Consort of a Thousand Faces - Chapter 401

Chapter 401

CHAPTER 401 (1): THROW ONE'S PERSONALITY

Pei Qianhao narrowed his eyes, his gaze intensifying for a moment before a smile ghosted over his lips . “Commandery Prince Xie won’t be able to return to the capital for a period of time . ”

The covert guard immediately understood his intentions .  Prince Hao plans to take action while Commandery Prince Xie is been distracted . Only then can the wedding proceed smoothly .

Hence, the covert guard bowed before remembering something . “There was a young lady who entered the Commandery Prince Residence, but I did not recognise her . I could tell from her expression that she was forced to go in . ”

Mockery emerged in Pei Qianhao’s eyes .  What’s with a dignified man always making use of women? Is Xie Yun going to make use of even his younger sister for his plans one day?

“Continue monitoring the Commandery Prince Residence . ” Pei Qianhao commanded before going back to perusing the new army recruit records .

“This subordinate obeys the order . ” The covert guard bowed again as he left the tent .

~~~

The Imperial Library

Tan Ge was leaving her room just as Su Xi-er returned, catching sight of the red silk draped over everything . Even though she had already seen them when they were being hung up, everything appeared different when bathed in the golden-yellow sunlight . They gave off a harmonious aura of festivity and warmth when viewed today .

Ruo Yuan knew Tan Ge as the palace maid who was in charge of sweeping the Imperial Library . More importantly, she was the one who had blocked an arrow for Su Xi-er . Thus, Ruo Yuan immediately went over to grab Tan Ge’s hand . “Tan Ge, you’re such a great beauty . You must quickly recover . ”

“You are?” Tan Ge puzzledly looked at the plump lady who had suddenly appeared in front of her .  Her eyes are shining, and her rosy smile spreads across her rosy cheeks .

“I’m Ruo Yuan . ” Ruo Yuan pointed at Hong Li . “She’s Hong Li . Both of us used to be maidservants in the Palace Side Quarters . ”

After learning of their identities, Tan Ge smiled at them . “Nice to meet you . ” They are the good sisters Su Xi-er befriended in the Palace Side Quarters . Although their personalities are different, I can tell that the look in their eyes is very pure .

“Tan Ge . ” Su Xi-er called her before speaking with concern . “The sunlight is quite nice today, but you’ll catch a cold if you stay out for too long . ”

“My back is hurting from lying down for a very long time, so I have come out to enjoy the sunlight and festive mood . ” Tan Ge replied with a smile on her face before suddenly asking, “Su Xi-er, have you prepared the items needed for the wedding? Not only does the female side need to hang red silk, they also have to buy the Hundred Births Fruit, and do things like sewing a handkerchief . ”

Ruo Yuan curiously asked, “I know about the Hundred Births Fruit . It implies giving birth to a son early; but what is the handkerchief for?”

Su Xi-er didn’t understand the wedding customs in Beimin, and there was no such practice of sewing a handkerchief in Nanzhao .

“The person who sews the handkerchief must be someone closest to the bride; for example, her mother or sister . Su Xi-er, I’ll sew it for you . The bride will hold the handkerchief as she boards the bridal sedan chair, and throw the handkerchief away before passing through the entrance of the groom’s residence . It symbolises throwing away one’s personality; discarding all of one’s bad temper . ” Tan Ge explained .

So that’s how it works . To have a bride throw away her personality, this custom is really… But since I’m now in Beimin, I should follow their customs . Besides, throwing the handkerchief is one thing, but my personality… we’ll have to wait and see about that .

“Ruo Yuan, do you still have some fabric left? I’ll start sewing the handkerchief today . ” Tan Ge tugged Ruo Yuan’s sleeve and asked .

“You can just ask Prince Hao . What kind of fabric do you need?” Ruo Yuan tilted her head with a smile .

Tan Ge replied, “The custom dictates that a normal fabric would suffice . ”

“You can just get normal fabric from the Imperial Household Department . ” Su Xi-er interrupted .  Pei Qianhao is very busy, and his wound has yet to recover . It wouldn’t do for him to become exhausted .

CHAPTER 401 (2): THROW ONE'S PERSONALITY

The group of four continued chattering for some time before they saw a row of soldiers walking over . Each of them was carrying a tray covered with red cloth . As Grand Tutor Kong had always led a frugal lifestyle, Su Xi-er assumed that Pei Qianhao was the one who provided her dowry .

Wu Ling ordered the guards to leave everything in one of the Imperial Library’s storage rooms that had been cleared . “Carry those carefully; make sure you don’t bump against anything . ”

Hong Li pulled Ruo Yuan aside, secretly whispering . “Prince Hao is really attentive . He has even prepared the jewellery for Su Xi-er . ”

“Of course, Prince Hao treats Su Xi-er as his treasure . He will definitely please her and treat her well . ” Ruo Yuan giggled, but when her gaze fell upon Wu Ling, her expression immediately turned solemn .

Wu Ling was perplexed, and couldn’t help but ask, “Ruo Yuan, is there something on my face?”

Ruo Yuan was stunned for a moment before blankly shaking her head . “There’s nothing on your face . You can go and look into the mirror if you don’t believe me . ”

Wu Ling didn’t know how to reply, and decided to simply stop pressing the matter as he turned his gaze to Su Xi-er . “It’s time to return to the Dragon Heaven Palace . ”

Su Xi-er nodded, then walked to Tan Ge’s side before grasping her hand . “Don’t stay out for too long . Thank you very much for sewing a handkerchief for me . ”

“You don’t have to say thanks, Su Xi-er . You are a very good person . Although we have only known one another for a short time…”

Ruo Yuan cut her off . “Any pure and kind person will find Su Xi-er pleasant . Tan Ge, you have to quickly recover . I’ll go to the Imperial Household Department to get the fabric . ” Ruo Yuan ran out of the Imperial Library .

Her words had unintentionally stabbed at Tan Ge’s heart .  Pure and kind person .

“Tan Ge, I will be leaving first . Take care of yourself; don’t tire yourself over sewing the handkerchief . ” Su Xi-er patted her shoulder before walking out of the Imperial Library .

Wu Ling and the other guards from the Prince Hao Residence followed her all the way to the Dragon Heaven Palace .

Watching Su Xi-er’s departing figure, the corners of Tan Ge’s mouth curled up .  Prince Hao protects you very well . You will be fine .

