Su Lingzhi’s eyes were brimming with tears, and she managed a small curve at the corner of her mouth, "It seems in Grandpa’s eyes, I’m still a clueless child."
In the past, she lacked nothing and followed the plan set by her family step by step. The only rebellion was the matter of marriage. Only after losing did she understand how fulfilling it was to have family lectures and care.
Grandpa and Grandma truly treated her as family, regardless of whether she was the true daughter of the Su Family or not.
Su Lingzhi tried hard not to let her tears fall and promised, "Grandpa, don’t worry, I will take good care of myself."
Old Man Du relaxed a bit and said, "Alright, whenever you have ti, co back for a al together."
"Okay."
"Go see what Shanqi is doing in the room, have her take you for a stroll in the alley. Our alley’s Mid-Autumn is the most lively and cultural."
"Okay," Su Lingzhi obediently replied.
When she found her cousin, she was dressing up in the room, already changed into a Hanfu ensemble.
Du Shanqi glanced at the person in the mirror and smiled at her, "Zhizhi, I’ve also prepared a set of Hanfu for you. Change into it first, and I’ll help you dress up later. We’ll go for a stroll in the alley together."
"Grandpa just said for us to go out for a walk as well."
Du Shanqi turned her head and asked, "Grandpa mysteriously called you to the yard, what did he talk to you about?"
Su Lingzhi truthfully replied, "About marriage, afraid I’ll ss up."
"Seems like Grandpa cares more for you. I’ve been an adult for so long and he’s never ntioned those things to ."
"Grandpa treats all of us juniors the sa; he wants to bring my boyfriend back to et him."
Upon hearing this, Du Shanqi agreed, "Indeed, you must bring him back for us to et. Without eting the family, marriage isn’t allowed."
Su Lingzhi nodded, "Mmm."
After speaking, she glanced at the dress placed by the bedside and changed the topic, asking her, "Will the dress reveal my shoulders?"
The marks on her body hadn’t disappeared yet, and she was a bit hesitant to wear it.
Du Shanqi replied, "No, it’s getting cold, so I specially prepared one that’s a bit thicker for you. Don’t mind how I’m dressed now; I’m adding a shawl later."
Su Lingzhi walked over, picked up the dress, and took a look.
It had three layers in translucent blue-purple with sequins stitched on soft smoky gauze, white silk thread embroidered into petal-like feather fans, shimring with fleeting reflections.
As a fashion designer, her instinctive reaction was to look at the fabric and embroidery of the clothes. Such skillful stitching was sothing she encountered for the first ti, leading her to examine it closely.
Her understanding of traditional costus wasn’t deep; she mainly specialized in fashion structures and embroidery ca second.
"As a fashion designer, encountering our traditional clothing, are you stumped?" Du Shanqi laughed, "Do you want to help you put it on?"
"No need, I’ll manage myself; putting on clothes isn’t that hard." With that, Su Lingzhi carried the clothes into the bathroom.
Indeed, it took quite so effort to figure out how to wear the dress.
As she ca out, she happened to see Grandma knocking and entering the room.
"I was wondering why you two were cooped up in the room for so long, turns out you were dressing up." Granny Du’s eyes were filled with gentle, overflowing kindness.
Du Shanqi responded, "Grandma, it’s Mid-Autumn Festival today, of course, we have to dress up beautifully for the occasion."
"Being young is great," Granny Du sighed, then beckoned to Su Lingzhi, "Zhizhi, co over, let style your hair."
Du Shanqi pretended to be displeased and said, "Grandma, you’re playing favorites."
"Say less. How many tis did I style your hair when you were little? There’s no favoritism." Saying this, Granny Du plucked the available hairpins from her hairpin box.
Du Shanqi helplessly handed the matching hair accessories and jewelry from another box, "These are what go with that Hanfu set."
Granny Du opened the box and examined it for a while, then moved a small stool, taking Su Lingzhi to the courtyard eaves to sit in front of her.
Ivory comb teeth gently brushed over her head, the wrinkled hand held her hair ends, Granny Du gently murmured, "Thirty strokes in the morning, black hair stays youthful."
Su Lingzhi knew this was a specific habit developed from listening to opera when Granny was young, sothing she maintained for half her life.
"Grandma, why don’t you co out with us for a while?"
"I won’t go. If I leave, who will arrange dinner?"
"We could eat outside together so you won’t have to work so hard."
"What’s so hard about cooking? als outside can’t compare to ho; a Mid-Autumn dinner at ho carries the festival’s flavor. You barely return once, and it’s your first Mid-Autumn here. There are many fun things in the alley for young girls like you, I won’t go."
"Alright then."
Quietly sitting between her legs, the courtyard filled with the fresh, fragrant osmanthus scent, rich yet not overwhelming. The atmosphere was so cozy that Su Lingzhi felt reluctant to leave, as if staying there, all worldly concerns dissipated, wanting to hold onto the mont.
"Turn your head, let see."
Su Lingzhi turned her head, seeing Grandma take out a Silver Phoenix Hairpin and pin it in her bun.
She then picked a pair of fine Silver Tassels, fixing them on either side of her head, and took so unnad small hair accessories to decorate her bun.
Completing the final step, Granny Du smoothed down the remaining stray curls and handed her a pair of Tassel Earrings, saying, "Put on the earrings too; Grandma’s old, eyes aren’t as good anymore."
She said this with a smile, emotions strongly evident on her face.
Su Lingzhi accepted the earrings from her hand, putting them on while saying to her, "Grandma, you’re so elegant, no one would think you’re old. You master every craft, even knowing how to style such traditional hairstyles; I wonder if there’s anything you can’t do."
Granny Du chuckled indulgently, "In this family, it’s you and that girl Shanqi with sweet tongues, making truly happy."
"It’s because you’re wonderful, Grandma."
After the earrings were put on, Su Lingzhi revealed a light smile, "How is it, does it look good?"
Granny Du appreciatively gazed at her lively face, "Beautiful, Shanqi picked well, the dress color and accessories suit you perfectly, very spirited."
As she spoke, Granny Du gently brushed her coarse finger pads over the wisps of hair on Su Lingzhi’s forehead, "My granddaughter truly looks like a little fairy from heaven."
Being praised so, Su Lingzhi’s smile grew wider, quickly picking up the mirror to examine her hair accessories.
The limited view in the mirror couldn’t show her entire hairstyle.
Yet from the front view, all her hair accessories were perfectly and elegantly placed.
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