TPNCQ CHAPTER 4.2
How cute are you 4.2
The next day, as the sky began to lighten, Su Limo got
out of bed, washed up, and sat down at her dressing table. Letting out a yawn,
she remarked, "Just a simple hairdo with a couple of twists and a velvet
flower for hair adornment." Empress Bai yueguang had always advocated
frugality, often adorning her hair with velvet flowers, so it seemed fitting to
follow suit and emulate her.
"Wouldn't that be too plain?" Shuang Jiang
combed her hair, voicing her uncertainty.
"How can a mother, weakened from childbirth and
preoccupied with raising her daughter, have the energy to bother with elaborate
or fashionable hairstyles?" Su Limo chuckled, reaching for a few boxes of
cosmetics on the vanity. She tested them on her hand, feeling their fine
texture and subtle jasmine scent. They were all quality products, but none
suited her.
"Dong Xue, bring your powder box over here for me to
have a look," Suli requested. Shuang Jiang rarely applied makeup,
preferring a natural look, but Dong Xue, on the other hand, occasionally
indulged in powder.
Upon hearing the request, Dong Xue paused momentarily,
then quickly realized and hurried to fetch it.
Su Limo took some powder from the compact and tapped it
onto her hand, its greenish hue initially awkward. She then applied it in
small, repeated amounts all over her face, delicately defining her eyebrows
with green indigo. Finally, she lightly touched her eyelids and blended it with
her fingertips.
Though meticulously adorned, the exterior couldn't
conceal the weariness seeping through from within, precisely the desired
effect.
Not just Dong Xue, even Shuang Jiang was momentarily
stunned. After two months of painstaking effort to regain some colour in the
Consort's complexion, albeit rarely exposed to sunlight, her skin had
noticeably whitened. Yet, with the application of this powder, it instantly
darkened, raising questions about the sudden appearance of dark circles under
her eyes.
"Niang Niang, the powder this servant possesses is
of inferior quality..." Dong Xue hesitated, her voice trailing off...
"If it's not suitable, you may take this jasmine
powder from my enamel box, and leave yours here," Su Limo said, handing
Dong Xue the box containing jasmine powder.
Dong Xue respectfully accepted the box, her mind filled
with questions. However, with time running short and the need to hurry to
Changchun Palace (Maybe department of embroidery, I am not sure about it, I
can’t find anything about it), she dared not speak further. Hastily taking the
jasmine-scented powder, she quickly went to select palace attire.
"Oh, and also, fetch some of the palace attire I
wore before pregnancy. Select a few sets to take a look," Su Limo said,
dabbing some rouge onto her lips with her fingertips.
After quite some time, Dong Xue and the two young
maidservants finally managed to rummage through the chests and came up with
three outfits. One was a light pink ensemble, adorned with large pear blossoms
intricately interwoven with gold and silver threads. Another was a pale blue
dress, embroidered with osmanthus flowers and draped in a sheer overlay. The
third was a moon-white garment, delicately embroidered with plum blossoms.
It seemed that the original owner had a fondness for
elegant, understated colors. Su Limo glanced at the outfits and noticed that
the light pink one was the narrowest, particularly around the waist, which was
more than an inch narrower than the other two. "This one," she
decided.
Just as Shuang Jiang finished combing her hair, she
noticed Su Limo's choice. Although she was puzzled, she still followed the
consort's instructions and fetched the pink attire.
Having just given birth and indulging in hearty meals for
the past month, Su Limo found it quite challenging to fit into the pink palace
attire. While the limbs were fine, the waist area was nearly stretched to its
limit, leaving little room for movement. The matching large fur vest provided
warmth and, most importantly, added enough bulk to cover up the tightness.
" Niangniang, how about wearing the winter clothes
delivered by the Internal Affairs Office last month?" Shuang Jiang
cautiously suggested, her tone gentle and probing.