~~~

Not long after Su Xi-er returned to the Dragon Heaven Palace, Pei Qianhao also arrived . This time, Situ Lin didn’t come out to greet him, choosing instead to diligently practise his writing in his room .

Looking at Su Xi-er’s hair that was devoid of any ornaments, he asked, “What kind of hairpin do you like? Golden or jade?”

She thought that he was referring to the hairpin to be worn on the day of the wedding . “I don’t wear that kind of thing very much . I will only wear the dangling ornament brought back from Nanzhao . And…” She raised her right hand and tugged at the red string hung around her neck . “I will keep wearing this white pearl around my neck . ”

Pei Qianhao quietly watched her, casually asking, “Why do you love that jade green dangling ornament, something that belonged to Nanzhao’s previous Eldest Imperial Princess, so much?” His voice was flat, trying his best to not sound like he was trying to sound her out .

He had simply concealed all his emotions .

“I revere her . Besides, I also like simple and neat jewellery with quiet colours . ” Su Xi-er indifferently replied .  Is he suspicious of me?

“It's better to match with the celebratory mood of the wedding, but since you like the jade green dangling ornament, you can wear that . However, this Prince also wants to give you another golden hairpin . ” Pei Qianhao stepped forward and embraced her, burying his head into her neck and inhaling her fragrance .

Su Xi-er laughed . “Alright, I will also wear a golden bracelet . The sparkle will add to the festive mood . ”

“Wear them all over your body . ” Pei Qianhao softly said .

Su Xi-er slapped his hand . ”Wouldn’t I be unable to move then?”

“This Prince will carry you . ”

“No way, the bride has to throw away her personality . How can you carry me into the bridal sedan chair, then all the way to the main hall of your residence?”