Hua Liuli arrived quickly in just a few minutes. She was wearing a dress that was almost new, with wide sleeves tied with embroidered ropes. It was clear that she had put aside whatever she was doing and rushed over.
Hua Changkong had intended to reprimand Hua Liuli in front of the Crown Prince, pretending to scold her for her lack of manners. But to his surprise, his sister's mouth was quicker than his.
"Your Royal Highness, please forgive me. I was playing with a few maidservants just now. When I heard that Your Royal Highness had arrived, I hurried over without changing my clothes," Hua Liuli said as she untied the ropes of her sleeves, smiling at the Crown Prince, "Your Royal Highness, you came here today for a special reason?"
Seeing Hua Liuli's smile, the Crown Prince also smiled, "During lunch, Benwang was thinking that since it's Fushou Junzhu's first time celebrating the Flower Festival in the capital, you might not be familiar with the customs here. So, Benwang wanted to invite you to accompany me for a visit tomorrow."
The Crown Prince had specifically made this trip because he was worried that she wouldn't enjoy herself tomorrow?
How could there be such a good man in the world? Handsome, gentle, and considerate!
"I had made plans to go out with Jiamin Junzhu, but we haven't decided where to go yet," Hua Liuli took the tea cup from the maid and replaced the cup in front of the Crown Prince, "Your Royal Highness, are you also planning to join in the festivities tomorrow? I wonder where Your Royal Highness is planning to go. I will come and find you."
When the Crown Prince said that he would accompany her alone to play, she was indeed quite happy. However, she was afraid of causing trouble for the Crown Prince.
Upon hearing that Hua Liuli had made plans to go out with Jiamin Junzhu, the smile on the Crown Prince's face remained unchanged. When he heard that Hua Liuli would come to find him, his smile visibly brightened, "In recent years, during the Flower Festival, the noble sons and daughters in the capital like to go to the mountains in the suburbs. Tomorrow, Benwang and several other princes will be playing at Wangqing Pavilion on the mountain. If Junzhu finds the mountains boring, you can come there to find Benwang."
"Alright," Hua Liuli nodded, "I will come to find Your Royal Highness before noon tomorrow."
Hua Changkong's gaze swept between the Crown Prince and his younger sister. Previously, when he mentioned making plans with some fellow candidates, his sister didn't mention that she would come to find him to play?
Indeed, things in other people's homes are always better.
With Hua Liuli's promise, the Crown Prince was in a good mood and had the attendants bring in the gifts he had prepared for her.
Various snacks and fabrics, as well as several pairs of embroidered shoes in different styles and colors.
"In the capital, there is a custom among the common people that during the Flower Festival, the elders in the family would prepare embroidered shoes for the female members. On the day of the festival, when a girl wears the shoes filled with blessings from her family, she will receive special favor from the Flower God and have a peaceful and illness-free year," the Crown Prince opened one of the wooden boxes, revealing a pair of exquisitely embroidered shoes, "Since Benwang didn't know the size of the Junzhu's feet or what color clothes you will be wearing tomorrow, Benwang had the embroiderers make several pairs, hoping to have shoes that meet the Junzhu's preferences."
Regardless of gender, giving someone shoes has some ambiguity, so the Crown Prince didn't want the Hua family to think he was making advances. He explained a few more words, "Two months ago when Junzhu was living in the palace, Benwang didn't know if the two generals would be able to return before the Flower Festival, so Benwang took the liberty of having the embroiderers make these shoes. Hoping that Junzhu and Third Young Master Hua wouldn't mind my meddling."
Hua Changkong had initially felt something was amiss, but upon second thought, the Crown Prince had sent the gifts privately and didn't even know the size of his sister's feet. Two months ago, he didn't understand the customs and habits of the capital, and his sister was the type of person who didn't bother with trivial matters. The fact that the Crown Prince had considered even these small details showed his thoughtfulness.
"Your Royal Highness's intentions are kind, how could it be considered meddling?" Hua Changkong stood up and bowed to the Crown Prince, "My sister and I are still unfamiliar with these customs in the capital, fortunately, Your Royal Highness has prepared in advance for my sister."
His family's little sister can't lack things that other people's daughters had, or else it would be quite unfair.
"Benwang was making a fuss over nothing. Now that we have General Hua and General Wei here, everything will be taken care of," the Crown Prince's smile was warmer than the spring breeze, "Originally, Benwang didn't want to bring these shoes, but Benwang didn't want them to go to waste either. After much consideration, Benwang decided to bring them. If Junzhu doesn't like them, you can simply discard them."
"These embroidered shoes are all very beautiful, I really like them," Hua Liuli picked up one of the embroidered shoes and felt the sole. Perhaps considering that they would be traveling during the Flower Festival, the soles had been specially treated to be non-slip.
"As long as Junzhu likes them," the Crown Prince placed the wooden box he was holding in front of Hua Liuli, "Benwang still has some matters to attend to and can't stay for long. If Junzhu likes these shoes, Benwang hopes you... can choose a pair to wear from them tomorrow."
"Okay," Hua Liuli nodded.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince chuckled, stood up, and looked at Hua Liuli, "Then we'll see each other tomorrow."
"I will see you off, Your Royal Highness," seeing the Crown Prince's hurried departure, Hua Liuli believed that he was indeed busy. But even in such a busy state, he hadn't forgotten to take care of her. Who wouldn't be touched by such kindness?
