Chapter 57: The Family Banquet - Spiked Wine
Xing saw the dress sent by Haru for her. It was teal coloured in the silk she preferred with purple brocades and koi fishes embroidered in shades of red. Those fishes looked lively as if they are swimming in water. Xing also noticed there were lot of gold in that dress and pearls too. Even though it was grand it was not too gaudy as Xing never liked gaudy things.
Xing caressed the embroidery, she had only seen such detailed patterns and work only by her mother. Although she dressed like a man, she knew everything females are interested in as she spent time in Heavenly Flowers Palace with the womenfolk there. She had seen it all and even though she cannot appraise the value of things, she can definitely say good ones from the bad ones from embroidery to jade, everything.
"Shurei, you did it with your hands, didn’t you?", Xing asked pointing the embroidery.
"Yes, I wanted to. Is it good?", she asked.
"I have never seen such detailed work apart from my mother. You are amazing. I have no idea how anybody could do it this perfectly and you are young too. Wow! Haru really hit the jackpot with you. He should have saved a kingdom in his last life to get you this lifetime. He would be the most stupidest person if he hurts you even a single bit and worthless to live. Wow! You really should have magic in your hands. How else could a human do this?", Xing went on with her praises genuine and from the bottom of her heart with her eyes filled with awe and appreciation. Shurei was blushing so much as she didn’t know what to say. All she was thinking was, this beautiful woman in front of me is praising me genuinely. She is the awesome one!
"Thank you", Xing said from the bottom of her heart to Shurei leaving her flabbergasted. Xing knew that dress would be worth more than she could think of. Haru never holds back spending for her and he never expects anything back either. Now his wife is in on it too. She felt warm in her heart for all the love she received from the two of them.
I will never forget your kindness and will repay it back! Xing promised in her heart.
Shurei joined the maids who were dressing Xing as Haru made this dress different from those usual dresses. The skirt had many layers and flared at the bottom and when they finished dressing, she looked perfect as that dress was made for her. After doing her hair with only half of her hair up and supporting with a peacock headdress Lady Shaoyao sent her that was exquisitely made. Also they hanged pearls tied with golden strings and with the strings blending with her hair colour, it seemed like pearls were scattered in her hair as stars in the night sky. As Xing didn’t like drawing flowers in her forehead, they hanged a small Ruby forehead chain that was designed as a lotus that contrasted her pearly white skin.
Just then, Rijun shouted from outside the window startling everyone, "Are you getting married or something? Quicker! It is almost time. Don’t forget our family pendant and that tiger pendant too. Come on! ", he stopped seeing Shurei and gave an embarrassing bow and left immediately making Xing chuckle.
Xing wore her mother’s earrings, the bracelet Shengli gave her and looked at the Eagle and tiger pendants in the box. Until a couple of months ago, the three most important persons in her life were her mother, Haru and Shengli. But after her mother left this world and Haru began to pursue his dreams, she had gained her father, another brother and that Old man Zhong, Lady Zhong and even the Emperor and Seiren by her side. Guess my life is not bad at all, she felt. She then wore the red jade necklace her father gave and the Eagle pendant and everything matched her outfit perfectly. She did not like to wear the tiger pendant but since her brother insisted, she carried it with her.
Xu mama almost cried seeing her young miss all dressed up. The ornaments she was wearing today are all what young misses in their kingdom used as everyday wear. The ones her young miss is wearing are all rare and exquisitely made and more expensive. Her young miss looks like a goddess descended from the heavens. If she wears dresses everyday, how many hearts will she break?
Xing just patted a little powder matching her fair complexion and after applying rouge on her already cherry like lips, she just drew red lines on her eyes which made some beautiful contrast to her face and made her eyes look more brighter.