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  Chapter 2

  In front of the dressing table made of Huang Hua Li wood, a pair of crimson red skilled hands were shuttling back and forth among Gu Ming Xuans raven-black hair, and in no time at all, they had styled it into a beautiful Lingxu bun.

  She took out a pearl-studded eight-treasured hairpin from the box, compared it, shook her head and put it down. "Miss has been up all night, her complexion is not very good, I think we need to use heavy makeup to cover it up. But if the makeup is too thick, the hairpin cant be too plain. I remember last year when Eldest Auntie came back for a visit, she gave a golden hairpin to Ma Gu for her birthday, which was both festive and luxurious. Old Madam will surely be delighted."

  Gu Mingxuan nodded, "In that case, go find it in the warehouse."

  Luxury and beauty are secondary, grandmas preference is the key.

  The eldest aunt, Lan Niang, was the only legitimate daughter of Grandmother Zhu. She married Li Bian, the master of the Li family from Longxi, who held the title of Pingchang Bo. The Li family was a prominent clan during the Zhou dynasty and although they had gradually withdrawn from court affairs over the years, there were still many family matters to attend to, making it difficult for Eldest Aunt to extricate herself. It would take her several years to return to Shengjing once. Although Grandmother rarely mentioned it out loud, she was deeply concerned about it in her heart.

  She didnt want to marry the cruel and lustful widower, her only hope was her grandmothers sympathy. Her grandmother loved everything about her, seeing the hairpin given by her elder sister-in-law, she would surely consider it carefully.

  Xue Su pushed open the curtain and entered the inner room, smiling as she replied, "The scriptures have all been handed over to Nurse Qian, and according to Misss instructions, I also weighed out fifty taels of silver for Nurse to use as money for incense oil. The embroidered pouch with the golden lock was also accepted by Nurse."

  Gu Mingxuans heart slightly relaxed, Yan Niangniang was the most favored by her grandmother, and she had always been clever. Last night, after the incident at Yu Jin Ge, she still accepted that handbag, which meant things werent as bad as Xue Su had guessed.

  It was just a false alarm.

  Dan Hong walked into the inner room, holding a purple sandalwood box in her hands. "The mourning period is over, Miss should wear some bright-colored hair accessories now. I picked some from the warehouse, take a look."

  She opened the box, full of treasures, a room full of pearls and jewels.

  Gu Mingxuan smiled and said, "As for dressing up and making oneself look good, Ive always relied on others to tell me whats good. If they say its good, then its naturally good."

  When she first arrived, she was afraid of making mistakes, so she let the maid next to her take care of everything. Later, as she gradually understood the rules of this era, she became even more reluctant to take initiative. Xue Su and Dan Hong were both born into the Hou family, and they knew the rules and etiquette much better than herself. They were also reliable and down-to-earth people, so she felt at ease being a mistress who only had to stretch out her hands for clothes and open her mouth for food.

  Letting go and trusting can gain absolute loyalty, this is the way of governing people learned from past lives.

  After dressing up properly, the pale and haggard look on Gu Mingxuans face had disappeared without a trace.

  Her face, now free from powder and makeup, was delicate and radiant, with bright eyes and a beautiful complexion, completely different from her previous pale appearance. She took a glance at herself in the copper mirror, feeling satisfied that everything was in order before speaking up, "Go to An Tai Yuan."

  The An Tai Temple is located on the west side of the Hou Mansion, south of the Lotus Pond, north of the Bamboo Garden, and east of the Peony Garden. Its a quiet and peaceful place. Since Yongning Hou inherited the title, the old lady insisted on moving from the main house to here. The young master was very filial, fearing that the old lady would not be comfortable, so he expanded the An Tai Temple by two sections, built many pavilions and kiosks around it, and moved all the young ladies in the mansion over there before stopping.

  The Yu Ge Pavilion is the nearest small yard, and it takes only a third of an incense stick to get there.