The Crown Prince was truly a good Crown Prince.
On the day of the Flower Festival, Jiamin Junzhu, feeling drowsy, grumbled softly, "Why are we fussing so early in the morning?"
"Junzhu, today is the Flower Festival. Junzhu is so beautiful, how can Junzhu let other girls outshine you?" the personal maid, noticing her unhappiness, advised in a soft voice, "Not to mention others, just look at Lin Wan from the Lin family. Junzhu mustn't let her surpass you."
"Her?" Jiamin Junzhu sneered, "She's plain-looking and usually appears soft and weak. Unfortunately, with Hua Liuli being so outstanding, she can't even catch up even if she tries her best. Just watch, as long as Hua Liuli is there, if anyone still notices her, I will give you a hundred taels of silver."
"Junzhu has always had excellent taste. Nubi is afraid Nubi won't be able to earn those hundred taels," the maid flattered Jiamin Junzhu, "Nubi thinks that Lin Wan doesn't hold a candle to Junzhu. If it weren't for her famous father, who would pay her any attention, let alone become the future Ying Wangfei?"
Upon hearing the words "future Ying Wangfei", Jiamin Junzhu completely shook off her drowsiness. She stared at her own lips, which were rosy from the makeup, and whispered, "What's so special about being Ying Wangfei?"
The maid dared not respond to that remark and lowered her head, pretending to choose hairpins for Jiamin Junzhu.
As soon as Jiamin Junzhu finished dressing, Princess Shunan sent someone to urge her.
"Junzhu, Fushou Junzhu has been waiting for you in the main hall for a while."
"Who did you say?" Jiamin Junzhu doubted her own ears.
"Fushou Junzhu," the maid noticed Jia Min's unusual expression and asked, "Fushou Junzhu said that Junzhu had already made an appointment, is that... not true?"
"She's not wrong, we did make an appointment," Jiamin Junzhu forced a smile. Why did she have to provoke Hua Liuli in the first place? Now, even on the day of the Flower Festival, Hua Liuli wouldn't let her off.
Although she was reluctant to in her heart, she couldn't afford to linger. Her mother had always been impulsive when speaking, Jiamin Junzhu was afraid that if Hua Liuli waited too long and became impatient, she would draw her sword and poke a couple of holes in her mother.
Hurrying to the front of the main hall, Jiamin Junzhu heard her mother's laughter with a tone of deliberate flattery.
"Fushou Junzhu, you are truly beautiful today. Compared to you, Jiamin, that girl, is like a dog's tail."
Heh heh.
A month ago, you were saying that your daughter was the most beautiful in the entire capital.
Jiamin Junzhu stepped into the main hall with a fake smile. When she saw Hua Liuli, a thought flashed through her mind.
Where did this little fairy come from? Why is she so beautiful?!
"Sister Jiamin," the little fairy stood up and bowed to her, both obedient and adorable.
"What's wrong with you, child? Why aren't you returning the greeting?" Princess Shunan glared at Jiamin Junzhu and then smiled at Hua Liuli, "This child has been spoiled by me. She doesn't understand any rules. When you all come back from playing, I will definitely teach her well."
"Your Highness, you're being too harsh. Jiamin Junzhu and I are sworn sisters, we don't need these formalities," Hua Liuli held Jiamin Junzhu's arm and said, "Please don't be too strict with my sister."
"Just look at how good Liuli is," Princess Shunan said with emphasis to Jiamin Junzhu, "She came early to wait for you, but you were still lazily sleeping in your room. A person should keep their promises. Since you had made an appointment to meet, how could you make someone wait?"
Seeing Hua Liuli, Princess Shunan was reminded of Wei Mingyue. When she was young and ignorant, she thought that since she was a princess, other noble girls would let her have her way. Therefore, she spoke and acted without any scruples.
In fact, it was true. She enjoyed a long period of carefree days until one day, she accidentally provoked Wei Mingyue...
It was like a nightmare.
Later, when Wei Mingyue wanted to join the military camp, many people in the court opposed it, but she used all her abilities to support her. In order to ensure that Wei Mingyue could successfully become a general, she gathered her friends from the noble families and enumerated the advantages of women being generals. She even said things like "who says women are inferior to men" in an attempt to get her friends to help.
After Wei Mingyue successfully became a general, Princess Shunan didn't sleep well for three days due to her happiness.
This nightmare of a woman could finally roll off to the military camp and stop causing trouble for her.
Since then, everyone in the capital regarded her as a big supporter of Wei Mingyue, even her own daughter believed the rumors outside and held Wei Mingyue in high regard from a young age.
Only she knew in her heart that all this admiration and support were deceitful lies. She just wanted Wei Mingyue to stay away from her.
Watching Hua Liuli and her daughter leave together, Princess Shunan let out a sigh of relief. Luckily, her daughter had a better fate than her. At least Hua Liuli was a gentle and easy-going girl, unlike her mother who was so terrifying.
Jiamin Junzhu lay despondently in the carriage, her mind no longer occupied with thoughts of Ying Wang or Lin Wan, only the presence of Hua Liuli humming a tune by her side
"Didn't you eat breakfast this morning?" Hua Liuli fed a small pastry, the size of a little finger, to Jiamin Junzhu, "Eat this, it won't smudge your lip color."
