On the eighth day of December (lunar calendar), it was the fortieth birthday of Lady Bai, the Second Lady of Duke Li Guo’s Mansion. On this day, Juhua unusually didn’t linger in bed and got up early to accompany her parents for breakfast.
Lady Cui, seeing her daughter up so early, couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Is the sun rising from the west today? How co you’ve beco industrious, little girl?"
Juhua coughed and said, "I’ve arranged to go with Sister Ning to buy rouge today, so I got up a bit earlier to avoid keeping Sister Ning waiting."
Lady Cui didn’t suspect anything else and instructed, "When you go out later, wear more layers, don’t forget the hand warr. It’s said the chill of December bites the chin off. Although the capital is warr than our northern region, the season has arrived, so don’t be careless."
As she spoke, she instructed Xiao Kui to pick the thickest woolen clothes for Miss, add charcoal to the hand warr, and cover up the charcoal basin inside the carriage in advance, so it wouldn’t be cold when getting on later...
Juhua quickly stopped her, saying, "Mother, Sister Ning will co to pick up soon. I’ll ride in her carriage, so the charcoal basin isn’t necessary."
Lady Cui listened and babbled, "When you get outside, be more alert. They’re the Pri Minister’s daughter. Why would she befriend a small official’s daughter without reason? Most likely, they’re banking on our connection with the Empress Dowager, wanting to use you to curry favor with the Empress Dowager. You must be careful not to be exploited..."
She nagged throughout breakfast until Juhua was full and needed to return to her room to dress up before she stopped talking!
Juhua returned to her room, had Xiao Kui help her with grooming, then secretly hid the congratulatory gift for Lady Bai in her bosom. When she saw the Shi Chen was about right, she took Xiao Kui and went out the front door.
Outside the main entrance, Ning Huaixiu was already waiting. Upon seeing Juhua, Ning Huaixiu’s heart burst with joy. Today, Juhua was essential for achieving her aim as she understood Empress Mu’s temperant well. Although appearing heartless, Empress Mu had a soft heart. As long as Juhua was in her grasp, she wouldn’t fear her obedience unto death!
After Juhua got on the carriage, she greeted Ning Huaixiu with a smiling face, took a brocade box from her bosom, and handed it over, saying, "Sister Ning, can you check if the congratulatory gift I prepared for Lady Bai is too shabby? If it’s shabby, we should not go to Duke Li Guo’s Mansion yet. You can accompany to Zhenbao Pavilion to choose another one."
Ning Huaixiu opened the brocade box and saw a coral bracelet inside, bright red and very beautiful. Even though she was born in a wealthy place, she found this item to be a rare treasure!
"No need to buy another one. This item is already excellent. Even if Duke Li Guo’s Mansion rivals the wealth of the country, they wouldn’t disregard this object lightly!"
While speaking outwardly, Ning Huaixiu inwardly thought, even if you brought sothing undesirable, I wouldn’t let you waste ti buying others because I’ve calculated everything. There’s no room for error; otherwise, all efforts would be in vain. Finding a perfect opportunity to kill the Empress later would be difficult...
"Then I’m relieved!"
Hearing Ning Huaixiu praise her gift, Juhua patted her chest, feeling a weight lifted off her heart.
The horse carriage rumbled and before long, arrived at Duke Li Guo’s Mansion. By now, Duke Li Guo’s Mansion had its center gate wide open, welcoming guests.
Ning Mansion’s carriage passed by Duke Li Guo Mansion’s gate, and Juhua raised her gaze through the glass window of the carriage, seeing Duke Li Guo’s Mansion’s grand entrance, with large red lanterns hanging on both sides of the gate, and red silk draped over the golden plaque, creating a festive atmosphere.
A line of door boys stood respectfully on both sides, donning brand new blue cotton clothes and black trousers, with dark blue towels tied around their waists.
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