  The old lady believed in Buddhism and did her morning prayers every day. She loved cleanliness, so two years ago she handed over the jade seal to Madame Hou and exempted everyone in the mansion from their daily morning and evening duties. They only held a family banquet on the 15th of each month, when all the children and grandchildren would gather at the Xiyuan Flower Hall, which was considered a joyous family reunion.

  But Ming Xuan was someone who calculated the exact time every day to pay her respects.

  Grandma gets up at 4:00 am, does her morning exercises at 4:15 am, and has breakfast at 4:45 am. Its just right for her to go pay respects before then. Grandma sometimes lets her read Buddhist scriptures or chat with her about everyday things, and sometimes even asks her to massage her shoulders. If shes in a good mood, shell also keep her for lunch.

  The affection between grandparents and grandchildren is deepened gradually in every detail.

  The bluestone pavement, frozen after a night of frost, was somewhat slippery. Although Xue Su was supporting her, Ming Huan still walked with some difficulty. The snow-sweeping old woman saw the situation and came up to offer her assistance, "Seventh young lady is going to pay respects to Old Madame at An Tai Yuan? Let me help you and Snow Su walk together to a smoother path ahead."

  She supported her with all her might, and kept talking incessantly, "Last nights frost was particularly severe. When I got up this morning, Mo Qi, the maid from Yue Jin Ge, slipped and fell right here, shattering the Longsheng Jade Ruyi that Eighth Miss had presented to Old Madam. Its truly a calamity! I heard that Ruyi was worth a thousand gold coins. If it werent for Old Madams upcoming birthday celebration, when its inauspicious to see bloodshed, Mo Qi would have lost her life."

  The old woman lowered her voice and continued, "Madam Hou was kind and sent her to the South Villa, waiting for Old Madams birthday to pass before making arrangements. My husband is on duty at the second gate and just escorted her out."

  Gu Mingxuans expression hesitated for a moment, and it wasnt until they reached the entrance of the An Tai Institute that she asked, "I dont know what to call you, nanny?"

  The old woman was overjoyed and hastily replied, "Im not worthy of being called Aunt by Seventh Miss. My husbands surname is Ge, and everyone calls me Old Mrs. Ge."

  Gu Mingxuan smiled and said, "So its Ge Yiniang."

  Xue Su understood, and handed over a few large coins. "Thanks to Ge Yiniang just now."

  Kes family left with a thousand thanks, but Ming Xuan and Xue Sus expressions were both somewhat solemn.

  Mo Qi is the personal maid of Eighth Miss Gu Ming Ju, and last nights commotion in the Moon Brocade Pavilion couldnt have escaped her notice. The matter of the young lady from the Hou Manor being pregnant out of wedlock is so serious that if it gets spread by people with ulterior motives, not only will Madame Hou be tainted with the reputation of being a cruel and heartless stepmother, but also the reputation of the Gu ladies in the Hou Manor would be affected. Even if Madame Hou doesnt care about herself, she has to make an example out of someone to silence all those who know about this matter.

  Moguis life is probably really cant be saved.

  The old woman guarding the Antai Courtyard heard the noise and directly led Ming Xuan and Xue Su into the inner courtyard.

  Mrs. Zhus first-class maid, Hong Tao, came out to greet her, "Madam had a restless sleep last night and didnt have the energy this morning, she even skipped her morning lessons, and only took one sip of the almond rice porridge for breakfast. Im worried, and was just waiting for Seventh Miss to come and persuade her."

  Gu Mingxuan took off her large cloak, revealing a moon-white jacket with silver silk embroidery of peony flowers and a soft red skirt. She hesitated for a moment, "Take the breakfast away and heat it up, bring it back later and Ill try it."

  Hong Taos face showed joy, and she hastily called a small maid to instruct her, then lifted the warm curtain and invited Ming Xuan in.

  Madam Zhu lay on the kang with her eyes closed, looking rather unwell, probably due to a sleepless night.