Could Jiamin Junzhu refuse?
She dared not, so she ate it with humiliation.
The taste was surprisingly good. She decided to endure this humiliation a few more times.
A few moments later, Hua Liuli and Jiamin Junzhu sat cross-legged in the carriage, holding a plate of pastries, enjoying the sweet treats.
"Tell me, what exactly do you want to do?" After finishing the pastries, Jiamin Junzhu put the plate aside and pretended as if nothing had happened, "I admit it was my fault for intentionally making things difficult for you before. What should I do for you to willingly let me go?"
"Did I ever hit you?"
Jiamin Junzhu shook her head.
"Did I ever curse at you?"
Jiamin Junzhu shook her head again.
Hua Liuli rested her chin in her hands, her smile innocent and naive, "So you've been overthinking. I only regarded you as a friend."
Seeing Hua Liuli's signature innocent smile, Jiamin Junzhu felt a chill in her heart. The courage she had mustered, like the plate of pastries just now, disappeared without a trace.
Outside the carriage came the sound of a whip cracking and someone's painful groans. Hua Liuli lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. She saw a group of prisoners in shackles being led out of the city.
These prisoners wore leg irons and appeared to be serious offenders. They seemed docile, except for the one at the back who walked unsteadily. The prison guard behind him seemed impatient with his slow pace, so he lashed him twice.
"Those are prisoners being sent to the quarry for labor," Jiamin Junzhu glanced casually and said, "No need to pity them. These people committed serious crimes such as trafficking women and children and robbery. They deserve this fate."
Hua Liuli let go of the curtain and turned to Jiamin Junzhu, "How do you know this?"
"Of course, I know." Jiamin Junzhu sneered, "A year ago, there was a steward in our estate who had inappropriate intentions towards the maids. After I discovered it, I gave him a whipping and sent him here."
Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow, "I didn't expect you to have a sense of justice."
"What do you mean, you didn't expect?" Jiamin Junzhu frowned in dissatisfaction, "If you don't know how to speak, you can keep quiet."
At the foot of the mountain, a group of young ladies occasionally looked into the distance, waiting for Jiamin Junzhu. Why hadn't she arrived yet?
Miss Yao, standing next to the little girls, had a discomfiting expression. She hadn't completely calmed down yet.
"Oh, Sister Yao, you're still unhappy?" one of the young ladies held Miss Yao's arm and shook it, "You and Jiamin Junzhu are not only cousins but also good friends. In front of outsiders, she must be even more casual with you. Who is an outsider and who is family, you know that too. Why bother being upset over such a small matter?"
"They even made plans to go to the Jin Ling Garden together the next day. Where can you find such close outsiders?" Miss Yao snorted, "It's not that I'm petty, clearly it's her who's annoying."
Just as they finished speaking, they saw a carriage with the emblem of the Hua family approaching. Miss Yao turned her head in disdain.
But when she saw Jiamin Junzhu getting off the carriage, she turned and coldly said to Miss Tian, "See, she even came here in Hua Liuli's carriage."
"Let it go, let it go, we are all sisters," Miss Tian grabbed Miss Yao's hand. Afraid that she would cause trouble for Hua Liuli, she quickly added, "It's livelier with one more person, isn't it good?"
"Sister Yao, listen to my advice," Miss Tian said earnestly, "According to the law of storytelling, your behavior of actively seeking trouble with others will bring bad luck upon yourself."
"Tian Shanshan, I've told you many times, read more books and fewer stories. It's good for your mind," Miss Yao gritted her teeth, "If you mention stories again, I'll make you eat them."
Miss Tian weakly said, "Sister Yao, my name is Tian Shan, not Tian Shanshan."
"Shut up." As the smartest among the group, Miss Yao often felt mentally exhausted.
Jiamin Junzhu saw her little sisters waiting for her and worried that they would confront Hua Liuli as soon as they spoke. She quickly stepped forward and joined them, whispering, "Fushou Junzhu doesn't have many friends in the capital. Let's take care of her more for the sake of General Wei and General Hua."
When the little sisters heard Jiamin Junzhu mention the two great generals, their expressions changed. In the capital, how many young people didn't admire the two great generals?
Even if they didn't like Hua Liuli, for the sake of the two generals, they wouldn't go too far with the matter.
"Actually, if you think about it carefully, we don't seem to have a deep grudge against Hua Liuli," Tian Shan secretly glanced at Hua Liuli, who was standing by the carriage and hadn't come over, "The person Ying Wang wants to marry is not her. We don't need to intentionally target her."
"My brother's horse galloping through the city frightened her and made her seriously ill. Later, when Jiamin Junzhu and Hua Liuli came to my estate to offer condolences, they were both kidnapped by bandits. The Emperor almost punished my father, but it was the Hua family who petitioned the Emperor on our behalf," although the twenty-seventh day of the mourning period had passed, Tian Shan, as a junior, was still wearing plain clothes, the only fancy thing being the embroidered pouch on her waist.
"No wonder you always pretend to be innocent and change the subject whenever we speak ill of Hua Liuli..." Miss Yao wanted to say that Tian Shan was a traitor, but if she were in the same situation, she also probably wouldn't let her friends smear Hua Liuli so easily.
