"The Fourth Prince has really gone to great lengths," Bai Zheng said without a trace of annoyance upon hearing this. She opened the brocade box, hooked a piece of the fabric inside with her slender finger, and said casually, "Such fine material might just outshine Miss Zheng."
Inside the brocade box lay a long dress of first - rate workmanship and material. Its color was canary yellow, Miss Zheng Yan's favorite.
Although this dress couldn't compare to the one sent by Feng Linyuan, it was far superior to the ones in Bai Zheng's wardrobe and those of her two elder sisters, Bai Di and Bai Sheng.
However, after all these years, Bai Zheng had a clear understanding of who Feng Jingyang was.
"It's really something for him to spend so much just to set me up," Bai Zheng said with a smile in her voice.
Zhu Ling immediately understood and snorted, "The Fourth Prince is like a weasel paying a New Year call to a chicken!"
"Uncle Fu, thank you for making this trip. Just leave the dress here," Bai Zheng said.
Seeing Bai Zheng's nonchalant manner, Bai Fu knew that his young miss had a plan in mind. Only then did he feel slightly relieved. He placed the brocade box on the table and withdrew.
Zhu Ling frowned as she looked at the dress in the brocade box. "Miss, what about this dress..." Should she wear it or not?
Bai Zheng casually closed the brocade box, stood up, glanced at Zhu Ling, and the curve of her lips deepened.
"Anyway, this can't be Miss Zheng's idea. Since it's the Fourth Prince's demand alone—"
She slightly raised her eyes, a glint of playfulness flashing in them.
"If he won't be forgiven, then so be it."
Feng Jingyang had played this kind of trick on Bai Zheng before, using her as a target to provoke Zheng Yan at Bai Zheng's matchmaking banquet.
But this time, without Su Muxiao, who were they going to drag into this?
"By the way, has there been any news about Princess Yunxi?" Bai Zheng asked.
Qing Shao quickly replied, "It's said that she hasn't been out much. However, there was an unfamiliar pageboy wandering around the posthouse yesterday."
"What pageboy?" Bai Zheng turned to look at Qing Shao.
"We couldn't find out..." Qing Shao lowered her head somewhat sheepishly. "That pageboy seems to know some kung - fu. He was very shrewd. After he noticed someone following him, he slipped into the busy market and we lost him..."
Bai Zheng's eyebrows immediately knitted together.
She knew Feng Linyuan's methods well. For someone under Feng Linyuan to lose track of...
This pageboy's origin must be extraordinary.
Looking at the brocade box in front of her, Bai Zheng suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.
It was as if someone had woven a huge net, waiting to entangle her.
But she didn't even know who the weaver was.
Bai Zheng looked at the sky outside and said calmly, "We'll know who this pageboy belongs to tomorrow."
The next day, as soon as it dawned, Bai Zheng got up to get ready.
When Mrs. Lin came in, she saw Bai Zheng frowning as she stared at the table full of things in front of her.
The whole table was divided into two sides, each with a set of clothes and corresponding accessories.
Mrs. Lin immediately recognized that one of the sets on the table was the dress she had chosen for Bai Zheng.
"What about this set?" Mrs. Lin asked Zhu Ling.
Zhu Ling replied with a smile, "It was sent by the Marquis of Dingyuan."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lin raised her eyebrows and said to Bai Zheng, "Don't hesitate. Just wear the one the marquis sent."
"Mother?" Only then did Bai Zheng notice Mrs. Lin in the room. She said with a troubled look, "After all, mother chose this one carefully..."
"The marquis's good - will is more important than mother's. Come on, go and change quickly. Don't waste time." As she spoke, Mrs. Lin pushed Bai Zheng behind the screen and motioned for the maids to help her change.
A moment later, Bai Zheng walked out from behind the screen amidst the maids' exclamations.
The white flowing - cloud damask dress was embroidered with delicate cyan patterns. The light - blue butterflies were so lifelike that when the skirt fluttered, one could almost see the butterflies flapping their wings.
Zhu Ling looked at the butterflies on Bai Zheng's skirt in amazement and said, "How were these butterflies embroidered? It's different from our usual embroidery methods. They're so beautiful!"
Qing Shao, who was usually serious, rarely smiled and explained, "This is kesi embroidery. It's extremely precious, and the material of this dress also seems to be very special."
The dress felt as light as nothing in one's hand, but it didn't look thin at all, which obviously meant it was made of extraordinary material.
Bai Zheng felt like she had found a powerful backer.
Even though the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion was not as prosperous as before, the gifts they sent were still extraordinary.
Bai Zheng sat down in front of the dressing mirror with a smile. Zhu Ling and Mrs. Lin held the accessories sent by the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion and carefully selected the right ones to do her hair.
"I'm sure the Second Miss will regret inviting our miss by then," Zhu Ling said as she deftly inserted the last jade hairpin into Bai Zheng's hair. A glint of admiration flashed in her eyes.
Mrs. Lin also said in satisfaction, "The marquis has good taste. This outfit makes our Zheng'er look so beautiful."
"Mother, even you're teasing me," Bai Zheng said coquettishly. Seeing that everything was ready, she immediately stood up and said, "Let's go. Don't be late."
Zhu Ling and Qing Shao quickly followed behind Bai Zheng. Zhu Ling even murmured in a low voice, "I wonder what expression the marquis will have when he sees the miss."
Qing Shao didn't say a word but just exchanged a smile with her.
The group soon arrived at the palace gate by carriage.
Bai Zheng lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out.
She couldn't help but let out a silent sigh.
Even though Bai Zheng was used to seeing towering buildings and famous scenic spots at home and abroad, she was still shocked by the grandeur and imposing manner of the palace in front of her.
Different from the elaborate carving of southern gardens and the stately grandeur of ordinary official mansions in Yongding, the imperial city highlighted its magnificence and grandiosity.
The five - clawed golden dragons coiled on the huge white marble pillars seemed to be warning the world of the inviolability of imperial power.
Those who came here for the first time would surely be awed by its grand imperial aura and thus become more submissive to the leadership of imperial power.
After her admiration, Zhu Ling lifted the carriage curtain and helped Bai Zheng out.
Bai Zheng felt as if her vision was suddenly filled with a riot of colors.
In front of the palace gate were parked all kinds of magnificent carriages.
In front of the carriages, besides the young gentlemen chatting with each other, there were also a group of female relatives in colorful clothes.
These young ladies from noble families rarely had the opportunity to enter the palace. Since they could meet many princes and nobles at this engagement banquet, they naturally tried their best to dress up.
Some were charming, some were pure, and some were elegant.
Even their every gesture and smile were just right.
Because of the previous matchmaking banquet at the Gaochang Marquis's mansion, almost all the young gentlemen standing at the palace gate knew Bai Zheng.
When they saw her carriage, they couldn't help but take a second look.
At this glance, they were shocked by the young girl's extraordinary and elegant temperament, which was different from her low - key and reserved appearance last time. Most of them showed looks of admiration in their eyes.
All the female relatives also shifted their gazes over as the male guests' expressions changed.
The palace gate suddenly fell silent.