"No need, this outfit is just fine," Su Limo
said as she twirled around in her flowerpot shoes. Though her steps weren't the
steadiest, she managed to avoid any tumbles.
With the sky already brightening, Su Limo hastily wrapped
herself in a cloak and was escorted into the sedan by Shuang jiang and Dong Xue.
Together, they made their way towards the Changchun Palace.
Coincidentally, after the morning court session, Emperor
Qianlong joined Empress Fucha for breakfast, and they were currently seated
around the tea stove, brewing tea and chatting leisurely.
Empress Fucha's beauty was unparalleled. Her complexion,
soft and smooth like creamy silk, glowed with a gentle radiance. Her slender
eyebrows, elegantly curved like willow leaves, framed her eyes that shone like
dark, luminous gems, sparkling with a captivating light.
Qianlong gazed at Empress Fucha, a smile playing at the
corners of his mouth, his eyes filled with affection, exuding an unprovoked
charm and gentle intimacy.
It was a delightful scene, reminiscent of the tranquil
comfort evoked by the line “a small red clay stove, a cup to drink”.
Yet, the presence of another person disrupted this
harmony.
After adhering to palace etiquette and paying respects to
the Emperor and Empress, Empress Fucha invited Su Limo to sit.
She removed her cloak and took a seat below the main one.
Now, with a direct line of sight, the Emperor and Empress
could see Su Limo's face clearly.
Emperor Qianlong’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, a barely
noticeable gesture.
Following the Emperor’s gaze, Empress Fucha observed that
Chun Gufei had gained over two inches around her waist, with her seated posture
emphasizing the fact. Embarrassed, the Empress quickly averted her gaze and
gently remarked, “I heard from Imperial Physician Luo that your health has
improved somewhat. Though not as good as before, you have recovered to some
extent. I have instructed Xian Gufei to take good care of you and your
daughter.”
As a fellow woman, especially one responsible for bearing
royal heirs, the Empress couldn’t help but feel compassion.
“Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Highness, for your
concern,” Su Limo replied gratefully.
“Though it is already February, the spring chill lingers.
You should take good care of yourself. The Empress Dowager hasn’t been feeling
well recently either, so there is no need for you to pay her respects,” Emperor
Qianlong said.
This was a clear indication that it was time for her to
leave. Su Limo promptly stood up and respectfully said, “Imperial Physician Luo
has been excellent in attending to me, and I am much better than before. If
there is nothing else, I will take my leave and visit Your Highness and the
Empress Dowager another day.”
“You may leave.”
Qianlong’s gaze remained fixed on Empress Fucha, longing
to wrap her in a silk blanket. Su Limei wisely took her leave.
Upon reaching the gate of Changchun Palace, Su Limo
finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had managed to navigate the situation,
and judging by Qianlong’s indifferent attitude, he likely wouldn’t summon her
again anytime soon, nor request her presence in his chambers.
It wasn’t over yet. Su Limo sent the palanquin away and,
accompanied by Shuang jiang and Dong xue, walked back. The journey from
Changchun Palace to Jingren Palace required passing several paths and a royal
lake, taking at least a quarter of an hour. With her unfamiliarity with flower
pot shoes, it took nearly half an hour, supported by two maids, to reach her
quarters.
Back in her chamber, she changed into casual clothes and
flat embroidered shoes, finally feeling comfortable. Her stomach growled with
hunger, and she quickly ordered a meal. The delicate shrimp dumplings,
garnished with scallions, were translucent and appetizing. A sip of hot soup
soothed her completely. She then enjoyed a piece of steamed fish, two crispy
goose rolls, and a bowl of red date bird’s nest soup, marking the start of a
pleasant day.
As Su Limo expected, news of Chun Gufei of the Jingren
Palace spread quickly after breakfast. Each palace had its own thoughts, but
the happiest was Jia Fei (Consort Jia) of Chunxi Palace, who felt everything
was under her control.