Jiamin Junzhu's expression was quite subtle. Firstly, because when Ying Wang came to plead for the Tian family, he was scolded by her mother, so she felt a little embarrassed in front of Tian Shan. Secondly, hearing the words "seriously ill from being frightened" made her feel uncomfortable.
A young lady who dared to kill bandits would be scared to illness just because someone galloped through with their horse? It was clearly a trap set by Hua Liuli for Tian Ruidong, that fool. Unexpectedly, Ying Wang was even more foolish and jumped into this pit himself.
So, why should she continue to like Ying Wang, who already had a betrothed and seemed to have a poor mind?
After gradually letting go of her feelings for Ying Wang, Jiamin Junzhu realized that his straightforwardness, in her eyes, turned into impulsiveness; his bravery turned into foolishness.
Perhaps it was because unmarried men were more attractive. Once that attraction was gone, there was nothing good about them.
"With your fragile body, you better let a maid support you, so as not to burden us," Miss Yao said unkindly, "We don't want to be accused of bullying you."
"Miss Yao, you always talk tough but have a soft heart. I'll remember your kindness," Hua Liuli said with a smile, "Let's go now."
As they climbed the mountain, everyone noticed that Hua Liuli's shoes were particularly beautiful, even Miss Yao couldn't help but glance at them a few more times.
"Junzhu, your shoes are really beautiful. Did the elders in your family specially prepare them for you?" Tian Shan also had many custom-made embroidered shoes from her family, but she kept them hidden away after her grandfather passed away. Today, she was only wearing a plain pair.
"Hmm..." Hua Liuli deliberately extended her foot from her skirt, "Do they look good?"
"They look good," Tian Shan nodded, "They match your outfit today, with a faint shimmer on the shoe surface, like walking on the light. Not only are they beautiful, but they also have a clever meaning."
"The two generals care about you a lot," Jiamin Junzhu looked down at Hua Liuli's shoes, feeling a bit jealous that the other person's shoes were even more beautiful than hers.
Hua Liuli smiled and remained silent. She couldn't say in front of Jiamin Junzhu that they were a gift from her own cousin, the Crown Prince.
Seeing Hua Liuli smile without saying anything, everyone assumed that she tacitly agreed. Miss Yao, who was supposed to embarrass Hua Liuli at the Flower Festival, saw Hua Liuli's pale face after walking for a while and unconsciously slowed down her pace. She took out two mint candies from her purse and gave them to Hua Liuli, "Take these. If you faint, we won't be able to carry you."
"Thank you, Miss Yao," Hua Liuli accepted the candies and smiled, "The candy is very sweet."
"Hmph, aren't you afraid I might have poisoned them?" Miss Yao turned her head away and didn't look at Hua Liuli.
"Miss Yao is beautiful and kind-hearted. How could you do such a thing?" Hua Liuli looked at Miss Yao with gentle eyes full of affection.
Miss Yao snorted again, but her cheeks flushed lightly.
Jiamin Junzhu watched this scene in despair. Another friend deceived by Hua Liuli's innocent appearance.
Yao Wenying, why are you blushing? Weren't you planning to deal with her today because you didn't like her?!
Unfortunately, Yao Wenying did not hear Jiamin Junzhu's inner cry. Not only did she blush, but she also awkwardly untied the purse containing the mint candy and threw it to Hua Liuli, "Take it, I don't like these overly sweet things anyway."
"Thank you, Sister Yao," Hua Liuli smiled with curved eyes. In the end, somehow, with just a few words from Hua Liuli, they ended up climbing the mountain and eating candy together.
This young lady, Hua Liuli, was truly mischievous.
"Young Miss, it seems like Miss Yao is with her friends behind us," Lin Wan's maidservant heard laughter coming from behind and turned to look. She saw Miss Yao accompanied by three elegantly dressed girls. The maidservant didn't recognize the three people, but from their attire, she could tell they were of noble status.
Unlike the maidservant maid, Lin Wan immediately recognized the other three. Seeing them accompanied by many maidservants while she only had one, she felt a bit uncomfortable and even thought about turning around and pretending not to see them.
"Young Lady Lin," Yao Wenyin spotted Lin Wan and called out to her, "Why are you traveling alone?"
Yao Wenyin and Jiamin Junzhu were close friends, so she had initially tried to get closer to Lin Wan just to figure out what kind of person she was. But now that Jiamin Junzhu seemed less interested in Ying Wang, she hadn't bothered to interact with Lin Wan anymore.
Her family was an idle aristocracy that focused on pleasure and leisure, while Lin Wan's father was an official known for his integrity. Being together with Lin Wan always made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
Lin Wan stopped and smiled at the four of them, bowing respectfully, "Greetings to the two Junzhus, Miss Yao, and Miss Tian."
"Today is the Flower Festival, why is Young Lady Lin dressed so plainly?" Yao Wenyin noticed that Lin Wan only had two silver hairpins and a poorly crafted gemstone hairpin on her head. Without hesitation, she spoke, "It looks a bit dull."
No wonder Yao Wenyin and Yao Jiamin were so close. Their way of speaking was of the same vein, but lacking common sense.
Behaviors like commenting on someone's attire so openly often led to getting slapped.
Hua Liuli was about to speak to ease the tension when Lin Wan spoke with a smile.
"My father taught me from a young age to be frugal and not indulge in extravagance. I have grown accustomed to it over the years."
