fragrance of the lotus, the dew of the green roam through the summer." The corners of Xue Rui's mouth curled into a smile, and he lightly muttered. This shade of green that could be either thick or light really suited her to the extreme.
Yu Shu did not hear him talking to himself. She was still fiddling with her new dress. She frowned and asked the tailor, "Isn't this dress too long? It's going to drag on the floor. "
The tailor shook her head and said, "Miss, this dress is not long at all. Haven't you seen the latest fashion in the capital? It's going to drag on the floor. If you don't believe me, you can ask this young master."
Yu Shu turned her head towards Xue Rui. The latter had already restrained his gaze a little before she turned around to look at him. He nodded very politely, "It's not long, it's very suitable."
She stood up and walked to the counter. "This shop also sells hairpins, rings, and jewelry. I picked out a few pieces while I was waiting for you. You can change into them."
Yu Shu has put on women's clothes. Of course, she can't comb her hair into a man's bun. Just now, when she was changing her clothes inside, the tailor helped her tidy her hair. She combed it into a lady's style, but she didn't wear any hairpins.
Xue Rui took the tray from the shopkeeper's hand and handed it to the tailor to Yu Shu. She lowered her head and saw that the tray was covered with red silk. There were a dozen or so items neatly arranged. From hairpins and pearls to earrings and bracelets, not a single item was missing. Just by looking at the quality and workmanship, one could tell that the price was not cheap.
"How much does this cost?" Yu Shu suddenly raised her head and asked the shopkeeper.
"Ah." The shopkeeper turned his head and looked at Xue Rui. He didn't see the latter's expression. He hesitantly smiled and said, "Young Master and Young Lady are the first customers today. I'll make it a round figure of fifty taels." Yu Shu smiled. She often came to the exchange shop and knew the price of gold and jade. She glanced at the calm Xue Rui and didn't expose him. She brushed her hand across the tray and picked up a dragonfly necklace carved from jade. She put it on her hair and took the mirror that the tailor handed to her. She looked at herself and said to Xue Rui, "I'll take this one. If I wear it too much, I'll have a headache and it will affect my thinking."
Xue Rui knew not to overdo it and didn't force her on the details. He took out some banknotes and placed them on the table. The tailor went to the back to retrieve the clothes that Yu Shu had changed out of and wrapped them into a bundle for her. Yu Shu carried it and followed Xue Rui out of the shop one after the other.
When they got on the horse carriage, Yu Shu tried to lift her legs twice because she was wearing a skirt that hindered her feet. Xue Rui snickered behind her and reached out his hand to support her at the right time, but she ignored him. She directly lifted her skirt above her knees and climbed onto the horse carriage.
Secretly sighing a pity, Xue Rui withdrew his hand and followed her onto the carriage.
"To Dingbo Hall."
"Yes." The carriage driver replied and rolled down the curtain, concealing the figures of the two.
Dingbo Hall, which was located on Chengping East Street, was a courtyard under the name of Prince Xiang. It was named after the natural lake in the hall. It was often the place where Prince Xiang held his banquets and drank wine. But today, the guest was Prince Xiang's heir, Liu Jiong. It wasn't a banquet, but a trading game.
The younger brother of the current emperor, Prince Xiang, did not pay much attention to the court affairs. He spent most of his time traveling and did not show up in the capital. As the eldest son of the first wife, Liu Jiong, who was appointed early, mingled in the capital. Like his father, he was famous for enjoying himself.
On the way, Xue Rui roughly explained the situation to Yu Shu. This was the first time that Yu Shu heard about the court affairs. Although she knew that the people that Xue Rui would be in contact with were the big shots in the capital, but the moment they met, it was the nobles. She couldn't help but feel a bit fresh and nervous.
As a commoner, the highest level that she had seen in her previous life was a municipal leader. Now that she was suddenly told that she would be seeing the highest level figures of the Da An dynasty, it would be strange if she could stay calm.
Yu Shu drank another mouthful of tea and calmed her mind. She said, "There are no other rules. You should tell me as soon as possible so that I won't embarrass you later. Don't blame me for being rude." Xue Rui said in a relaxed tone, "It doesn't matter. There are many people who don't care about trifles. When we reach the place, you just need to follow by my side and don't wander around."
Yu Shu nodded her head. As they were talking, the carriage arrived in front of the Ding Bo Building. The coachman rolled up the curtain. Xue Rui got off the carriage first. This time, he learned from his mistake and reached out to help her. Yu Shu jumped down by herself. She shook the hem of her skirt and looked up. There was a gate with a lion head plaque. The two sides of the gate were wide open. On the steps in front of the gate, there were four delicate and pretty manservants with green scarves on their heads. There was also a middle-aged steward. Seeing that there were carriages and horses waiting in front of the gate, he came forward to lead the way. The steward looked at Xue Rui and bowed, "Master Rui."
He also bowed to Yu Shu at the side. Yu Shu didn't know the etiquette, so she simply nodded her head and didn't return the greeting.
As Xue Rui led Yu Shu inside, he asked the steward who followed him, "Am I early? Why don't I see many people? Don't tell me that your heir hasn't woken up yet. " Yu Shu and Xue Rui left early and were delayed on the road. It was still early in the morning and the sun had just risen.
