Chapter 929 - 0919: Making up One’s Mind 1
Chen Xueniang mentioned in her letter that a red brocade box inside the bundle should be given to Fubao as a gift for their first meeting.
According to local customs, girls do not wear longevity locks as it is believed they will keep the girl locked in her parental home and prevent her from marrying. How this custom formed and what it signifies, Feng Qingxue did not know.
Therefore, Chen Xueniang sent a set of jewelry for Fubao, which would be substantial enough to serve as a dowry when she grew up.
The set was so exquisite it could be described as noble and luxurious, with a value beyond compare. It featured filigree inlaid work, adorned with numerous East Pearls and gemstones; there were three pairs of East Pearl earrings and a string of Court Beads made from East Pearls, interspersed with four Jade Beads and some ornaments made from Tourmaline Agate Coral. The set even included four long, exquisitely crafted fingernail guards, which, while not very shiny, were of fine workmanship.
Lu Jiang took a look and said, "The color of the East Pearls, light as pale gold, is of the highest quality among them. Only the Empress Dowager and Empress are entitled to wear these, particularly the Court Beads. Besides the Emperor, only the Empress Dowager, Empress, or, under special circumstances, an Imperial Concubine may wear them."
Imperial Concubine ranks almost as high as the Empress. In the absence of an Empress, it is the Imperial Concubine who governs the harem; her attire is almost indistinguishable from that of the Empress.
"Do you think I don’t know these rules?" Since it was a gift from Chen Xueniang to Fubao, Feng Qingxue did not stand on ceremony, and placed it in her space alone to give to Fubao later; she wrapped the rest up and stored them in her space, to return them to Chen Xueniang next time they met.