Hua Liuli arrived quickly in just a few minutes. She was wearing a dress that was almost new, with wide sleeves tied with embroidered ropes. It was clear that she had put aside whatever she was doing and rushed over.
Hua Changkong had intended to reprimand Hua Liuli in front of the Crown Prince, pretending to scold her for her lack of manners. But to his surprise, his sister's mouth was quicker than his.
"Your Royal Highness, please forgive me. I was playing with a few maidservants just now. When I heard that Your Royal Highness had arrived, I hurried over without changing my clothes," Hua Liuli said as she untied the ropes of her sleeves, smiling at the Crown Prince, "Your Royal Highness, you came here today for a special reason?"
Seeing Hua Liuli's smile, the Crown Prince also smiled, "During lunch, Benwang was thinking that since it's Fushou Junzhu's first time celebrating the Flower Festival in the capital, you might not be familiar with the customs here. So, Benwang wanted to invite you to accompany me for a visit tomorrow."
The Crown Prince had specifically made this trip because he was worried that she wouldn't enjoy herself tomorrow?
How could there be such a good man in the world? Handsome, gentle, and considerate!
"I had made plans to go out with Jiamin Junzhu, but we haven't decided where to go yet," Hua Liuli took the tea cup from the maid and replaced the cup in front of the Crown Prince, "Your Royal Highness, are you also planning to join in the festivities tomorrow? I wonder where Your Royal Highness is planning to go. I will come and find you."
When the Crown Prince said that he would accompany her alone to play, she was indeed quite happy. However, she was afraid of causing trouble for the Crown Prince.
Upon hearing that Hua Liuli had made plans to go out with Jiamin Junzhu, the smile on the Crown Prince's face remained unchanged. When he heard that Hua Liuli would come to find him, his smile visibly brightened, "In recent years, during the Flower Festival, the noble sons and daughters in the capital like to go to the mountains in the suburbs. Tomorrow, Benwang and several other princes will be playing at Wangqing Pavilion on the mountain. If Junzhu finds the mountains boring, you can come there to find Benwang."
"Alright," Hua Liuli nodded, "I will come to find Your Royal Highness before noon tomorrow."
Hua Changkong's gaze swept between the Crown Prince and his younger sister. Previously, when he mentioned making plans with some fellow candidates, his sister didn't mention that she would come to find him to play?
Indeed, things in other people's homes are always better.
With Hua Liuli's promise, the Crown Prince was in a good mood and had the attendants bring in the gifts he had prepared for her.
Various snacks and fabrics, as well as several pairs of embroidered shoes in different styles and colors.
"In the capital, there is a custom among the common people that during the Flower Festival, the elders in the family would prepare embroidered shoes for the female members. On the day of the festival, when a girl wears the shoes filled with blessings from her family, she will receive special favor from the Flower God and have a peaceful and illness-free year," the Crown Prince opened one of the wooden boxes, revealing a pair of exquisitely embroidered shoes, "Since Benwang didn't know the size of the Junzhu's feet or what color clothes you will be wearing tomorrow, Benwang had the embroiderers make several pairs, hoping to have shoes that meet the Junzhu's preferences."
Regardless of gender, giving someone shoes has some ambiguity, so the Crown Prince didn't want the Hua family to think he was making advances. He explained a few more words, "Two months ago when Junzhu was living in the palace, Benwang didn't know if the two generals would be able to return before the Flower Festival, so Benwang took the liberty of having the embroiderers make these shoes. Hoping that Junzhu and Third Young Master Hua wouldn't mind my meddling."
Hua Changkong had initially felt something was amiss, but upon second thought, the Crown Prince had sent the gifts privately and didn't even know the size of his sister's feet. Two months ago, he didn't understand the customs and habits of the capital, and his sister was the type of person who didn't bother with trivial matters. The fact that the Crown Prince had considered even these small details showed his thoughtfulness.
"Your Royal Highness's intentions are kind, how could it be considered meddling?" Hua Changkong stood up and bowed to the Crown Prince, "My sister and I are still unfamiliar with these customs in the capital, fortunately, Your Royal Highness has prepared in advance for my sister."
His family's little sister can't lack things that other people's daughters had, or else it would be quite unfair.
"Benwang was making a fuss over nothing. Now that we have General Hua and General Wei here, everything will be taken care of," the Crown Prince's smile was warmer than the spring breeze, "Originally, Benwang didn't want to bring these shoes, but Benwang didn't want them to go to waste either. After much consideration, Benwang decided to bring them. If Junzhu doesn't like them, you can simply discard them."
"These embroidered shoes are all very beautiful, I really like them," Hua Liuli picked up one of the embroidered shoes and felt the sole. Perhaps considering that they would be traveling during the Flower Festival, the soles had been specially treated to be non-slip.
"As long as Junzhu likes them," the Crown Prince placed the wooden box he was holding in front of Hua Liuli, "Benwang still has some matters to attend to and can't stay for long. If Junzhu likes these shoes, Benwang hopes you... can choose a pair to wear from them tomorrow."
"Okay," Hua Liuli nodded.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince chuckled, stood up, and looked at Hua Liuli, "Then we'll see each other tomorrow."
"I will see you off, Your Royal Highness," seeing the Crown Prince's hurried departure, Hua Liuli believed that he was indeed busy. But even in such a busy state, he hadn't forgotten to take care of her. Who wouldn't be touched by such kindness?