The steward pursed his lips and smiled, "The heir got up early and is waiting for guests in the Huai Xian Hall. Second Master Zu and Master Rui are already here." Yu Shu listened to the tone in which Xue Rui spoke to the steward. She knew that he had a good relationship with the heir of Prince Xiang whom she hadn't met before. She then relaxed and had the leisure to look at the scenery of the garden along the way.
Because the only mansion she had seen before was the Ji family in Yiyang. Comparing it to this place, she suddenly felt that she had been short-sighted before. If the Ji family could be said to be imposing, then this Dingbo Mansion could be said to be unique everywhere, whether it's the Fengshui or the scenery.
The road surface was made of limestone slabs cut into squares. The sides of the road were planted neatly with unknown flowers and plants, giving off a fragrant scent. The green trees were high and low, arranged in picturesque disorder without a single dead branch or withered leaf. Under the eaves, there were colorful murals of auspicious carvings. Copper bells and fortune pouches hung from the corners. The lanterns hanging in the corridor were all white lanterns made of cursive script. Hanging from the walls were seven-colored silk tassels. It was unknown how quiet and beautiful it would be if they were lit at night.
Xue Rui saw that Yu Shu was looking left and right with curiosity in her eyes. He slowed down by two steps and retreated to her side. He tilted his head and whispered, "There are more interesting places in the capital than here. I'll bring you to see them one by one another another day." Yu Shu regained her senses from the enchanting courtyard. Hearing Xue Rui's suggestion, she did not reject or welcome it. She only replied nonchalantly, "If there's a chance."
Since Xue Rui was aware of her temperament, he did not pursue the fact that her words were somewhat perfunctory. The two of them followed the steward through the corridor and exited through an arched door. Not more than fifty steps later, they saw a hall with a door of Eight Blessings for Good Fortune.
On the two pillars in front of the door hung a pair of chiseled couplets. The first couplet read: Do not hide anything in your heart.
The second couplet was: Do not stop even half a step in front of the door.
Not seeing the horizontal inscription, Yu Shu walked closer and looked at it. When she reached the door, she could not help but laugh secretly. Isn't this couplet hiding the two words' Huai Xian '? If the owner deliberately hung it, then this Prince of Xiang must be a smart person.
The hall behind the door was very spacious. It was more than enough to seat twenty to thirty people. The floor was covered with velvet blankets and incense tables. There were already more than ten people chatting inside. When they saw Xue Rui and Yu Shu coming in, one of them who was staring at the door clapped his hands and laughed, "He's here, he's here. Who was the one who said that Brother Rui will be absent again? Punish yourself by drinking three cups of wine."
Yu Shu looked inside. The first thing she saw was a seventeen or eighteen year old young man sitting behind an incense wooden table at the top. He was wearing a pearl and jade crown. His lips were red and his teeth were white. He must be Prince Xiang's heir, Liu Jiong. Beside him sat a budding young lady. She was beautiful and had a gentle expression. On both sides of the table, separated by a short distance, there were another seven to eight people. They were all young masters dressed in brocade clothes. Sitting at the same table was a beautiful young lady. There was only one exception, and that was the young man who was punishing others by drinking three cups of wine.
Yu Shu was a step behind. Xue Rui walked in unhurriedly. His eyebrows and eyes carried a little bit of frivolity. He joked with the few people, "Who is betting with me again? Come, let me punish him by drinking three cups of wine first."
Liu Jiong pointed to the young man sitting alone and said cheerfully, "Isn't it Zhaomiao? Just because he stayed in the Taishi Shu Garden for two years more than us, he gave himself the title of 'Know-It-All'. He is arrogant all day long. Brother Rui, you came at the right time. Quickly teach him a lesson on our behalf."
This Feng Zhaomiao was not anyone else. His grandfather was the same as Xue Rui's grandfather. He was a veteran of three dynasties. However, the Xue family was literate while the Feng family was martial. Zhaomiao was the youngest son of the Feng family. Unlike his grandfather and father, he did not have a son to inherit his father's business.
Zhaomiao was reported by Liu Jiong, but he still had a righteous look on his face, "Brother Rui, after you returned to the capital, you went to the Supreme Court and did not play with us. I said that if you don't come this time, I will find a few third-class guards to tie you up."
Xue Rui said, "Well, it seems that I have to visit the old master at the General's residence tomorrow and tell him about his good grandson who got drunk and smashed someone's shop. In the end, he wanted me to bring him out of the yamen. Let the old master tie you up and lock you up for ten days to half a month first."
Feng Zhaomiao immediately lost his confidence and begged for mercy with a sad face, "Don't, I was just joking with you." Xue Rui said pleasantly, "I was also joking with you."
A wave of roaring laughter resounded in the hall. Liu Jiong teased Feng Zhaomiao, and Feng Zhaomiao's face became slightly hot from his words. She anxiously changed the topic, and her gaze flickered when she noticed Yu Shu who was behind Xue Rui. She raised her voice to suppress everyone and asked Xue Rui curiously, "Brother Rui, you haven't introduced the guest you brought today. Who is this young lady?"
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