  Ming Xuan pretended to be ignorant and bowed as usual, "Grandmother."

  Madam Zhu opened her eyes and saw that her beloved granddaughter had changed into a new outfit. A smile involuntarily appeared on her face as she pulled Ming Xuans hand, laughing and saying, "Xuaner looks so pretty in this dress, and her hair is styled nicely too! Is that hairpin the one Lianniang gave you last year? It really suits you!"

  She turned to Hong Tao and said, "Take a few pieces of the cloud brocade fabric that Princess Dongping sent over two months ago, choose some with bright and delicate colors, package them up and send them to Jinzhen Workshop. Ask the seamstresses to take Seventh Misss measurements again and make a few more sets of clothes. Also, pick up some southern pearls and give them to Xue Su, I saw that Fang Jie and He Jie both had one on their shoe tips the other day, it seems this is the current fashion in Shengjing."

  Dongping Taifei and Zhu Lao Furen were biological cousins, growing up together since childhood, with a very close relationship. Whenever the Dongping Wangfu got something good, the old princess would always think of giving some to Zhu Lao Furen.

  The Yunjin fabric is produced in Shu South, due to the exquisite craftsmanship, only a thousand pieces are available per year, all of which are supplied to the Zhou Dynasty royal family, making it extremely rare; The Southern Pearl is produced in the farthest southern sea, due to the long distance, the price is very high, and the good round and large grain South Pearl cannot be bought even with a thousand gold.

  Ming Xuan wanted to decline, "Grandmas fondness is the good fortune of a granddaughter. The South Pearl is precious, wouldnt it be better for you to keep it and string it into Buddhist beads? Or use cloud brocade to make a forehead cloth, embroider a good fortune and longevity like a mountain with golden thread, and inlay the South Pearl, it would look even more beautiful. If Grandma doesnt despise her granddaughters embroidery skills, why not let her do it?"

  Usually, her grandmother had shown her more care and given her a few more precious hairpins and accessories, which had already caused dissatisfaction among her other sisters. If she were to take the cloud brocade and southern pearl this time, it would likely stir up several aunts as well.

  She now only hopes to protect herself and really doesnt want to cause any more trouble.

  Madam Zhu saw Ming Xuans bitter face and knew what she was thinking. She had no choice but to agree with her, "Ming Xuan, you must be careful with your work. On the 18th, Grandmother will wear the forehead ribbon made by your own hands, and it will be a good opportunity for the ladies of other families to see that our familys Ming Xuan is not only kind but also skilled."

  Ming Xuans heart moved slightly, and her eyes towards Old Lady Zhu sparkled with anticipation and hope.

  Madam Zhu nodded slightly to her, "Yunjing and Nan Zhu were both gifts from the Eastern Peace Imperial Concubine. The old madam has always liked them. These three years with mourning on our hands, we couldnt go out, but every time the old madam saw me, she would remember it. Xiang sister, if you can make it in time, also make one for the old madam, and that will be like borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha."

  "Its all right, its all right."

  Grandmothers intention is not only to wear the hairpin she made for her birthday, but also to find a way to make Empress Dowager Dongping do the same. What a great trust and favor! Although the ladies of other families still have reservations about the past events of the third house, they may consider her because of the face of the East Ping Wangfu and the Fuguo Gongfu, and some slightly lower-ranking families might have plans for her.

  Jianan Bos wife had not yet died, and Hous wife would not dare to mention remarriage openly for a day. As long as she could find a clean family to marry into before that, she wouldnt have to worry about marrying a cruel man again.

  She doesnt have to marry into a noble family, whether the other party is an heir or not is irrelevant, and its also okay if they dont have any skills. However, she absolutely cannot be with someone who brutally abuses women. In this era, marriage is not up to her, she understands that, and has long been prepared for a blind and silent marriage. Her husbands affection is a luxury, she never prayed for it, all she wants is to live the rest of her life in peace.

  Now, with such an opportunity in front of her, how could she let it slip away?

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