The Crown Prince was truly a good Crown Prince.
On the day of the Flower Festival, Jiamin Junzhu, feeling drowsy, grumbled softly, "Why are we fussing so early in the morning?"
"Junzhu, today is the Flower Festival. Junzhu is so beautiful, how can Junzhu let other girls outshine you?" the personal maid, noticing her unhappiness, advised in a soft voice, "Not to mention others, just look at Lin Wan from the Lin family. Junzhu mustn't let her surpass you."
"Her?" Jiamin Junzhu sneered, "She's plain-looking and usually appears soft and weak. Unfortunately, with Hua Liuli being so outstanding, she can't even catch up even if she tries her best. Just watch, as long as Hua Liuli is there, if anyone still notices her, I will give you a hundred taels of silver."
"Junzhu has always had excellent taste. Nubi is afraid Nubi won't be able to earn those hundred taels," the maid flattered Jiamin Junzhu, "Nubi thinks that Lin Wan doesn't hold a candle to Junzhu. If it weren't for her famous father, who would pay her any attention, let alone become the future Ying Wangfei?"
Upon hearing the words "future Ying Wangfei", Jiamin Junzhu completely shook off her drowsiness. She stared at her own lips, which were rosy from the makeup, and whispered, "What's so special about being Ying Wangfei?"
The maid dared not respond to that remark and lowered her head, pretending to choose hairpins for Jiamin Junzhu.
As soon as Jiamin Junzhu finished dressing, Princess Shunan sent someone to urge her.
"Junzhu, Fushou Junzhu has been waiting for you in the main hall for a while."
"Who did you say?" Jiamin Junzhu doubted her own ears.
"Fushou Junzhu," the maid noticed Jia Min's unusual expression and asked, "Fushou Junzhu said that Junzhu had already made an appointment, is that... not true?"
"She's not wrong, we did make an appointment," Jiamin Junzhu forced a smile. Why did she have to provoke Hua Liuli in the first place? Now, even on the day of the Flower Festival, Hua Liuli wouldn't let her off.
Although she was reluctant to in her heart, she couldn't afford to linger. Her mother had always been impulsive when speaking, Jiamin Junzhu was afraid that if Hua Liuli waited too long and became impatient, she would draw her sword and poke a couple of holes in her mother.
Hurrying to the front of the main hall, Jiamin Junzhu heard her mother's laughter with a tone of deliberate flattery.
"Fushou Junzhu, you are truly beautiful today. Compared to you, Jiamin, that girl, is like a dog's tail."
Heh heh.
A month ago, you were saying that your daughter was the most beautiful in the entire capital.
Jiamin Junzhu stepped into the main hall with a fake smile. When she saw Hua Liuli, a thought flashed through her mind.
Where did this little fairy come from? Why is she so beautiful?!
"Sister Jiamin," the little fairy stood up and bowed to her, both obedient and adorable.
"What's wrong with you, child? Why aren't you returning the greeting?" Princess Shunan glared at Jiamin Junzhu and then smiled at Hua Liuli, "This child has been spoiled by me. She doesn't understand any rules. When you all come back from playing, I will definitely teach her well."
"Your Highness, you're being too harsh. Jiamin Junzhu and I are sworn sisters, we don't need these formalities," Hua Liuli held Jiamin Junzhu's arm and said, "Please don't be too strict with my sister."
"Just look at how good Liuli is," Princess Shunan said with emphasis to Jiamin Junzhu, "She came early to wait for you, but you were still lazily sleeping in your room. A person should keep their promises. Since you had made an appointment to meet, how could you make someone wait?"
Seeing Hua Liuli, Princess Shunan was reminded of Wei Mingyue. When she was young and ignorant, she thought that since she was a princess, other noble girls would let her have her way. Therefore, she spoke and acted without any scruples.
In fact, it was true. She enjoyed a long period of carefree days until one day, she accidentally provoked Wei Mingyue...
It was like a nightmare.
Later, when Wei Mingyue wanted to join the military camp, many people in the court opposed it, but she used all her abilities to support her. In order to ensure that Wei Mingyue could successfully become a general, she gathered her friends from the noble families and enumerated the advantages of women being generals. She even said things like "who says women are inferior to men" in an attempt to get her friends to help.
After Wei Mingyue successfully became a general, Princess Shunan didn't sleep well for three days due to her happiness.
This nightmare of a woman could finally roll off to the military camp and stop causing trouble for her.
Since then, everyone in the capital regarded her as a big supporter of Wei Mingyue, even her own daughter believed the rumors outside and held Wei Mingyue in high regard from a young age.
Only she knew in her heart that all this admiration and support were deceitful lies. She just wanted Wei Mingyue to stay away from her.
Watching Hua Liuli and her daughter leave together, Princess Shunan let out a sigh of relief. Luckily, her daughter had a better fate than her. At least Hua Liuli was a gentle and easy-going girl, unlike her mother who was so terrifying.
Jiamin Junzhu lay despondently in the carriage, her mind no longer occupied with thoughts of Ying Wang or Lin Wan, only the presence of Hua Liuli humming a tune by her side
"Didn't you eat breakfast this morning?" Hua Liuli fed a small pastry, the size of a little finger, to Jiamin Junzhu, "Eat this, it won't smudge your lip color."
Could Jiamin Junzhu refuse?
She dared not, so she ate it with humiliation.
The taste was surprisingly good. She decided to endure this humiliation a few more times.
A few moments later, Hua Liuli and Jiamin Junzhu sat cross-legged in the carriage, holding a plate of pastries, enjoying the sweet treats.
"Tell me, what exactly do you want to do?" After finishing the pastries, Jiamin Junzhu put the plate aside and pretended as if nothing had happened, "I admit it was my fault for intentionally making things difficult for you before. What should I do for you to willingly let me go?"
"Did I ever hit you?"
Jiamin Junzhu shook her head.
"Did I ever curse at you?"
Jiamin Junzhu shook her head again.
Hua Liuli rested her chin in her hands, her smile innocent and naive, "So you've been overthinking. I only regarded you as a friend."
Seeing Hua Liuli's signature innocent smile, Jiamin Junzhu felt a chill in her heart. The courage she had mustered, like the plate of pastries just now, disappeared without a trace.
Outside the carriage came the sound of a whip cracking and someone's painful groans. Hua Liuli lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. She saw a group of prisoners in shackles being led out of the city.
These prisoners wore leg irons and appeared to be serious offenders. They seemed docile, except for the one at the back who walked unsteadily. The prison guard behind him seemed impatient with his slow pace, so he lashed him twice.
"Those are prisoners being sent to the quarry for labor," Jiamin Junzhu glanced casually and said, "No need to pity them. These people committed serious crimes such as trafficking women and children and robbery. They deserve this fate."
Hua Liuli let go of the curtain and turned to Jiamin Junzhu, "How do you know this?"
"Of course, I know." Jiamin Junzhu sneered, "A year ago, there was a steward in our estate who had inappropriate intentions towards the maids. After I discovered it, I gave him a whipping and sent him here."
Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow, "I didn't expect you to have a sense of justice."
"What do you mean, you didn't expect?" Jiamin Junzhu frowned in dissatisfaction, "If you don't know how to speak, you can keep quiet."
At the foot of the mountain, a group of young ladies occasionally looked into the distance, waiting for Jiamin Junzhu. Why hadn't she arrived yet?
Miss Yao, standing next to the little girls, had a discomfiting expression. She hadn't completely calmed down yet.
"Oh, Sister Yao, you're still unhappy?" one of the young ladies held Miss Yao's arm and shook it, "You and Jiamin Junzhu are not only cousins but also good friends. In front of outsiders, she must be even more casual with you. Who is an outsider and who is family, you know that too. Why bother being upset over such a small matter?"
"They even made plans to go to the Jin Ling Garden together the next day. Where can you find such close outsiders?" Miss Yao snorted, "It's not that I'm petty, clearly it's her who's annoying."
Just as they finished speaking, they saw a carriage with the emblem of the Hua family approaching. Miss Yao turned her head in disdain.
But when she saw Jiamin Junzhu getting off the carriage, she turned and coldly said to Miss Tian, "See, she even came here in Hua Liuli's carriage."
"Let it go, let it go, we are all sisters," Miss Tian grabbed Miss Yao's hand. Afraid that she would cause trouble for Hua Liuli, she quickly added, "It's livelier with one more person, isn't it good?"
"Sister Yao, listen to my advice," Miss Tian said earnestly, "According to the law of storytelling, your behavior of actively seeking trouble with others will bring bad luck upon yourself."
"Tian Shanshan, I've told you many times, read more books and fewer stories. It's good for your mind," Miss Yao gritted her teeth, "If you mention stories again, I'll make you eat them."
Miss Tian weakly said, "Sister Yao, my name is Tian Shan, not Tian Shanshan."
"Shut up." As the smartest among the group, Miss Yao often felt mentally exhausted.
Jiamin Junzhu saw her little sisters waiting for her and worried that they would confront Hua Liuli as soon as they spoke. She quickly stepped forward and joined them, whispering, "Fushou Junzhu doesn't have many friends in the capital. Let's take care of her more for the sake of General Wei and General Hua."
When the little sisters heard Jiamin Junzhu mention the two great generals, their expressions changed. In the capital, how many young people didn't admire the two great generals?
Even if they didn't like Hua Liuli, for the sake of the two generals, they wouldn't go too far with the matter.
"Actually, if you think about it carefully, we don't seem to have a deep grudge against Hua Liuli," Tian Shan secretly glanced at Hua Liuli, who was standing by the carriage and hadn't come over, "The person Ying Wang wants to marry is not her. We don't need to intentionally target her."
"My brother's horse galloping through the city frightened her and made her seriously ill. Later, when Jiamin Junzhu and Hua Liuli came to my estate to offer condolences, they were both kidnapped by bandits. The Emperor almost punished my father, but it was the Hua family who petitioned the Emperor on our behalf," although the twenty-seventh day of the mourning period had passed, Tian Shan, as a junior, was still wearing plain clothes, the only fancy thing being the embroidered pouch on her waist.
"No wonder you always pretend to be innocent and change the subject whenever we speak ill of Hua Liuli..." Miss Yao wanted to say that Tian Shan was a traitor, but if she were in the same situation, she also probably wouldn't let her friends smear Hua Liuli so easily.
Jiamin Junzhu's expression was quite subtle. Firstly, because when Ying Wang came to plead for the Tian family, he was scolded by her mother, so she felt a little embarrassed in front of Tian Shan. Secondly, hearing the words "seriously ill from being frightened" made her feel uncomfortable.
A young lady who dared to kill bandits would be scared to illness just because someone galloped through with their horse? It was clearly a trap set by Hua Liuli for Tian Ruidong, that fool. Unexpectedly, Ying Wang was even more foolish and jumped into this pit himself.
So, why should she continue to like Ying Wang, who already had a betrothed and seemed to have a poor mind?
After gradually letting go of her feelings for Ying Wang, Jiamin Junzhu realized that his straightforwardness, in her eyes, turned into impulsiveness; his bravery turned into foolishness.
Perhaps it was because unmarried men were more attractive. Once that attraction was gone, there was nothing good about them.
"With your fragile body, you better let a maid support you, so as not to burden us," Miss Yao said unkindly, "We don't want to be accused of bullying you."
"Miss Yao, you always talk tough but have a soft heart. I'll remember your kindness," Hua Liuli said with a smile, "Let's go now."
As they climbed the mountain, everyone noticed that Hua Liuli's shoes were particularly beautiful, even Miss Yao couldn't help but glance at them a few more times.
"Junzhu, your shoes are really beautiful. Did the elders in your family specially prepare them for you?" Tian Shan also had many custom-made embroidered shoes from her family, but she kept them hidden away after her grandfather passed away. Today, she was only wearing a plain pair.
"Hmm..." Hua Liuli deliberately extended her foot from her skirt, "Do they look good?"
"They look good," Tian Shan nodded, "They match your outfit today, with a faint shimmer on the shoe surface, like walking on the light. Not only are they beautiful, but they also have a clever meaning."
"The two generals care about you a lot," Jiamin Junzhu looked down at Hua Liuli's shoes, feeling a bit jealous that the other person's shoes were even more beautiful than hers.
Hua Liuli smiled and remained silent. She couldn't say in front of Jiamin Junzhu that they were a gift from her own cousin, the Crown Prince.
Seeing Hua Liuli smile without saying anything, everyone assumed that she tacitly agreed. Miss Yao, who was supposed to embarrass Hua Liuli at the Flower Festival, saw Hua Liuli's pale face after walking for a while and unconsciously slowed down her pace. She took out two mint candies from her purse and gave them to Hua Liuli, "Take these. If you faint, we won't be able to carry you."
"Thank you, Miss Yao," Hua Liuli accepted the candies and smiled, "The candy is very sweet."
"Hmph, aren't you afraid I might have poisoned them?" Miss Yao turned her head away and didn't look at Hua Liuli.
"Miss Yao is beautiful and kind-hearted. How could you do such a thing?" Hua Liuli looked at Miss Yao with gentle eyes full of affection.
Miss Yao snorted again, but her cheeks flushed lightly.
Jiamin Junzhu watched this scene in despair. Another friend deceived by Hua Liuli's innocent appearance.
Yao Wenying, why are you blushing? Weren't you planning to deal with her today because you didn't like her?!
Unfortunately, Yao Wenying did not hear Jiamin Junzhu's inner cry. Not only did she blush, but she also awkwardly untied the purse containing the mint candy and threw it to Hua Liuli, "Take it, I don't like these overly sweet things anyway."
"Thank you, Sister Yao," Hua Liuli smiled with curved eyes. In the end, somehow, with just a few words from Hua Liuli, they ended up climbing the mountain and eating candy together.
This young lady, Hua Liuli, was truly mischievous.
"Young Miss, it seems like Miss Yao is with her friends behind us," Lin Wan's maidservant heard laughter coming from behind and turned to look. She saw Miss Yao accompanied by three elegantly dressed girls. The maidservant didn't recognize the three people, but from their attire, she could tell they were of noble status.
Unlike the maidservant maid, Lin Wan immediately recognized the other three. Seeing them accompanied by many maidservants while she only had one, she felt a bit uncomfortable and even thought about turning around and pretending not to see them.
"Young Lady Lin," Yao Wenyin spotted Lin Wan and called out to her, "Why are you traveling alone?"
Yao Wenyin and Jiamin Junzhu were close friends, so she had initially tried to get closer to Lin Wan just to figure out what kind of person she was. But now that Jiamin Junzhu seemed less interested in Ying Wang, she hadn't bothered to interact with Lin Wan anymore.
Her family was an idle aristocracy that focused on pleasure and leisure, while Lin Wan's father was an official known for his integrity. Being together with Lin Wan always made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
Lin Wan stopped and smiled at the four of them, bowing respectfully, "Greetings to the two Junzhus, Miss Yao, and Miss Tian."
"Today is the Flower Festival, why is Young Lady Lin dressed so plainly?" Yao Wenyin noticed that Lin Wan only had two silver hairpins and a poorly crafted gemstone hairpin on her head. Without hesitation, she spoke, "It looks a bit dull."
No wonder Yao Wenyin and Yao Jiamin were so close. Their way of speaking was of the same vein, but lacking common sense.
Behaviors like commenting on someone's attire so openly often led to getting slapped.
Hua Liuli was about to speak to ease the tension when Lin Wan spoke with a smile.
"My father taught me from a young age to be frugal and not indulge in extravagance. I have grown accustomed to it over the years."
